Santa Barbara Film Festival director Roger Durling announced earlier today that A Single Man star Colin Firth will receive the festival's Outstanding Performance of the Year award on Saturday, 2.13. Durling's Oscar-season instincts are the main reason why the SBFF is seen as a shrewd bellwether and massager of industry sentiment. His decision to honor Firth in this way is therefore a kind of wager that Firth will wind up as a Best Actor nominee.

This obviously doesn't mean the Firth nomination will happen. Durling's hunches haven't been 100% accurate in the past. (Kristin Scott Thomas, for one, was similarly honored by the festival last year without landing a nomination.) But I respect his courage in placing a strong bet this early in the game.
Posted by Jeffrey Wells on October 27, 2009 at 12:59 PM
comment #1
DeadPool
says ...
He's in. His performance is astonishing.
If he doesn't win, I'll be shocked.
Who else is a contender right now???
Posted by DeadPool
at October 27, 2009 3:12 PM
comment #2
BurmaShave
says ...
Clooney, Holbrook, Renner, Freeman, Day-Lewis, Damon...
Posted by BurmaShave
at October 27, 2009 3:39 PM
comment #3
Gordon27
says ...
I can't believe Michael Stuhlbarg hasn't been getting more buzz.
Posted by Gordon27
at October 27, 2009 3:43 PM
comment #4
dinovelvet
says ...
Isn't it a wee bit early to declare best of the year when some of the heavy hitters have yet to be screened? Nine, Invictus, etc?
Posted by dinovelvet
at October 27, 2009 3:52 PM
comment #5
MilkMan
says ...
Without the tony British accent Colin Firth has a recurring role on General Hospital. Maybe. He's Michael Knight. And about as exciting to watch, too. The best male performance of the year is Sam Rockwell in Moon, and it's not even close. What Rockwell did in Moon was on par with what J. Irons did in Dead Ringers. It's an incredibly complex performance, both emotionally and physically. Especially the physical side.
Posted by MilkMan
at October 27, 2009 4:00 PM
comment #6
BurmaShave
says ...
MilkMan, in the words of Detective Somerset, I agree with the second part.
Posted by BurmaShave
at October 27, 2009 4:07 PM
comment #7
Eloi Manning
says ...
Rockwell was outstanding in Moon, but sadly not enough people saw it for the Academy voters to consider nominating him. Luckily it seems Moon is well on its way to cult status, so it'll be well regarded in years to come.
Off-topic, but Clint Mansell deserves a nomination for the Moon score as well.
Renner is an outstanding candidate, but again - will the Academy think to recognize him? Or go for the familiar star names to woo the viewers.
Posted by Eloi Manning
at October 27, 2009 4:55 PM
comment #8
DeeZee
says ...
Invictus trailer. http://www.themoviebox.net/movies/2009/IJKLM/Invictus/trailer.php
Posted by DeeZee
at October 27, 2009 5:43 PM
comment #9
BurmaShave
says ...
yeah INVICTUS looks like it came together quite well. Clint you magnificent bastard.
Posted by BurmaShave
at October 27, 2009 7:10 PM
comment #10
Eloi Manning
says ...
Except Freeman clearly doesn't give a fuck when it comes to attempting Mandela's accent. Goddamn thing sounded like his Visa commercials.
At least Damon tried.
Posted by Eloi Manning
at October 27, 2009 7:18 PM
comment #11
BurmaShave
says ...
I noticed that too but I'd rather someone not try an accent they know they can't pull off than try and fail. He certainly has the gravitas to pull off Mandela.
Posted by BurmaShave
at October 27, 2009 7:25 PM
comment #12
Caustic712
says ...
Does Roger Durling always look like that, or is he trying to get Fred Armisen to play him on SNL?
Posted by Caustic712
at October 27, 2009 7:56 PM
comment #13
BurmaShave
says ...
Caustic that is very very good.
Posted by BurmaShave
at October 27, 2009 9:43 PM
comment #14
Games
says ...
He loves to play Car Games
Posted by Games
at March 2, 2010 3:32 PM
comment #15
!!cams
says ...
Live Sex
Live Sex
Posted by !!cams
at March 4, 2010 5:22 AM
comment #16
Valentinus
says ...
buy levitra
buy generic levitra
Posted by Valentinus
at March 9, 2010 8:56 PM
comment #17
shahriar khan
says ...
Excellent dude. Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed the article a lot while reading. Thanks again for sharing.
Call
Posted by shahriar khan
at March 11, 2010 11:14 PM
comment #18
Marlet
says ...
That was definately done by the gut
Free Macbook | Free iPhone 3gs | Free iPod | Free iPad | Free Stuff
Posted by Marlet
at April 16, 2010 7:38 AM
comment #19
urge
says ...
is that he has somehow, like his mentor Ford, managed to make an entire career again. Who says there are no second acts? love at first sight
Posted by urge
at April 17, 2010 7:58 PM
comment #20
Jordan 4 Military Blue
says ...
Nowadays, Jordan 4 Military Blue genuinely is rolling in tens of millions by supplying good quality trainers to those those who like beautiful items and would like to improve their fashion. Nike Foamposite was first released back in 1997 and the Nike Foamposite shoes were the initial ones to be worn by the well-known American basketball player, Penny Hardaway. Right after this, these Cheap True Religion Jeans gained instant popularity as well as became the hot sellers together with the basketball lovers. It'll be essential for the person getting the Air yeezy 2 shoes to find out their needs when selecting the shoes. Air Max Outlet is another nike running shoes resolution for folks try to let people's foot feel totally free while they are running. We will update the latest design Lunarglide 3 for you in time, welcome you to our store! Whenever you wish to appear fashionable and wise then you definitely certainly need to opt for Air Force Ones which may bring much more elegant for your appearance. Cheap Foamposites is also welcomed all the over world. The positives of the Air Yeezy 2 are based on its design and the type of benefits the wearer will receive from the shoe itself.
Posted by Jordan 4 Military Blue
at May 25, 2012 5:42 PM