Peter O’Toole‘s performance in Roger Michell‘s Venus (Miramax, 12.15) is an absolute lock for a Best Actor nomination, says Oscar prognosticator Pete Hammond after catching the British-made comedy-drama yesterday afternoon at the Telluride Film Festival. This is also the view of several others who caught the film yesterday as well, he reports. I’ve been flagging this development for a while now, and trying to see Venus since I first heard about some research screenings last April. Michell admitted to being nervous about the reaction to yesterday’s showings, which were the very first for the final finished print. Venus will be screening at the Toronto Film Festival, and Michell, O’Toole and various other team members will show up also.