Screen Actors Guild Awards - Predictions!

It's been a long time, bloggers!

I'm updating to predict the nominations that will be released for the 2012 Screen Actors Guild Awards. Here are my picks:

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A CAST ENSEMBLE
THE ARTIST
BRIDESMAIDS
THE DESCENDANTS
THE HELP
THE TREE OF LIFE

BEST ACTOR
George Clooney in THE DESCENDANTS
Jean Dujardin in THE ARTIST
Michael Fassbender in SHAME
Gary Oldman in TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY
Brad Pitt in MONEYBALL

BEST ACTRESS
Glenn Close in ALBERT DOBBS
Viola Davis in THE HELP
Meryl Streep in THE IRON LADY
Tilda Swinton in WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN
Michelle Williams in MY WEEK WITH MARILYN

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Kenneth Branagh in MY WEEK WITH MARILYN

Albert Brooks in DRIVE
Christopher Plummer in BEGINNERS

Andy Serkis in RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES
Max Von Sydow in EXTREMELY LOUD AND INCREDIBLY CLOSE

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Berenice Bejo in THE ARTIST
Jessica Chastain in THE HELP
Janet McTeer in ALBERT DOBBS
Octavia Spencer in THE HELP
Shailene Woodley in THE DESCENDANTS

Early Oscar Predictions for 2012

I missed last year's early predictions, so I'm going to attempt at naming the nominee's for next December, leading to the 2012 Academy Awards. I'm sure I'll do TERRIBLE.

BEST PICTURE
THE CONSPIRATOR
THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO

THE IDES OF MARCH

THE IRON LADY

MARTHA MARCY MAE MARLENE

MEEK'S CUTOFF

THE TREE OF LIFE

WE BOUGHT A ZOO
WAR HORSE
YOUNG ADULT

BEST DIRECTOR

George Clooney for THE IDES OF MARCH

David Fincher for THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO

Terrence Malik for THE TREE OF LIFE

Jason Reitman for YOUNG ADULT

Stephen Spielberg for WAR HORSE

BEST ACTOR
Daniel Craig in THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO
Ryan Gosling in THE IDES OF MARCH
Jeremy Irvine in WAR HORSE
Brad Pitt in THE TREE OF LIFE
Sam Riley in ON THE ROAD

BEST ACTRESS
Rooney Mara in THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO

Elizabeth Olsen in MARTHA MARCY MAE MARLENE

Meryl Streep in THE IRON LADY

Michelle Williams in MY WEEK WITH MARILYN

Robin Wright in THE CONSPIRATOR

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Jim Broadbent in THE IRON LADY
George Clooney in THE IDES OF MARCH
John Hawkes in MARTHA MARCY MAE MARLENE
Phillip Seymour Hoffman in MONEYBALL
Sean Penn in THE TREE OF LIFE

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Adams in ON THE ROAD
Jessica Chastain in THE TREE OF LIFE
Viola Davis in THE HELP
Elle Fanning in WE BOUGHT A ZOO
Chloe Moretz in HUGO CABARET

Best of 2009: Top 10 Performances by a Leading Actress

In most of my lists, I'm reasonably on track with the awards' lists, however with the leading females of 2009, I highly disagree with - particularly Oscar - the dominant 5 ladies given nominations (although most of them make the list of 10).

Half of the women on my list consist of actresses portraying the lives of real women - biopics, I suppose. Emily Blunt provided wispy innocence and entertaining rebellion to Queen Victoria in "The Young Victoria." She came forth as an actress desiring the praise she had a few years ago with "The Devil Wears Prada." In "The Last Station," Helen Mirren terrorized the characters in the film as the devilish siren Sofya Tolstoy (Leo's wife). She snagged an Oscar nomination for the role and was clearly the dominating force of the film.

Taking on the role of Gabrielle Chanel in "Coco Before Chanel," Audrey Tautou bewilders in so many ways - mostly how the hell she's never been nominated for an Oscar yet. Independence and creativity completely resounded from her throughout the French film. Incredible in "Stop-Loss" and proving herself again in "Bright Star" as the muse of famous British poet John Keats, Fanny Brawne, Abbie Cornish was simply what the title suggests - and she and the script counter this possible sappy side with moving scenes of grief, strife, and hardship. Cornish was perfect. Finally for the biopic roles, Meryl Streep brings comedy, drama, and cooking to the role of Julia Child in "Julie & Julia." She, of course, is brilliant. She, of course, should have won the Oscar over Sandra Bullock, who, while delivering the best performance of her career, should have had no chance against any of the ladies in this list of 10. It shows that the awards can be plagued by campaigns and money - clearly, since "The Blind Side" (yes, "The Blind Side") was nominated for Best Picture.

Two young ladies who we nominated this year take on bildungsroman-type roles: Gabourey Sidibe in "Precious" and Carey Mulligan in "An Education." One has to be careful with Sidibe; I'm not fond of critics and other talkative people who believe that a performances is so damn good because the role is so unlike/oppositional to the actress. This is the case with Sidibe. Did she completely embody her role? Yes. Did she deliver "the goods"? Of course. Does this make her worthy of top 5? Not necessarily. Carey Mulligan created an addictive allure to her Jenny in "An Education." The audience is moved to follow her on her journey of discovery. In a role that could be perceived as weak and completely naive, Mulligan adds early-gained independence and control of her character.

The last three actresses include roles that demand power, risk, control and - at times - the ability to let go. Aside from Christoph Waltz, the most memorable role would be that of Shoshana Dreyfus played by Melanie Laurent. It's Hamlet; it's Lysistrata; it's the incredible talent of Laurent mixed with the eye of Quentin Tarantino. Her shining scene is when she's stuck with Waltz in the restaurant. She's stone-cold, stoic; when he leaves, her release of emotion shoud've got her some sort of award. In the indie-film "Trucker," Michelle Monaghan shows a new side of her as an actress in a hugely underrated role as truck-driver Diane who has to learn how to be a mother. And finally for the tough babes, Tilda Swinton as the title role in "Julia" punches a whopping hole in what it means to be a great actress. She tears the screen up. She is unstopable. She doesn't give a damn, just like her character. I feel like she completely lived her role; I feel she IS Julia, the smoking, drinking, insane woman who decides it's a good idea to involve herself in a kidnapping with one of her crazy AA friends. Actually, it was her first day in AA. If you want a heart-pumping "what did this chick get herself into" kind of flick, watch Tilda in "Julia" and you'll see why it's one of the best performances, not only of 2009, but of the entire decade.

So, here are the Top 10 Performances by a Leading Actress for 2009:

10. Helen Mirren as Sofya Tolstoy in THE LAST STATION

9. Emily Blunt as Queen Victoria in THE YOUNG VICTORIA

8. Gabourey Sidibe as Precious in PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL 'PUSH' BY SAPPHIRE

7. Audrey Tautou as Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel in COCO BEFORE CHANEL

6. Carey Mulligan as Jenny in AN EDUCATION

5. Meryl Streep as Julia Child in JULIE & JULIA

4. Michelle Monaghan as Diana Ford in TRUCKER

3. Melanie Laurent as Shoshanna Dreyfus in INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS

2. Abbie Cornish as Fanny Brawne in BRIGHT STAR

1. Tilda Swinton as Julia in JULIA

Best of 2008: Everything But Best Motion Picture

Best of 2008: Everything But Best Motion Picture

So before I give up my 10 ten film of 2008, here's a rundown of the top visual and special effects, movie music, cinematographers, screenplays, ensemble, directors, and the 5 greatest performances of 2008 (male, female, leading or supporting). I won't write any reasons, just a list this time, so: Enjoy!

Top 5 Visual/Special Effects:
5. Beverly Abbot for THE RUINS
4. Kaj Steveman for LET THE RIGHT ONE IN
3. Ben Snow for IRON MAN
2. Nick Davis for THE DARK KNIGHT
1. Eric Barba for THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

Top 5 Musical Scores/Soundtracks:
5. David Torn/Soundtrack for THE WACKNESS
4. Howard Shore for DOUBT
3. ABBA for MAMMA MIA!
2. Nico Muhly for THE READER
1. A.R. Rahman/Soundtrack for SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

Top 5 Cinematographers:
5. Roger Deakins for REVOLUTIONARY ROAD
4. Wally Pfister for THE DARK KNIGHT
3. Roger Deakins and Chris Menges for THE READER
2. Anthony Dod Mantle for SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
1. Claudio Miranda for THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

Top 10 Screenplays:
10. Eric Roth & Robin Swicord for THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
9. Kelly Reichardt & Jonathan Raymond for WENDY AND LUCY
8. Darren Aronofsky for THE WRESTLER
7. Woody Allen for VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA
6. David Hare for THE READER
5. Andrew Stanton, Pete Docter & Jim Reardon for WALL-E
4. Simon Beaufoy for SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
3. Dustin Lance Black for MILK
2. John Patrick Shanley for DOUBT
1. Jenny Lumet for RACHEL GETTING MARRIED

Top 10 Cast Ensembles:
10. FUNNY GAMES
9. THE VISITOR
8. SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
7. THE DARK KNIGHT
6. THE READER
5. THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
4. VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA
3. RACHEL GETTING MARRIED
2. MILK
1. DOUBT

Top 10 Directors:
10. Woody Allen for VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA
9. Martin McDonagh for IN BRUGES
8. Darren Aronofsky for THE WRESTLER
7. Jonathan Demme for RACHEL GETTING MARRIED
6. David Fincher for THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
5. James March for MAN ON WIRE
4. Stephen Daldry for THE READER
3. Tomas Alfredson for LET THE RIGHT ONE IN
2. Gus Van Sant for MILK
1. Danny Boyle for SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

The 5 Greatest Performances of 2008:
5. Sally Hawkins in HAPPY-GO-LUCKY
4. Sean Penn in MILK
3. Meryl Streep in DOUBT
2. Kate Winslet in THE READER
1. Heath Ledger in THE DARK KNIGHT

Best of 2008: Top 10 Performances by a Leading Actress

Best of 2008: Top 10 Performances by a Leading Actress

The women of 2008 have been so incredible that many great performances couldn't even make the top ten. The biggest names in Hollywood strut their stuff on the screen and the red carpet this year, and rightfully so.

Most of the acting I enjoy in the lead categories are of dramatic roles, however, two funny ladies made the cut. Rebecca Hall in "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" was superbly sly and cunning opposite Scarlett Johansson. Hall played the woman with a wall blocking Javier's attempts and eventual triumph of woo, and turned her character into the more interesting one of the title roles. The other comedian, Sally Hawkins in "Happy-Go-Lucky," provides the funniest, soulful, and deeply hilarious performance of the year. She completely sparkles in the film and was terribly snubbed by SAG and the Oscars. Thank God she won a Golden Globe.

Then, there's the dramatic. The diva. The immaculate and untouchable. In three of the "simply complicated" roles, Melissa Leo, an actress I've never heard of, stars in "Frozen River" and delivers a punch as the desperate, surviving mom of two who will stop at nothing for the safety and health of her children - even transporting illegals over the frozen river on Canada's border. In "Rachel Getting Married," the abstruse relationships with everyone and Kym is what makes Anne Hathaway simmer. With enough teenage angst to create a "Catcher in the Rye" handbook, she is one of the five ladies I highly recommend to win. She's so damn empathetic, I can't even retell it. Finally, Michelle Williams' performance in "Wendy and Lucy" doesn't impale you with campaigning urgency right away. She sits in your stomach, working her way to your heart. An unforgettable role in the most simple of films, that, like her performance, blossoms into a complicated was with an unforgiving society. She's exceptional.

And now for the screamers - and I'm not including Jamie Lee Curtis. Meryl Streep proves that one can be happy in the sunshine and dancing on the beach during the summertime, and shift as winter grows colder, the leaves lie dead under the snow, and nothing can escape the chill. Her interpretation of "Doubt's" Sister Aloysius is phenomenal. She brings on the intensity, she gives us the accent, and she is so intimate with compassion. On paper, Aloysius is a complete bitch. Streep gave her humility, ambition, and weaknesses. I loved that. In "Revolutionary Road," Leo did most of the screaming, but Kate Winslet balanced with utter, eerie silence and blood-curdling blowouts. Her character was the most stimulating, escaping the housewife commonality into a world of dreams and hope. She fought as hard as she could to live a life they could love. She was painful and beautifully depressing. Last of the screamers is Angelina Jolie in "Changeling."

Finally, the two women who played the adult life of their characters, Hanna Schmitz for Kate Winslet (appearing for the second time on this list) and Daisy for Cate Blanchett. The two K(C)ate's take the art of acting to new levels, creating new stages with each scene, allowing their characters to flex and mold as age sets in and wrinkles cross their brow. Winslet, in a performance that nearly tops herself as Clementine in "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," strips herself nude (literally and figuratively) to play a role destined for her in "The Reader." Blanchett surpasses beautiful, entering the realm of the insanely celestial. The brilliant cinematography of "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" captured the royalty that is Blanchett.

So, I'd like to present the 2008 Top 10 Performances by a Leading Actress:

10. Cate Blanchett as Daisy in THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

9. Rebecca Hall as Vicky in VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA

8. Angelina Jolie as Christine Collins in CHANGELING

7. Melissa Leo as Ray Eddy in FROZEN RIVER

6. Michelle Williams as Wendy in WENDY AND LUCY

5. Kate Winslet as April Wheeler in REVOLUTIONARY ROAD

4. Anne Hathaway as Kym in RACHEL GETTING MARRIED

3. Sally Hawkins as Poppy in HAPPY-GO-LUCKY

2. Meryl Streep as Sister Aloysius Beauvier in DOUBT

1. Kate Winslet as Hanna Schmitz in THE READER

Screen Actor's Guild Award Predictions & Winners

15th ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS NOMINATIONS

**My predictions are LARGE**

THEATRICAL MOTION PICTURES

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
RICHARD JENKINS / Walter Vale - "THE VISITOR" (Overture Films)
FRANK LANGELLA / Richard Nixon - "FROST/NIXON" (Universal Pictures)
SEAN PENN / Harvey Milk - "MILK" (Focus Features)
BRAD PITT / Benjamin Button - "THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON" (Paramount Pictures)
MICKEY ROURKE / Randy - "THE WRESTLER" (Fox Searchlight Pictures)Outstanding

Winner: Sean Penn

Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
ANNE HATHAWAY / Kym - "RACHEL GETTING MARRIED" (Sony Pictures Classics)
ANGELINA JOLIE / Christine Collins - "CHANGELING" (Universal Pictures)
MELISSA LEO / Ray Eddy - "FROZEN RIVER" (Sony Pictures Classics)
MERYL STREEP / Sister Aloysius Beauvier - "DOUBT" (Miramax Films)
KATE WINSLET / April Wheeler - "REVOLUTIONARY ROAD" (Paramount Vantage)

Winner: Meryl Streep

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
JOSH BROLIN / Dan White - "MILK" (Focus Features)
ROBERT DOWNEY, JR. / Kirk Lazarus - "TROPIC THUNDER" (Paramount Pictures)
PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN / Father Brendan Flynn - "DOUBT" (Miramax Films)
HEATH LEDGER / Joker - "THE DARK KNIGHT" (Warner Bros. Pictures)
DEV PATEL / Older Jamal - "SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE" (Fox Searchlight Pictures)

Winner: Heath Ledger

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
AMY ADAMS / Sister James - "DOUBT" (Miramax Films)
PENÉLOPE CRUZ / Maria Elena - "VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA" (The Weinstein Company)
VIOLA DAVIS / Mrs. Miller - "DOUBT" (Miramax Films)
TARAJI P. HENSON / Queenie - "THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON" (Paramount Pictures)
KATE WINSLET / Hanna Schmitz - "THE READER" (The Weinstein Company)

Winner: Kate Winslet

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON (Paramount Pictures)
DOUBT (Miramax)
FROST/NIXON (Universal Pictures)
MILK (Focus Features)
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE (Fox Searchlight Pictures)

Winner: Slumdog Millionaire


PRIMETIME TELEVISION

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries
RALPH FIENNES / Bernard Lafferty - "BERNARD AND DORIS" (HBO)
PAUL GIAMATTI / John Adams - "JOHN ADAMS" (HBO)
KEVIN SPACEY / Ron Klain - "RECOUNT" (HBO)
KIEFER SUTHERLAND / Jack Bauer - "24: REDEMPTION" (FOX)
TOM WILKINSON / Benjamin Franklin - "JOHN ADAMS" (HBO)

Winner: Paul Giamatti

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries
LAURA DERN / Katherine Harris - "RECOUNT" (HBO)
LAURA LINNEY / Abigail Adams - "JOHN ADAMS" (HBO)
SHIRLEY MacLAINE / Coco Chanel - "COCO CHANEL" (Lifetime)
PHYLICIA RASHAD / Lena Younger - "A RAISIN IN THE SUN" (ABC)
SUSAN SARANDON / Doris Duke - "BERNARD AND DORIS" (HBO)

Winner: Laura Linney

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series
MICHAEL C. HALL / Dexter Morgan - "DEXTER" (Showtime)
JON HAMM / Don Draper - "MAD MEN" (AMC)
HUGH LAURIE / Gregory House - "HOUSE" (FOX)
WILLIAM SHATNER / Denny Crane - "BOSTON LEGAL" (ABC)
JAMES SPADER / Alan Shore - "BOSTON LEGAL" (ABC)

Winner: Hugh Laurie

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series
SALLY FIELD / Nora Walker - "BROTHERS & SISTERS" (ABC)
MARISKA HARGITAY / Det. Olivia Benson - "LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT" (NBC)
HOLLY HUNTER / Grace Hanadarko - "SAVING GRACE" (TNT)
ELISABETH MOSS / Peggy Olson - "MAD MEN" (AMC)
KYRA SEDGWICK / Dep. Chief Brenda Johnson - "THE CLOSER" (TNT)

Winner: Sally Field

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series
ALEC BALDWIN / Jack Donaghy - "30 ROCK" (NBC)
STEVE CARELL / Michael Scott - "THE OFFICE" (NBC)
DAVID DUCHOVNY / Hank Moody - "CALIFORNICATION" (Showtime)
JEREMY PIVEN / Ari Gold - "ENTOURAGE" (HBO)
TONY SHALHOUB / Adrian Monk - "MONK" (USA)

Winner: Alec Baldwin

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series
CHRISTINA APPLEGATE / Samantha Newly - "SAMANTHA WHO?" (ABC)
AMERICA FERRERA / Betty Suarez - "UGLY BETTY" (ABC)
TINA FEY / Liz Lemon - "30 ROCK" (NBC)
MARY-LOUISE PARKER / Nancy Botwin - "WEEDS" (Showtime)
TRACEY ULLMAN / Various Characters - "TRACEY ULLMAN’S STATE OF THE UNION" (Showtime)

Winner: Tina Fey

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
BOSTON LEGAL (ABC)
THE CLOSER (TNT)
DEXTER (Showtime)
HOUSE (Fox)
MAD MEN (AMC)

Winner: Mad Men

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
30 ROCK (NBC)
DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES (ABC)
ENTOURAGE (HBO)
THE OFFICE (NBC)
WEEDS (Showtime)

Winner: 30 Rock


SAG HONORS FOR STUNT ENSEMBLES

Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture
THE DARK KNIGHT (Warner Bros. Pictures)
HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY (Universal Pictures)
INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL (Paramount Pictures)
IRON MAN (Paramount Pictures)
WANTED (Universal Pictures)

Winner: The Dark Knight

Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series
THE CLOSER (TNT)
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS (NBC)
HEROES (NBC)
PRISON BREAK (FOX)
THE UNIT (CBS)

Winner: Heroes

My Grade: 11/15 = 73%
Jennie's Grade: 12/15 = 80% --- WINNER

Damn it! All because of the stupid stunt awards!!!

Doubt

Doubt
Starring Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams & Viola Davis

John Patrick Shanley's 2005 Pulitzer and Tony-winning play, "Doubt, a Parable," comes to the big screen with a smaller name (just drop the "a Parable" part) breathing life into the four-character original. Next to "Hamlet" and "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" Shanley has written one of the best plays of all time - no over-exaggeration. It is perfect. So, it's worrisome to watch a sheer masterpiece on the big screen with big names: Streep, Hoffman, Adams. "Doubt" in the cinematic form is not perfection, however Shanley's screenplay portrays St. Nicholas Catholic School in a way the play only imagined, said with both approbation and uneasiness.

This story is a tricky one to adjust. Philip Seymour Hoffman plays Father Brendan Flynn, a cordial, jolly priest who gains the trust of the community, the audience and his colleagues. This role is thrown into a sticky situation due to Sister Aloysius Beauvier (Meryl Streep), and must be interpreted with much care. Aloysius, the school's principal and Flynn's inferior, speculates that he has involved himself in inappropriate relations with one or more of her students. Hoffman's job is to gain the trust of the audience by seeming... normal. Shanley's script allows for slight creepiness to ooze out of Flynn (i.e. long fingernails and Kool-aid and cookies), but it must be subtle enough for the trust to remain. Hoffman succeeds in this task. Though many doubted the casting for Flynn, this man tackles the role like he always does.

Sister Aloysius is another role that can go terribly in the wrong direction. Honestly, the previews showed her loud, vicious side which should only come out a few times. Streep keeps her character in control, but also gives Aloysius more humanness than expected, which was very pleasing. She did not become an unbeatable force. She has weaknesses, hidden through a clouded window. The Queen of Holloywood illustrates that age will never bring her down, and I hope she earns her third Oscar for this terrific and commanding performance.

As for Viola Davis' Mrs. Miller (formerly known as Muller in the play) and Amy Adams' Sister James, Adams wins by a long shot despite all the critics' opinions. We know Adams can play the innocent, naive character ("Junebug," "Enchanted," and "Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day"), and she delights us one more time as the young nun who is the go-between for Aloysius and Flynn. Though she has been nominated for a Golden Globe and a SAG, just like Davis, Adams is still underrated. Sister James is the keystone to "Doubt." She represents the audience. She embodies the adjective, "wishy-washy," which may seem like a weakness, but is in fact the essence of this movie. To doubt yourself and others is to think anew. One can either keep on believing the same thing, doing the same routine, remaining innocent, or one can change. James' psychological transformation is beautiful and sad. Because Aloysius brought the woman into a world of doubt and uncertainty, a world she can never revisit, James has new ideas and thoughts - she doubts. We, the audience, are the same as she. We are unsure of Flynn and Aloysius. We follow James, and maybe believe her more above her superiors.

Mrs. Miller, the mother of the black boy supposedly involved with Father Flynn, commands one single scene. Viola Davis arrives as the only character completely sure of themselves, even if everything else is askew. The virtually unknown actress dominates Streep, but only because the script allows her too. The woman is excellent, but overrated with the world of cinema. This woman gave a powerful performance, full of profundity on countless levels, but deserves no award over Adams as the supporting lady.

The play was Shanley's masterpiece, his baby; he had to take control in the film adaptation. Any sane person would have. However, some of his decisions in the adaptation took the story down different paths. It was the slight changes that stirred in me. The lines he cut that should have been savored and a few actions that weren't played out. Perhaps they were minuscule items that bothered him. With polished cinematography and angles that can only be defined as tipsy, the feel of the film serves as excellent and a bit unnerving.

In bringing a jewel of the stage to life on the screen, there will be some stains and spots, however, Shanley and the eternally memorable cast keep "Doubt" priceless.

Grade: A

Golden Globe Nominations - The Rights & Wrongs of My Predictions

So, the Golden Globe nominations were released this morning. In the motion picture categories, "Doubt," "Frost/Nixon," and "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" all lead the board with 5 nods a piece, "Doubt" being the only one NOT nominated in a Best Motion Picture category - BOO! Winslet & Streep both land 2 nominations a piece, "Milk" got shafted, James Franco ended up nominated for "Pineapple Express," Amy Adams proved that Sister James is the heart of "Doubt," and "Tropic Thunder" dominates the VERY tight Supporting Actor category. Yes, "Tropic Thunder."

Here's my predictions matched with who I got wrong and who should be added to the list. Complete list of nominations can be found at http://www.goldenglobes.org/.

BEST MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Milk
Slumdog Millionaire
The Wrestler
Watch out for: Frost/Nixon, Revolutionary Road

Wrong: The Dark Knight, Milk, The Wrestler
Add: Frost/Nixon, The Reader, Revolutionary Road
Suprised? The Reader! Go read the book!!!
Grade: 2/5


BEST MOTION PICTURE - COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Burn After Reading
Cadillac Records
Happy-Go-Lucky
Mamma Mia!
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Watch out for: WALL-E, Tropic Thunder

Wrong: Cadillac Records
Add: In Bruges
Surprised? Nothing really... I'm happy for In Bruges.
Grade: 4/5


BEST ACTOR - DRAMA
Brad Pitt in THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
Frank Langhella in FROST/NIXON
Leonardo DiCaprio in REVOLUTIONARY ROAD
Mickey Rourke in THE WRESTLER
Sean Penn in MILK
Watch out for: Clint Eastwood in GRAN TORINO, Richard Jenkins in THE VISITOR

PERFECT!
Surprised? Obviously not.
Grade: 5/5


BEST ACTOR - COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Adrien Brody in CADILLAC RECORDS
Colin Farrell in IN BRUGES
Dustin Hoffman in LAST CHANCE HARVEY
George Clooney in BURN AFTER READING
Javier Bardem in VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA
Watch out for: Steve Coogan in HAMLET 2, Ben Stiller in TROPIC THUNDER

Wrong: Adrien Brody, George Clooney
Add: James Franco in PINEAPPLE EXPRESS, Brendan Gleeson in IN BRUGES
Surprised? James Franco - WOOOOO!!!
Grade: 3/5


BEST ACTRESS - DRAMA
Angelina Jolie in CHANGELING
Anne Hathaway in RACHEL GETTING MARRIED
Kate Winslet in REVOLUTIONARY ROAD
Kristin Scott Thomas in I'VE LOVED YOU SO LONG
Meryl Streep in DOUBT
Watch out for: Cate Blanchett in THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON, Melissa Leo in FROZEN RIVER

PERFECT!
Surprised? No way!
Grade: 5/5


BEST ACTRESS - COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Beyonce Knowles in CADILLAC RECORDS
Emma Thompson in LAST CHANCE HARVEY
Meryl Streep in MAMMA MIA!
Sarah Jessica Parker in SEX AND THE CITY: THE MOVIE
Sally Hawkins in HAPPY-GO-LUCKY
Watch out for: Scarlet Johannsen in VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA, Frances McDormand in BURN AFTER READING

Wrong: Beyonce Knowles, Sarah Jessica Parker
Add: Rebecca Hall in VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA, Frances McDormand
Surprised? Yeah! I thought I was the only one who thought Hall stole the show from Scarlett! Guess I was wrong.
Grade: 3/5


BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Heath Ledger in THE DARK KNIGHT
James Franco in MILK
Josh Brolin in MILK
Philip Seymour Hoffman in DOUBT
Robert Downey, Jr. in TROPIC THUNDER
Watch out for: Michael Shannon in REVOLUTIONARY ROAD, Liev Schreiber in DEFIANCE

Wrong: James Franco, Josh Brolin
Add: Tom Cruise in TROPIC THUNDER, Ralph Finnes in THE DUCHESS
Surprised? Hell yeah! Tom Cruise?!?! That's f'n awesome. He was amazing in Tropic Thunder. And I was kind of ashamed of having him high in my best list. He might just get bumped up.
Grade: 3/5


BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Kate Winslet in THE READER
Marisa Tomei in THE WRESTLER
Penelope Cruz in VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA
Taraji P. Henson in THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
Viola Davis in DOUBT
Watch out for: Rosemarie DeWitt in RACHEL GETTING MARRIED, Kathy Bates in REVOLUTIONARY ROAD

Wrong: Taraji P. Henson
Add: Amy Adams in DOUBT
Surprised? I'm stoked Amy Adams is nominated; though everyone claims Viola has the "baitier" role, Sister James is crucial to the entire story of Doubt.
Grade: 4/5

TOTAL GRADE: 72.5% (at least I passed!)
Jennie's Grade: 57.5% (Sorry, Jennie, I win. lol)