Best of 2011 - Film (Better Late Than Never)

Jessica Chastain in Terrence Malick's THE TREE OF LIFE (aka the best film of all time)

2011 = The Year of Chastain. 

Jessica Chastain in THE TREE OF LIFE
who takes up 4 spots in the
Best Supporting Actress list

TOP FILMS OF 2011

1. THE TREE OF LIFE
2. MIDNIGHT IN PARIS
3. MELANCHOLIA
4. THE ARTIST
5. DRIVE
6. SHAME
7. HUGO
8. THE HELP
9. BRIDESMAIDS
10. 50/50

Michael Fassbender in SHAME

TOP 10 BEST ACTORS

1.     Michael Fassbender in SHAME

2.     Jean Dujardin in THE ARTIST

3.     Michael Shannon in TAKE SHELTER

4.     Ryan Gosling in DRIVE

5.     George Clooney in THE DESCENDANTS

6.     Brad Pitt in MONEYBALL

7.     Michael Fassbender in A DANGEROUS METHOD

8.     Joseph Gordon-Levitt in 50/50

9.     Ryan Gosling in THE IDES OF MARCH

10.  Leonardo DiCaprio in J. EDGAR

TOP 10 BEST ACTRESSES

Glenn Close in ALBERT NOBBS

1.     Glenn Close in ALBERT NOBBS

2.     Kirsten Dunst in MELANCHOLIA

3.     Charlize Theron in YOUNG ADULT

4.     Viola Davis in THE HELP

5.     Keira Knightley in A DANGEROUS METHOD

6.     Rooney Mara in THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO

7.     Michelle Williams in MY WEEK WITH MARILYN

8.     Tilda Swinton in WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN

9.     Elizabeth Olsen in MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE

10.  Berenice Bejo in THE ARTIST

TOP 10 BEST SUPPORTING ACTORS

Christopher Plummer in
BEGINNERS

1. Christopher Plummer in BEGINNERS
2. Patton Oswalt in YOUNG ADULT
3. Armie Hammer in J. EDGAR
4. Brad Pitt in THE TREE OF LIFE
5. Albert Brooks in DRIVE
6. Nick Nolte in WARRIOR
7. Corey Stoll in MIDNIGHT IN PARIS
8. Ben Kingsley in HUGO
9. Hunter McCracken in THE TREE OF LIFE
10. Tom Hardy in TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY

Jessica Chastain in
THE HELP

TOP 10 BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESSES

1. Jessica Chastain in THE HELP
2. Jessica Chastain in THE TREE OF LIFE
3. Octavia Spencer in THE HELP
4. Janet McTeer in ALBERT NOBBS
5. Carey Mulligan in SHAME
6. Shailene Woodley in THE DESCENDANTS
7. Jessica Chastain in TAKE SHELTER
8. Marion Cotillard in MIDNIGHT IN PARIS
9. Jessica Chastain in THE DEBT
10. Melanie Laurent in BEGINNERS

TOP 10 BEST DIRECTORS

1. Terrence Malick for THE TREE OF LIFE
2. Michel Hazavinacius for THE ARTIST
3. Steve McQueen for SHAME
4. Lars von Trier for MELANCHOLIA
5. Nicolas Winding Refn for DRIVE
6. Woody Allen for MIDNIGHT IN PARIS
7. Martin Scorcese for HUGO
8. Jason Reitman for YOUNG ADULT
9. David Fincher for THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO
10. J.J. Abrams for SUPER 8

Marion Cotillard, Alison Pill, Owen Wilson,
and writer/director Woody Allen from
MIDNIGHT IN PARIS

TOP 10 BEST ORGINAL SCREENPLAYS

1. MIDNIGHT IN PARIS
2. YOUNG ADULT
3. MELANCHOLIA
4. THE ARTIST
5. BEGINNERS
6. BRIDESMAIDS
7. THE TREE OF LIFE
8. 50/50
9. WIN WIN
10. SHAME

TOP 10 BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAYS

1. DRIVE
2. THE HELP
3. THE IDES OF MARCH
4. HUGO
5. MONEYBALL
6. THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO
7. THE DEBT
8. HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART TWO
9. A DANGEROUS METHOD
10. ALBERT NOBBS

TOP 10 BEST ENSEMBLES

1. MIDNIGHT IN PARIS
2. THE HELP
3. BRIDESMAIDS
4. THE ARTIST
5. TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY
6. WIN WIN
7. CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE
8. THE IDES OF MARCH
9. THE TREE OF LIFE
10. DRIVE

TOP 10 BEST CINEMATOGRAPHERS

1. THE TREE OF LIFE
2. THE ARTIST
3. MELANCHOLIA
4. DRIVE
5. THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO
6. SHAME
7. HUGO
8. MIDNIGHT IN PARIS
9. WAR HORSE
10. CONTAGION

Jessica Chastain & Sam Worthington
in THE DEBT

TOP 10 BEST COSTUME DESIGNERS

1. A DANGEROUS METHOD
2. THE ARTIST
3. MIDNIGHT IN PARIS
4. MY WEEK WITH MARILYN
5. WAR HORSE
6. HUGO
7. ALBERT NOBBS
8. TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY
9. PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES
10. MEEK’S CUTOFF

TOP 10 BEST SCORES/SOUNDTRACKS

1. DRIVE
2. MIDNIGHT IN PARIS
3. THE ARTIST
4. THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO
5. THE TREE OF LIFE
6. HUGO
7. THE DESCENDANTS
8. MELANCHOLIA
9. SUPER 8



Jessica Chastain
in TAKE SHELTER

10. WAR HORSE

TOP 10 BEST VISUAL/SPECIAL EFFECTS

1. SUPER 8
2. X-MEN: FIRST CLASS
3. HUGO
4. WAR HORSE
5. CAPTAIN AMERICA
6. MELANCHOLIA
7. THOR
8. TAKE SHELTER
9. DRIVE
10. THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO

Golden Globe Nominations - OakStreet Thoughts

I didn't have time last night to post my predictions, but here are my thoughts on this morning's announcement of the Golden Globe nominatios.


BEST MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA
The Descendants
The Help
Hugo
The Ides of March
Moneyball
War Horse

--- For me, this is a good line up (didn't see War Horse yet), but it's missing two MAJOR films: The Tree of Life and Drive. I could honestly do without all of these movies except Hugo, the one I'm rooting for.


BEST MOTION PICTURE - COMEDY
50/50
The Artist
Bridesmaids
Midnight in Paris
My Week With Marilyn

--- Considering what was nominated in this category last year (Burlesque, Alice in Wonderland, The Tourist, and Red - plus the winner and well-deserved The Kids Are All Right), this is a nice group of films. I'm very excited for Midnight, but I think Bridesmaids is going to take home the Globe. My only problem is that I saw Marilyn last week and had no idea it was comedic nor musical enough to be listed in thie category... Who's been pushing the campaign out there on the west coast???


BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA
Glenn Close in ALBERT NOBBS
Viola Davis in THE HELP
Rooney Mara in THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO
Meryl Streep in THE IRON LADY
Tilda Swinton in WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN

--- I like... Haven't seen Dragon Tattoo or The Iron Lady yet, but I'm loving that people are finally on board with Swinton after two years of being missed horribly by awards for her performances in 2009's Julia and 2010's I Am Love. Good thing Marilyn is considered Comedy/Musical; Mara definitely slipped in here due to Michelle William's nomination in the other category. For me, I'm 100% hoping Glenn Close takes this home for her gripping and subtle portrayal of a woman pretending to be a man in an over-criticized period drama.


BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE
George Clooney in THE DESCENDANTS
Leonardo DiCaprio in J. EDGAR
Michael Fassbender in SHAME
Ryan Gosling in THE IDES OF MARCH
Brad Pitt in MONEYBALL

--- I could always do with more Michael Shannon love, but Take Shelter just isn't a widely-seen film (though he and co-star Jessica Chastain [who the hell isn't a co-star with her this year?] are receiving a lot of love from national and international critic's awards). I'm glad Fassbender got in there for a seemingly controversial film. But Gosling (while nominated twice) should've been up for Drive.


BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE - COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Jodie Foster in CARNAGE
Charlize Theron in YOUNG ADULT
Kristen Wiig in BRIDESMAIDS
Michelle Williams in MY WEEK WITH MARILYN
Kate Winslet in CARNAGE

--- Awesome! Thank god Julia Roberts didn't slip in here like she usually does! I'm loving the two nods for Carnage, which I am dying to see because of its basis on the 2009 play God of Carnage by French playwright Yazmina Reza. I really hope Kristen Wiig win simply because there are no actresses who deserve this from the musical standpoint and she is pure comic genius.


BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE - COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Jean Dujardin in THE ARTIST
Brendan Gleeson in THE GUARD
Joseph Gordon-Levitt in 50/50
Ryan Gosling in CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE
Owen Wilson in MIDNIGHT IN PARIS

--- No Johnny Depp! Wooo! Very good line up here, and now I'm definitely curious to see The Guard. Glad Owen Wilson jumped in there, despite the fact that he's overpowered by a slew of amazing supporting roles in Midnight in Paris. I'd really like to see Gosling take it home even though Dujardin probably will (I still have to see The Artist!)


BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
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

--- Two days in a row of snubbing for Vanessa Redgrave in Corionalus doesn't do her well in the long run. I'm really excited for McTeer who derserves the recognition for Albert Dobbs. I really want Jessica Chastain to take home every award for delivering a season like no one has ever come close to. In a perfect world, the Oscars would nominated her across the board:

Jessica Chastain in CORIONALUS
Jessica Chastain in THE DEBT
Jessica Chastain in THE HELP
Jessica Chastain in TAKE SHELTER
Jessica Chastain in THE TREE OF LIFE

But, it's not a perfect world... Melissa McCarthy certainly got shafted here by Woodley, so watch out to see who is Oscar-nominated next month.


BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
Kenneth Branagh in MY WEEK WITH MARILYN
Albert Brooks in DRIVE
Jonah Hill in MONEYBALL
Viggo Mortensen in A DANGEROUS MIND
Christopher Plummer in BEGINNERS

--- This is possibly the most unpredictable race to the 2012 Oscars. Clearly, Plummer will take home the award and has been diligently nominated in the last week or so. But Brooks, who appeared to be a front-runner has been ignored a few times, then we have Branagh who is pulling ahead rapidly, Hill who is in and out, Armie Hammer who gets notice every now and then, and nwo Mortensen falls into the five out of nowhere. Then there's Max Von Sydow for Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (snubbed for SAGs and GGs) and Nick Nolte for Warrior who got in the SAG slot yesterday. I'll be rooting for Plummer or Brooks here.


BEST DIRECTOR
Woody Allen for MIDNIGHT IN PARIS
George Clooney for THE IDES OF MARCH
Michel Hazanavicius for THE ARTIST
Alexander Payne for THE DESCENDANTS
Martin Scorcese for HUGO

--- Woah! Here come the dark horses. Allen and Clooney haven't received much recognition recently, so this is a surprise. They snubbed out Spielberg for War Horse, Stephen Daldry for Extremely Loud, and (WHY?!) Terrence Malick for The Tree of Life. I'm really thinking still that Malick will come out with an Oscar nomination. The Director's Guild will have a say in this race, but Malick's work on The Tree of Life is just nothing any of these directors came close to - even Scorcese. So, I'm pulling for Woody here just because he hates these kind of things.

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