Best of 2008: Top 10 Performances by a Supporting Actress

Top 10 Performances by a Supporting Actress

It's very difficult in defining a top 10 list for any category of film. There are so many genres and types of movies released that it's a daunting task for any professional or amateur critic. This year was full of great supporting roles for both male and female, and I could probably list 10 more reasonably - but I'm not.

The women comprising the Supporing Actress category are just that - supporting characters, despite what any award show says. Three movies cultivated such great performances that they have two actresses appearing in the list. Debra Winger and Rosemarie DeWitt shine like a dirty gem in "Rachel Getting Married," both giving realistic performances, particularly DeWitt who should be nominated for an Oscar as Rachel. In "Doubt," Amy Adams impeccably plays Sister James - a role only fate could allow her to have - and Viola Davis stands out in her single, yet moving, scene. And in "The Wrestler," Mickey Rourke's two supporting women, Evan Rachel Wood and Marisa Tomei, aid his journey with eloquent, raw performances.

The four women of the list certainly stood out in their particular films. Taraji P. Henson captivated the character of Queen so perfectly - she was hilarious, heart-felt, and effective in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button." In "Vicky Cristina Barcelona," Penelope Cruz surfaces as a woman who can act her heart out. Her fiery vixen of an ex-wife was both entertaining and frightening. Freida Pinto captured the purity, beauty, and romance that was "Slumdog Millionaire." I'd put her on the list for that slow motion shot of her by the trains, smiling. Such a great, simple performance by a beautiful unknown. Finally, Misty Upham drove Melissa Leo's lead character into forbidden dangers in "Frozen River." She gave an incredible performance that was both dynamic and effortless.

Here is the list of the Top 10 Performances by a Supporting Actress:

10. Debra Winger as Abby in RACHEL GETTING MARRIED

9. Freida Pinto as Lakita in SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

8. Evan Rachel Wood as Stephanie Robinson in THE WRESTLER

7. Misty Upham as Lila in FROZEN RIVER

6. Taraji P. Henson as Queenie in THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

5. Viola Davis as Mrs. Miller in DOUBT

4. Marisa Tomei as Cassidy in THE WRESTLER

3. Rosemarie DeWitt as Rachel in RACHEL GETTING MARRIED

2. Amy Adams as Sister James in DOUBT

1. Penelope Cruz as Maria Elena in VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA

Dane's Oscar Predictions

So, that time of year has arrived, when everyone (well, those of you who are into film awards) take a guess as to what 5 nominations per category the Academy will put forth as the best of the year. In predicting, one takes into account what other people say, reviews, precursor awards, and, most importantly, the surprise Oscar nods. Without further ado, here are my somewhat ballsy predictions for this year's Academy Awards (released on Thursday):

Note: Italicized predictions are ones that I predicted last March and have decided to stick with.

BEST PICTURE

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

MILK

THE READER

THE WRESTLER

I feel very, very, very, unsure about these predictions. Why? Because other than "Slumdog" I have NO IDEA who is going to be nominated, and - it seems - neither does anyone else! "Ben Butt" is too epic and beautiful for the Academy to let go, so I think that's in definitely too, but the other three are toss ups. I chose "Milk" because of it's political content in a very political time. "The Wrestler" for it's gorgeously paced movement as a film and to put a down-to-earth film on the list. And, "The Reader" because it's about the Holocaust and the Academy really like Daldry. I won't get into the whole, well maybe it's this movie or this movie because I want to seem confident even though I'm not!

BEST DIRECTOR

Danny Boyle for SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

David Fincher for THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

Darren Aronofsky for THE WRESTLER

Stephen Daldry for THE READER

Christopher Nolan for THE DARK KNIGHT

Going on my "Wrestler" kick, Aronofsky is in. Daldry has been nominated for all of the 2 films he's directed ("The Hours" and "Billy Elliot") so count him in with the five. Boyle, Fincher, and Nolan are complete and utter locks. There you have it! Note: I'm acting wayyyy more confident than I actually am in this category!

BEST ACTOR

Richard Jenkins in THE VISITOR

Frank Langhella in FROST/NIXON

Sean Penn in MILK

Brad Pitt in THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

Mickey Rourke in THE WRESTLER

Honestly, I believe that Pitt is the only one on the chopping block. However, there's only 1 or 2 other actors to fill his shoes. I expect this category to be pitch perfect.

BEST ACTRESS

Anne Hathaway in RACHEL GETTING MARRIED

Sally Hawkins in HAPPY-GO-LUCKY

Meryl Streep in DOUBT

Michelle Williams in WENDY AND LUCY

Kate Winslet in REVOLUTIONARY ROAD

This category is in the same situation as Best Actor's: Four locks, and then one open space. The only difference is that the open space can be filled by 5-7 actresses very deserving of the nod. I'm going with Williams hopefully. She's the silent trout ready to bit the bait - plus it would be historic to see her nominated with Heath.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Robert Downey, Jr. in TROPIC THUNDER

James Franco in MILK

Philip Seymour Hoffman in DOUBT

Heath Ledger in THE DARK KNIGHT

Dev Patel in SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

Franco, in my opinion, was the best supporting actor in "Milk" and will be rewarded with a nomination. Patel is riding the rocket ship that is "Slumdog Millionaire." Downey had too great of a year to get away without being nominated. Hoffman was incredible in "Doubt" and is an Oscar favorite. Then there is Ledger who gave the best performance of the year.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Amy Adams in DOUBT

Penelope Cruz in VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA

Viola Davis in DOUBT

Marisa Tomei in THE WRESTLER

Kate Winslet in THE READER

There will be snubs any way you look at it in this highly qualified category. I think "The Wrestler" is going to do better than expected with nomination count and Tomei will help that cause. Winslet and Cruz have their feet in the door already. Then there are the ladies of "Doubt." Without a Best Picture/Director nomination, Davis and Adams are sure to be nominated.

Oscar Predictions 2008 - November vs. March

Taking a hiatus on my Top 100 (too much work for a teacher), here's an update on Oscar happenings:

Best Picture
March:
Changeling
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Doubt
Revolutionary Road
The Road

November:
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Doubt
Frost/Nixon
Revolutionary Road

My List So Far:
The Dark Knight
Happy-Go-Lucky
Iron Man
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
WALL-E


Best Actor
March:
Benicio Del Toro - Che
Leonardo DiCaprio - Revolutionary Road
Jamie Foxx - The Soloist
Philip Seymour Hoffman - Synecdoche, New York
Sean Penn - Milk

November:
Leonardo DiCaprio - Revolutionary Road
Clint Eastwood - Gran Torino
Frank Langella - Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn - Milk
Mickey Rourke - The Wrestler

My List So Far:
Christian Bale - The Dark Knight
Javier Bardem - Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Robert Downey, Jr. - Iron Man
Colin Farrell - In Bruges
Ed Harris - Appaloosa


Best Actress
March:
Angelina Jolie - The Changling
Nicole Kidman - Australia
Julianne Moore - Blindness
Meryl Streep - Doubt
Kate Winslet - Revolutionary Road

November:
Anne Hathaway - Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Jolie - Changeling
Sally Hawkins - Happy-Go-Lucky
Meryl Streep - Doubt
Kate Winslet - Revolutionary Road

My List So Far:
Rebecca Hall - Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Sally Hawkins - Happy-Go-Lucky
Scarlett Johansson - Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Angelina Jolie - Changeling
Naomi Watts - Funny Games


Best Supporting Actor
March:
Josh Brolin - Milk
Ralph Finnes - The Reader
Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight
John Malkovich - Burn After Reading
Michael Sheen - Frost/Nixon

November:
Josh Brolin - Milk
Robert Downey, Jr. - Tropic Thunder
James Franco - Milk
Philip Seymour Hoffman - Doubt
Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight

My List So Far:
Robert Downey, Jr. - Tropic Thunder
Jason Butler Harner - Changeling
Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight
Viggo Mortensen - Appaloosa
Michael Pitt - Funny Games


Best Supporting Actress
March:
Amy Adams - Doubt
Kathy Bates - Revolutionary Road
Cate Blanchett - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Amy Ryan - The Changeling
Kate Winslet - The Reader

November:
Amy Adams - Doubt
Penelope Cruz - Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Viola Davis - Doubt
Taraji P. Henson - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Marisa Tomei - The Wrestler

My List So Far:
Abbie Cornish - Stop-Loss
Penelope Cruz - Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Ari Graynor - Nick & Nora's Infinite Playlist
Clemence Poesy - In Bruges
Amy Ryan - Changeling