Oscar Buzz Pt. 3

So evolution takes up to the WOMEN and our predictions for those Oscar nods next year. It's a strong field this year with a few very potent contenders and, of course, Judi Dench.

Also, the picture above has nothing to do with Oscars or women but I was getting bored of just inserting a generic picture of statue. I think this is much more fun.

BEST ACTRESS:
Helen Mirren (The Queen), Kate Winslet (Little Children), Judi Dench (Notes On A Scandal), Annete Bening (Running With Scissors), Meryl Streep (The Devil Wears Prada), Penelope Cruz (Volver), Beyonce Knowles (Dreamgirls), Renee Zellweger (Miss Potter), Sienna Miller (Factory Girl), Laura Dern (Inland Empire), Cate Blanchett (The Good German), Nicole Kidman (Fur)

• A really solid field this year, led by three absolute acting titans in Mirren, Dench and the unimpeachable Streep. The latter's film-stealing performance should earn her a nod but a win is unlikely. Same for Dench leaving only Mirren in with a genuine chance of Oscar in my books.
• Bening has had great reviews but the film's been panned so her chances are hurt while Kate Winslet, despite being practically perfect yet again is likely to be snubbed for a win due to the edgy subject matter.
  
• The dark horses are once again many and varied with Penelope Cruz leading the trailing pack and decent bet to win. Beyonce is also gaining momentum while Zellweger's understated performance and previous win could see her get a nod.
• Laura Dern is an unlikely nominee but could easily get one depending on the eventual reception for David Lynch's new work which sounds like yet another confounding masterpiece.
• Cate Blanchett will likely be nominated elsewhere having been in just about everything this year but won't get a nod here.
• SPECULATIVE PREDICTION FOR NOMINATIONS: HELEN MIRREN (THE QUEEN), PENELOPE CRUZ (VOLVER), KATE WINSLET (LITTLE CHILDREN), MERYL STREEP (THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA), BEYONCE KNOWLES (DREAMGIRLS)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS:
Jennifer Hudson (Dreamgirls), Sandra Bullock (Infamous), Jennifer Connelly (Little Children), Cate Blanchett (Babel), Sharon Stone (Bobby), Meryl Streep (A Prairie Home Companion), Angelina Jolie (The Good Shepherd), Maggie Gyllenhaal (World Trade Center), Rinko Kikuchi (Babel), Natalie Portman (Goya's Ghosts), Maria Bello (World Trade Center), Carmen Maura (Volver), Vera Farmiga (The Departed), Demi Moore (Bobby)

• Hudson is the major frontrunner and, with other wins unlikely for Dreamgirls, will almost certainly be favourite cometh the night.
• Bullock would be worthy winner in an unlucky film but Jennifer Connelly is the weakest thing in a contraversial movie and won't get a nod unless Oscar feel they need to look after their own.
• Blanchett will get a nod but won't win, it's too soon after The Aviator while Bobby's lukewarm reception will harm both Stone and Moore's chances.
• Streep will get one in the leading category so won't be too worried about this but Jolie needs it while both Gyllenhaal, Portman (if her movie comes out this year) and Bello deserve one each for their previous work, particularly after Bello's snub last year for History Of Violence.
• Maura and Farmiga are good outside bets but Rinko Kikuchi will likely be overshadowed by Blanchett, Bernal and Brad.
• SPECULATIVE PREDICTIONS FOR NOMINATIONS: JENNIFER HUDSON (DREAMGIRLS), SANDRA BULLOCK (INFAMOUS), MARIA BELLO (WORLD TRADE CENTER), CATE BLANCHETT (BABEL), ANGELINA JOLIE (THE GOOD SHEPHERD)

SO THERE WE GO... SCREENPLAYS TOMORROW WITH OTHER LITTLE AWARD PREDICTIONS THROWN IN. THEN, WE'LL DO A LITTLE ROUND UP OF THE WHOLE DEALIO FOR REFERENCE.