First up, Marion Cotillard... one not so secret weapon she has on the Kodak theater campaign trail is that she's totally hot.
It's not a surprise to me since I follow the movies but a lot of media pundits seem very impressed that she's not actually a hunched over decaying 40-going-on-80-year-old singing junkie ! Those deglam points do come in handy when you're gunning for the Oscar.
Then there's our Mary Ann --and I mean that in both the Tales of the City way and in the Gilligans Island way too --known as The Lovely Laura Linney. She seldom really capitalizes on her apple cheeked beauty but she's hardly difficult to gaze upon. Wouldn't you love to see her take on a totally slutty role? I know I would. I loved her steaminess (however brief) in P.S. when she was seducing Topher Grace. Bring on the inner vamp, Linney. And very soon. Like the symposium decreed: step out of the comfort zone.
Ahhhh, Julie Christie. Y'all already know of my love.
I have to think that some of the internet negativity about her mini awards sweep is that younger moviegoers just aren't familiar with her. She hasn't bothered to stay in the limelight and film culture is really weak on getting people invested in older films. Which is a shame. But if one does see the films (Darling, McCabe and Mrs Miller, Shampoo, that wicked cameo in Nashville, etcetera...) it's difficult not to be bewitched. And, though it isn't right to judge new work based on past work, we all do it. It's impossible to forget Meryl Streep's entire career when you're seeing a new Meryl Streep performance, you know? And it's impossible (if you're familiar with Christie's legend) not to be even more affected by Away From Her, since Christie is a star that withdrew from the movies and faded away on her farm in England. It's like you're losing her all over again when you watch the movie. Heartbreaking.
And finally, there's this complete and utter unknown ...still struggling to break into Hollywood.
This Oscar nomination might totally help her find work!
In all of the fawning and hyperbole for her acting, sometimes more than justified and sometimes frightening in its cult-like fervor, people don't focus on the cheekbones enough. Cheekbones by god! Also, she's a stone cold fox. But that still doesn't mean I wouldn't be happy to have a wee break. Blanchett will never be able to star effectively in a movie like Away From Her because she will never give us enough distance to feel like we're losing her.
* to all the readers who are upset that Ellen Page is not featured.Yes, yes, she's cute.
But didn't she try to castrate the last man who looked at her funny? And he so pretty. Who'd want to ruin that? So, let's not go there until she's oh... 26 or something.
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