Halfway Mark: Best Performances (Thus Far)

Hey there 2010. You'd best step it up. Time's a wastin'.

The talk of the 'net right now is Inception but that's not open yet, nor have I seen it. In Contention's Kris Tapley has written a lengthy piece about its Oscar prospects that I'm sure you'll want to read/have already read. You'll recall that I gave Inception a major vote of prediction approval back in April and I shan't be altering that much when I update the rest of the Oscar predictions, since my suspicion was correct that people would love it. Nevertheless, I am confused by some of the buzz for its actors. No matter how good DiCaprio and Marion Cotillard may well be, effects pictures only very very rarely lead to acting nominations (Sigourney Weaver, Jeff Bridges and Ian McKellen are rarities, not the norm) so I haven't suddenly pretended it will move into the Acting categories.

Speaking of acting...

Though the year's films have been somewhat lacking, the following performances did something for this moviegoer so I wanted to give them a glance. They're the performances I'll personally be contemplating from the year's first half when it comes time to whip up awardage for the full year. It goes without saying that most won't be in the Oscar hunt. Oscar has a limited range of flavors they like and a minimum amount of fame that they require but I hope some more adventurous voters will try to see everything that people say... hey there, this performance is good. Since some of these aren't yet released, I've allowed myself 7 contenders in each category. How many of them will be handily trounced by [ominous music] That Which is To Come?

FAVORITE PERFORMANCES THUS FAR
Click on the links to go to the Oscar predix which is an ENTIRELY different conversation.

Best Actor

• Jay Baruchel, The Trotsky
• Anthony Deptula, One Too Many Mornings *not yet released*
• Leonardo DiCaprio Shutter Island
  Robert Duvall, Get Low *not yet released*
• Ryan Gosling, Blue Valentine *not yet released*
• James Rolleston, Boy *not yet released*
• Andy Serkis, sex & drugs & rock & roll
  

There's not much of note so far in theatrical release for the leading men. John C Reilly and Jonah Hill were fun in Cyrus but "Best"? RDJ was his usual charming self but how much of a challenge was a second round with Iron Man? Leo barely held on to the edge of this list. I liked him a lot in certain Shutter Island scenes but that gothic gaullimaufry left me wanting in nearly every way, including within the cast. It's dangerous to assume one's own reaction to a movie is shared by Oscar voters, but combined with the early release date and the lack of true and enduring "this movie is awesome!" hoopla, I sincerely doubt we'll see Shutter Island anywhere near the Oscar competition in the winter.

Unless of course, 2010 keeps offering up blah movies. Then it's anyone's game and some crazy things might start happening.

Best Actress

• Annette Bening, The Kids Are All Right
• Annette Bening, Mother & Child
• Min-Seo Chae, Vegetarian *not yet released*
• Jennifer Lawrence, Winter's Bone
• Paprika Steen, Applaus *not yet released*
• Tilda Swinton, I Am Love
• Michelle Williams, Blue Valentine *not yet released*

While nothing of note has yet happened in the Best Actor category, we may already have three or four of our acting nominees. Jennifer Lawrence in Winter's Bone (if she's lucky), Mark Ruffalo (if he's lucky) and both women from The Kids Are All Right (though one will surely be demoted to supporting). Julianne Moore just missed this top 7. She's fun and endearing in The Kids but it's The Bening who delivers in a career best way or something in the general vicinity -- one of her best at any rate.)

Haven't Yet Seen: Hye-ja Kim in Mother and sex goddesses Amanda & Julianne in Chloe.

Best Supporting Actor

• Joel Edgerton, The Square
• <--- John Hawkes, Winter's Bone
• Shanti Roney, Applaus *not yet released*
• Mickey Rourke, Iron Man 2
  
• Mark Ruffalo, The Kids Are All Right
• Michael Shannon, The Runaways
• Jimmy Smits, Mother & Child
  

I'm already dreading the Oscar campaign / possible make-up win for Bill Murray in Get Low. He's been great before and he's fine if anachronistically modern in this old-timey picture as a funeral director, but I fail to get why anyone thinks it's a career best for him. Seems more like an enjoyable but nothing particularly special star turn. Of course the Supporting Actor category is almost by eight decades of ballot practices the Nothing Particularly Special category (the last few winners excepted).

Haven't yet seen: Michael Fassbender in Fish Tank (long story. I'm still dying too)

Best Supporting Actress

• <--- Marisa Berenson, I Am Love
• Dale Dickey, Winter's Bone
• Ann Guilbert, Please Give
• Rebecca Hall, Please Give
• Anne Marie-Duff, Nowhere Boy
  
• Kristin Scott Thomas, Nowhere Boy
  
• Mia Wasikowska, The Kids Are All Right

A small note of gratitude to Helena Bonham-Carter who singlehandedly got me through Alice in Wonderland. Apologies to Amanda Peet and Ari Graynor who I enjoyed in Please Give and Holy Rollers, respectively. Finally, please don't ask me where Chloe Moretz is for Kick-Ass. She seems to be able to act approximately one thing: smartass. See also (500) Days of Summer. I'll wait for more range before I join the growing chorus of praise.

Haven't yet seen: Jacki Weaver in Animal Kingdom

Are you excited about any of these performances or do you have your own pets from January to June screenings? And how are you feeling about the Acting Oscar races -- my predictions are updated? Do you think we're on our way or we haven't yet begun?
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