Academy Award Nominations - Best Actress

What an amazing year for women. I think I may be a little biased, but I think the women are the stronger more interesting characters. Over the last few years, it has always been a strong, strong competition in this category. This year few have some veterans, and some newbies!

Let's start with the front runner, Helen Mirren. She is a two time supporting nominee, never a winner. She was nominated in 1994 for The Madness of King George and in 2001 for Godsford Park. What an amazing job portraying Queen Elizabeth. It is what made the movie. However, I am a little bored with "The oscar goes to.." whoever imitated someone the best. I want a more original character performance.

Now to another veteran Academy Award Nominee. Judi Dench has been nominated five time, with one win. It was her 90 seconds of screen time playing Elizabeth I (I see a pattern here) in Shakespeare in Love. This performance was amazing. It could not have been better acted. I think she is the one that has a chance of dethroning Helen Mirren.

And now for the woman that could stand in front of the camera stare back at you for 2 hours, and she would still get a nomination. This will be Meryl Streep's 14th nomination, from which has has earned 2 statuettes. This first for Kramer vs. Kramer and the second for Sophie's Choice. She is an incredible actress, and this role was very good. I am not certain she deserves this nomination, but after all she is Meryl Streep. I absolutely do not think that she will win!


Five time nominee, Kate Winslet, yet again will be just a nominee. I love her and think she is phenomenal, but in this race, she is right there with Meryl. She should be glad to be nominated, no need to prepare and acceptance speech. She should not do the half-stand to accept the award as the winner is called, like she did when she was nominated for Titanic.

Penelope Cruz so deserves this nomination. She was amazing in every way. The movie was great, and she was an essential part. She was smart, sincere and made the audience fall in love with her. No one could have done a better performance. Once, again she will have to wait for another year to give an acceptance speech. This race is between Helen and Judi.