Oscar Preview: Best Actress

Well, this is one of the more interesting categories right now, seeing as how the field has narrowed ridiculously fast. There are about ten lovely ladies who are definitely in the race as of now, which is a lot more than we can say about other categories (cough supporting cough). Lets take a look...in no particular order.

Annette Benning: Running With Scissors

The film has been critically assaulted as something as bad as Jackass 2, or the Grudge 2, or any film with the number 2 in it, but Benning somehow stays in the race. Her character is eccentric, interesting, and just plain crazy. And if American Beauty taught us anything it's that Benning infuses a human-side to crazy that keeps the character from being caricature. Despite the fact that Hilary Swank isn't in the race to beat Benning out this year, I think we can be safe to say she won't be credited with the coveted "Oscar Winner" pre-fix.

Penelope Cruz: Volver

This is an interesting one. Especially since Robert Benigni is the only person to win an Oscar with a non-English speaking role. However, Cruz has been lauded at film festivals and early reviews as being a pure revelation. Basically, any media outlet that could predict her for an Oscar nomination has, and will continue to. Cruz's roles in American mainstream movies like Blow or Gothika might give her enough exposure to AMPAS voters that they not only recognize her, but vote for her.

Helen Mirren: The Queen

The frontrunner and soon to be winner of critic award after critic award, Mirren is locked into the shortlist. Her delicate and withdrawn performance is not only a stunning model of powerful restraint, but is simply awe-inspiring. But the power of a performance isn't enough for a win if the film isn't equally as powerful (See: Benning, or 2005's Huffman). Mirren need not worry though. The Queen is not carried by Mirren. Mirren helps it along, but the supporting performances, writing, and directing are just as flawless. Everything is going Mirren's way right now.

Meryl Streep: The Devil Wears Prada

You can never count out Meryl can you? Almost the moment the 2005 ceremony ended, bloggers were predicting Streep, but not for this popcorn film. Many thought a supporting nod for A Prairie Home Companion would be her fourteenth, not the stunning turn as dragon-lady Miranda Priestly in this summer's surprise hit The Devil Wears Prada. Probably the only outstanding aspect in the film (except for Stanley Tucci and Emily Blunt), Streep carries the film with a power that is so frightening you can't help but laugh as a defense mechanism. She signed her name on the top five this year with that beautifully depressing make-up free, red-eyed scene near the end that is so memorable, and voters are sure not to forget an actress that continues to reinvent herself.

Kate Winslet: Little Children

When discussing actresses who reinvent themselves (as I just was), no one comes to mind as clearly and powerfully as Kate Winslet. Donning a selective attitude towards choosing her roles, Winslet has created an embedded craving for her performances, and she never fails to deliver. Being only thirty, she has four Oscar noms, and a fifth on the way. The buzz for her nuanced self-conscious deglam performance in Todd Field's Little Children started out strong, but has dropped a little bit as Mirren's performance went into wider release. Wait for Little children to release a bit wider in America, and more people will start talking. Never underestimate the love for Kate Winset.

This is an exceeding strong category this year, which was definitely needed after last year's lack luster leading category for the ladies. Rounding out the top ten with just as much skill are...

Judi Dench - Notes On A Scandal
Cate Blanchett - The Good German
Sienna Miller - Factory Girl
Maggie Gyllenhaal - Sherrybaby
Renee Zelwegger - Miss Potter