2014 Oscar Power Rankings: Best Actress (Nov. 7)

The calendar turns to November, meaning a fresh slate of notable Oscar hopefuls finally start screening for larger audiences. At the moment, we have five legitimate contenders that have yet to screen, from David O. Russell’s ‘American Hustle’ to Peter Berg’s ‘Lone Survivor.’ And while we wait for them to see the light of day, we continue to track the progress of proven contenders like ‘Gravity,’ '12 Years a Slave’ and ‘Captain Phillips.’

Academy voters are going to be extremely busy cramming in as many screenings as possible between now and the end of the year. Which films will establish themselves as the cream of the Oscar crop? Let’s catch up on the latest frontrunners in our major Oscar categories.

1
Meryl Streep, ‘August: Osage County’
Last Week: 1
Streep officially transitioned back to Best Actress, while her ‘August: Osage County’ co-star Julia Roberts shifted to Supporting. Having seen John Wells’ adaptation of Tracy Letts’ Pulitzer Prize-winning play, I can tell you that Streep -- playing the manipulative mother pulling everyone’s strings during a reunion – is every bit the destructive force you’d want her to be. Does she have enough to win a record-setting fourth Oscar? She’d be a lock, if the Academy hadn’t recently thrown her a statue for ‘The Iron Lady.’
2
Cate Blanchett, ‘Blue Jasmine’
Last Week: 2
I keep going back and forth between Streep and Blanchett in this category. Now watch, neither one will be nominated. But at the moment, I think it boils down to a three-way race (with ‘Gravity’ star Sandra Bullock certainly contending), though Emma Thompson could throw yet another curveball into this race. As crumbling ex-socialite Jasmine, Blanchett gives the finest performance we’ve seen from a Woody Allen performance in years (and possibly ever). The final scene, of Jasmine on a park bench, continues to haunt.
3
Sandra Bullock, ‘Gravity’
Last Week: 3
‘Gravity’ is a director’s film. Alfonso Cuaron’s technical accomplishment is mind-blowing. And yet, Bullock gives us the human portal we need in order to tag along on this spectacular ride. As fledgling astronaut Dr. Ryan Stone, Bullock anchors a free-floating space adventure, giving us someone to root for as Cuaron keeps flipping over his metaphorical tables. The whole movie’s a breathtaking experience, and I think Bullock can ride the film’s momentum to her second Oscar nomination.
4
Emma Thompson, ‘Saving Mr. Banks’
Last Week: 4
‘Banks’ officially is off and running. John Lee Hancock’s movie-magic drama finally screened for a wider audience. It has been labeled a crowd-pleaser, and an awards contender, but most of the talk swirled around Thompson’s turn as prickly author P.L. Travers. “The movie itself became a source of real joy, enlivened by work from Thompson that should attract awards attention,” the London Telegraph writes. That’s why we’ve had her here all along!
5
Judi Dench, ‘Philomena’
Last Week: 5
Sometimes Oscar bait succeeds in catching the Academy’s attention. Stephen Frears’ ‘Philomena’ took Venice by storm, putting Dame Judi Dench on the Oscar map. She could stay there, though the role doesn’t challenge her the way Blanchett and Streep were taxed in their features. Dench plays a mother trying to locate the child who was taken away from her years earlier. Frears helmed ‘The Queen,’ which powered Helen Mirren to her Best Actress win. Could he do the same with Dench this year?

Categories: Movie News, Original Features