Kate Winslet Gets Her Oscar

Gina Wilhelm Actress - Kate Winslet Gets Her Oscar

After much speculation and handicapping (I think I've posted at least 10 times about various aspects of the awards season alone), the Oscars were handed out last night, and Kate Winslet finally won hers.

The 33-year-old actress had been nominated on five previous occasions, so was giddy to have finally won.

She won for her performance in "The Reader," in which she played a woman on trial for Holocaust crimes.

Some had said that she would get an Oscar because it was time or because she had to age several years in the film and because the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences loves to reward movies about the Holocaust.

On the other hand, she was up against Meryl Streep, fresh off her record-setting 15th nomination and always tough competition.

Additionally, as reported here, there was some concern that her acceptance speech at the Golden Globes ceremony might have gotten her in trouble with Oscar voters.

In that speech, she forgot fellow nominee Angelina Jolie's name. She also acted like it actually mattered to her, a British actress, that she had gotten an award.

Some have said that the British are supposed to act like they're above receiving honors and that American voters wouldn't want to reward her for her excitement..

Apparently, though, the voters liked her just fine. She continued to be giddy with last night's win.

Gina Wilhelm Actress

Has Kate Winslet "Blown Her Chances" at an Oscar?

Gina Wilhelm Actress - Has Kate Winslet "Blown Her Chances" at an Oscar?

Now that the Oscar nominations have come out, everyone is trying to figure out who's going to win.

Film critic Barry Norman thinks that Kate Winslet may have blown her chances at a win with her flustered Golden Globe acceptance speech.

In the speech, Winslet recognized the other women who were nominated in her category. Unfortunately, she forgot the name of Angelina Jolie.

In accepting the Golden Globe, Winslet said "I'm so sorry Anne, Meryl, Kristin - oh god, who's the other one... Angelina!"

Norman feels that between the unintended slight towards Jolie, Hollywood "royalty," and the fact that Winslet isn't American, she may very well have ruined her shot at winning the Oscar.

Though probably not connected, oddsmakers have shortened the odds that Meryl Streep will win the Oscar for her performance in "Doubt."

Gina Wilhelm Actress

Will Melissa Leo Get an Oscar Nomination?

Gina Wilhelm Actress - Will Melissa Leo Get an Oscar Nomination?

As we get closer and closer to the time for Oscar nominations to come out, people are still trying to handicap who--and what--will be named.

Will "Wall-E" be nominated for best picture (not likely. When "Beauty and the Beast" got the nomination, there wasn't an animated feature category)?

How about "The Dark Knight?" Will it (probably)?

And then, who might surprise us with a nomination?

The Chicago Tribune suspects that Melissa Leo may be nominated for her work in "Frozen River."

If that happens, Kristin Scott Thomas or Angelina Jolie may get squeezed out.

Then Angelina will have someone new at whom to glare.

Gina Wilhelm Actress

Year-End Quotes from Hollywood

Gina Wilhelm Actress

As the year draws to a close, Inquirer.net compiles their favorite quotes from interviews with various movers and shakers in the film industry.

There are the standard questions of Brad and Angelina about their families. And the also standard question to Jennifer Aniston about her love life.

But there are also insightful questions and answers, including with Andrew Stanton of Pixar.

There's also a terrific quote from Woody Allen on the charm of filming a love scene.

However, the nicest quotes are from Meryl Streep on whether there's anything she can't do. She also talks about getting to record "The Winner Takes it All" for "Mamma Mia!"

The recording was made in the same studio on the same microphone where the original recording was made, and she talks about that.

Finally, there are some quotes from Benny Anderson and Bjorn Ulvaeus of Abba and the writers of Mamma Mia! about the chances of an Abba reunion and their other future plans.

Gina Wilhelm Actress

From Molly the Orphan to Kate Monster

Gina Wilhelm Actress

Christy Carlson Romano, 24, just finished her run as Kate Monster on Broadway in "Avenue Q."

The actress got her start playing Molly in an Atlanta production of "Annie." She also played Belle on Broadway in "Disney's Beauty and the Beast."

She has also done extensive voice over work, imitating Angelina Jolie's voice for the "Kung Fu Panda" videogame and played the title character in "Kim Possible" for the last eight years.

Now considering a cabaret act in New York, she talks about the intricacies of doing a sex scene between puppets.

Gina Wilhelm Actress