Last Chance to Debate Oscar's Good Actress

Gina Wilhelm Actress - Last Chance to Debate Oscar's Good Actress

With The Oscar ceremony mere hours away (5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET on ABC), there are also mere hours to debate who will take home the best actress award.

Although the conventional wisdom is that it's between Meryl Streep and Sandra Bullock, entertainmentandshowbiz.com advise not counting out Helen Mirren or Gabourey Sidibe.

Of particular import, they point to the fact that Gabourey Sidibe (as well as costar and supporting actress favorite Mo'Nique) were both honored at the NAACP Image Awards.

Gina Wilhelm Actress

Newcomers and Vets Battle for Oscar's Good Actress

Gina Wilhelm Actress - Newcomers and Vets Battle for Oscar's Good Actress

Although there is nearly a month until the Academy Award nominations are announced, the Los Angeles Times is trying to figure out who the nominees and winners of the actress awards will be.

Newcomers Carey Mulligan of "An Education" and Gabourey Sidibe of "Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire" are both top contenders.

Both young women have already gotten nominations for National Board of Review, Screen Actors Guild, and Critics Choice Movie Awards.

Other less sure bets are Abbie Cornish of "Bright Star," Emily Blunt from "The Young Victoria," and Mo'Nique, also from "Precious."

Oddly enough, 15-year-old Saoirse Ronan of "The Lovely Bones" is among the vets, having been nominated two years ago for "Atonement."

Other veterans who have a good shot at hearing their names on February 2 include Meryl Streep for her role as Julia Child in "Julie & Julia" or for her turn in "It's Complicated."

Also likely candidates are Helen Mirren in "The Last Station," Sandra Bullock for "The Blind Side," and Penélope Cruz and Marion Cotillard from "Nine."

Gina Wilhelm Actress

Mariah Carey Named Good Actress

Gina Wilhelm Actress - Mariah Carey Named Good Actress

Mariah Carey received the Supporting Actress of the Year award at 14th Annual Capri Hollywood International Film Festival in Italy on Monday.

Carey received the award for her very unglamorous performance in "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' By Sapphire."

In that movie, Carey plays a social worker opposite newcomer Gabourey Sidibe. Mo'Nique also stars in the movie. All three actresses have received a lot of acclaim for their work in the movie.

The entire cast has also been nominated for a Screen Actors' Guild award for Best Ensemble.

Gina Wilhelm Actress

Predicting Oscar's Good Actress

Gina Wilhelm Actress - Predicting Oscar's Good Actress

Oscar Nominations will be announced on Tuesday, February 2. Gossipvita.com has joined in on predicting whose name will be called that morning.

The predictions include Meryl Streep for "Julie & Julia," Carey Mulligan for "An Education," and Hilary Swank in "Amelia."

Also predicted are Gabourey Sidibe in "Precious" and Marion Cotillard for her performance in the musical "Nine."

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Ronan Nominated as a Good Actress Twice

Gina Wilhelm Actress - Ronan Nominated as a Good Actress Twice

The Broadcast Film Critics Association's 15th annual Critics' Choice Movie Award nominations came out on Monday. Among those nominated were Irish actress Saoirse Ronan.

The 15-year-old actress, who plays a murdered woman in "The Lovely Bones," got dual nominations, both for best actress and best young actor/actress.

The only other actress in the young actor/actress category is Bailey Madison for her performance in "Brothers."

Other best actress nominees are Emily Blunt in "The Young Victoria," Sandra Bullock from "The Blind Side," Carey Mulligan from "An Education," Gabourey Sidibe from "Precious" and Meryl Streep in "Julie & Julia."

Gina Wilhelm Actress

Gabourey Sidibe is a Good Actress

Gina Wilhelm Actress - Gabourey Sidibe is a Good Actress

Gabourey Sidibe is the breakout star of the movie "Precious: Based on the Novel by Sapphire," which was a hit at film festivals and opened in limited release in the US November 6.

She nearly didn't audition. "I didn't decide to go to the audition. I just ended up on that side of the street."

Director Lee Daniels nearly didn't cast her, either. At first he had been looking for actresses who were just like the character in the movie.

Precious is an illiterate high schooler who's been abused by both her parents.

"I realized I needed someone to act that, not be that," Daniels said. "I knew she was the girl. She brought a sense of confidence and smarts (to the role). She got it."

Costar Paula Patton was equally enthusiastic. "I was blown away by her performance. I think actors can work their whole lives and not turn out a performance like she has done."

Gina Wilhelm Actress

Hilary Swank Honored for Being a Good Actress

Gina Wilhelm Actress - Hilary Swank Honored for Being a Good Actress

The Hollywood Film Festival will be honoring Hilary Swankfor her body of work on October 26 at the Beverly Hilton.

Swank, who stars in the biopic about Amelia Earhart, will receive the Actress Award. Her male counterpart will be Robert De Niro.

Other honorees are Julianne Moore for supporting actress, Kathryn Bigelow, director of "The Hurt Locker," and Nora Ephron for screenwriting "Julie & Julia." Disney/Pixar will be honored for "Up."

"Breakthrough" awards will be given to Carey Mulligan for "An Education" and Gabourey Sidibe for "Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire."

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Sundance Winners React

Gina Wilhelm Actress - Sundance Winners React

The Sundance Film Festival is over now, and one of its big winners is "Push: Based on the novel by Sapphire."

The movie got both the Audience and Grand Jury awards for a U.S. drama, and actress Mo'Nique received a Special Jury Prize for her performance.

One of the film's stars, first-time actress Gabourey Sidibe, described her experience at the festival as "insanely awesome," and as if it were "the land of Oz or something."

What a great start to an acting career!

Gina Wilhelm Actress