2011 Oscar Preview

by Adam Chitwood    Posted:November 26th, 2010

Best Supporting Actress

Frontrunners:
Melissa Leo – The Fighter
Julianne Moore – The Kids Are All Right
Helena Bonham Carter – The King’s Speech
Likely to be nominated:
Dianne Weist – Rabbit Hole
Jacki Weaver – Animal Kingdom
Amy Adams – The Fighter
Outside contenders:
Mila Kunis – Black Swan
Hailee Steinfeld – True Grit
Although Moore’s performance in The Kids are All Right is definitely a leading role, if Focus Features is smart they’ll move her to the Supporting category. They would avoid her splitting votes with Bening in Best Actress, and both women would have a far greater chance of winning in their respective categories (and deservedly so). Bonham Carter also has a decent shot, as do indie-darlings Weist and Weaver. Adams is also a safe bet; there’s no denying the girl’s talent and she’s due to win one of these someday.  Again, True Grit is a bit of a shot in the dark, but the Supporting categories love child-newcomers in breakthrough performances.
So that’s it. This is where we stand three months out from the ceremony. As I said, a lot can change and a lot can stay the same. Expect the frontrunners to fluctuate a bit as buzz moves up and down, but it’s rare that new frontrunners come from out of the blue in the middle of December (though that’s exactly what happened with Jeff Bridges last year). Nominations for the 83^rd Academy Awards will be announced on January 25^th, and the ceremony will be held on February 27^th. Expect more coverage as the date comes closer.
So what do you think? Any we missed? Any dark-horse candidates you see as potential spoilers?

http://www.collider.com/2010/11/26/2011-oscar-preview/#more-62096