Meryl Streep makes Oscar history with her 17th career Academy Award nomination for her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in "The Iron Lady."?
She is up for Best Actress. If she wins, it will be her third Oscar.
Surprise wins may be in store, however, if Jonah Hill or Melissa McCarthy take home Oscars for their supporting role nominations.
The 84th annual Academy Awards is telecast Sunday night on ABC.
I'm not surprised Streep is nominated again. She is an incredible actress with an amazing track record of performances. Streep is compelling for a number of reasons, but it's the diversity of her talent that impresses me most. She can be and do anything, which is why no other woman would have been right in the role of Thatcher. I've yet to see the film, but if Streep is in it you can bet it's got to be good.
Best Actress field is the tightest category. All five nominees were dynamic in their respective roles. Joining Streep are Glenn Close ("Alber Nobbs"), Viola Davis ("The Help"), Rooney Mara ("The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo") and Michelle Williams ("My Week With Marilyn").
Although Streep is deserving, I hope Davis wins. She did an exquisite job in "The Help," my favorite movie of 2011. I can see Academy members leaning toward Williams, too. Her portrayal of Marilyn Monroe looked spot-on. She seemed perfect for the part, and America still has a love affair for all things Monroe.
Supporting Actress nominees include Berenice Bejo ("The Artist"), Jessica Chastain ("The Help"), Melissa McCarthy ("Bridesmaids"), Janet McTeer ("Albert Nobbs") and Octacia Spencer ("The Help"). Although I'd like to see a McCarthy win, I need to go with Spencer.
For Best Actor, it's a toss-up between George Clooney ("The Descendants") and Jean Dujardin ("The Artist").
Clooney is becoming the "male Streep" with his recent nominations over the past few years. I do like his movies and diversity of roles. That truly is the mark of a good actor.
Nominated with Clooney and Dujardin are Demian Bichin ("A Better Life"), Gary Oldman ("Tinker Taylor Soldier Spy") and Brad Pitt ("Moneyball").
Supporting Actor nominees include Kenneth Branagh ("My Week With Marilyn"), Jonah Hill ("Moneyball"), Nick Nolte ("Warrior"), Christopher Plummer ("Beginners"), and Max Von Sydow ("Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close"). Again, I'd like to see a Hill win here, but I do believe it will go to Plummer.
"The Help" earned a number of nominations, and rightfully so. It was worthy of all accolades it earned thus far. I'd like to see it win Best Picture.
"The Help" has eight other films hoping to beat it for the top prize including "The Artist," "The Descendents," "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close," "Hugo," "Midnight In Paris," "Moneyball," "The Tree Of Life" and "War Horse."
David T. Farr is a Sturgis (Mich.) Journal correspondent. Email him at farrboy@hotmail.com. You can also find The Farr Side on Facebook.
