HOLLYWOOD—It is indeed a busy week in Hollywood as awards season is in full swing. The 19thAnnual Screen Actors Guild Nominations were announced on Wednesday, December 12 with “Les Misérables,” “Silver Linings Playbook” and “Lincoln” all garnering four nominations apiece including a bid for the award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. Those pictures will also face-off against “Argo” and “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.”
For Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role the nominees are Bradley Cooper “Silver Linings Playbook,” Daniel Day-Lewis “Lincoln,” John Hawkes “The Sessions,” Hugh Jackman “Les Misérables” and Denzel Washington “Flight.” The Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role sees a bit of a surprise with Helen Mirren grabbing a nomination for her work in “Hitchcock.” She will compete against Jessica Chastain “Zero Dark Thirty,” Jennifer Lawrence “Silver Linings Playbook,” Naomi Watts “The Impossible” and Marion Cotillard “Rust and Bone.” Missing from the list is child actor Quvenzhane Willis for her work in “Beasts of the Southern Wild,” I have a feeling she won’t be forgotten by the Oscars.
In contention for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role the nominees are Sally Field “Lincoln,” Anne Hathaway “Les Misérables,” Helen Hunt “The Sessions,” Maggie Smith “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” and Nicole Kidman “The Paperboy.” Kidman is a surprise in this category. She has been praised for her work in “The Paperboy” as it’s a role unlike anything Kidman has portrayed before. While the picture has received mixed reviews from critics, Kidman’s performance is highlighted as a must-see. She could be a dark-horse this awards season.
Nominees for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role include Alan Arkin “Argo,” Javier Bardem “Skyfall,” Robert De Niro “Silver Linings Playbook,” Philip Seymour Hoffman “The Master” and Tommy Lee Jones “Lincoln.”
On the TV side, the ABC hit “Modern Family” leads the pack with four nominations including Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series. The comedy will battle against “Glee,” “30 Rock,” “The Big Bang Theory,” “Nurse Jackie” and “The Office.” On the dramatic side the contenders for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series are “Boardwalk Empire,” “Breaking Bad,” “Downtown Abbey,” “Homeland” and “Mad Men.” Its probably a given that “Homeland” will take home the award, but “Breaking Bad” and “Downtown Abbey” had stellar years so anything can help as the award is voted upon by peers.
Vying for the trophy for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series are Claire Danes “Homeland,” Michelle Dockery “Downtown Abbey,” Jessica Lange “American Horror Story,” Julianna Margulies “The Good Wife” and Maggie Smith “Downtown Abbey.” For Male Actor in a Drama Series nominees include Steve Buscemi “Boardwalk Empire,” Bryan Cranston “Breaking Bad,” Jeff Daniels “The Newsroom,” Jon Hamm “Mad Men” and Damian Lewis “Homeland.” Indeed a tough category, Lewis has the momentum, but I have a feelingCranstonwill be victorious.
Alec Baldwin will vie once again for the award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series for his work in “30 Rock.” He’ll face stiff competition from Ty Burrell “Modern Family,” Louis C.K. “Louie,” Jim Parsons “The Big Bang Theory” and Eric Stonestreet “Modern Family.” For Female Actor in a Comedy Series sees the return of favorites Tina Fey “30 Rock,” Edie Falco “Nurse Jackie,” Amy Poehler “Parks and Recreation,” Betty White “Hot in Cleveland” and Sofia Vergara “Modern Family.”
The 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards will be handed out on Sunday, January 27, 2013 at the Los Angeles Shrine Exposition Center. The ceremony will air live on both TBS and TNT at 8 p.m. Start making your picks as to who will reign supreme this awards season it looks to be a interesting one to say the least.
By LaDale Anderson
