Time and time again, we hear that actresses have it much harder when it comes to finding good parts in Hollywood. It’s true, as year after year I usually have to scrounge to find truly stand-out actresses. This year, for whatever reason, it was not difficult at all. Funny enough, some big names like Penelope Cruz, Marisa Tomei and Angelina Jolie are not included on this list… because I didn’t think they were worthy.
Here is a list of the best leading and supporting actresses in 2008, ranked in order:
- Meryl Streep, Doubt
Streep is all but expected to turn in Oscar-worthy performances, though we can forgive her for Mamma Mia and only hope she struck up a revenue sharing deal for that film. Playing an ultra conservative, fiercely authoritative nun in Doubt, she is wonderfully wicked in this play adaptation. Her scene with Philip Seymour Hoffman is downright mesmerizing, and as great of an actor as Hoffman is, you know who will win the battle.
- Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married
Hathaway turns in a career-defining performance as an alcholic who, fresh out of rehab, has arrived to create chaos at her sister’s wedding. The movie is depressing and Hathaway’s character is the main contributor, as she time and time again makes every scene as painful as possible. She, in many ways, is like the serious, realistic and more damaged version of Michael Scott from “The Office,” and should be commended for it.
- Kate Winslet, Revolutionary Road
Winslet is required to show up on lists such as this one, and she does not disappoint in 2008. Her performance as a depressed housewife and mother in the 1950’s is tragic. While she isn’t my #1 pick, I would be quite content if she took home the Oscar this year - and in fact would be quite surprised if she didn’t.
- Amy Adams, Doubt
Adams is hot, but she’s also an excellent actress. People may not have noticed, but she’s starting to rack up a respectable career in just the few years since she sneaked into the spotlight, and her performance as an innocent, naive nun proves just how strong of an actress she really is. Even though Streep chews scenery in every scene she’s in, Adams holds her own and establishes herself as the perfect counterbalance to the stronger-willed character.
- Melissa Leo, Frozen River
Frozen River is a good movie, but it’d be a forgettable B-grade drama-thriller without the performance of Melissa Leo. Leo plays desperate and tough at the same time, and never for a second do we question her motives for engaging in illegal, risky behavior. Everything about her is perfect in this movie - too bad she has such stiff competition.
- Viola Davis, Doubt
Viola Davis only has one scene in the entire movie, but boy is it a doozey. While neither Adams’ or Hoffman’s characters can stand up to Streep’s, Davis’ puts the head nun in her place with a tear-jerking and downright disturbing speech that essentially condones pedophilia when it comes to her own son. That’s messed up, but brilliant.
- Frances McDormand, Burn After Reading
McDormand is one of the best actresses working today; she can do drama, comedy and anything in between - or often at the same time. As a gym employee who is desperately trying to save up for cosmetic surgery, McDormand delivers a stellar performance, even when matched against the likes of Brad Pitt and George Clooney, both of whom tend to steal the spotlight.
- Gwenyth Paltrow, Iron Man
Everyone has been praising director Jon Favreau and actor Robert Downey Jr. for making Iron Man the massive blockbuster that it is, but Gwenyth Paltrow who, in what could have been a thankless and forgettable role, made her character anything but. She has great chemistry with Downey Jr. and looks as hot as ever.
- Rosemarie DeWitt, Rachel Getting Married
Anne Hathaway is the one everyone’s talking about in regards to Rachel Getting Married, but her on-screen sister - the title character, no less - is nearly as good. Though not nearly as frustrating or depressing as Hathaway’s character - and thus not nearly as noticeable - DeWitt manages to portray the more reasonable sister with just as many flaws and issues as her alcoholic sibling.
- Kate Winslet, The Reader
I didn’t really like Winslet’s performance when I first saw The Reader - and I am not a huge fan of the movie itself - but she has grown on me. After all, when you think about how unlikable, flawed and ugly she is in this movie, you realize that with just a touch of makeup this actress transformed herself into an enigma of a character, one whom the main character cherishes and loves, yet who others despise for the atrocities she committed.
- Maggie Gyllenhaal, The Dark Knight
The praise has been all about Heath Ledger, and if people play it safe they mention Morgan Freeman, Christian Bale and Michael Caine. Still, Gyllenhaal turns in a great supporting performance here. I’m one of the few who didn’t mind Katie Holmes in the original, but when you watch one film right after the other - like I did the other night - you realize what an upgrade director Christopher Nolan pulled off when replacing one with the other. Gyllenhaal’s final scene is as emotional as it is due to the actress’s ability to reveal to the audience her sudden, momentary shock that everything is not going to end happily.
- Rebecca Hall, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Interestingly, when people think of this movie, their minds immediately go to Scarlett Johansson and Penelope Cruz making out. Mine does, too, but it also goes to the third actress who, in fact, plays the main character. Rebecca Hall, the least-known name in the entire movie, was hardly marketed at all, but not only is she prettier than Johansson and Cruz (a very, very hard feat), she also delivers a compelling performance.
- Evan Rachel Wood, The Wrestler
Marisa Tomei has been getting all the attention when it comes to supporting performances, but maybe I was too focused on her incessant nudity throughout the film. No, my praise lands on Evan Rachel Wood, who once again delivers a strong, emotional performance as the estranged daughter of Mickey Rourke. She only has a few scenes, but those scenes are the most powerful of the movie.
- The ladies of Sex and the City: The Movie
OK, so I wouldn’t give any of these ladies Oscars, but they should be commended for bringing their TV counterparts to the big screen in a funny, sentimental and believable way. Thanks to the chemistry these women have with one another, Sex and the City catapulted female-oriented movies into arenas normally reserved for adrenaline -filled action flicks.
- Nicole Kidman, Australia
Kidman isn’t amazing in Australia, but she fits the part perfectly. Her performance in the first third of the movie is particularly memorable, as she plays a surprisingly funny, Scarlett O’Hara-esque Brit who doesn’t know the first thing about life down under. There’s a reason why she’s at the bottom of this list, but she still is worthy of recognition.
The franchise that never dies has just financed an additional ten films with a three-day opening weekend slaughter of $42 million, leading a pack of other box office successes. The entertaining reboot of Friday the 13th, which went back to roots and offered fans and non-fans - like me - alike enough murders and thrills to meet or exceed expectations, and audiences responded favorably.
Marriage therapy is the method that can save our marriage from ended with a divorce. It offers a solution that can help to save our marriage. Counseling is one of the solution and one of the therapies that can solve that problem. It can be solved via good communication and a couple can work together the couple can rebuild a marriage rather than to choose a divorce.
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There is one video that I recommend you to watch if you plan to seek for counseling advice. The movie is located at http://en.sevenload.com/videos/s9Fdvvb-Marriage-Counseling-and-Therapy-in-New-York-City. After watching this video, I get many invaluable advices in maintaining a good marriage relationship.
Having a movie review website is a wonderful idea, with which you can own an online business which will ultimately help you generate a considerable profit. With the advancement of internet through technology, the earlier tensions of how to build a web page will no longer haunt you.
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Laptops and IPods are looked upon as great gadgets, but did you know that while you are travelling or sitting back you can use them to watch your favourite films and enjoy them like never before. You can also offer to watch films with your friends who will simply love the experience.
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There are numerous communities to watch movies online, but it is very important for movie lovers to find a community with the best varieties of films with maximum enjoyment and entertainment. Watch-a-movie.org offers the best collection of movies with no video interference and best quality.
Considering, for example, film named “Sex and the city” which is basically based on a novel that very well conveys the concepts and desires of four women who are residing in the New York City. Their opinions and suggestions regarding sex life have been wonderfully visualized and that is the reason why this film has got amazingly high ratings in the web site.
Everyone could watch this movie after logging into the site and can subscribe to this website. They would intimate you with subscription letters and latest happenings in the movie world and will help you with suggestions to watch movies online. The website requires the watcher to have the fire fox, and if one does not have, they can download the same at that very instant.
Watch Dexter online is a website where people can watch the Dexter shows online. This is an absolutely free website where you can watch the Dexter show where enjoyment and entertainment is taken for granted.
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Every weekend it could come up to a small row from my wife’s side: “What are we going to do during this upcoming weekend??” Actually, I always have enough work to accomplish and the best day off for me is just reading my favourite novel and a couple of beers. But nevertheless I understand quite natural demands of my spouse to “hang out” or “to go to some place nice”. Living somewhere in Queens this is easy to make out but covering almost 100 miles to sit in “some place nice” - unreasonable and mad. In fact, I do not even pretend of being romantic - I just like the order and enjoy reasonable way of life. At least it had been so until the previous time when my wife grabbed me and the children up to the Hollywood ride. Anyway, I like watching movies when they are coming up to me and hate being stuck at a cinema where there is always stuffy and uncomfortable chairs. Nothing to compare with my loveliest sofa, indeed! But outdoors movies or watching movies in the park I consider a really brilliant idea - do not mix it with car-watching movies - this is even worse than the cinema.
Anyway, Hollywood is fantastic! I thought I’ll screw up our traveling again but - Thanks, God! - we spent cool time there! I’ve seen many great companies engaged in video production and presenting broadcasting services and we could not help but watching “Shrek 3″ movie on a special Family Movie Night gathering in Beverly Hills. Guys, that’s really amazing and I would not change such a night with my family around for anything else in the world!
Are you just married and is currently looking for contemporary furniture that will suit your new house? You might not like what you saw at your local furniture store because they look too plain for your new modern platform bed. It’s not your fault because you just want something cool and fun to be part of your lifestyle.
Stop looking your yellow pages, because they just couldn’t catch up with the ever revolutionizing modern furniture. You need to use the net and keep yourself updated with the latest release by following a modern furniture blog.
You will be amazed at how cool some furniture that we took for granted can look like. With your modern platform bed in your bedroom, you probably will enjoy your sleep better every night.
Dining tables and sofa can be very costly, so, you should at least take something that is contemporary and rest assured that your investment is well spent.
Cartoons are undoubtedly one of the present day world’s most favoured forms of entertainments, especially by children and young adults. Everyone loves the colourful characters… colourful both in appearance and personality.
The scene has changed dramatically ever since the first cartoons appeared decades ago. Gone are the days of the simplistic, flipbook based cartoons which were loved by the world half a century ago. Now is the age of hi-tech animation. 3D animation with a level of detail never achieved before has been attained… with the Japanese animated cartoons ruling the roost! The characters are so life-like that these cartoons are really worth a watch!
3D animation has advanced to such an extent that a variety of free animation software is available online, encouraging enthusiastic kids to create their own cartoons! Free animation software range from simple shape-based tools to advanced, highly complex ones for 3D animation. In the information age, it is also easy to share your creations with the world, with easy web-hosting available. So go ahead, try your hand.