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Top 10: Overdues
By Johnny
Alba
Leonardo DiCaprio has
a double shot at Oscar this year (Body of Lies, pictured, and
Revolutionary Road)
When big screen legends
like Alfred Hitchcock and Deborah Kerr die without having
won a competitive Oscar, there's really no question about the
Academy's (lack of) sensitivity. Although an actor doesn't need an
Oscar to achieve legendary status (Peter O'Toole, anyone?), winning an
Academy Award is definitely a fantasy every artist probably has experienced at
least once and an honor reserved for a few, very lucky ones.
Later this year, many of
these artists will get at least one new shot at making their dream come
true but will the cold-hearted Academy care?
10. David Fincher
Nominations: None to date.
Closest to the Podium: 2007, Zodiac
Best Work to Date (Personal Pick): Zodiac
Best Work to Date (Public Consensus): Zodiac
Upcoming 2008 Project: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Before he can become an
Oscar winner, director David Fincher first must become an Oscar
nominee. With solid work behind him (Se7en, Fight Club)
and an upcoming project where he is apparently playing by the Hollywood
rules; expect him to receive his first nomination soon.
09. Samantha Morton
Nominations: 2 (Including Sweet and Lowdown in 2000)
Closest to the Podium: 2000, Sweet and Lowdown
Best Work to Date (Personal Pick): Control
Best Work to Date (Public Consensus): In America
Upcoming 2008 Project: *Synecdoche, New York
Even if most of her films
don't make a huge impact in America (that was intended), Samantha
Morton is an actress that constantly delivers solid performances in
all kind of projects. Last seen in the BAFTA nominated film Control,
Morton will be back this year with the Cannes competitor
Synecdoche, New York by Charlie Kaufman.
08.
Will Smith
Nominations: 2 (Including The Pursuit of Happyness in
2006)
Closest to the Podium: 2002, Ali
Best Work to Date (Personal Pick): I Am Legend
Best Work to Date (Public Consensus): The Pursuit of Happyness
Upcoming 2008 Projects: *Seven Pounds & *The Trial of the
Chicago 7
Some may argue Will
Smith is not the biggest star in the world but he is definitely the
most bankable right now. Being one of the few Hollywood big names that
can lead both blockbusters and award-hopeful stories, it's only a matter
of time before Smith receives his first Academy Award.
07. John Malkovich
Nominations: 2 (Including In the Line of Fire in 1993)
Closest to the Podium: 1993, In the Line of Fire
Best Work to Date (Personal Pick): Places in the Heart
Best Work to Date (Public Consensus): Being John Malkovich
Upcoming 2008 Project: Burn After Reading
It's been a while since John Malkovich's last Oscar nomination and the
closest he's been this decade was for his self-conscious work on
Being John Malkovich. Can his upcoming collaboration with the
Coen Brothers bring him back to the awards circuit?
06. Ridley Scott
Nominations: 3 (Including Black Hawk Dawn in 2001)
Closest to the Podium: 2000, Gladiator
Best Work to Date (Personal Pick): Thelma & Louise
Best Work to Date (Public Consensus): Gladiator
Upcoming 2008 Project: Body of Lies
Ridley Scott is
the man behind cult classics like Blade Runner and Aliens
but he is also the one to blame for films like Legend and G.I.
Jane. An inconsistent career with far more ups (Gladiator,
American Gangster, The Duellists) than downs has made him a
divisive name and he has yet to win a notorious award to match his
mostly strong résumé.
05. Jim Sheridan
Nominations: 6 (Including In America in 2004)
Closest to the Podium: 1990, My Left Foot
Best Work to Date (Personal Pick): In the Name of the Father
Best Work to Date (Public Consensus): My Left Foot
Upcoming 2008 Projects: Brothers
Jim Sheridan is
one of those artists that know how to bait an Oscar (nomination) but
unfortunately for the versatile writer, director and producer; he's yet
to win a major Hollywood award. His upcoming work, the little buzzed
remake of the popular european film Brothers will be his latest
chance to lure the Academy.
04. Leonardo DiCaprio
Nominations: 3 (Including Blood Diamond in 2007)
Closest to the Podium: 2004, The Aviator
Best Work to Date (Personal Pick): The Departed
Best Work to Date (Public Consensus): The Aviator
Upcoming 2008 Projects: Body of Lies & Revolutionary
Road
From 1993's What's
Eating Gilbert Grape to The Aviator and Blood Diamond
in 2007, DiCaprio has already earned a place in Hollywood
history. At age 34, he may still be perceived as "too" young to become
an Oscar winner by AMPAS voters (although that didn't stop them from
awarding Adrien Brody at age 29).
03. Julianne Moore
Nominations: 4 (Including The Hours in 2003)
Closest to the Podium: 2003, Far From Heaven
Best Work to Date (Personal Pick): Boogie Nights
Best Work to Date (Public Consensus): Far From Heaven
Upcoming 2008 Project: Blindness
From 1998 to 2002,
Julianne Moore was known as the new Meryl (or as we
will say about someone else in a few years, the new Cate).
Then, she made a few poor choices and she disappeared from the awards
radar. She's back this year as the conflicted lead in Blindness,
will AMPAS see her as a contender?
02. Kate Winslet
Nominations: 5 (Including
Little Children in 2007)
Closest to the Podium: 1996, Sense and Sensibility
Best Work to Date (Personal Pick): Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless
Mind
Best Work to Date (Public Consensus): Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless
Mind
Upcoming 2008 Projects: Revolutionary Road & *The Reader
Sense and Sensibility
put her in the awards map, Titanic made her a star and ever
since; Winslet has found critical acclaim in most of her projects
but has never been as close to the podium as she was on her first
nomination. Will her upcoming projects break the so-called Titanic
curse?
01.
Roger Deakins (Cinematographer)
Nominations: 7 (Including The Assassination of Jesse James by
the Coward Robert Ford in 2007).
Closest to the Podium: 2007, No Country for Old Men &
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford.
Best Work to Date (Personal Pick): The Man Who Wasn’t There
Best Work to Date (Public Consensus): The Assassination of
Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford.
Upcoming 2008 Projects: Doubt & Revolutionary Road.
Acclaimed cinematographer
Roger Deakins earned his first Oscar nod in 1995 for The
Shawshank Redemption. Six more nominations, two ASC Awards and two
BAFTA Awards later; the english artist is still waiting for his
chance to speak up at the Kodak Theater. Just like many others are
waiting too.
*Release dates to be
confirmed.
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