Oscar® Nominations 2012

The nominations are in and here's who I think SHOULD take the crown... whether or not they will remains to be seen. No surprise to see nothing for Tyrannosaur as it didn't reach the American audience. But sad to see no recognition for Andy Serkis's work in Rise of the Planet of the Apes or Michael Fassbender in ... well anything.

Leading the nominations list is Hugo with 11, closely followed by The Artist with 10. Moneyball and War Horse each have 6 and The Descendants has 5. 

Supporting Actress

There are some impressive candidates here but Bejo has to take the crown. Her work in Artist was funny, sensitive, restrained and theatrical. Perfection.

• Bérénice Bejo
• Jessica Chastain
• Melissa McCarthy
• Janet McTeer
• Octavia Spencer  

Supporting Actor 

Branagh as Laurence Olivier was perfect casting. Just brilliant to watch.

• Kenneth Branagh
• Jonah Hill
• Nick Nolte
• Christopher Plummer
• Max von Sydow 

Leading Actress
Well the Americans have clearly favoured their own here but it's an interesting mix and could be anybody's. Meryl Streep seems the most likely winner but Williams was so flawless in her portrayal of the tortured soul Marilyn Monroe, she deserves the recognition.

• Glenn Close
• Viola Davis
• Rooney Mara
• Meryl Streep
• Michelle Williams

Leading Actor

Gary Oldman was easily the best thing in a talented cast when Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy came out but Dujardin just pips him to the post for me with his performance in The Artist at every stage of his character's career from the incredible high to the terrifying lows.

• Demian Bichir
• George Clooney
• Jean Dujardin
• Gary Oldman
• Brad Pitt

Best Picture

I still don't see why Moneyball has made the cut and am yet to see The Descendants or Extremely Loud. The Help was a brilliant film and I just didn't "get" Tree of Life. It has to be The Artist for its originality and emotive style.

• The Artist
• Descendants
• Extremely Loud
• The Help
• Hugo
• Midnight in Paris
• Moneyball
• Tree of Life
• War Horse 

For the full list of nominations go to the official website.

My Week With Marilyn: A Cinematic Delight

My Week With Marilyn is a true account of the week when 23-year-old Colin Clark (Eddie Redmayne) worked on a Laurence Olivier picture back in the 1950s and got to not only meet Marilyn Monroe but fall in love with her. Monroe, played here in the performance of her career by Michelle Williams, was a demanding star - turning up late to set, fluffing her lines and always insisting on an entourage. But according to Clark's diaries, there was much more to the woman than met the eye.

A staggeringly good cinematic debut for Director Simon Curtis, this film is a delectable treat of 50s style close ups, pouts and wiggles that Williams has mastered - as seen through the eyes of both her young admirer and her rather older, and slightly more envious admirer Sir Laurence Olivier (Kenneth Branagh). With a supporting cast of Dougray Scott as Monroe's husband Arthur Miller, Dame Judi Dench as Dame Sybil Thorndike, Julia Ormond as Vivien Leigh and other stars including Emma Watson, Zoe Wanamaker, Dominic Cooper and even a small part for Derek Jacobi, the film is a veritable who's who of acting class.

The film's setting is stunning, from the city shops to the rural houses and gorgeous 1950s cars. Shots of the sun shimmering through Autumn leaves just add to the majesty of Monroe herself. The always entertaining American vs British ideals and customs just adds to the chaos and humour of it all. 

At its heart though is a gorgeous tale of first love as the young Colin finds himself completely taken in by Monroe. She manages to be both fragile and strong in a way that must be seen to be believed. She needs love and validation all the time and never seems happy with herself, but she also loves being Marilyn Monroe and you see that she cannot even fathom leaving Hollywood behind. Knowing how her life eventually pans out just makes this all the more tragic. You don't even realise how "herself" she is being with Colin in the film until fans ask for her autograph and she turns it on. "Shall I be her?" she asks Colin. And the transformation into Monroe takes place before your very eyes.

The only niggling thing for me was the bizarre accents of some of the cast but when you're led by Branagh, Williams and BAFTA Rising Star Nominee Redmayne, the niggling things fall to the wayside.

My Week With Marilyn takes you back to all the exquisite joy and utter heartbreak of first loves. Because after all, anyone who recalls their first love with affection saw them as Colin sees Marilyn Monroe, even if they weren't the most famous face in the world.

An absolute delight. Just like Monroe herself, when Williams is on screen it is impossible to look away.

4.5/5 FOBLES

My Week with Marilyn gets a new trailer

My Week with Marilyn sees Michelle Williams taking the title role and also stars two of Britain's finest - Kenneth Branagh as Sir Laurence Olivier and Judi Dench as Dame Sybil Thorndike. Julia Ormond plays Vivien Leigh and Dougray Scott plays Arthur Miller. Emma Watson also stars in what looks to be a much smaller role - but an important one no doubt as it's her first post-Harry Potter.

The film sees a number of great actors playing a number of great actors – so with very big shoes to fill, can they pull it off? The film is due out in November in the UK. See what you think of the trailer…