It's still early yet, but many prediction sites have the Best Actor race down to these two men. Several of them seem sure that Depp is the frontrunner for Sweeney Todd (over DDL in There Will Be Blood). Everyone wants him to win really badly, he's working with Burton again, and it's a musical. No doubt his performance will be looked at closely this year. Plus he had that POTC sequel out which, though it was pretty bad, made a ton of money and could work in his favor.

I'm a big film buff but a novice to following the Oscars, so I'm not exactly in the know about all of the elements that determine who the race will come down to. But right now I think Johnny Depp is definitely a lock for a nomination (especially if he wins the Golden Globe) unless the movie flops, which I doubt. Reports from an early screening are very good, but it was a small audience and not a random sample (the audience was made up of mostly Depp and/or Burton fans, fans of the show and the reviewer for the horror blog cinefantastique). The cinefantastique review is here: http://cinefantastiqueonline.com/2007/10/24/sweeney-todd-preview.

So, what do people think? Is this Depp's year to win? Does anyone consider him a lock for a win yet? I think it's too early for the jury to be out on this one, but I'd be interested in hearing what other people think.

Unfortunately, I dont think Depp will win and there is even a small possibility that he wont earn a nomination. Unfortunately Tim Burton is not known for having his actors earn oscar nominations besides Martin Landau for Ed wood back in 1994.
Johnny Depp will eventually get an oscar, that I have no doubt, but I just dont think it will be this year.

That has been the tradition in the past. Burton always seems to get snubbed and Ed Wood was really my favorite of his movies. It was excellent and Landau certainly deserved the award. But at the time I would have liked to see Depp get a nod for the title role. He really was terrific in that movie.

I'm thinking that Depp will get a nomination at least, even though it's a Burton film. Even if they ignore the film for other categories I really feel that they won't be able to ignore him. But it's early yet. Personally I don't understand how people like David Poland can be so sure already that he's a probable win. But, as I said, I'm a novice.

I agree completely.
People like David Poland hold Depp in such high esteem because they want him to win, they usually dont consider who is most deserving of a win until around January

I honestly don't think Depp is in a front runner position for Best Actor. Heck, if the film turns out bad, he will probably not get another nom.

Anyway, that's my opinion. If you want someone up against Daniel Day Lewis, try Denzel Washington or James McAvoy. At this moment, they are pretty much secure for noms as American Gangster and Atonement are known successes and both performances have been praised.

One of the toughest in recent years. There's probably at least 10 performances in the lead actor category that are worthy of a nomination. Obviously we'll have to wait till the film's are released for a real opinion, but the possibility of Depp being nominated has more than a positive possibility. As with what the other person said, he'll get an Oscar one day, but it may not be for this. I like the synopsis of his next movie for his chances even better for Shantaram. A character study. As for Day-lewis? He's a chameleon in character and voice. It's not concrete, but the voice he's using in TWBB sounds like a cross between Burt Lancaster and John Huston. Awesome! He's already won for My Left Foot and nominated another two more times. He is highly respected amongst his peers and critics. In TWBB he is supposedly in nearly every scene. It's his movie. His presence will dominate the screen. I'd be shocked if he didn't get nominated. It has tour de force written all over it. But then, I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't win. They ripped him off and gave it to Adrian Brody several years ago. Sometimes they like to do the long shot vote. Who knows, somebody like Ryan Gosling or Emile Hirsch could pop in and win it. You never know with those Oscar people. Anyway... the Oscar is overrated anyway and everybody knows it. The most important award that is really taken seriously, is the Screen Actors Guild, voted by their peers ( other actors )and DDL won that one. We'll just have to wait and see I guess. But even if the film isn't highly praised but DDL performance is, than he'll be a front runner.

I agree with you about Shantaram, Mike. That's going to be an interesting movie and I really like Depp for that one. DDL was great in My Left Foot, but yes, I think he should have won for Gangs of New York, too.

I think Tim Burton will be nominated for an Oscar when he makes a masterpiece out of his safety zone. No wicked visuals, no over the top performances, no dark or gothic atmospheres, no silly or weak plots. Johnny Depp is very popular and that could be enough to be nominated even if the film bombs but hes far from being the frontrunner.

The film does appear to have his usual look from the trailers. As for the plot, this time he's working with a brilliant story that existed before it got into his hands, so he's adapting something that was already a masterpiece. Unless he did a really bad job directing it, which I doubt, at least the plot won't be weak or silly. As for the rest of it, we'll see.

Johnny Depp does have a lot of love. And the fact that he's singing an entire movie for the first time has a lot of people very excited, and I think that is why people are thinking he's a frontrunner. It's something different.

I still say he has a good chance at a nom, but it's too early to guess who will win. Johnny Alba still has him in the top 5, but not as a frontrunner.

Casey Affleck- Gone Baby Gone
Russell Crowe- 3:10 To Yuma
John Cusack- Grace Is Gone
Johnny Depp- Sweeney Todd
Ryan Gosling- Lars and The Real Girl
Tom Hanks- Charlie Wilson's War
Emile Hirsch- Into The Wild
Phillip Seymour Hoffman- Before The Devil Knows Your Dead
Tommy Lee Jones- In The Valley Of Elah
Daniel Day-Lewis- There Will Be Blood
James McAvoy- Atonement
Viggo Mortenson- Eastern Promises
Denzel Washington- American Gangster

Now that's a heck of a competition! Hirsch nearly starved himself in his filming his role. Gosling is outstanding in his. Russell was great in 3:10. What can't you say about Viggo portrayal. Casey was surprisingly good. Now we just need to see the other film's and see if the hype matches up. It's one of the better years.

Agreed. This is a very competitive year in this category.

I looked at the other sites. Three of them have Johnny Depp at #1 and think he's the frontrunner. Kris Tapley, Oscar Breach and David Poland. These three are sure that this is the year that the Academy will award Depp because of the musical thing. I think he might get a nomination. A win? That's hard to say. But they didn't give Day-Lewis the award for Gangs of New York, so he may not win for There Will Be Blood either. He probably doesn't care though.

I don't know about David Poland but people on this site seem to have a lower opinion of Kris Tapley. And Poland has George Clooney on his top 5 for Michael Clayton. The movie was good and I enjoyed George Clooney's performance but it certainly wasn't a powerhouse performance. Good but not great, in my opinion.

Personally I want to see what the more respected critics like Ebert and Medved have to say about these later films (like TWBB and Sweeney Todd) when they're released, and about the performances in them.

I'm not sure about Depp winning or being the front runner.
DDL was robbed for Gangs Of New York and I'm sure the voters saw and heard the complaints of the people. It was a shock to ( and almost a joke ) to see Adrian Brody take the trophy from DDL. Usually The Screen Actors Guild winner takes the Oscar too. But not that year. Just like the person above mentioned, yes DDL didn't win for Gangs, but knowing he got ripped off that year, maybe they'll award him for TWBB this time ? I wonder what all the buzzers were thinking when Brody won over Jack and Daniel?

I knew that Tapley was a clown, don't know the 2nd one. I thought David Poland was actually a little more respected. My mistake.

This is such a competitive category this year. But as one person said above, the SAG awards are what really count. Actors being rewarded by their peers. And DDL won that for Gangs.

Actually, it was you who called the SAG awards the one that mattered, Mike. And I agree with that.

I think the frontrunners are Depp and Hirsch.

I think that's a real stretch at this point, Alon. There are a lot of excellent performances in this category and many people don't think Depp is a sure win. At this point there isn't a sure win. The Best Actor competition is a tough one this year.

Okay, here's the final word (at this point) from Tom O'Neil on this movie:

http://goldderby.latimes.com/awards_goldderby/2007/10/prediction-swee.html

Per Tom, Sweeney will sweep the Oscars, including Best Actor. Now, from what I understand, Tom O'Neil is lousy at predictions. Any further opinions?

If Tom O'Neill says something will sweep, then you can on it not sweeping anything. He doesn't know what he is talking about. I don't think anyone can call a sweep of anything right now, especially something that hasn't even be seen.

I completely agree with you. I'm not in the know of who's who completely. But I had a sense that Tom O'Neil was a real hack writer.

I think it's agreed that the race for Best Actor is definitely the toughest this year, especially in regards to the anyone-can-win feeling we all have for the other acting categories. There are, I agree, maybe 10 actors who can secure a nomination. If it all boils down to Johnny Depp for "Sweeney Todd" and Daniel Day Lewis for "There Will Be Blood", I'm giving the edge to DDL. I've seen the trailers for both films, and since I'm positive it'll be a miracle if both are shown where I live, since I don't live in America, I'm seeing AMPAS honor DDL this year.
Then again, that's Johnny Depp vs. Daniel Day Lewis without considering the raves/buzz others have been getting, like James McAvoy for "Atonement" and Tommy Lee Jones for "In the Valley of Elah", Denzel Washington for "American Gangster" and George Clooney for "Michael Clayton".

He'll got nominated, but Lewis will win

I think that both these guys are pretty much guaranteed nominations, but from what I've seen so far, they hype has been with DDL. Johnny Depp no doubt deserves an oscar; he has been outstanding in many roles throughout his career like Scissorhands, Ed Wood, Donnie Brasco, Pirates, and Finding Neverland. However, the Academy was only able to overlook Depp until Pirates of the Caribbean, previously neglecting his other roles. Daniel Day Lewis has been a favourite of the Academy since 1989, but has starred in significantly less than Depp. I would have to say that even though Depp deserves his Oscar, the Academy may slide towards their man, DDL.

Or maybe it'll be Tommy Lee Jones, who has never won a Lead Oscar. I think he's more likely to receive a nomination for In the Valley of Elah than No Country. Despite that movie's lukewarm reception his performance was raved. DDL is always solid and, as one person suggested above, they robbed him for Gangs of New York.

It really is too early to predict a winner yet, especially given how crowded this category is this year, and some of the movies haven't been released yet. Personally I would love to see some nods (acting and otherwise) for earlier films like Zodiac and The Lookout, which I just watched again a few nights ago. And Black Snake Moan. Great film but probably way too off-beat.

There is no competition between DDL and Depp, DDL will win. Everyone who comes in contact with "TWBB" raves DDL like there is no tomorrow. I can't see any other actor getting those kinds of raves, especially not Depp--too many people are counting (hoping) on "Sweeney" to be a flop.

I don't think Sweeney Todd will be a flop, but you're right that a lot of people think it will be. And for some odd reason so many people are hoping it will be.

well in my opinion, i would absolutely love for Johnny Depp to get nominated, and depending on how much i like the movie(or dislike) i would either want a win for Depp, or for Emile Hirsch. But after viewing both trailers for the film, i have the idea that Depp is playing Todd as a serious version of Captain Jack. This is the perfect thing to do, since he has always garnered respect for the role of Sparrow(and an oscar nom) but he would never get real respect because 1. its a disney family adventure and 2. its a comedic role. but with such a serious project like Sweeney Todd and a serious version of a well recieved role, he is a lock for a nom, but the win will depend on the strength of his performance, and the strength of his contenders.

Hirsch is a long shot, but you never know.

I don't think Johnny is playing "Sweeney" as a serious Jack Sparrow. I think he is a much smarter actor than that. Sweeney and Jack are complete opposites. Sparrow enjoys life and just wants to have the freedom to enjoy his life to the fullest. Sweeney Todd is dead--sure he has vital signs but everything dear to him has been taken away and he is moving through life in this black state of misery. That's not a serious Jack Sparrow, that's the antithesis of Sparrow. I know he doesn't get credit for it anymore, but there is more to Johnny Depp than Jack Sparrow.

i believe your forggeting about benicio del toro

How about Washington vs. McAvoy

Washington is sure to get a nom because AG is going to do well at the box office maybe more thany all of the BP nominations and his role as Lucas is brilliant

McAvoy is starring in a tearjerker and let's keep it real that always means a nomination other than the snub of Leo and if he can overshadow his other cast members and the movie does well at the box office as well as critics which I think it will look out for him big time.

I just think that DDL and Depp will not win even though they are due for one I just don't think their movies will do that well at the box office. I think that Depp will not get nominated, prolly for a Golden Globe but not for A Oscar I think Viggo will instead.

I saw American Gangster last night and I thought there could have been a tad more sizzle to the performance of FranK Lucas. It was still a good portrayal, but not Denzel's best. Some are saying that DDL in TWBB is his best ever. Now that is really saying something since he's already done great work before and has won an Oscar ( My Left Foot )I'm really looking forward to seeing the other performances that have big buzz. Depp could win it. Oscar has been unpredictable in the past. Percursors seem to be a strong case for who might win, especially these last two years. I'm just glad it's not another lock, and it will be a healthy competition.

I saw American Gangster today. Denzel was good, but I was really impressed with Russell Crowe.

It is a tough competition this year. And that definitely makes things more interesting.

McAvoy is definitely a possible nomination, and certainly Denzel Washington. I started this thread because I noticed how many prediction sites had nailed it down to DDL and Depp as the frontrunners, and some of them are positive that Depp will win. Others DDL. It seemed too early to make such a declaration to me, and I wanted to see what other people thought.

And how about Tommy Lee Jones? We haven't seen Tom Hanks and I have a bad feeling about CWW, but who knows? Hanks may turn in an excellent performance too. And Viggo and Benicio Del Torro. It's a tough competition this year.

What does making big money at the box office have anything to do with awards? Was Capote, Notes On A Scandal, The Last King Of Scotland, The Queen, Good Night and Good Luck, just to name several, big money makers at the theatre? No. But they were nominated for the Oscars and other awards.

At least I would hope it's not based on box office returns.

so yeah, its a big mess

1. Daniel Day-Lewis - There Will Be Blood
2. Johnny Depp - Sweeney Todd
3. Denzel Washington - American Gangster
4. James McAvoy - Atonement
5. Benecio Del Toro - Things We Lost in the Fire
6. John Cusack - Grace is Gone
7. Tom Hanks - Charlie Wilson's War
8. Emile Hirsch - Into The Wild
9. Viggo Mortensen - Eastern Promises
10. Brad Pitt - The Assassination of Jesse James...


my thinking is Daniel Day-Lewis can win this, but he'll need to be a steamroller. Johnny Depp will win a GG for Comedy/Musical (he has an outside shot of a double nod for Comedy/Musical) and he will be nominated, and the buzz will be there but he just will not win for this role (think Pacino). As for Denzel, he is royalty and he is also becoming a threat for the win, but his nod is secure. McAvoy will follow in Heath Ledger and Ryan Gosling's footsteps. As for Benecio, he is not safe but his nod is a very big possibility. Cusack has a baity role, but i just dont know about the film's reception. Hanks will be snubbed rightfully bcus this movie is an Oscar grab. Hirsch is McAvoy's only real enemy, but it seems this youth nomination is not reserved for Americans. Mortensen played this role perfectly, he needs many critical precursor nods to overcome the lack of bait in the role. As for Brad Pitt, he's only here because the Academy seems to love biopics, and this is the closest thing to a biopic besides American Gangster and Charlie Wilson's War, but he has pretty much no chance.

I think that if anyone will take it, it might be McAvoy because of his youth and the box office might make a diffrence like it did with Alan Arkin in LMS even though we all know Jackie should have took it for Little Children.

These are my noms:

James McAvoy*
Johnny Depp
Daniel Day Lewis
Denzel Washington
Benico Del Torro

John Cusak, Viggo and Tom Hanks might sneak in with a nom but I don't think Emile win with McAvoy being nominated.

I am so dissapointed that Cuba didn't have more screen time in AG I was hoping for a nom for him but not enough but Ruby Dee really impressed me but again not enough screen time. Josh Brolin did okay but the only bad guy that impressed me was Denzel. Also the beginning scene of AG was one of the best I have seen in movies period.

I am finally here again!!!!!!!!!
Can't wait until next month

Started from one: Moby Dick: April 2006 Led to many

Well I am a huge JD fan. I don't know much about DDL for his upcoming film. So who is to say. Lots of people do want Sweeny Todd to fail. why is that? could it be too much of a threat??? I'd personally like to see Johnny Depp win an oscar. I don't see this character a serious Jack. He is way to creative to use a previous character to add onto another one. I don't buy that at all. Yes it is true that his choices of characters could be a little to out there but that is what makes him so different from everyone else in Hollywood and that is what makes him so incredible. You absolutely couldn't imagine another actor playing his parts!

However this is like many have said, its only November and there are plenty more movies to come out. I have yet to see American Ganster so I will be seeing that soon. DW has already two oscars so I don't see him winning again this soon. One performance I think was just absolutely incredible was Hirsch for "Into The Wild" that movie so far has been my favorite. There needs to be a youngin in this cagetory for a change. How about the actors from what is suppose to be one of the biggest surprises of all this year? "The Kite Runner" just watching the trailor gives me chills! I am reading the book as of now and if the movie is anything like the book then it could be one of the most powerful movies made in a very long time! so there is another movie with big acting possibilites perhaps?

Well I am a huge JD fan. I don't know much about DDL for his upcoming film. So who is to say. Lots of people do want Sweeny Todd to fail. why is that? could it be too much of a threat??? I'd personally like to see Johnny Depp win an oscar. I don't see this character a serious Jack. He is way to creative to use a previous character to add onto another one. I don't buy that at all. Yes it is true that his choices of characters could be a little to out there but that is what makes him so different from everyone else in Hollywood and that is what makes him so incredible. You absolutely couldn't imagine another actor playing his parts!

However this is like many have said, its only November and there are plenty more movies to come out. I have yet to see American Ganster so I will be seeing that soon. DW has already two oscars so I don't see him winning again this soon. One performance I think was just absolutely incredible was Hirsch for "Into The Wild" that movie so far has been my favorite. There needs to be a youngin in this cagetory for a change. How about the actors from what is suppose to be one of the biggest surprises of all this year? "The Kite Runner" just watching the trailor gives me chills! I am reading the book as of now and if the movie is anything like the book then it could be one of the most powerful movies made in a very long time! so there is another movie with big acting possibilites perhaps?

People don't view Sweeney Todd as too much of a threat. I think the negative sentiment has more to do with fans of the show being worried about how it will be transferred to the screen. Also, it's almost all singing, of a very difficult musical score, and the lead actors aren't singers. That worries and upsets some people. Think of Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady, who they cast over Julie Andrews even though Andrews originated the role on Broadway. And she was a singer; I'm not sure if Audrey was able to sing, but I know she was mostly dubbed for that movie. People really saw that as a snub to Andrews.

Not only did Julie Andrews win that year (for Mary Poppins), Audrey Hepburn was completely snubbed and didn't even get a nomination. People were that pissed off about the casting.

The reason Day-Lewis is getting raves and people are buzzing is because of the characters larger than life behavior. No matter if you hate the guy ( the character PLainview ) he's off the charts intense and the performance is loaded with charisma. These are the kind of performances that actors die for, and you know when DDL read the script he jumped on it, because he knew there would be plenty of " acting " he could do with the part, which he does in spades. And act he does. It's truly bigger than life. He commands the screen and demands your attention. These performances don't come along every week. I bet the heat ( which was a problem while shooting ) helped build the tension that DDL used for Plainview. I wonder how the other performances will compare as of a commanding of the screen compared to Plainview. The role knocks you right over the head, and by the time you leave the theatre you'll know you saw greatness at work. It's almost border line exhaustive. Could you imagine how he felt? Fantastic Festival 9/07.

Personally I think DDL has a much stronger chance. I am not a Tim Burton fan and I think Sweeney Todd will be a flop...I think DDL will be amazing...thus far(as of Nov 3) my 5 best actor nods are: Tommy Lee Jones(winner atm):ItVofE, Benicio del Toro:TwLitF, George Clooney:Michael Clayton, Emilie Hirsch:Into the Wild, and Brad Pitt: Jesse James should be the noms...but I am expecting great things out of DDL...he is the only person atm who i think even has a chance of knocking one of my top 5 off...i think Charlie Wilson's War, Sweeney Todd will be flops, and Atonement i think looks good not great...

Hmm, I agree with you about Charlie Wilson's War. I just have a bad feeling about it, and the Christmas Day opening seems like a bad omen a la Dreamgirls. At least they're not charging $25 a ticket on that day (that ballsy and presumptuous scheme is what absolutely killed my interest in Dreamgirls).

I don't think Sweeney Todd will be a complete flop - there are enough fans of the musical, of Tim Burton and of Johnny Depp who will see the movie and love it. So far no critics have seen it (other than Harry on Ain't It Cool News and Steve from cinefantastique), so we don't really have reviews yet. But I do think Johnny Depp has a great chance at a nomination (not a lock for a win yet, though). Yes, they've always snubbed Burton, but I don't think they can ignore Depp so easily, even though it's a Burton film.

Tommy Lee Jones was fantastic in "In the Valley of Elah" and his performance was raved over. Even though the film didn't do as well as they thought I really hope that they won't forget him.

DDL certainly is a likely nomination based on what we've heard so far from people who saw the movie. Whether he's a lock for a win is yet to be seen. As Tom reminded us in his article, everyone thought the race was between DDL for Gangs and Jack Nicholson - and neither of them won. Brody did.

I'm not so sure about George Clooney. Michael Clayton is one of the best reviewed films (91% on RT, 94% of the cream of the crop). I enjoyed the film immensely and thought Clooney turned in a good performance, but not great. If anyone gets a nod for that film it will be Tom Wilkinson for supporting.

I don't feel confident for Sweeney Todd though. Front runner for the GG I would think. Comedy/musical.
I really liked There Will Be Blood. I had no idea, other than there was buzz about a secret screening was happening. I about messed myself when the word was it was TWBB. Usual a film like that doesn't play the Fest.
Anyway, as I have said, I liked the movie. There are kinds of different elements to it, where it feels kind of like a western, then it feels like real melodrama, and then when you least suspect it, has a horror/thriller vibe to it, especially when Plainview.....well I can't go there, let's just used the word mentality. In some parts Plainview reminds me of Jack Torrence. So it has a plethora of different twists and turns. But will everybody like it? Probably not. Different strokes ya know.
But there won't be any denying of the performance. You'll leave with Plainview imprinted on your brain. As I said, it's as if he is commanding you to watch. Rare. The best he has ever done? I think the one in My Left Foot is a top 20 performance of all time. Special. But this one is up there, most definitely. I drink your milk shake! I drink it up!

I think Depp has a very good chance at a nomination. I'd like to see Emile Hirsch grab a nod too, because he worked his ass off on that film. He did the physicality it required and the acting was believable. AMPAS might think he's too young. DDL I would think is pretty much a lock at least for a nomination. As for George Clooney, though I liked him and the movie, the buzz has quieted a bit. I agree about the Tom Wilkenson consideration. He's still in my top five in that category. He has a good chance at a nomination.

Well, I think Johnny Depp will get a nod but...I'm not a Tim Burton fan, or a musical fan so...but yea I think George Clooney was great in Michael Clayton particually in the scene in the end of course but also the end credits if you see it again watch him not the credits it just hsows you all of his emotions in that scene. Yea i doubt it he will get a nomination but I hope he does and I think and hope Wilkinson does as well.

I saw both American Gangster and Eastern Promises this weekend and I have to say my views have been changed. I think that Viggo Mortensen was amazing in EP, and he definately deserves a nom if the Academy is smart. I think that if this is the new Academy like we saw last year we can expect Viggo to get in there. Denzel's performance was great, but I really don't think it can compare to his previous roles like Training Day or Remember the Titans. Frank Lucas was done well, but if Denzel wanted to get a nod, he could have pulled it off much better. Viggo definately deserves the nom over Denzel. My predictions so far:

1. Daniel Day Lewis
2. Johnny Depp
3. Viggo Mortensen
4. Tom Hanks
5. James McAvoy

I'm worried that they're going to just snub Viggo. They've done it before.

Well it's just like Johnny Depp. How long can the Academy overlook a really great actor?

At least they've started nominating Johnny Depp for the award. Viggo was completely snubbed for History of Violence and didn't even receive a nod.

First, I don't believe an actor should win the Academy Award just because he hasn't won it before. We are just going to have to wait and see how well he does the singing/acting thing. As for Tom Hanks in CWW, I wasn't overly impressed just from the trailer. That isn't saying anything it's just a trailer. It just seems ordinary is all, with a slight southern accent. That's another film I have been highly anticipating. I can't predict movies I haven't seen, so far these are my top 5.....

George Clooney
Daniel Day-Lewis
Emile Hirsch
Viggo Mortenson
Benicio Del Toro

*I don't believe an actor should win the Academy Award just because he hasn't won it before.*

Makes sense to me. A lot of people feel that Johnny Depp should win this time because he has never won (whereas DDL has), but I don't think the Academy works that way. Or maybe they will. Who knows?

He has a great shot at it, especially if people accept his singing in addition on top of his reportedly excellent acting in the film. Many fans believe that he should get the award just for pulling off the singing.

I guess it will also depend on whether the Academy will accept the movie in the first place. We all know that they have a history of snubbing Tim Burton.

Viggo was good in it, but it is not really an Oscar role, if he gets a nod it will be because he has been snubbed before. I presonally loved Vincent Cassell in it and thinks he deserves a nod

Just because he sings ( and I heard the voice is just tolerable )shouldn't automatically deserve him a win. Will the performance be comanding? Will you be thinking about it long after you see it? Will it move you? That's what you'll have to ask yourself after you see Sweeney Todd. And I got that from the Plainview character, and that was more than four weeks ago.

Just because he sings shouldn't automatically deserve him a win.

I definitely agree. Many fans of Depp have been arguing that it does, because this is something different that he's attempting (i.e., he's stretching himself).

The character Sweeney Todd is a memorable character. I've only seen two reviews of the movie so far and both are positive. Both reviewers liked the movie and they reported that the cast was great.

From what you and many people have reported, Daniel Plainview is also a very memorable character and DDL gives a tour-de-force.

It's a very exciting Lead Actor race this year. And this is just looking at the two that everyone has as the frontrunners. John Cusack, Tom Hanks - both are still unseen at this point.

Because I saw TWBB a couple of nights ago and that performance is off the hookizzle! DDL did another disappearing act ( again ) and after awhile you are not watching DDL act, you are watching Daniel Plainview be. It's uncanny how this guy just becomes someone else with not even a tiny hint of his real self. I thought he was great in Gangs, but this is off the charts. You'll just have to see it for your self. I have seen 6 movies a month all year, and I can safely say, it's the best acting portrayal of the year I have witnessed. And I will not let the DDL performance influence my opinion on Johnny Depp as Sweeney Todd, as I don't have a personal affinity towards either one. All I know is Depp better be very good and on his A+ game is all I'm saying.

Well, I heard Depp's voice is more than tolerable and his acting performance is terrific. It's all a matter of opinion. I agree he shouldn't get nominated just because he sings, but I also don't think DDL should win just because some people think he was robbed for Gangs of NY. It is possible for both Depp and DDL to give amazing performances and it is sad that these awards draw battle lines among people so that they feel they have to tear down actors so they can champion another in winning some award.

I agree with you, minnie_swirl. The argument that "Johnny Depp should win because he is overdue for a win" is not a very solid one. Yes, he was overlooked for way too long a time until he finally got nominated for Pirates - clearly no one saw him in Ed Wood (they only looked at Martin Landau), nor did they even consider his wonderful performance in Donnie Brasco, a film in which he worked so beautifully with Al Pacino; but he's still fairly young and has a long career ahead of him. And the argument that "DDL should win because he was robbed for Gangs of New York" is equally dubious. Unfortunately we know that the Academy doesn't necessarily award the performance (or the film, etc.) that is actually the best of the year. There are other factors that come into play, such as someone being long overdue, as Mr. Scorsese was.

So many people are routing for their favorite actor and resorting to bashing everyone else now. This year's race is an exciting one and I highly admire and respect both DDL and Depp as actors, as well as so many of the other fantastic actors in the running this year. We all champion our favorites, but people are really cut-throat this year. I read the IMDB forums a lot, and comment sometimes. On the Sweeney Todd boards they celebrate every time a negative word is spoken about There Will Be Blood. I understand that fans want Johnny Depp to win, but that's just silly to want to see other movies and actors flop just because they're his competition. Same with the DDL fans and other fans who are bashing Sweeney Todd and Johnny Depp. Frankly, I'm looking forward to seeing both movies and both of their performances.

Kris Tapley's article has just magnified everything by honing the race down to these two men. Now the idea has spread like wildfire - and I myself am guilty as well for starting this particular thread . Personally I will have a great laugh if someone like Hirsh or even John Cusack sneaks up and snags the prize out from under these two after all of this hype and fighting. And I would love to see Cusack get some love after all this time.

I agree with both of you for the most part. I do think right now the talk is all them. But remember last year, everyone was talking about Peter O'toole and Leo. The when the GG nominations came out all the critics polls had Whitaker on the top and everyone was lke wooooa...so that could easily happen this year . Right now I hope Tommy Lee Jones wins for ItVofE.

Very true. Of course, DDL and Depp would be in different categories for the Golden Globes and sometimes an actor that wins the GG does not win the Academy Award (Eddie Murphy, Madonna).

It's a very exciting year.

This year is AMAZING...so many films that could easily be seen as landmarks in several years.

I disagree about last year. I remember when LKOS was still in pre-production, people were saying that Whitaker was going to win the Oscar. I remember before Capote came out, people were saying the same thing with Hoffman. This is a year where it doesn't really look like there is a full blown leader, and I think that's cool.

Yeah, it seems that I was hearing Forest Whitaker's name early on last year. He really was incredible in that movie. Everyone knew he was a lock as soon as they saw him, I think.

Personally I do not think he deserved to win for two reasons. One, I thought Leo gave a muhc stronger, much more layered performance in The Depared and two: I think he was a supporting role James McAvoy was clearly the lead

i think both will get nominated. lewis's role is sounds great and will be great and is directed by probably one of the best directors around p.t. anderson. washington was amazing as Frank Lucas and in my mind deserves nothing less than a nomination.

All I can say is the performance DDL puts in TWBB is staggering. It AFFECTS you. Long after I left the film I was still thinking about certian scenes. And he burns Daniel Plainview onto your brain whether you like it or not. It's like glue. It sticks with you in a almost uncomfortable way, and that rarely happens to me. The guy he so unlikeable, but charismatic at the same time. You also understand that by being the way it also made him highly successful which is sort of a dichotomy. Riveting.

i think both will get nominated. lewis's role is sounds great and will be great and is directed by probably one of the best directors around p.t. anderson. washington was amazing as Frank Lucas and in my mind deserves nothing less than a nomination.

Johnny Depp is a great actor, we can all agree with that. However I highly doubt he will even get nominated for an oscar let alone win for Sweeny Todd. He may have the intensity of Sweeny Todd but he does not have the singing talents. And if you look at the history of the oscars, there is a tendancy to overlook those who are in musicals but either do not sing (Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady) or dont sing that well. Depp eventually will get an oscar but this is not the film or the right time for him.

Now that multiple sources have confirmed Depp as great in this role, I think it would be safe to say he'll get the nomination.

He'll win the Golden Globe for sure but...that's been a given since the project was announced.

Some people were way off and some people right on. Who would have known back then that No Country and TWBB would revieve 8 Oscar nominations a piece?