Oscars 2014: Who is Winning the Best Actress Race?

2. Sandra Bullock - Gravity

While Cate Blanchett in Blue Jasmine might have figuratively been a one-woman show, Sandra Bullock in Gravity is, George Clooney not withstanding, literally all on her own. (In fact, that's kind of the whole point of the movie). Obviously, this is an enormous responsibility to put on shoulders of any actor, but Ms. Bullock passes the test with flying colors. The science fiction suspense thriller, which has grossed over $250 million domestically in the United States, has proven to be the cinematic sensation of the year (the rare film that high-minded critics and the general public can both agree on), and much of the credit belongs to Sandra Bullock and her heart-pounding performance as a distressed astronaut floating in the abyss of space. Somewhat sheepishly, I have admit that going into the film, I had my doubts about Ms. Bullock's thespian abilities. Having never been a fan of her work (although her relative "talent" for romantic comedies is fairly incontestable), and still a bit peeved over her 2009 Best Actress win for The Blind Side (although I was more angered over the film's Best Picture nomination), you could say I was bit skeptical that she could handle the heavy lifting of an Alfonso Cuaron space epic. However, going into the film's screening at the Toronto Film Festival, I remained cautiously optimistic, and as the now legendary opening shot of the film played out, as I'm sure you experienced yourself, I was instantly won over. I think what is most impressive about Bullock's performance is that, unlike say maybe Naomi Watts in The Impossible last year, Bullock goes beyond an incredible portrayal of a woman in distress, but creates a fully-living protagonist with Dr. Ryan Stone. To accomplish this in what is essentially an action-oriented film is no small feat, and given that the film is undoubtedly going to be a major player in this year's Oscar ceremony (and could even take the top prize), I really can't see Sandra Bullock missing out on a nomination. The only conceivable way Sandra Bullock misses out on a Best Actress nomination this year is if enough voters take her nomination for granted and decide to stick up for some relatively obscure name instead, but the chances of something like that happening are highly unlikely, even more unlikely than the odds of surviving being stranded in outer space. Nomination chances: 95%