Meryl recognized by New York Film Critics online

Meryl has received the Best Actress award for The Iron Lady from the New York Film Critics online. This is her second critics award of the season, and the second from a New York group. This probably isn't super significant, other than the fact that again, it wasn't Viola Davis. L.A. Film Critics gave their award today to Yun Jung-hee in Poetry (um, ok) and Boston to Michelle Williams in My Week with Marilyn. The awards have sort of been all over the place for best actress thus far, although Meryl has received two. It would take a miracle for her not to get an Oscar nod at this point. The Globes and SAG nominations are actually being announced already this week, and I'm anticipating nods from both groups for Meryl.

A bit more on the lack of love for Viola. From what I've seen so far, Davis has not been awarded best actress by any of the film critics circles. Apparently she was runner-up today for NYFC online (to Meryl), but no one has given her the top spot yet. We've seen NY, NBR, LA, and Boston vote...and not a single win for Viola. Now, we know from history that Oscar is a lot different from critics circles, and I feel that the Golden Globes and SAG awards will be the best measure of what to predict, as usual. The critics' recognition is more a sign of whom we can expect (at least a top three prediction) to get nominations for the Globes, SAGs and Academy Awards. I've read that Weinstein is putting My Week with Marilyn in the musical/comedy category for the Globes. Williams sings like "a" song in it, and it by no means can be considered a comedy, in my opinion. I've seen it. So lame. Well, better shot for him to have both Michelle and Meryl come away with trophies from the Hollywood Foreign Press, I guess. Regardless, I'm excited for the announcements on Wednesday and Thursday. Staying tuned.

Straight from the horse's mouth

And what a prized mare she would be. I snooped around the internet, or should I say "scooped?!" (that was bad), and read a promotional interview Meryl did recently for The Iron Lady, and at the end of the transcript the interviewer asked her if she's doing Mommy & Me. Meryl said yes and that's she's excited about it! I too am excited because one, I love any news or confirmation about a new role from Meryl, and two, Tina Fey is divine.

I wonder if I'm the first Streeper to take notice of this bit of info. Like I mentioned above, this might actually be scoop because I haven't seen anyone freaking out about it yet. Forget all the hoopla surrounding upcoming projects about which people speculate ad nauseum. Here, Meryl is directly quoted as saying (regarding Mommy & Me), "Tina Fey is writing it as we speak. I'm very excited about it." Not that I know much about the credibility of "The Phillipine Inquirer," but I'll cautiously count it as legit. Check out the article.

New "Iron Lady" trailer revealed

Another Iron Lady trailer has been released, I'm guessing a more mainstream U.S. promotional vehicle. Compared to the U.K. trailer released a few weeks ago, this seems more dramatic, less caricature-ish, and frankly, interesting. Without a doubt it's still all about Meryl, but I'm looking forward to the possibility that the movie might not suck.

Meryl retains the top spot on the movieline and gold derby leader boards. Still five weeks before I'll likely see the film when it's released nationwide in the states, unless I somehow score tickets to an early screening or something. Chances are low on that one, however. I'll probably be too preoccupied trying not to be a huge bitch to everyone with my are in a sling. Can't wait(?). Here's the new trailer:

Washington DC Area Film Critics Awards announced

Third critics group award, third different winner for Best Actress. Michelle Williams was awarded for My Week with Marilyn. I've actually seen this film and have to admit that I couldn't keep my eyes off her. And not just because she was on a huge movie screen in front of me, but even in shared scenes, she definitely demanded my attention.

As for Meryl, I think her weekend being awarded the Kennedy Center Honors was probably a more memorable event than had she won the WAFCA award. Not historically a particularly prestigious body of pundits. Nonetheless, she didn't win. Interestingly, as I mentioned above, third critic group, three different winners, none of which were Viola Davis. Still early, peeps. I think L.A. is coming up on Sunday?? That'll be a bit more telling.

Kennedy Center Honors and other stuff

A couple things: one, the Gopher volleyball team lept into the NCAA sweet sixteen tonight with a come from behind win in five against Washington, and two, Meryl was feted with the Kennedy Center Honors this evening. Both equally exciting. Of course, we don't get to see the Kennedy event televised until the end of December (the exact date escapes me, sorry Streepers), but I checked out a few pics and Meryl looks pretty good in a Grecian plum gown, as you can see. I look forward to hearing all the hyperbole about Meryl and her career. I've no doubt she'll do her best to act appalled at all the fuss.

I also wanted to add a link to a great article from the Washington Post that I came across a couple days ago (maybe yesterday?) that I feel is a great commentary on Meryl and her craft. The article has been circulating Meryl blogs so I realize I'm slow, but I don't always know I'm going to blog until I "feel it." Check 'er out.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/meryl-streep-a-life-beyond-reproach/2011/11/16/gIQAKngpKO_story.html?tid=pm_lifestyle_pop

ps-I can't believe I still have to wait more than a fucking month to see The Iron Lady. That is unless Joe and I go to the Rose Bowl and I force him to then see it in L.A. Fingers crossed(?).

National Board of Review Awards announced

Meryl didn't win. I feel so lame now that after she's won the NYFCC award I get disappointed if her name isn't announced. Tilda Swinton took the honor for We Need to Talk About Kevin. If anyone were going to win over Meryl, Swinton was probably the least worrisome option as far as Meryl's prospects for future accolades. For so long Meryl was sort of riding behind Michelle Williams and in particular Viola Davis. Had either of those two won, I feel like buzz would switch back to them in greater proportion than it had been even prior to Meryl's win. Swinton had sort of dropped off the radar in most of the major Oscar prediction charts, yet from what I've read her performance is fantastic. Granted, this is only the second award of the season and the scenario with Williams/Davis could totally still happen the way I've described. But hey, that's why I have a blog for Christ's sake.

Meryl wins New York Film Critics Circle award for Best Actress

Well, the first critics award has been revealed and our girl Meryl has snagged the honor from the NYFCC for her role in The Iron Lady. To be honest, I'm not super attuned to what specific critics societies historically look for in performances or films. I've been perusing the awards sites pretty voraciously over the past couple of months, and they have shown a relatively broad consensus on most things, yet some of the choices by the NYFCC were pretty far out. Hence my lack of understanding on what to expect I guess. Interestingly they apparently choose acting awards based on an actor's whole year, not just individual films (?) because both Brad Pitt and Jessica Chastain had more than one movie listed behind their names. On the other hand, maybe the circle only includes the films they think contributed to the actor being honored (?) because I think Jessica was in like six films or something this year. Whatev. Back to Meryl.

This is her record-breaking fifth award from the NYFCC, being formerly tied with Sissy Spacek evidently. What's my overall reaction? I'm no doubt pleased that Meryl was honored, and it definitely causes more buzz around her, but again, it's still so fucking early. At the very least we've been offered a viewpoint of her role from a reputable group of films critics, not merely a bunch of smarmy pundits who scathingly predict her performance and the film to be a colossal failure.

I still can't believe I have to last over a month until see this g-d film. I'm sure it'll be well worth the wait. Until then, keep rollin', Mary Louise.