My vote - Best Actress 1972

It’s only now that I finish what I had announced more than a year and a half ago: putting together the ranking for Best Actress 1972 – a year that was not selected by me, but was decided through a draw. The introduction for this particular year (and how the 5 lucky actresses got nominated) can be read by clicking here.

I came into this having seen only 2 of the 5 films: the other 3 ranged from bad to good, but the overall group of nominees here was quite underwhelming. This was not a great year for Best Actress, I must say; maybe one of the weakest I’ve ever reviewed. #1 was an easy choice since it’s the only performance that’s quite excellent. #2 was also clear to me, while the other 3 share the same no. of stars, but feel far from equal or even similar – each has a different set of problems.

Best acted scene will not be awarded for this year – there was no moment to really blow me away in any of the 5 performances, so I’d rather hold back from randomly picking a winner for this special mentioning.

Here is how I decided to rank them:

1. Liza Minnelli, Cabaret

The screentime: approximately 62 minutes and 22 seconds (53.2% of the film)

The film: I am not one of those people who think Cabaret is a divine gift for us mortals (like many bloggers seems to believe). It’s a well-written, very well-directed musical, that is memorable, but I simply cannot love in that passionate way. But good.

The role: Liza plays Sally Bowles, an American performer in 1930s Berlin, a young woman full of life, who gets caught in a love triangle with two very different men.

The performance: It’s quite clear that this film would not function without Liza playing the role – it all relies so much on her charm, her energy and her ability of bringing the humour to a film that could easily go the serious side. Her singing numbers are quite flawless and there’s nothing to comment there, as she puts her heart and soul into every song. The acting for the rest of it is good, often in that screwball comedy kind of way: I applaud it, I admire it, I acknowledge the success of the performance – but I don’t love it enough for 5 stars.

The highlight: I could go for the father scene, though it’s probably the performance of Cabaret.

2. Liv Ullmann, The Emigrants

The screentime: approximately 46 minutes and 38 seconds (25.8% of the film)

The film: It’s the one I’ve seen most recently, so it’s very fresh in my mind. If you go for slow-paced European films with little fun, then it’s a good one. I admire the screenplay, the ensemble performances, but it could’ve definitely used more editing (true: I might’ve seen the director’s cut).

The role: Liv plays Kristina, a 19^th century deeply religious, simple-minded young woman who marries a Swedish farmer, builds a home and follows her husband when he decides to move the family to the New Land.

The performance: I guess it’s just that I expected more: more screentime, scenes that were bigger and louder, something more than the quiet dedicated wife performance. Of course, there are a couple of scenes where she gets to show off, but that’s also when the character is less likeable. For the most part, it’s a quiet supportive performance, that I find little fault to, but I wish I would’ve seen more from her. It’s a clear case where the actress does almost exactly what the role demanded, but those limitations on paper influence my perspective on the performance.

The highlight: Maybe the scene where she can’t find her daughter or the ”flees scene” on the boat, combining the funny with the tragic.

3. Cicely Tyson, Sounder

The screentime: approximately 30 minutes and 29 seconds (29.5% of the film)

The film: A boring film, unworthy of being one of the year’s Best Picture nominees. There’s nothing frustrating about it, but I don’t remember one single element to really grab my interest. Dull.

The role: Cicely plays Rebecca Morgan, a wife and mother during the Depression-era, who has to take care of the family by herself when her husband is sent to jail for stealing.

The performance: I cannot explain how this performance won a whole bunch of critics’ awards and so many people seem to love it. It’s so low-key, subtle to the point it’s underplayed, that it’s almost invisible. I was counting on her to save the film – what we got was the quiet presence of a woman whose instinctive intelligence I could feel, but was too shy to properly own the screen. Her eyes do tell a story and you can tell her talent is way above her fellow actors’, but why give us so little to judge, Miss Cicely? I was disappointed, as it felt like a waste of potential.

The highlight: Rrrrr... oh... I don’t know. Trying to see her husband in prison?

4. Maggie Smith, Travels with My Aunt

The screentime: approximately 70 minutes and 39 seconds (69.3% of the film)

The film: This is a film many love to hate. And, while it really is a mess at times, it’s quite easy to watch, almost enjoyable. The fact that it doesn’t take itself seriously works in its favour.

The role: Maggie plays Augusta Bertram, an old eccentric woman who travels around Europe with her nephew trying to find money to rescue a former lover from her past.

The performance: There are plenty who dislike the performance just as much as they dislike the film, but again: I’m not a hater. Maggie has the difficult task of playing a woman both in her 20s and in her 60s-70s and I think she does it rather convincingly. Does anyone doubt she’s the main if not the sole reason the film kind of works? Of course, it’s not much of a role, and considering she’s playing it for laughs, there isn’t much of a stretch; and, truth be told: it happens that she overacts on occasion. Maggie does justice to the silly comedy and nails a more dramatic scene towards the end, but it’s probably not impressive enough to justify an Oscar nomination.

The highlight: Easily, the scene towards the end where she clearly speaks her mind in front of the nephew.

5. Diana Ross, Lady Sings the Blues

The screentime: approximately 119 minutes and 48 seconds (83.7% of the film)

The film: A big failure that combines poor writing with clichéd directing and an uncomfortable leading performance. It’s very boring, so I wouldn’t recommend it.

The role: Diana plays Billie Holiday, the famous jazz singer who battles a drug addiction while trying to find her place in the music world.

The performance: I almost gave it a “1 star”, but I’ve only done that once in the past, to a complete disaster. This was not a disaster, but a very strange performance from an actress who clearly didn’t have the experience to carry the role. Actually, she had NO experience, and you could tell. The general feeling was that she was trying too hard, especially in the very dramatic scenes: Diana takes “under the influence” a bit too far, to the point it simply becomes something unconvincing and over-weepy. She brings little personality to a role that really needed energy and charisma. It’s the longest screentime I’ve ever counted (so far I’ve discussed over 25% of Oscar’s Best Actress nominees) but it works against her, as she doesn’t have the power to carry every single scene of the film.

The highlight: Any moment where she gets to sing, I guess.

How did the Academy vote: this must have been an easy win for Liza, I can’t imagine differently. She was competing with too many “minorities”: a foreign actress in a foreign-language film, plus 2 black actresses at a time in Oscar’s history when I bet there were only a handful of African-American members inside the Academy. So Liza won: deservingly. It’s Liv who probably was a distant 2^nd, while Cicely must’ve came 3^rd (wouldn’t have guessed it myself, but she did win all those critics’ awards). Diana Ross must’ve been 4^th, while Maggie Smith didn’t stand a chance of winning.

And that’s about it.

What’s next: Preparing for Best Actress 2013 ;) The nominations will be announced in 3 weeks or so, but we can anticipate/predict the 5. Like in no other year, I honestly hope there’ll be no surprises: I rather they go with the solid 5 since I doubt any of the runner-ups would fit my taste.

To see other BEST ACTRESS years discussed so far, go to the column on the right, where it says Best Actress Years. ;)

My vote - Best Actress 2012

It’s time to get back on this horse called ranking Oscar’s Best Actress performances. It’s something I had done for years, but then took a break from. And it’s time to finish Best Actress 2012 (to read my thoughts on how the ladies got nominated, click here).

I am getting back to it, but at my own pace, and in a shorter version. No more individual posts for each of the performances, since they are quite time consuming. It’s the final conclusions that count (mind you: I am still counting the screentime – which basically ensures that I see each performance twice).

So here we are with 2012’s ranking. #1 and #2 are two very different performances, but both very close to my heart. I could vote for any of them. #3 is solid, #4 is overrated, but works great for the film. And #5 still has me puzzled.

Best acted scene of the 5 performances? I almost didn’t award it, since the top 2 performances are consistently excellent throughout. A scene that comes to mind from Amour is when Georges and Anne receive the visit of the young pianist – the shame Anne feels for her disability (repeated in the CD/letter scene) still strikes a chord, and I’ll never forget it. So subtle, played perfectly.

And here is how I decided to rank them:

1. Emmanuelle Riva, Amour

The screentime: approximately 61 minutes and 53 seconds (52.2% of the film)

The film: My favourite film of 2012, an unforgettable drama with such a natural, realistic approach that still haunts me to this day. Technically precise, beautifully acted, directed by a master of his craft.

The role: Emmanuelle plays Anne, the intellectual, retired music teacher in her 80s, who has a stroke and has to live through the harrowing decline of her physical health.

The performance: It’s simply put an actress lover’s dream role and performance. Emmanuelle brings such grace, class, elegance to the screen that you know you are in the presence of greatness. The dignity she infuses into the performance increases the emotional experience of the viewer confronted with the character’s imminent decline. It’s exactly what the film needs: such a subtle performance, no vanity, just pure realism, heart-breaking because of the emotions it triggers in the viewer’s mind.

The highlight: The visit of the young pianist.

2. Naomi Watts, The Impossible

The screentime: approximately 40 minutes and 38 seconds (41.7% of the film)

The film: It has an average screenplay transformed into a good film by the excellent performances and some impressive visual scenes. Less Hollywood would’ve made it more heart-breaking, but the film is anyway relevant and easy to watch as it is.

The role: Naomi plays Maria, wife, mother of 3 young boys, on a family vacation in Thailand during the deadly tsunami of 2004. Badly injured, she and her oldest son try to reach safety in the aftermath.

The performance: It took me by surprise the first time I saw it, as I didn’t expect such emotional rawness from Naomi and boy does she deliver. I was cringing in fear as it was all unfolding because her acting is so natural that it almost felt like I was watching a documentary. Her ability of losing herself in the character is so masterfully achieved that it helped me lose myself in the story. Had the film been only about her journey, it would’ve been a winner. She’s so effective that as soon as she’s not on screen the film unavoidably loses steam. Excellent.

The highlight: The hospital scenes – the quiet pain when thinking her other children are dead.

3. Jessica Chastain, Zero Dark Thirty

The screentime: approximately 54 minutes and 16 seconds (36.3% of the film)

The film: The second best film of 2012; a fascinating war drama, always engaging, perfectly directed by Kathryn Bigelow. Those last 30 minutes are pure action, in the smartest way Hollywood could produce.

The role: Jessica plays Maya, a CIA operative on the hunt for Osama bin Laden, following the 9/11 attacks.

The performance: It’s an incredibly challenging role, given how restraint the screenplay is regarding its hero. It’s all about her professional life, almost no back-story, so Jessica has only one approach: the no-bullshit one. With a character that’s not even necessarily likeable and with tough dialogue to get through, the performance is a success. Against all odds, Jessica delivers a believable, smart performance, with emotions in all the right places, a great hold of the dialogue and a good understanding of the material.

The highlight: Getting on the plane, knowing her work is done here.

4. Jennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook

The screentime: approximately 49 minutes and 19 seconds (42.6% of the film)

The film: It’s a romantic drama that I really enjoyed, because it’s mostly well-written, it’s well directed and it has some fine performances. It’s a crowd-pleaser that’s always easy to recommend.

The role: Jennifer plays Tiffany, a troubled young widow who falls for a man recently released from a mental institution and helps him heal.

The performance: One could make an argument that the casting is not perfect here, since Jennifer is a bit too young for the role – but I strongly believe she really does try her best with what she’s given. It’s a character that takes time getting used to, and it’s meant to be edgy – Jennifer stays true to the role, hitting some high notes, bringing some humour and ultimately delivering a good performance of a character I didn’t love; but it’s a performance I find little fault to. It doesn’t help that her co-star overshadows.

The highlight: Breaking down in front of the movie theatre and then regretting it.

5. Quvenzhané Wallis, Beasts of the Southern Wild

The screentime: approximately 53 minutes and 15 seconds (61.3% of the film)

The film: It felt better the second time around. It’s an unusual film, but beautifully shot, with some nicely made directing choices. The original score is best in show.

The role: Quvenzhané plays Hushpuppy, a young girl raised by her father in a southern bayou community, almost cut off from the world. She has to deal with a flood, her father’s sickness and a prehistoric monster created by her imagination.

The performance: I “campaigned” so hard against this nomination... My point is that it shouldn’t exist. It’s a 7-8 year old child, who probably can’t even read, giving a fragmented performance in a project she doesn’t understand. Her performance is all about reacting, not building, and there’s nothing awards-worthy about that, sorry. It’s not conscious acting, since there are noticeable moments when the actress doesn’t know what the hell is going on, she’s just speaking the lines. That being said, there are highlights in the performance and it’s a good child performance. But if you compare it to acting in general, it’s not much. Well, my point is we shouldn’t even compare it. I didn’t give it 1 star because I have only done that once in the past, and to a truly terrible performance. This nomination is not Quvenzhané’s fault, it’s the silly voters writing her on the ballot.

The highlight: Her one achievement, crying on cue in the last scene with her father. [again: since I doubt Quvenzhané understood that scene, it’s hardly conscious acting; they probably told her they killed her dog or something].

How did the Academy vote: I think it was a clearer win for Jennifer than people give it credit. They really wanted to reward Silver Linings Playbook somewhere. It’s very likely that Emmanuelle came 2^nd, while Jessica was a close 3^rd. I assume Naomi was 4^th, and Quvenzhané 5^th.

And that’s about it.

What’s next: Continuing with the (even longer-) abandoned 1972. For the introduction of the year: click here. Hope to have it done by end of year. :)

To see other BEST ACTRESS years discussed so far, go to the column on the right, where it says Best Actress Years. ;)

Do tell me how unfair I was with Quvenzhané!! :))

Oscar predictions - An update

I usually update this every couple of weeks, but haven't posted them here in 6 months.
So here are my predictions. Please note that:
- Probable winner from the set of nominees - marked in blue.
- The nominees are ranked by chance of getting nominated, not by chance of winning. Example below: Amy Adams is ranked 5th in Best Actress by nomination chance. BUT, if she gets nominated, I think she will win.
- I'm putting a lot of chips on American Hustle - no one has seen it yet. I just have a really good feeling about it.

Nominees:

Picture

1. 12 Years a Slave

2. Gravity

3. American Hustle

4. Inside Llewyn Davis

5. Captain Phillips

6. Lee Daniels’ The Butler

7. Blue Jasmine

8. Rush

If 10:

9. Dallas Buyers Club

10. The Monuments Men

Director

1. Alfonso Cuaron – Gravity

2. Steve McQueen – 12 Years a Slave

3. David O. Russell – American Hustle

4. Ethan Coen & Joel Coen – Inside Llewyn Davis

5. Paul Greengrass – Captain Phillips

Runner-up: Woody Allen – Blue Jasmine

Actor

1. Chiwetel Ejiofor – 12 Years a Slave

2. Matthew McConaughey – Dallas Buyers Club

3. Tom Hanks – Captain Phillips

4. Robert Redford – All Is Lost

5. Christian Bale – American Hustle

Runner-up: Bruce Dern – Nebraska

Actress

1. Cate Blanchett – Blue Jasmine

2. Meryl Streep – August: Osage County

3. Sandra Bullock – Gravity

4. Judi Dench – Philomena

5. Amy Adams – American Hustle

Runner-up: Adèle Exarchopoulos – Blue Is the Warmest Color

Supporting Actor

1. Michael Fassbender – 12 Years a Slave

2. Jeremy Renner – American Hustle

3. Jared Leto – Dallas Buyers Club

4. Daniel Brühl – Rush

5. James Gandolfini – Enough Said

Runner-up: Jean Dujardin – The Monuments Men

Supporting Actress

1. Oprah Winfrey – Lee Daniels’ The Butler

2. Jennifer Lawrence - American Hustle

3. Julia Roberts – August: Osage County

4. Octavia Spencer – Fruitvale Station

5. Sally Hawkins – Blue Jasmine

Runner-up: Lupita Nyong’o – 12 Years a Slave

Original Screenplay

1. American Hustle

2. Blue Jasmine

3. Inside Llewyn Davis

4. Nebraska

5. Dallas Buyers Club

Runner-up: The Past

Adapted Screenplay

1. 12 Years a Slave

2. Captain Phillips

3. Philomena

4. August: Osage County

5. Before Midnight

Runner-up: Blue Is the Warmest Color

Original Score

1. Gravity

2. Saving Mr. Banks

3. 12 Years a Slave

4. The Monuments Men

5. Oz: The Great and Powerful

Runner-up: The Book Thief

Original Song

1. Frozen

2. Lee Daniels’ The Butler

3. Monsters University

4. Inside Llewyn Davis [anything eligible?]

5. The Great Gatsby [is Young & Beautiful eligible?]

Runner-up: The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug [???]

Cinematography

1. Gravity

2. Inside Llewyn Davis

3. Captain Phillips

4. 12 Years a Slave

5. The Great Gatsby

Runner-up: Rush

Production Design

1. The Great Gatsby

2. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

3. Oz: The Great and Powerful

4. Saving Mr. Banks

5. 12 Years a Slave

Runner-up: Gravity

Costume Design

1. The Great Gatsby

2. 12 Years a Slave

3. American Hustle

4. Oz: The Great and Powerful

5. The Invisible Woman

Runner-up: Lee Daniels’ The Butler

Editing

1. Gravity

2. Captain Phillips

3. Rush

4. 12 Years a Slave

5. American Hustle

Runner-up: The Monuments Men

Sound

1. Gravity

2. Captain Phillips

3. Rush

4. The Monuments Men

5. Star Trek Into Darkness

Runner-up: Man of Steel

Sound Editing

1. Rush

2. Gravity

3. Man of Steel

4. Pacific Rim

5. Star Trek Into Darkness

Runner-up: Captain Phillips

Visual Effects

1. Gravity

2. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

3. Man of Steel

4. Iron Man 3

5. Star Trek Into Darkness

Runner-up: Pacific Rim

Makeup & Hair

1. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

2. Lee Daniels’ The Butler

3. Rush

Runner-up: Oz: The Great and Powerful

Animated Feature

1. Frozen

2. Monsters University

3. The Wind Rises

4. Despicable Me 2

5. Ernest and Celestine

Runner-up: The Croods

If you've come this far... :) .... this what I had predicted on April 3rd, 2013 (6 months ago!!!). I am still betting on Matthew McConaughey & Michael Fassbender to win - so if that happens, I can say I predicted it 10-11 months in advance ;)

We'll see.

Anything that might seem outrageous to you? :)

MY vote in the Emmys "Actress" Categories ;)



Happy to get back to this tradition of watching the Emmy submitted episodes for Best Actress – Drama and Best Actress – Comedy. :)

Just like a regular voter, I watched the episode submission for each nominee, and I tried to make an objective assessment of their tape. Do remember: unlike the Oscars, for example, the VOTING in Emmys Acting categories goes by ranking: the voter ranks from 1 to 6 or 7, from most to least deserving.

So, after watching the episodes, here are my rankings (based only on episodes submitted):

BEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES

1. Robin Wright, for House of Cards

The episode: “Chapter 10” – It was the first time watching anything related to House of Cards. The episode was fine,  but the series seems to be quite depressing (not necessarily in a bad way).

The performance: She gets only 3 big scenes, with the first 2 being pure gold. She is mysterious, sexy, cool in a Devil Wears Prada kind of way. I wanted MORE (with capital letters). She intrigued me, as she nailed the bitchiness of the character, and also the anxiety of the frustrated wife. There’s high-society coolness in the performance that you just can’t buy.

2. Elisabeth Moss, for Mad Men

The episode: “The Better Half” – Man Men is one of the 2 shows in this category I watch regularly, so I knew the episode. I watched it again. The episode was good, but not a season best.

The performance: Again, it’s a great performance, that doesn’t have enough screentime. However, she gets a couple of key scenes, some with her boyfriend and others with her future lover. The biggest asset of the performance here is how natural the acting felt, how real she can act, how it feels subtle, but excellent at the same time – her disappointment in the last scene is played to perfection.

3. Claire Danes, for Homeland

The episode: “Q&A” – this much talked about episode was a bit underwhelming for me. I don’t watch Homeland, having previously seen only the pilot episode.

The performance: If someone asks me about the best acting in the episode, I’ll point to Damian Lewis. Sure, Claire Danes is good at doing what Claire Danes does – taking a pile of vulnerability and throwing it to my (the viewer’s) face, adding some hysteria, some anger, some desperation and some mad ambition. I won’t say it doesn’t work – it does, but I can only take Claire Danes’ Carrie Mathison in small doses.

4. Vera Farmiga, for Bates Motel

The episode: The pilot episode. I don’t follow the series, nor will I, since it didn’t convince me it’s any good. It felt long.

The performance: I should like this more than I actually do. I really should. The performance has tears, it has glamour, it has big moments, subtle moments, plenty of screentime... but something is not clicking for me. Do I like my acting more natural? She’s better than the material, that’s for sure. And her acting in the rape scene – it was very emotional. It’s a good one.

5. Michelle Dockery, for Downton Abbey

The episode: Since apparently the first 2 episodes of the season premiered together in the States, she got to submit both. That means 2 hours. I constantly watch Downton Abbey, so it was a delight to see this again, especially for Maggie & Shirley MacLaine.

The performance: Her performance in Episode 2 is quite ignorable, so the first one is the one that counts. She was better than I remembered: she gets one important screaming scene when she cancels the wedding and she plays it REALLY well. She’s constantly good. Why only 5^th on my ranking? Probably because Lady Mary still feels like a dislikeable character to me, and she’s so arrogant in this tape.

6. Connie Britton, for Nashville

The episode: The pilot episode. It was better than I expected – by that I mean watchable. Nothing more to add.

The performance: Listen, she’s fine. I’m not a big Connie Britton fan, but she does the job. Could she have been more charming, more likeable, more dramatic in the dramatic scenes, less angry in others? Of course. But it’s an ok performance.

7. Kerry Washington, for Scandal

The episode: “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” -  My first encounter with Scandal and I could barely watch it. Let me correct that: It’s unwatchable, cheap looking, terrible writing. Ugh, Emmys, please don’t make me watch this again.

The performance: Poor Kerry. And I should stop there. I mean: she cries, she cries, she acts surprised, she’s worried, she cries, she cries, she screams – I didn’t care. Her lines were so poorly written. Of course she’s not terrible, but at that point I could hardly care.

Who do I think WILL win: Claire Danes, probably. Vera Farmiga is a strong 2^nd. Kerry Washington (please, no) is in 3^rd because of the politics of having an African-American winner. I don’t see any of the others winning, although of course I’d really want Robin or Elisabeth to.

BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES

1. Julia Louis-Dreyfus, for Veep

The episode: “Running” – I watch Veep regularly, and the whole second season was very funny. This was a great episode, especially towards the end.

The performance: Julia has such a distinctive acting style and it’s served best here – where she gets to go a bit crazy because of a pill cocktail. What sealed the deal was that ridiculous marathon at the end of the episode, the banana line, and her overall charm throughout. She’s really funny in it, so it would be a worthy win.

2. Tina Fey, for 30 Rock

The episode: The series finale. She got to submit 2 episodes, because they played together. 30 Rock was the only other show I watched regularly, and this was a mostly-ok finale for a good TV show.

The performance: The performance is nothing different from what she’s played over the years (maybe the crying scene), but she’s doing a good job: there’s heart to it, and there’s plenty of humour. It’s a likeable performance, a likeable character and a good end to the character arc.

3. Amy Poehler, for Parks and Recreation

The episode: “Emergency Response/Leslie and Ben” - Due to some weird Emmy rule, she got to submit both episodes. In the past I had only seen one Parks & Rec episode, I have mixed feelings towards the series, and I didn’t find these episodes to be funny.

The performance: Amy is usually great, but here she’s just good. I would blame that on the screenplay, as I didn’t find myself laughing. It was just... there. The fact that I dislike EVERY OTHER CHARACTER on this show (and in these episodes) might hurt Amy’s performance in my view, since I feel they drag her down. As I said, she’s good, trying to bring the funny & everything – I’m just not crazy about it.

4. Edie Falco, for Nurse Jackie

The episode: “Luck of the Drawing”. Some boring Nurse Jackie episode. I had previously only seen the pilot.

The performance: Well, it sure is more on the drama side than on the comedy one. Nothing bad about it, nothing that good. It’s just the type of solid performance Edie Falco could deliver in her sleep. With the episode being as boring, I almost forgot it all by the time it was over.

5. Laura Dern, for Enlightened

The episode: “All I Ever Wanted” – my first encounter with Enlightened, and a terrible one it was.

The performance: Talk about episodes more on the drama side... This episode/performance was the most unexpected disappointment. Not only was the episode boring, but it felt like Laura had nothing to bring to the table – not on the drama side, and definitely not on the comedy side. It was just boring, and as a first-time watcher (like most viewers voting in this category), the emotional journey of the character left me cold.

6. Lena Dunham, for Girls

The episode: “Bad Friend” – if my first encounter with Enlightened was terrible, this was a complete disaster. HATED IT. HATED IT. Would’ve given up after 5 minutes.

The performance: But I didn’t give up... so I had to witness the most poorly written dialogue (in my humble opinion) and a pretentious, bullshit-filled performance from Lena Dunham. This show is not for me. The performance, just like everything else, screamed fony and annoying.

Who do I think WILL win: Well... the overall line-up of nominees is rather underwhelming. Here’s hoping for better years, as this category used to kill it in the past. Anyway, I think Julia Louis-Dreyfus is repeating last year’s win. It’s a very close race between her, Tina Fey (quite possible) and Amy Poehler. The other 3 don’t stand a chance.