No Guts, No Glory - Best Actor Oscar Predictions

Last night, Michael Fassbender was at the lovely Hackney Picturehouse for a Q&A session about Shame. A lucky girl who attended the screening shared this image of Michael at twitter. It was a sold out crowd, and so far, the UK and Europe have been very impressed with the film and Michael's performance.

Tweetpic by @maggiegogler

This weekend is also the release of Haywire starring Gina Carano, with Michael in a 10-minute role... but a crucial role as it commences the drama that Gina's character has the deal with. It's predicted to have a $9 million weekend. I will try to see it tonight, but definitely on Sunday. BTW, I picked up my copy of W magazine and Interview. Michael should have been the cover of W, but Brad Pitt does look especially handsome.

If 'Shame' isn't playing near you, go see Haywire this weekend!

I found an Oscar predictions article as a re-tweet this morning and it is from Mark Harris of Grantland. His article is very insightful, but it doesn't appear he has high hopes for Michael Fassbender. That Damien Bichir guy keeps popping up... and you know what's scary about his performance? It's that many AMPAS voters may relate more to his character's personal plight about an illegal alien landscaper who works in LA. Dun, dun dun! I got $20 that says that 75% of AMPAS voters, use under the table illegal help in California. Along with a great performance, guilt trips could come into play in recognizing Bichir's performance and give him a proper nod. I have 'A Better Life' as #4 on my netflix queue and I may bump it up to the top spot so I can review it this week, especially if he's nominated on Tuesday.

Michael won 'Best British Actor' at London Film Critics' Circle this week.

Read Harris' article here and share your thoughts. I know some of you have been expressing your Top 5 all the long, but let's re-visit those Best Actor lists in this thread this weekend, and don't hold back. If you don't think Michael will make it, don't apologize or feel the need to censor yourself, this is a No Guts, No Glory Best Actor prediction and here is my final list:


The one thing I really like about Harris' article is that he points out the blatant love and crazed fanaticism for "King" George Clooney in Hollywood. It's really sickening that George is Jack Nicholson Part II, with the latter being a far more diverse and believable iconic actor. I just don't think Leo will get a nomination this year, I just don't sense it. And Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is such an incredible film, if the BAFTAs are 90% in the nomination vein as the Oscars, then the BAFTA lineup will repeat itself on Tuesday. Part of my DNA refuses to allow me to budge on removing Fassbender, but for other Oscar pundits, his name seems the most pliable and that is a concern to me. But, c'est la vie.

This man WILL be nominated for a Best Actor Oscar.