#SAGAwards TONIGHT at 8:00. How I Voted

Here is the complete list of nominees, followed by who I voted for. 

MOVIES

Performance by a cast in a motion picture

“Birdman”

“Boyhood” — I wasn’t too crazy about the actual story, go figure, but I was impressed that the core group of actors made up of Ethan Hawke, Patricia Arquette, Ellar Coltrane and Lorelei Linklater came together for 12 years and kept the dynamic together. However, I probably would have voted for Birdman, but let’s face it, it’s really Michael Keaton’s movie.

“The Grand Budapest Hotel”
“The Imitation Game”
“The Theory of Everything”

Performance by a male actor in a leading role

Michael Keaton, “Birdman”— This was a difficult one, but I truly believe that this is Michael Keaton’s best performance. It’s his comeback year.
Benedict Cumberbatch, “The Imitation Game”
Eddie Redmayne, “The Theory of Everything”
Jake Gyllenhaal, “Nightcrawler”
Steve Carell, “Foxcatcher”

Performance by a female actor in a leading role

Julianne Moore, “Still Alice” — I have never been more torn about who to vote for in this category. While I thought the other nominees performances were amazing, the minute I saw Julianne Moore’s portrayal of Alice, I made up my mind I was  astounded, and I have never been more impacted by a film in my life.
Reese Witherspoon, “Wild”
Felicity Jones, “The Theory of Everything”
Rosamund Pike, “Gone Girl”
Jennifer Aniston, “Cake”

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#EmmyNoms: Just How Many Characters Does @TatianaMaslany Have to Play to Get an #EmmyNod? #CloneClub

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I’m going to be living up to part of my blog name this morning and going on a little rant. After all, this IS RantsReviewsandReels. The 2014 Emmy nominations were announced this morning, and it begs the question that rabid fans of the show Orphan Black have been shouting from their rooftops: HOW?! How was Tatiana Maslany, who just WON the Critic’s Choice Award for best  actress, NOT nominated for an Emmy?! How? More importantly, why? Who was it on the Best Actress in a Drama list to bump her off? Fans of the show who have been devoted watchers from the start, or even more recent converts were SHOCKED this morning. Even Entertainment Weekly said it best: How many different characters does Tatiana Maslany have to play to score an Emmy nomination? Seriously now, how many characters does it take? She’s already been playing 5 regular clone characters since season 1, and they added more for season 2. To top it all off, ALL of them have different personalities, looks, and one of them is even a female to male transgender character all of whom are played by ONE actress. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, Tatiana Maslany’s performance on Orphan Black is some of the best acting I have ever seen. Ever. And if you thought her playing different characters was a trip, try playing a character who is pretending to be someone else who is pretending to be someone else. Then, there’s the technical aspect of acting with acting doubles, tennis balls, and then nothing–literally nothing, and giving a full-out believable performance. Season 2 was quite a ride, and I can only guess which episode the Orphan Black team submitted for Emmy consideration, as it only got more complex. But seriously, given the other actresses on that list, no one can hold a candle to the work that Maslany does. She would need her own category, and about seven different Emmys to take home.

Spotlight on Gary Oldman as Drexl in #TrueRomance

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With less than six minutes of screen time in Tony Scott’s True Romance (1993), Gary Oldman proves that there truly are no small parts in the acting world. Playing the pimp of the main character, Alabama (Patricia Arquette,) Oldman steals the show. In his performance, he also proves that vocally, there is no place that the human voice cannot go. He is unrecognizable and completely compelling. His monologue, penned by Quentin Tarantino, is one of the best in cinematic history. I am surprised was not nominated for an Oscar for this portrayal. Heck, I’m surprised he doesn’t have a dozen Oscars. He’s amazing. But, like many great character actors, they often are overlooked for the “stars” of projects. But, you can’t silence Gary Oldman. The minute he comes onscreen, whatever he’s in, it’s his scene. He truly owns whatever scene he is in, no matter how large or small.  Take a look at his pivotal scene. From character actor, to leading man, Gary Oldman is truly awesome.