1) Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight. The buzz is so strong, he's already being touted as the favorite to win the Best Supporting Actor Oscar next year. That would make him the first posthumous acting winner since Peter Finch for Network in 1976. The record-holder: James Dean, who was nominated twice posthumously for East of Eden (1955) and Giant (1956).
2) and 3) Meryl Streep in Mamma Mia! and Doubt. Early reviews for the former suggest Streep will headline a blockbuster and possibly get an Oscar nod. An early screening for the latter suggests Streep is "stunning" and.... will possibly get an Oscar nod. Big surprise.
4) Tom Cruise in Tropic Thunder. Okay, so I'm in the camp that thinks Cruise has sailed beyond ridiculous. But in this movie, he makes fun of himself, fat and bald. What more could I ask for?
5) and 6) Kate Winslet and Leondardo DiCaprio in Revolutionary Road. The doomed lovers of Titanic reunite for a 50s love story directed by Winslet's hubby Sam Mendes.
7) Mike Myers in The Love Guru. Just kidding!
8) Angelina Jolie in Clint Eastwood's next directorial effort, The Changeling. It got strong reviews at Cannes, and so did Jolie. Amy Ryan is in it, too.
9) Penelope Cruz in Vicky Cristina Barcelona. I'm not really a huge fan, but she's said to be phenonenal.
10) Cate Blanchett in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Has she ever really disappointed?
