And Speaking of Spanish film (the post on nudity in Spanish cinema below is the most commented on in a long time!), it seems Penelope Cruz has been nominated for Best Female Actress in the next Oscars, for her role in the excellent (and bizzarely not nominated) Volver. I find it strange that a Spanish actress has been nominated for this award based on a role in a Spanish film. I shall be surprised if she wins…
Random wikipedia Pen facts:
“Cruz was born in Madrid, Spain. Her parents are Eduardo Cruz, a retailer, and Encarna Sánchez, a hairdresser. As a toddler, she was already a compulsive performer, re-enacting TV commercials for her family’s amusement.”
Parubin
24 Jan 07 at 10:44 am
I don’t bear any cheap patriotism so I hope Hellen Mirren wins the Oscar for best actress as the role as Elizabeth II in ‘The Queen’ is just a miracle.
Penelope Cruz’s performance (with a fake arse) is great too (the best one in her career, along with ‘La Niña de Tus Ojos’, in my opinion) but being a nominee has to be just a fine award for it.
I also agree that ‘Volver’ should have been at least nominated for best foreign language picture. It’s an excellent film, and it is Almodovar at his best, and Americans love him, which make it a surprise to me too.
Graeme
24 Jan 07 at 2:40 pm
I’m quite glad it didn’t get nominated, not because I didn’t like it (it’s the only Almodovar film I’ve enjoyed in years) – but mainly because he so obviously goes looking and campaigning for these prizes. I’ll be more than happy if El Laberinto del fauno gets the foreign language Oscar – not that I really care that much.
ValenciaSon
24 Jan 07 at 7:04 pm
Pan’s Labyrinth did get nominated for Achievement in art direction, Achievement in cinematography, Best foreign language film of the year, Achievement in makeup, Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score), and Original screenplay. Not too shabby. http://www.oscars.org/79academyawards/noms.html
sully
24 Jan 07 at 7:42 pm
I think momentum and common wisdom favor Helen Mirren at this point. From IMDB: “A spokesman for British bookmakers William Hill says, ‘Mirren is the hottest favorite at odds of 12-1 on. That is the shortest price we have ever had for the nominations.’”
Although she probably won’t win, I think the chief benefit for Penelope Cruz is that she can reclaim some of her reputation lost due to so many terrible hollywood pictures (Sahara, anyone?). She’ll get to reset the clock, and be taken seriously again for a little while. I just hope she gets some good advice when it comes time to choose her next English-language picture.
Ben
24 Jan 07 at 10:32 pm
I hope so too, I gave up on her when she started in Hollywood. Volver confirmed my faith in her abilities.
Osman
24 Jan 07 at 10:36 pm
She was stunning in Volver! But i wasn’t surprised not to see Volver among top 5 in Oscar. Because it wasn’t great like Mar a dentro, it was a well-made one, though. Ok, i love Alejandro more than Almodovar but it doesn’t affect me while matching the movies
Penelope is one of the greatest Spanish actress. But her rivals are quite strong in Oscar 07. Like? Helen Mirren as the Queen. Buena Suerte Pen!!
ValenciaSon
25 Jan 07 at 2:12 am
Don’t you mean she didn’t do so well in Sahara or Vanilla Sky as opposed to all of Hollywood?
sss
25 Jan 07 at 9:35 am
sexy foto
Ben
25 Jan 07 at 10:06 am
VS – I mean her acting went downhill in Hollywood!
ValenciaSon
25 Jan 07 at 4:41 pm
Sorry, didn’t mean to overreact.