'OSCAR'-WATCH: BEST ACTRESS in a leading role

Certainly the year's much awaited race (along with Best Actor), 2008 has produced several career defining and acclaimed performances for actresses in a leading role. Major U.S. critics' groups (New York, L.A., National Society) and the Golden Globes have declared Sally Hawkins as the one to beat (though her hometown counterpart, the BAFTA, snubbed her and the film as a whole). BAFTA contender Kristin Scott-Thomas (left) may have received immense critical approbation for her work in the French drama Il y a longtemps que je t'aime (I've Loved You So Long), but the film was a limited release flop. Cate Blanchett's role in Benjamin Button was surprisingly overlooked by the attention given to Brad Pitt, Taraji Henson, and the film as a whole. And while Changeling's Angelina Jolie was nominated by the Globes and SAG, the film was a critical and box office turn off.

For the Best Actress in a leading role, the nominees are...

ANNE HATHAWAY, Rachel Getting Married
- Young actress in a well reviewed performance is a change of pace role. Oscar might be next.

SALLY HAWKINS, Happy-Go-Lucky
- Her mumbling speech at the Globes was a turn-off, but the performance was widely acclaimed. (And the film's writer director, Mike Leigh is well loved by the Academy.)

KRISTIN SCOTT-THOMAS, Il Y A Longtemps Que Je T'Aime

MERYL STREEP, Doubt.
- This is divine Streep's 15th Oscar nomination. Will she receive her third statuette for the role? Early bird soothsayers say it's another Oscar favorite's year, who happens to be...

KATE WINSLET, Revolutionary Road
- The 32 year old actress and five time nominee (an Academy record) is up for her fourth lead actress nod. Given her impressive film credentials, popularity with some Academy members (including Emma Thompson and Oprah Winfrey), and fine notices for her performance in the otherwise divisive movie (including a Best Actress-Drama Golden Globe last week), common sense says it's in the bag for her. The only problem will be if Winslet wins Best Sup. Actress for The Reader, will she receive the lead actress award?

In a less crowded year, the nominees will be...

REBECCA HALL, Vicky Christina Barcelona
MELISSA LEO, Frozen River (The critics awards she needed went to Hawkins, while the guilds preferred Winslet.)
MERYL STREEP, Mamma Mia! (Really?)
EMMA THOMPSON, Last Chance Harvey (Her interviews and appearances in numerous functions such as the Golden Globes are needed for the love-for-the-50s crowd romantic drama.)
MICHELLE WILLIAMS, Wendy and Lucy (I have high hopes for her affecting performance in this indie film.)