Oscar Index Has Streep and Fassbender Out Front, War Horse

Stu Van Airsdale has put up his Oscar Index and I was surprised to find he put Michael Fassbender for Shame first when many aren’t even predicting him to be nominated.  He also has Meryl Streep in first place, followed by Glenn Close and Viola Davis (doesn’t he read Awards Daily?).

For supporting actress he has Octavia Spencer for The Help.   But he’s also put Melissa McCarthy from Bridesmaids in the running.  That’s a good call.

He’s got Christopher Plummer in the lead for Supporting Actor followed by Albert Brooks.

But I’m still stuck back on Michael Fassbender in the frontrunner’s spot.  That be some crazy shit right there, not that I’m complaining – I love outside-the-box thinking.

My frontrunners would be (only by what’s been, not by what’s coming)

Best Picture: Moneyball vs. The Descendants
Best Actor: Brad Pitt vs. George Clooney vs. Jean Dujardin vs. Leonardo Dicaprio vs. Michael Fassbender vs. Gary Oldman (tight ass race)
Best Actress: Viola Davis, followed by Streep vs. Close.  Have a funny feeling about Rooney Mara
Best Supporting Actor: Plummer vs. Brooks
Best Supporting Actress: Spencer vs. Redgrave

But it’s early yet.  Movieline’s Oscar Index is here.

Something tells me the Meryl Streep fans — and they be many — will head on over and wrap their arms around Stu.  Me, I don’t quite have faith that this will finally be the role to pull Meryl Streep through to her third Oscar win. It’s certainly possible but it’s going to have be better than her best work, or close to.  She turns in so many great performances it’s hard to single out just one.