Oscar Underdogs? Maybe Not Mann.

For the Empire Blog, Olly Richards makes the case for why some of this year’s performances should not be counted out for potential Oscar nominations. His biggest example: Marcia Gay Harden, in The Mist. Others: Keri Russell in Waitress (maybe), Kurt Russell in Death Proof (that’d be nice but unlikely), and Tom Cruise in Lions For Lambs (excuse me, really?). The one I agree with the most, though, is Leslie Mann in Knocked Up. The “Best Supporting Actress” race is always the most unpredictable, and as the year winds down, I think Mann has a real shot at some recognition for her funny and anxious portrayal in her husband’s smash comedy.