This week we're continuing our look back at 2008 with the top ten performances by an actress. So, without further ado ...
10. Julie Benz. So imagine, if you will, the life of an abused woman who finds love again in the arms of a forensic expert for the police department. Now imagine that man is also a serial killer in and his spare time. Oh, and you're having his baby, moving in together and getting married. Benz has been absolutely incredible as Rita, love interest of Dexter Morgan on the Showtime hit, "Dexter." We'll see how the wedding goes Sunday night during the season finale at 9 p.m.
9. America Ferrera. In her third season as Betty Suarez, Ferrera has really carved out her spot on network television. She brings a charisma and charm that you just connect with on
ABC's "Ugly Betty."
8. Angelina Jolie. OK, yes, I try to work Angie in wherever I can. But her performance in the Clint Eastwood-directed "Changeling" as a mother who loses her son and then refuses to believe that the child the police find is hers really does warrant her listing. Really.
7. Kristin Chenoweth. Pretty much every critic loved ABC's "Pushing Daisies." I loved "Push
ing Daisies." And one of the brightest spots of the show was Chenoweth as Olive Snook, the adorable waitress at the Pie Hole, Ned's pie restaurant. She's been terrific since the show be
gan last year and she took the spotlight this year with some wonderful story lines. Too bad
you weren't watching them. The show has not been renewed for next season.
6. Tina Fey. Who has had a better year than Tina Fey? On top of winning three Emmys for
her hit show "30 Rock," Fay grabbed the national spotlight with her portrayal of vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin on "Saturday Night Live." That recognition is sure to do wonders for "30 Rock" which suffered from "Pushing Daisies" syndrome.
10. Julie Benz. So imagine, if you will, the life of an abused woman who finds love again in the arms of a forensic expert for the police department. Now imagine that man is also a serial killer in and his spare time. Oh, and you're having his baby, moving in together and getting married. Benz has been absolutely incredible as Rita, love interest of Dexter Morgan on the Showtime hit, "Dexter." We'll see how the wedding goes Sunday night during the season finale at 9 p.m.9. America Ferrera. In her third season as Betty Suarez, Ferrera has really carved out her spot on network television. She brings a charisma and charm that you just connect with on
ABC's "Ugly Betty."
8. Angelina Jolie. OK, yes, I try to work Angie in wherever I can. But her performance in the Clint Eastwood-directed "Changeling" as a mother who loses her son and then refuses to believe that the child the police find is hers really does warrant her listing. Really.
7. Kristin Chenoweth. Pretty much every critic loved ABC's "Pushing Daisies." I loved "Push
ing Daisies." And one of the brightest spots of the show was Chenoweth as Olive Snook, the adorable waitress at the Pie Hole, Ned's pie restaurant. She's been terrific since the show be
gan last year and she took the spotlight this year with some wonderful story lines. Too bad
you weren't watching them. The show has not been renewed for next season.
6. Tina Fey. Who has had a better year than Tina Fey? On top of winning three Emmys for
her hit show "30 Rock," Fay grabbed the national spotlight with her portrayal of vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin on "Saturday Night Live." That recognition is sure to do wonders for "30 Rock" which suffered from "Pushing Daisies" syndrome.
5. Cate Blanchett. Blanchett followed up an Oscar nomination with a role as the lead baddie in the latest Indiana Jones film and may end the year with another Oscar-nominated role in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button."
4. Penelope Cruz. Cruz could find herself with an Oscar nod of her own for Maria Elena in Woody Allen's "Vicky Cristina Barcelona." As Javier Bardem's damaged ex-wife, Cruz stands out in star-studded cast.
3. Marisa Tomei. Darren Aronofsky's "The Wrestler" has been the surprise of the year. Hon
estly, I'm going to be hard pressed to find a movie I liked better in 2008. Tomei stars as an aging stripper who is the quasi-love interest of Mickey Rourke's aging wrestler. Both play a role in industries that have passed them, and neither is able to accept that fact.
2. Evangeline Lilly. In the interest of full disclosure, I'll tell you I'm an uber-"Lost" geek. Lilly's performance has been strong since the show's inception, but this past season was
easily her strongest as Kate Austen. Will her dominance continue in season five as she tries to lead a normal life with her "son" Aaron? I doubt it.
1. Kate Winslet. Winslet is looking at a possible double nomination when Oscar time roles around for best actress. From a Nazi warden engaged in a love affair in "The Reader" to her performance as hopeful actress-turned housewife in the 1950s in "Revolutionary Road," Winslet really has continued her career-long tradition of picking wonderful scripts as she has her entire career.
Recommendation of the week: If you haven't gotten to the store yet to pick up your copy of "The Dark Knight" on DVD, what are you waiting for? A handwritten invitation?
4. Penelope Cruz. Cruz could find herself with an Oscar nod of her own for Maria Elena in Woody Allen's "Vicky Cristina Barcelona." As Javier Bardem's damaged ex-wife, Cruz stands out in star-studded cast.
3. Marisa Tomei. Darren Aronofsky's "The Wrestler" has been the surprise of the year. Hon
estly, I'm going to be hard pressed to find a movie I liked better in 2008. Tomei stars as an aging stripper who is the quasi-love interest of Mickey Rourke's aging wrestler. Both play a role in industries that have passed them, and neither is able to accept that fact.
2. Evangeline Lilly. In the interest of full disclosure, I'll tell you I'm an uber-"Lost" geek. Lilly's performance has been strong since the show's inception, but this past season was
easily her strongest as Kate Austen. Will her dominance continue in season five as she tries to lead a normal life with her "son" Aaron? I doubt it.1. Kate Winslet. Winslet is looking at a possible double nomination when Oscar time roles around for best actress. From a Nazi warden engaged in a love affair in "The Reader" to her performance as hopeful actress-turned housewife in the 1950s in "Revolutionary Road," Winslet really has continued her career-long tradition of picking wonderful scripts as she has her entire career.
Recommendation of the week: If you haven't gotten to the store yet to pick up your copy of "The Dark Knight" on DVD, what are you waiting for? A handwritten invitation?
