2013 Oscar nominated Actress

This may be the one category that has a lock..
And the nominees are:

Amy Adams in "American Hustle"
Amy Adams is funny and sexy as the young grifter in love with a married Christian Bale, yet not above attempting to seduce Bradley Cooper's federal agent who has enlisted the two in an effort to bring down congressmen. She is at the top of her game in this one, and her interactions with the other actors, including an incredible bathroom scene with Jennifer Lawrence, proves why this was the ensemble cast of the year.

Cate Blanchett in "Blue Jasmine"
Here is the one that is the possible lock. In a rather somber Woody Allen take on "A Streetcar Named Desire," Cate plays a Blanche Dubois for modern times. Unlikeable, haughty, condescending, and totally oblivious to the dire straits she is in, her eventual emotional breakdown is still devastating thanks to Ms. Blanchett's artistry.

Sandra Bullock in "Gravity"
As a neophyte scientist struggling to survive after a space station accident, she successfully carries the movie on her shoulders. Vulnerable, scared, yet with a ferocious desire to survive, she has the audience enthralled thoughout the entire movie. A well deserved nomination in a genre rarely acknowledged for acting awards.

Judi Dench in "Philomena"
An elderly Irish woman enlists a journalist to help her find the son whom she was forced to give up for adoption 50 years ago. Thanks to Dame Dench, the audience is with her, heart and soul. At times funny, simple, sad, and yet redemptive, her performance is the epitome of what acting is all about. You can't take your eyes off of her.

Meryl Streep in "August:Osage County"
The biggest disappointment for me. As the pill-popping, vicious matriarch determined to decimate everyone around her during the course of a family tragedy, Ms. Streep brings her A-game as always. Unfortunately the character is written as a one-note shrew, with no redeeming qualities, and she gains no sympathy from the audience at the conclusion.

And the Winner will be:
Cate Blanchett
She has been touted as the one to beat when this movie came out last summer. And the road to the Oscars have not diminished the devastating and brilliant performance that she delivered.

Cinajim's pick:
Cate Blanchett
I have to admit, in any other year my vote would have gone to Dame Judi Dench for the sweetest and most heart-breaking performance I've seen this year. But I still can't deny the force of Cate Blanchett...she is astonishing.

Honorable Mention:
Scarlett Johanson in "Her"
This may sound odd that I would nominate a "voice" performance. Ms. Johanson plays the voice of the OS system that Joaquin Phoenix falls in love with. Definitely the oddest love story of the year, but it works because of the performances. And even more astonishing, another actress had completed the voice, but the director did not feel it was working, so he brought Scarlett in to redo the voice. And what a vocal performance! I could truly believe why Joaquin's character became enraptured by this "disembodied" girlfriend. Sexy, vulnerable, passionate, and insightful...and completely realized only by her voice.

So readers I have two to go before the Big Night on Sunday.
Up next will be the Actor nominees.
Until then......keep it reel!