# Oscars: Meryl Streep Or Sandra Bullock? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 9, 2010, 10:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oscars-meryl-streep-or-sandra-bullock/528262 "2010-02-09T10:31:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 10:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oscars-meryl-streep-or-sandra-bullock/528262/1 "2010-02-09T10:31:15Z")
I think it is a given that one of the two will win this year. Who will win? ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oscars-meryl-streep-or-sandra-bullock/528262/2 "2010-02-09T12:29:52Z")
I’m hoping that neither wins. What are they nominated for? Who is their competition? ---
**Author:** ![SaharaTea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@SaharaTea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SaharaTea)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oscars-meryl-streep-or-sandra-bullock/528262/3 "2010-02-09T14:44:50Z")
I predict Bullock. Streep has already won twice and I think it’s going to take a film much better than _Julie & Julia_ to win again. Bullock has never won or even been nominated. She’s been in a lot of crap during her career and the Academy loves to reward actresses with this kind of “once in a lifetime” role. It helps that _The Blind Side_ is a sentimental and tug-at-your-heartstrings type of movie. Plus Bullock is sure to give an entertaining acceptance speech and I think the Academy really wants big ratings this year. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oscars-meryl-streep-or-sandra-bullock/528262/4 "2010-02-09T14:48:31Z")
I hope Bullock wins. Streep is the better actress, by far, but I can’t stand her. My skin crawls and I shudder every time I see her. ---
**Author:** ![obfusciatrist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4af34b/32.png) [@obfusciatrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obfusciatrist)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oscars-meryl-streep-or-sandra-bullock/528262/5 "2010-02-09T16:19:29Z")
Neither was the best of the year but in considering just these two, in just these two performances, Bullock was better. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oscars-meryl-streep-or-sandra-bullock/528262/6 "2010-02-09T16:27:15Z")
If you make me choose between these to, Streep will win. She’s been nominated upteen times but has only won once; her charactarization of Child won rave reviews and was the best thing about that movie. Academy voters love seeing actors portray familiar personalities. Bullock was good and I enjoyed _The Blind Side_ but I don’t think Hollywood took the movie very seriously. I’d be happy for Bullock if she won, but very surprised. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oscars-meryl-streep-or-sandra-bullock/528262/7 "2010-02-09T17:58:11Z")
I dunno… after seeing her in _Mama Mia_, I’m not sure I can take Streep seriously anymore… ---
**Author:** ![SaharaTea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@SaharaTea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SaharaTea)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oscars-meryl-streep-or-sandra-bullock/528262/8 "2010-02-09T19:51:40Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > If you make me choose between these to, Streep will win. She’s been nominated upteen times but has only won once. Nope, she’s won twice - for _Kramer vs. Kramer_ and _Sophie’s Choice_. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oscars-meryl-streep-or-sandra-bullock/528262/9 "2010-02-09T20:08:06Z")
I haven’t seen either movie, so I can’t judge who gave a better performance. But if you want a prediction, I say NEITHER will win it, for a couple of reasons: 1. Meryl Streep has won multiple Oscars already, and “Julie & Julia” is regarded as lightweight fare. 2. “The Blind Side” is regarded as TV movie-of-the-week fare, and just a little too Christian-lite to sit well with Hollywood voters. 3. Sandra and Meryl get starring roles regularly and will almost certainly get more opportunities to win Oscars.This is PROBABLY the only chance Gabourey Sidibe of “Precious” will ever get to win an Oscar. That’s why I’d bet, oh, 5 bucks that she wins it. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oscars-meryl-streep-or-sandra-bullock/528262/10 "2010-02-09T21:12:27Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > I haven’t seen either movie, so I can’t judge who gave a better performance. > > But if you want a prediction, I say NEITHER will win it, for a couple of reasons: > > 1. Meryl Streep has won multiple Oscars already, and “Julie & Julia” is regarded as lightweight fare. > > 2. “The Blind Side” is regarded as TV movie-of-the-week fare, and just a little too Christian-lite to sit well with Hollywood voters. > > 3. Sandra and Meryl get starring roles regularly and will almost certainly get more opportunities to win Oscars.This is PROBABLY the only chance Gabourey Sidibe of “Precious” will ever get to win an Oscar. That’s why I’d bet, oh, 5 bucks that she wins it. You stole my post! ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oscars-meryl-streep-or-sandra-bullock/528262/11 "2010-02-09T21:24:37Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > I haven’t seen either movie, so I can’t judge who gave a better performance. > > But if you want a prediction, I say NEITHER will win it, for a couple of reasons: > > 1. Meryl Streep has won multiple Oscars already, and “Julie & Julia” is regarded as lightweight fare. > > 2. “The Blind Side” is regarded as TV movie-of-the-week fare, and just a little too Christian-lite to sit well with Hollywood voters. > > 3. Sandra and Meryl get starring roles regularly and will almost certainly get more opportunities to win Oscars.This is PROBABLY the only chance Gabourey Sidibe of “Precious” will ever get to win an Oscar. That’s why I’d bet, oh, 5 bucks that she wins it. If being sullen and glaring at people is considered top acting, then sure. Or if the Academy decides it’s time for another black actor to have an Oscar, then sure. I can certainly see Mo’nique getting supporting for that film, but no nod for Sidibe. Streep did a terrific portrayal of an iconic figure, and Stan Tucci was a perfect foil for her. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oscars-meryl-streep-or-sandra-bullock/528262/12 "2010-02-09T21:26:04Z")
Didn’t vote because I did not see J&J. But I saw Blind Side and Invictus over the weekend, and can’t believe the performances by Bullock, Damon, or Freeman were worthy of nominations. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oscars-meryl-streep-or-sandra-bullock/528262/13 "2010-02-09T21:42:42Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > 1. Meryl Streep has won multiple Oscars already, and “Julie & Julia” is regarded as lightweight fare. But she’s playing a real life person, and that has been extremely good luck at the Oscars for the last 10 years alone (Cate Blanchett, Marion Cotillard, Jamie Foxx, P.S. Hoffman, Nicole Kidman, Helen Mirren, Sean Penn, Charlize Theron, Forest Whitaker, & Reese Witherspoon is only a partial list) Plus, while she may have won in the past, Streep’s most recent Oscar was back in 1982–before Carey Mulligan and Gabourey Sidibe were even born. She’s had a dozen losing nominations since then, so there are likely a lot of voters who think she’s just about due again. > [@](#): > > 1. “The Blind Side” is regarded as TV movie-of-the-week fare, and just a little too Christian-lite to sit well with Hollywood voters. This “TV movie-of-the-week” managed to score a Best Picture nomination over more obvious Oscar-bait movies like Clint Eastwood’s _Invictus_. So there’s absolutely no question that the movie is loved by a significant number of voters. > [@](#): > > 1. Sandra and Meryl get starring roles regularly and will almost certainly get more opportunities to win Oscars. You’d think, huh? Remember Julia Roberts and _Erin Brockovich_? She was a superstar then but hasn’t been nominated since. When it’s a Hollywood favorite who finally gets a chance at the brass ring, the Academy is often wary about taking such things for granted, especially (like Bullock) when most of their movies aren’t ordinarily even remotely award-friendly. And this is her year–two box office sensations (comedy & drama), she is currently the biggest female star in the industry right now. > [@](#): > > This is PROBABLY the only chance Gabourey Sidibe of “Precious” will ever get to win an Oscar. You can say that about 2 or 3 nominees in each category every year. They can’t _all_ win. > [@](#): > > That’s why I’d bet, oh, 5 bucks that she wins it. You’re on. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oscars-meryl-streep-or-sandra-bullock/528262/14 "2010-02-09T22:19:27Z")
> [@SaharaTea](#): > > Nope, she’s won twice - for _Kramer vs. Kramer_ and _Sophie’s Choice_. You’re right - I wasn’t counting the Best Supporting Oscar (for _K v. K_) but there is no reason not to count it. Still it’s been 27 years since she won. I just think that _Blind Side_ is too lightweight of a film, and too Red-state-ish, to win any major awards. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oscars-meryl-streep-or-sandra-bullock/528262/15 "2010-02-09T22:24:19Z")
> [@ArchiveGuy](#): > > But she’s playing a real life person, and that has been extremely good luck at the Oscars for the last 10 years alone (Cate Blanchett, Marion Cotillard, Jamie Foxx, P.S. Hoffman, Nicole Kidman, Helen Mirren, Sean Penn, Charlize Theron, Forest Whitaker, & Reese Witherspoon is only a partial list). For the record, Sandra Bullock, in The Blind Side, is playing a real life person too. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oscars-meryl-streep-or-sandra-bullock/528262/16 "2010-02-09T23:44:35Z")
I haven’t voted yet because I can’t decide who will win (as opposed to who I like the best/who I want to win). Obviously Streep is the better actress, and Julia Child is a better role, but Julia was only half the movie. If the entire film had been about Child, there would be so discussion, I think she’d win it no matter what. Since it’s almost a supporting role, and Bullock’s is an obviously starring role, I think Bullock has the edge, but I don’t want to commit yet. I haven’t seen **The Last Station** yet, but Mirren has won recently and it’s a little-seen movie. I’ll bet more voters have seen **An Education** than **The Last Station**. That will probably change before all the ballots are in but still. It would be fun to see Mirren win for such a completely different role. The Queen vs. an aging free love wild child. The nominations are Sidibe and Mulligan’s reward, however, if there were going to be an Adrien Brody-type surprise, I’d love to see Carey Mulligan’s face if her name were called. It’s so expressive! It won’t happen, but it’d be fun to see. Carey will be around forever, she’s the next generation’s Kate Winslet and she’s got a lot more nominations ahead of her. Sidibe may or may not stick around, but this is her moment to shine, even if she loses. > [@Chefguy](#): > > If being sullen and glaring at people is considered top acting, then sure. Is that _really_ what you got out of Sidibe’s performance?? How come you know so much more about her acting than all the critics, and voting actors? They obviously saw something besides a sullen glare in that performance. Regarding The Blind Side, > [@](#): > > just a little too Christian-lite > [@](#): > > too Red-state-ish Speaking as a hard-core uber-liberal atheist, I thought the movie was wonderful, and I would have nominated Bullock too, because I thought she was wonderful in it. Christian/Red state thoughts wouldn’t have anything to do with my ultimate vote, if I had a vote (which would probably go to Carey). ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oscars-meryl-streep-or-sandra-bullock/528262/17 "2010-02-09T23:51:26Z")
I’m gonna say Bullock will win, simply because she’s already won all the various pre-Oscar awards, so clearly the voters like her. I haven’t seen either film. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oscars-meryl-streep-or-sandra-bullock/528262/18 "2010-02-09T23:59:57Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > Is that _really_ what you got out of Sidibe’s performance?? How come you know so much more about her acting than all the critics, and voting actors? They obviously saw something besides a sullen glare in that performance. The movie was fine, and her performance was fine, just not Oscar-worthy. Critics and actors will always say the PC thing. And this is an opinion forum. If you’d like everyone to agree with you, start your own board. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oscars-meryl-streep-or-sandra-bullock/528262/19 "2010-02-10T00:25:22Z")
I voted for Sandra Bullock… she’s got that Julia Roberts/Erin Brockovich vibe going, _and_ the momentum. She’ll also look good on stage. 😉 Not that Streep’s a bad looking woman, she isn’t, but… rowr. I also enjoyed _The Blind Side_, a feeling likely bolstered by the fact that I saw it 4 days ago. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oscars-meryl-streep-or-sandra-bullock/528262/20 "2010-02-10T01:10:57Z")
The ACademy actually has done a good job, in general, of seperating out an acting performance for the “gravity” of the film, if you will, which is not easy to do. So it is possible to give an awesome acting performance in a mediocre or lightweight film, no that _The Blind Side_ is that, I haven’t seen it actually. I’m just commenting on that fact. Kevin Kline, Marisa Tomei, What’s his name from _City Slickers_. Denzel Washington gave, IMO, a stunning performance in _Training Day_ even though the movie itself was only good not great. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oscars-meryl-streep-or-sandra-bullock/528262.md?page=2)