"Wow, now that the annual Screen Actors Guild awards have been presented, we're one step to closer to Oscar.  Last night's ceremony held no surprises, so this email will be brief.  As expected, the awards for individual motion picture performances went to this season's usual suspects:
Best Actress - Helen Mirren ("The Queen")
Best Actor - Forest Whitaker ("The Last King of Scotland")
Best Supporting Actress - Jennifer Hudson ("Dreamgirls")
Best Supporting Actor - Eddie Murphy ("Dreamgirls")
Of the four, Mirren is the only one I would have pegged as invulnerable to a last minute upset; however, now that all four have captured Golden Globes and SAG prizes, I can't see them stumbling at the finish line--and even if they'd lost at the SAGs, I don't think they'd be down from the count, far from it.  Instead, their respective races might have seemed more like contests instead of walks through the park, thus bringing the excitement and competition to the Oscars.
The prize for Best Ensemble performance was awarded to "Little Miss Sunshine," which over the past week or so was also named the yer's best film by the Producers Guild of America.   A lot of journalists who cover the SAG awards liken the Best Ensemble category to a Best Picture equivalent.  The same journalists like to point out the top SAG prize often mirrors the Academy's choice for Best Picture.  Sometimes, yes, but not always:  "Apollo 13," "The Birdcage," "The Full Monty," "Traffic," "Gosford Park" and "Sideways" are movies that copped the SAG prize but failed to won the Best Picture Oscar.  [And the SAG awards a we now know them only go back as far as 1995, so there's not a lot of history there.]
And why wouldn't "Little Miss Sunshine" be named the year's best ensemble?  After all, as has been pointed out, the six principal characters share almost every scene, and  a huge chunk of the movie takes place in a single--albeit mobile--setting, A VW mini-bus.  This is a true ensemble effort unlike, say, "Babel," which features intersecting three stories, each with its own cast, spread out over four countries (Morocco, Mexico, Japan, and the United States).  That's not a criticism, just an observation.  My point is, Best Picture is still too early to call.  From here, "Little Miss Sunshine" looks good, but historically its chances at the Best Picture Oscar are reduced because it lacks a nominated director (or, in this case, directors).
The tv winners included Hugh Laurie ("House"), America Ferrera ("Ugly Betty"), Alec Baldwin ("30 Rock"), and Chandra Wilson ("Grey's Anatomy"). And, oh yeah, Helen Mirren for portraying Elizabeth I in a teleflick.
Other highlights: the Mary Tyler Moore Show cast reunion (with a smashing Valerie Harper), and  Dick Van Dyke onstage to present Julie Andrews her Lifetime Achievement trophy.  Also: wee Abigail Breslin being escorted onstage by co-stars Greg Kinnear, Alan Arkin, and Steve Carrell to accept the award for "Little Miss Sunshine."  I liked America Ferrera's speech about  her peers in the union knowing both sides of success--and why that made the award mean so much to her.  That's the kind of speech that has resonance for audiences, as opposed to reading a list of names of agents, handlers, etc.  FYI to Forest Whitaker: Sweetie, you're the frontrunner for the Oscar and since you've won practically every award of the season, you really should be prepared.  Please work on that by next month.
The Screen Actors Guild Awards are usually a lowkey fashion affair, so not a whole lot to ponder for Best Dressed honors. I loved Kyra Sedgwick's beaded strapless number, but find myself at a loss to accurately describe the color.  Coco, maybe?  And I loved her updo. The verdict?  Much improved since the Golden Globes.  I was also wowed by the gold toned gown worn by Cate Blanchett.  What a knockout!
Okay, that's all for now....but stay tuned.
Mp"