My Award nominations: Actress

My picks for Best Actress of the year:

JESSICA CHASTAIN in Zero Dark Thirty:

Chastain works hard to bring a level of humanity to a character whose details are not fleshed out in the screenplay. Her evolution from fresh faced rookie to a woman obsessed is well handled. A strong, confident performance that dominates the screen.

MARION COTILLARD in Rust and Bone:

Cotillard strips herself down to the human essence of depression and vulnerability in this difficult portrayal of a tough personality reverted to tender fragility by the cruel hands of fate. She brilliantly evokes empathy without asking us to warm up to her.

HELEN HUNT in The Sessions:

Hunt shines in a difficult role that requires complete comfort in her own skin. Caught between compassion and her professional integrity, she puts up a strong front that nearly conceals a loving heart being torn apart.

EMMANUELLE RIVA in Amour:

Riva's embodiment of a woman becoming increasingly trapped by her own body is incredibly nuanced. She exhibits remarkable control over her physicality as Anne degenerates from pride and denial to humiliating helplessness.

QUVENZHANE WALLIS in Beasts of the Southern Wild:

Wallis is captivating and precocious as Hushpuppy; fiercely curious and conveying simple yet profound knowledge about the way the universe fits together. The odd whirlpool of emotions she shares with Wink transitions seamlessly between love and anger and back to love.

Just missed: Keira Knightley in Anna Karenina,
Jennifer Lawrence in Silver Linings Playbook, Rachel Mwanza in War Witch,
Alicia Vikander in A Royal Affair, Naomi Watts in The Impossible