Susanne Bier's "Things We Lost in the Fire" opened last week to rather lackluster reviews, but why does it seem like no one is giving Benicio Del Toro the time of day out there on the Oscarweb?  This seems like a bona fide threat in the lead actor field if there ever was one.  Lingering, emotive scenes; a detailed and painful heroin withdrawal sequence that recalls Gene Hackman's committment in "The French Connection II;" something actually unique in the sort of role given to derivation -- what else do we really need?

Jeffrey Wells -- steeped in his own bias, of course -- has proclaimed it written in stone that Del Toro is a contender, but everyone else seems to be all "George Clooney this" and "Daniel Day-Lewis that."  Three of 15 Gurus o' Gold are predicting the performance for a nomination, and I suppose we'll see what The Envelope's Buzzmeter collective has to say on the matter next week.

Del Toro's portrayal reminded me of something James Dean might have tackled had he lived ten or fifteen more years, perhaps a role that would have introduced him to another level of maturity as an already accomplished actor.  Jerry Sunborne feels like Jim Stark or Cal Trask with a few decades of regret and life experience under his belt.

Paramount Pictures is pretty serious about making sure the film is seen, despite a rather modest drop in the critical and box office bucket last weekend.  They sent screener copies to guild members, Academy members and the press corps day-and-date of the film's theatrical release.