Great News: Penelope Cruz’s Oscar Chances Leap After Winning Best Actress from National Society of Film Critics (Updating)

This is great news. The National Society of Film Critics has voted for Penelope Cruz for Best Actress in “Parallel Mothers.”

I said from the beginning she should win the Oscar. This ups her chances into the top 5, which now I think consists of Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Hudson, Jessica Chastain, and Lady Gaga. (Sorry, Kristen Stewart fans.)

Pedro Almodovar, of course, wrote and directed “Parallel Mothers,” which wasn’t chosen by Spain as their official Oscar entry. But it should be a Best Picture nominee. Sony Pictures Classics must get this movie into voters’ hands and step up the press.

UPDATING winners from this group, Keep refreshing!

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS Ruth Negga, “Passing” — another great choice

BEST ACTOR, Hidetoshi Nishijima for “Drive My Car” — inspired choice

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR Anders Danielsen Lie, THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY  Andrew Droz Palermo, THE GREEN KNIGHT — an offbeat choice