Bening

His new film, The Kids Are All Right, already the biggest indie comedy hit of the year and talked about for Oscars, is all about two teenagers (Mia Wasikowska and Josh Hutcherson), raised by lesbian moms (Annette Bening and Julianne Moore), who decide to look up their biological father.

Mark Ruffalo: the 'journeyman' who's impressed Martin Scorsese, David Fincher and Michel Gondry Tom Shone 2010

With Julianne Moore and Annette Bening as the couple, and Mark Ruffalo as the tall, shambling, supremely sexy interloper, it's perfectly played, incredibly funny, and genuinely moving.

Lisa Cholodenko: 'I'm cynical about the gay martyr movie' Kira Cochrane 2010

So to spare my blood pressure, I'll just say I'd be happy with either Julianne Moore or Annette Bening winning tonight, and I reckon it will be Bening.

Live blog: The Golden Globes – live! | Hadley Freeman 2011

We haven't seen much of Annette Bening of late, and apparently she's been too busy rearing children to worry about getting lifted or Botoxed, because she looks older.

Spotted: an older woman on screen Anne Billson 2010

And the Academy judges met these expectations, opting for Portman ahead of rival nominees such as Annette Bening and Nicole Kidman.

Natalie Portman swans off with best actress Oscar 2011

Bening was nominated for best actress as a lesbian mom whose family is thrown into turmoil after her teenage children seek out their sperm-donor father in "The Kids Are All Right."

Oscars 2011 Nominations List Huffington Post/AP 2011

And they're probably right, or at least right about Bening being nominated for a fourth Oscar.

Oscars 2011: Predicting the lead actor and actress nominees Jen Chaney 2011

Annette Bening, "The Kids Are All Right": Awards season pundits have been saying for months that this race will be a battle between Portman and Bening.

Oscars 2011: Predicting the lead actor and actress nominees Jen Chaney 2011

For Supporting Actress, I'm rooting hard for Melissa Leo -- she did for The Fighter just what Bening did for Kids.

John Farr: Oscar Picks and Predictions: A Year of Few Surprises John Farr 2011

With Community's Joel McHale hosting the beachside ceremony in Santa Monica, consider this a laid-back warm-up for the Oscars, and the best chance for actors like James Franco, Annette Bening and the Winter's Bone cast to have a serious chance at a trophy this weekend — barring an upset.

Matt's Weekend Picks: February 25-27 2011