This is Barazza’s first Oscar nomination.
What the critics have said:
“The acting is terrific, especially Barraza, who manages to carry the entire segment by herself.”
Eric Lurio, Greenwich Village Gazette
Cate Blanchett as Sheba Hart in Notes on a Scandal
This is Blanchett’s third Oscar nomination. She previously won in 2005 for her portrayal of Katharine Hepburn in The Aviator.
What the critics have said:
“A tour de force performance by Judi Dench drives the film, but Cate Blanchett and Bill Nighy also are marvelous in powerful, if more restrained, roles.” -Claudia Puig, USA Today
Abigail Breslin as Olive Hoover in Little Miss Sunshine
This is Breslin’s first Oscar nomination.
What the critics have said:
“…an absolute gem of a performance from Breslin.” –Matt Pais, Metromix.com
Jennifer Hudson as Effie White in Dreamgirls
This is Hudson’s first Oscar nomination. She is the favorite to win.
What the critics have said:
“The movie belongs to Hudson as the proud, self-destructive Effie. When she’s center stage, Dreamgirls transports you to movie musical heaven.” David Ansen, Newsweek
Rinko Kikuchi as Chieko in Babel
This is Kikuchi’s first Oscar nomination.
What the critics have said:
“The entire ensemble cast give terrific performances, particularly Kikuchi, whose heart-breaking performance is simultaneously shocking, funny and moving.” Matthew Turner, ViewLondon
Who is your pick?
@Cinefille 
Out of the three nominated performances I have seen in this category (Blanchett, Hudson, and Breslin), Cate Blanchett is the best and most deserving. If people want to give Jennifer Hudson an award, that’s what the Grammys are for; for singers. The Oscars are for actors.
Hudson will probably get it, but what a tough category.
I absolutely loved Abigail Breslin in Little Miss Sunshine.
And Cate Blanchett is iconic!
Yes, Cate Blanchett is iconic but she also already has an Academy Award. That limits her chance of winning this year (not that it should).
Abigail Breslin is cute and hopefully she has many more years of great acting ahead of her. No LaLohan path for her.
Barazza and Kikuchi were both excellent. Kikuchi’s performance blew me away yet Barazza was the standout in “Babel”.
Jennifer Hudson is the only good thing about “Dreamgirls”. She owned that movie. And that why she deserves all the attention she’s been getting.