The Fight to Be the Best Supporting Actor

To be a great supporting actor, male or female, one must do one of two things; The first thing is hold up a film to a point that when not on screen the audience is wishing they were, the second is provide such significance to a plot that without that character the plot would be flat and incomplete. In some years the supporting performances were superior to the lead performances, like the year Mo'nique for Precious and Christophe Waltz for Inglourious Basterds won when the lead performances were Sandra Bullock for The Blind Side and Jeff Bridges for Crazy Heart; that year it was all about Mo'nique and Christophe, and rightly so. This year really isn't one of those years, but nevertheless there are some great supporting performances from both males and females this year that are blowing everyone away. For this post, lets just discuss Best Supporting Actor.

Best Supporting Actor has some definite shoe in performances, but unlike the lead categories, there is room for some one to jump in a take a spot. I have not had the chance to see all of the supporting men who are getting Oscar buzz, but I have seen a few. In my mind here are the locks:

1. Tom Hanks, Saving Mr. Banks. Hanks is having an amazing year and is looking very likely to be a double nominee this year for not only Saving Mr. Banks, but also for Captain Phillips. In Saving Mr. Banks Hanks he plays the legendary animator,Walt Disney who is trying to secure the rights of the story Mary Poppins to make his classic film of the same name. It will be hard for the Academy not to nominate him for playing a man whom so many people love and adore but Walt Disney himself holds the record for most Oscar wins (22 competitive, 4 honorary). The movie premiered at the AFI Festival and was met with high acclaim for not only himself but also for Emma Thompson, who plays the creator of Mary Poppins, P.L. Travers. When it comes to winning, he will have to play the charm factor just like Emma will. Hanks is loved by the Academy and people in Hollywood, so winning is definitely a possibility. If he does win he would join the likes of Meryl Streep, Jack Nicholson, Daniel Day-Lewis, Ingrid Bergman, and Walter Brennan all of whom have won 3 Oscars. After I see his performance, I will let you know where I rank him in terms of winning. 
2. Jared Leto, Dallas Buyers Club. If Tom Hanks fails to bring the heat, the Oscar will likely go to Jared Leto. This would be his first nomination, like many of the other buzzed about men. He plays a transvestite suffering from AIDS who assists Matthew McConaughey's, undoubtedly Lead nomination, character in smuggling unapproved anti-viral medication from other countries into the US and helps in treating other infected people. His performance looks to be a knock out, and has been met with universal acclaim. This is Jared's first movie in 8 years, so he has the comeback kid narrative that will play well in the minds of Academy voters. I will be seeing this film later this week, so check in to see my thoughts. 
3. Michael Fassbender, 12 Years a Slave. Michael has the advantage of playing in the definite movie to beat for Best Picture, 12 Years a Slave. It is always good to have that advantage because then you know that most of the Academy has actually watched the film. I have seen this movie and to give a warning, it is not an easy film to watch. It tells the true story of a free African American man who is tricked by some white con-artists and is sold into slavery and fights to get back to his family. Michael Fassbender plays the evil cotton plantation owner who believes it is biblically okay for him to abuse his slaves. Fassbender plays an unlikable character, which over the past few years unlikable characters have become popular winners in the supporting actor category, which generally can be hard to overcome when it comes to rewarding a performance. His flawless performance will get him nominated, and could very well win him an Oscar. 

The other two spots in the category will have to be fought for by a couple men who will bring serious competition:

1. Barkhad Abdi, Captain Phillips. He will be in a probable Best Picture nominee. This was his first film role, and for his first time he gives a very memorable performance. My feelings for the movie are not as high as my feelings for Abdi's performance. I would love to see him nominated, but he is unknown and is not playing a likable character. So he will have an uphill climb if he wants a spot in the 5 nominees that get to hear their name on Oscar night. 
2. Bradley Cooper, American Hustle. No one has seen the movie, but many people are predicting lots of nominations for it, especially in the acting categories. As I mentioned before in my Best Actress post, check it out, David O. Russell has a great track record for getting his movies nominated and especially his actors. From the trailer, which one should never go by, Cooper's character looks to have some pretty awesome moments which is all that we can go on. Who knows where he will end up, but I am sure Cooper will have a fighting chance at a nomination. 
3. John Goodman, Inside Llewyn Davis. John Goodman gets the status this year as the man who has deserved nominations but has never been nominated, which is weird considering his impressive track record. Goodman has been in the past two Best Picture winners, Argo and The Artist, with two other Best Picture nominees one from each year, Flight and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. The man deserves some awards attention, and this year could finally be it....if he plays his cards right. His performance has already garnered him some high praise, that will hopefully result in a nomination. He is well loved and respected and will be staring in one of my most anticipated movies! So we will watch him closely!! 
4. Daniel Bruhl, Rush. Rush is a true story racing movie directed by Academy Award winner Ron Howard. The movie was well received throughout the summer, but nothing has been long lasting except for Daniel Bruhl's performance. I have not seen it, but many people have reserved him a spot in the final 5. I plan to watch it soon, and I will let you know if he is worthy to be nominated or not.     

There are a few other men that could be game changers to the above four but they are the ones who will truly have to fight and campaign hard to be nominated:

1. James Gandolfini, Enough Said. I am not sure about this performance or movie. I have not seen it, but from the trailer Gandolfini looks to have stepped out of his acting comfort zone for what has become his final film role. Gandolfini has received numerous awards and nominations for playing a mobster in the hit show The Sopranos. Earlier this year Gandolfini passed away from a heart attack. It is sweet that his final role was one that looks to be warm and inviting in an indy romantic-comedy. 
2. Jonah Hill, The Wolf of Wall Street. I think everyone was pleasantly surprised when Jonah Hill decided to step away from his adult comedy films to make a serious film career when he starred in Moneyball. That film earned him a supporting nomination, and this year he could receive another one. Martin Scorsese is my all time favorite director, and generally his actors and movies get nominated. No one has seen the movie yet to judge it or Hill's performance, but I have a feeling Jonah will prove that Moneyball was not a fluke and that he can act. I personally am reserving him a spot in the finally 5, but that is sight unseen. 
3. Jake Gyllenhaal, Prisoners. If anything from Prisoners gets nominated it should be Mr. Gyllenhaal. He gave such a complex performance that cannot be easily summed up into words. His character is a mystery to me, but left me blown away. It is great to see him doing such fantastic work. Unfortunately though he is one that will have to fight hard, because this movie is one that could be easily forgotten within the next few weeks when all of the big awards movies start showing up. Hopefully he can sneak in, but I highly doubt it, though it would be deserved. 
4. Geoffrey Rush, The Book Thief. The Book Thief will be a crowd pleasing holiday movie, but word on the street it is a sleeper for awards. Critics are behind Rush's stand out performance. He is already an Oscar winner with many nominations under is belt, so he has the love of the voters that could aid in his fight to a nomination. It is doable, especially when it comes to Rush, who always gives fantastic performances. Be on the look out for him. 

The Supporting Actor race is crowded with so many men fighting for their shot at a nomination, and it is all up in the air. I would like to think that I am on the right track when it comes to this category, but I cannot help but feel this will be be the category where there will be shocking upsets, nominations, and snubs throughout all of the award ceremonies, not just at the Oscars. Last years supporting men where pretty predictable, this year it could go so many different ways. As I see the movies I will get a better grip on who will be nominated and who I think should be nominated. This category is definitely one to watch, so stay tuned!

In the Best Actress Corner of the Ring

Best Actress has and always will be one of my most favorite categories in any given awards ceremony. If I had to put a finger on why, I think I would say their jobs are a little more difficult than that of a man’s. One cannot simply ignore the male dominance in our world, not that I am some crazy person upholding feminist, but it is a truth. It is true when it comes to who makes more money, who holds more authority, and so on and so forth, all the way up to awards. How am I coming to this conclusion when discussing awards? Well, it all started long ago when The Academy was created by men, 77% of The Academy today is made up of men. These men like to nominate a lot of the same women over and over, they generally like to have their women younger than 40 years old, and they usually are white.

Just to prove my point, let’s look at the best actress nominees in just the last 10 years alone:

(at time of ceremony *indicates winner of year **indicates previous winner ***indicates multiple winner)

2003

Charlize Theron*-28, white, South African

Keisha Castle-Hughes- 13, white, New Zealand

Diane Keaton**- 57, white, American

Samatha Morton- 26, white, English

Naomi Watts- 35, white, British-Australian

2004

Hilary Swank**-30, white, American

Annette Bening- 46, white, American

Imelda Staunton- 48, white, English

Kate Winslet -29, white, English

Catalina Sandino Moreno-23, Colombian

2005

Reese Witherspoon*-29, white, American

Felicity Huffman-42, white, American

Judi Dench**-70, white, English

Keira Knightley -20, white, English

Charlize Theron**-30, white, South African

2006

Helen Mirren*-61, white, English

Judi Dench**-71, white, English

Penelope Cruz-32, Spanish

Meryl Streep***-57, white, American

Kate Winslet -31, white, English

2007

Marion Cotillard*-32, French

Cate Blanchett**-38, white, Australian

Julie Christie**-64, white, English

Laura Linney-43, white, American

Ellen Page -20, white, American

2008

Kate Winslet*-33, white, English

Angelina Jolie** -33, white, American

Meryl Streep***-59, white, American

Anne Hathaway-26, white, American

Melissa Leo-48, white, American

2009

Sandra Bullock*-45, white, American

Meryl Streep***-60, white, American

Helen Mirren**-64, white, English

Gabourey Sidibe-26, African-American

Carey Mulligan-24, white, English

2010

Natalie Portman*-29, white, Israeli-American

Annette Bening-52, white, American

Nicole Kidman**-43, white, Australian

Jennifer Lawrence -20, white, American

Michelle Williams-30, white, American

2011

Meryl Streep*-62, white, American

Viola Davis- 46, African-American

Glen Close-64, white, American

Michelle Williams-31, white, American

Rooney Mara-26, white, American

2012

Jennifer Lawrence*-22, white, American

Jessica Chastain- 35, white, American

Emmanuelle Riva- 86, French

Quvenzhane Wallis-9, African-American

Naomi Watts- 45, white, British-Australian

Now you may be thinking, why did any of that matter? Well, because the age of the actress/ winner is generally less than 40 years old, white, and most of them had been previously nominated. Women over 40 have a harder time getting noticed and more importantly winning, where a man at any age can get attention. There are becoming fewer and fewer great roles for women. So, it is important to know the facts and history to better discuss the present.

This year the likely nominees are pictured above: Cate Blanchett, age 44 (Supporting Oscar 2004), Sandra Bullock, age 49 (Lead Oscar 2009), Emma Thompson, age 54  (Lead Oscar 1992, screenplay Oscar 1995), Meryl Streep, age 64 (Supporting Oscar 1979, Lead Oscar 1982 & 2011), Judi Dench, age 78 (Supporting Oscar 1998), and Amy Adams, age 39 (no Oscar, 4 previous supporting nominations).

The women being considered for Best Actress have all won an Oscar and all of them are over the age of 40, aside from Amy Adams, whose film has not yet been seen which makes her a tossup. The lineup for nominees in this category would make history! This also means that there could finally be good material for older women to come back and show that they still have what it takes. It is exciting!!! 

(Sidenote-I want to just point out, that to me, age and race do not matter; what matters is if the performance is worthy of a nomination and win. Unfortunately though it does matter, because it makes a difference in the minds of voters in The Academy.)

.....now we can get down to business.......

Of the ladies in discussion this year:

1.     Sandra Bullock in Gravity. This is the only performance I have seen thus far. I think she is worthy to be nominated and win, for her fearless and emotionally and physically challenging performance. She commanded an entire movie on her own. A woman. 49 years old. She ruled the box-office and showed the entire male dominated movies of the year how it is done. She is a class act, and I'm fully behind her nomination. I haven't decided if I will root for her all the way to the finish line, because I have yet to see the other performances, but no matter what, I will be okay to see her win again

2.     Cate Blanchett in Blue Jasmine. So far, she is the one to beat. Cate is the most predicted for the win according to many Oscar polling websites. From what I understand, her performance in Blue Jasmine is the performance of her career, and is being compared to that of Vivien Leigh in A Streetcar Named Desire. That alone is saying a lot, but her character is not a likable one, which could be against her. 

3.     Emma Thompson is back! Finally, after so many years of being left in the wind, it is refreshing to see her getting such acclaim for her performance in Saving Mr. Banks. Emma is probably the most lovable person that will be nominated this year, and she is playing the author of Mary Poppins in the biopic of how Walt Disney gained the rights to make the film version of the book. If the movie is well loved, than Emma will be a force to be reckoned with.   

4.     Meryl Streep in August Osage County. Well, it is Meryl Streep. She keeps out- doing herself year after year. People love her, but the Academy loves her more. Her performance is said to be great, but the thing that could be against her is that she is not doing any campaigning. I think she is embarrassed that she keeps being nominated. BUT, again I say.....it is Meryl Streep. 

5.     Judi Dench in Philomena. Dame Judi is one of the most under rewarded actresses. Judi gets the sympathy vote this year. She is no longer able to read her own scripts and has to have her lines read to her so she can remember them. This also could be her last film role before she retires from acting. Her role is one that is heartfelt as she journeys across the country searching for her son she gave up for adoption after giving birth. If they want to give the Dame a Lead Oscar that she deserved long ago, this could be their last chance. Also she has Harvey Weinstein on her side. 

6.     Amy Adams in American Hustle. No one has seen the film, but so far the director, David O. Russell, has not missed a beat in his last couple of films. He got Jennifer Lawrence her Oscar last year, along with 3 other actors nominated in Silver Linings Playbook; and Melissa Leo and Christian Bale in the Fighter, along with a nomination for Adams herself. Adams is a great actress, one worthy to have an Oscar.I have a sneaking suspicion, though, that she may go supporting, instead of leading. Hopefully this movie can get her a first time Lead nomination, and if she is good enough, maybe the win! 

There are other actresses who could surprise, but as of now, these are the ladies to watch. In the next few weeks the critics will start announcing who they think is best, followed by the Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild nominations in the middle of December. So, hold on tight. Go catch some of these movies as they hit theatres. It only goes downhill from here. Soon, we will know more about who the “women to beat” actually are, instead of speculating....but I think I am on the right track :) 

My aim

It is that time of year again. Where movie goers, critics organizations, and the big league groups start aligning around movies in which they feel defines the years best in film; but with the lack of great film this year, it should not be too hard to narrow down the field of contenders. Nevertheless, people, like myself, make a big to do about who and what gets nominated and ultimately wins the big awards at the end of the year. Why? Because believe it or not, film and awarding film matters. Why it matters is a personal thing, and something I hope to share at some point.

Those of you reading, know that I love movies, but I find awarding movies more interesting. A lot goes into getting a movie noticed, nominated, and if all goes well...awarded. I spend lots of time thinking of the hows and whys some movies get recognized and others left to fall by the waste side, and as much time as I have put into those thoughts I find myself scratching my head in wonder. There are always snubs, shockers, upsets, and the obvious predictable sweeps but that is what I love. I love discussing it. I love predicting it. It is something I look forward to doing every year, and so far it has not gotten old.

My hope, however, is that whoever reads this either has that same little, for me little might be an understatement, obsession or can at least appreciate my obsession. I want you to read my thoughts. I want you to share your thoughts. I want to be able to have discussions with people about what they think is worthy to be considered the years best. It is fun and exciting, and sometimes unpredictable. That is what this blog is all about. So lets have some fun!