Best Supporting Actor:
- Alan Arkin – Argo
- Robert Deniro – Silver Lining’s Playbook
- Phillip Seymour Hoffman – The Master
- Tommy Lee Jones – Lincoln
- Cristoph Waltz – Django: Unchained
Something notable about this year’s crop of Supporting Actor nominees is that all of these fine blokes (been watching Hugh Jackman interviews all day, sorry) have actually WON Acting Oscar’s before. Can’t say I remember the last time I heard about a category entirely dominated with “veterans” so to speak, but you can just imagine the kind of talent competing for this award this year, if you haven’t already done yourself the favor of watching these films. I absolutely loved all of these performances but if you pointed a gun at my head and made me choose one (you sadist) I think I’d have to go with Robert DeNiro in SLP (pompously abbreviate movie titles: check). The last time Robert DeNiro acted this good everyone was playing a Super Nintendo and gas prices were cheaper than Jr Bacon Cheeseburgers, and I for one welcome his return to legitimacy as a dramatic actor with open arms. But truthfully, I’d be fine with anybody else winning EXCEPT Alan Arkin in Argo. Although it was a stand out performance that provided the much needed comedic relief for the film, it isn’t anywhere near the caliber of the other nominees. It’s like the Ringo Starr of the group here. Your solo album was great man… but you’re just not one of the other guys. - Who I’d give the Award to: Robert DeNiro -
Best Supporting Actress:
- Amy Adams – The Master
- Sally Field – Lincoln
- Anne Hathaway – Les Misérables
- Helen Hunt – The Sessions
- Jackie Weaver – Siler Lining’s Playbook
As most of the entertainment news media (and female friends) will assure you, Anne Hathaway’s performance in Les Misérables is *gasp* AMAZING! Like, the best performance of all time! Just give her the Oscar already!.... And I guess I could somewhat agree that she deserves to take the gold statue home on Oscar night (despite dreading the thought of having to hear another one of her unbearable overly perky speeches again)… but quite frankly, her performance, like that guy with perfect personality and great career you won’t marry, is just TOO SHORT. It’s undeniably one of the best onscreen, no-holds-barred, completely-going-bananas-and-losing-it meltdowns in acting history… but it all transpires so fast and it’s over all too soon. Plus it’s very ‘SHOWY’. I’ve always been a sucker for subtler performances. Jackie Weaver’s for example. As much as I hate looking like the biggest SLP fanboy ever (which I assure you, I’m not) by picking two performances from the same film back to back, I just can’t’ deny the level of satisfaction Jackie Weaver’s role brought me. Playing the compassionate, humble, and noble mother not unlike any of ours was so precise and quietly stood out among all the flashy and loud performances the film had, oftentimes in the same scene. Jackie Weaver wasn’t this hot, crazy, outspoken or sassy lady telling everyone off. She was an adorable lady who loved cooking for her family and providing the only effort for sanity amongst all the dysfunction, even if nobody around her knew it or gave her credit for it. It was like a testament to all the true mothers out there and I’m so glad I’m not the only one who noticed the brilliance of it. Should Sally Field take this though, I’d be happy as well. - Who I’d give the Award to: Jackie Weaver -
