First Oscar Predictions of the Year: Best Supporting Actor

Not my strong category to be honest. So here's my suggestion, if you want to make predictions for this category, do the opposite of mine. Last year I couldn't even guess Ledger or Hoffman, early contenders. I never thought the Academy would dig The Joker, and I thought Hoffman would be placed in lead and miss.

 Either way, I do have a good feeling about this batch, so I hope come January, all of them were at least possible nominees.

In order:

-Richard Kind (in the movie)

-Stanley Tucci (yes, first pic of him in his role)

-Matt Damon (in the movie, that looks nothing like him! :O)

-Christoph Waltz

-Alfred Molina (in the movie)

-Mark Ruffalo

and the nominees are...

Matt Damon as Francois Pineaar in Invictus

Last time Mr. Damon was invited to the ceremony as a nominee was over a decade ago. This year, he has 3 interesting projects coming out. Given his recent outcomes (*cough*The Good Sheperd*cough*), and even though he has been in some Oscar winning films, he misses on a nod. There's even word Mr. Damon has enough buzz to get a double nom, I doubt it, he's not THAT acclaimed. If he's getting in, it's for this ultra baity project with Oscar favorite Clint Eastwood, in a biopic role (it can't get any baitier). So no, I'm not that confident on him getting awards, but he's always a good actor to look out for so I'm eagerly waiting for his three projects.

Richard Kind as Uncle Arthur in A Serious Man

The Coens always deliver great casts, if the film is Coen-good-level then expect someone to get attention. Early word says he is the standout of the cast and the one with the interesting character. 

Alfred Molina as Jack in An Education

Probably missed the cut by a smidge back in 02. Always keeping a low profile, Molina is back with this film that I think will be a big player come awards season. He has internal competition, but apparently he plays a hilarious dad that steals the show. He's been a good actor all this time, maybe it's time to reward him.  

Mark Ruffalo as Chuck Aule in Shutter Island

Honestly? I think it'll be average Scorsese good (not great) and given his recent win, an ignored film come awards season, even though I'm a Scorsese fan anxious to see it. However, Mr. Scorsese always gets lucky by getting in at least one of his cast members. I haven't read the novel, and have no idea what's it about, but rumour has it he's got an extremely baity role. Maybe Ruffalo can finally get  noticed. *sigh*

Stanley Tucci as George Harvey in The Lovely Bones

Now this, this is going to be my strong card all year long. Whether Jackson's adaption is a hit or not, I believe Tucci can finally get his long due recognition. He's got a show stealing role that combines all sorts of emotion, if Tucci delivers, he may even be a threat for the win. The only problem: he's the very unlikeable villian (he kills a kid! -don't worry, not a spoiler), I'm not sure if the Academy will embrace it. Ether way, this is one of my most anticipated performances to see.

just in case, my 6th close option was...Christoph Waltz as Colonel Hans Landa  in Inglorious Basterds

He just won at Cannes. His role is supporting, but he won as best male performance. That Cannes win is probably going to get him attention, and it even works as early buzz. Some would say he may be the safest bet now, but I really doubt it: he's in a Tarantino film, they're not exactly big on acting awards (Thurman in 03, people?). We still have to see how the film is received in other countries, especially USA. And...though I don't believe in curses, statistics don't support Waltz, the last time the male Cannes winner went on to receive an Oscar nom was Gerard Depardieu in 1990. So yeah...Waltz has the buzz, but he still has a very long way to wo. 

My most expected right now are Tucci and seeing what exactly all the fuzz is about Ruffalo's role. Besides, I love the guy and it's time people noticed him. I'm sort of thinking An Education will be an acting showcase, which are always something I love to see, but despite all the buzz, I'm more excited about Peter Sarsgaard than Molina. Inglorious Basterds seems ok, if I have time I'll see it, if I don't, then later on DVD. And I'm always anticipating a new Coen movie, but lately, excluding No Country, most of their projects have been really disappointing.