2008 Oscar Preview- Supporting Roles

Supporting Actor
Who’s Nominated: Casey Affleck (The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford), Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men), Philip Seymour Hoffman (Charlie Wilson’s War), Hal Holbrook (Into the Wild), Tom Wilkinson (Michael Clayton)

Who’s Missing: How about the Arrested Development duo of Jason Bateman and Michael Cera for Juno. Honestly this is a stacked category but throw the men in Juno a little love especially Cera who turned in two great performances this year with Juno and Superbad.

Who Should Win: Javier Bardem collaborated with the Coens to bring to life a villain for the ages. Hannibal, Darth, all look like softies next to Anton Chigurh. The way Bardem conveys this man’s convictions, no matter how screwed up they might be, is captivating and still entertaining. He manages to avoid the trap of making a charismatic villain an anti-hero and does so with a brutality I’ll not soon forget.

Who Will Win: While all the nominees have been praised there is no doubt that Bardem will take home the prize. First you get the script, then you get the money, then you get the Chigurh!

Supporting Actress
Who’s Nominated: Cate Blanchett (I’m Not There), Ruby Dee (American Gangster), Saoirse Ronan (Atonement), Amy Ryan (Gone Baby Gone), Tilda Swinton (Michael Clayton)

Who’s Missing: Not that I’m the drive of the Juno bandwagon, but Mrs. Affleck aka Sidney aka Jennifer Garner should have slipped in here. This role was a huge step for her as an actress and perhaps an even bigger step in erasing Electra and Going on 30 from our minds.

Who Should Win: After watching Tilda Swinton’s first scene in Michael Clayton I said to myself, “Self, this is going to be an Oscar worthy performance.” The rest of the film backed that up and then some, as Swinton once again proved her versatility and talent as an actress. Her “villain” was multi dimensional and deeper then she had any right to be, and while you are happy to see her get hers in the end, you are pained as Swinton conveys her breakdown right in front of you.

Who Will Win: I think this is our sentimental category of the year as the amazing Ruby Dee will take the Oscar. Sure she’s probably had greater performances (should have won for Do the Right Thing) in her illustrious career, but this was still a performance that stood out in a rather lackluster flick. While not the most deserving of the Oscar (poor Tilda), I’ll have no problem getting to my feet to salute this American treasure on Oscar night.