TM

Oscar Time!
Best Actor in a Supporting Role * Updated 03/01/04

Pic / Dir / Actor / Actress / S. Actress / S. Actor / Animate / Foreign / Writing / Costume / Tech Categories /Music /Tally / Oscar Diary

And the Oscar goes to... Tim Robbins

Pre Ceremony
Tim Robbins is the biggest lock in the acting categories. The Oscar will be his.

Alec Baldwin THE COOLER	Benicio Del Toro 21 GRAMS	Djimon Honsou IN AMERICA	Tim Robbins MYSTIC RIVER	Ken Watanabe THE LAST SAMURAI
first nomination!	2 noms / 1 win	first nomination!	1 nom / 1 win	first nomination!
Precursor Awards: NBR, Vancouver, Dallas, Phoenix Role: A shady casino boss	Precursor Awards: Washington DC Role: An ex con Jesus freak who fate deals a bum hand to.	Precursor Awards: Golden Satellite Role: A magical and artistic dying good neighbor.	Precursor Awards: SAG, Golden Globe, BFCA, SEFCA, Chicago, Florida Role: A man haunted by sexaul abuse in his childhood	Precursor Awards: none. Role: Katsumoto, the last of the samurai (sort of).
How'd They Get Nominated?
Other than "Brother Bear" This is the only Oscar nominee I haven't seen so -I have no comment.	46% Performance. It's the most cohesive one in this heavy drama. 34% The role itself. It gives the actor a lot (I mean a helluva lot) to work with; Jesus freak, ex-con, accidental killer... 13% Sharing the screen with other major thespians gives an added boost of "actors film" cred. 7% That past 'Oscar winner' glow.	72% The role itself. Playing an AIDS victim is more surefire for men than playing a hooker is for the ladies. 12% Showcase role in passionately loved film. 11% The performance. 3% Collective guilt about the number of Oscar films he's been in without a nom for himself. 1% The Academy's newfound sense of diversity.	42% The performance: Unique kick of seeing such a large man play someone so small. 34% The role is highly sympathetic and close to a lead which helps in supporting. 18% "Vampires and werewolves" Showcase monologues in best pic' contenders usually help. 6% Mr. Susan Sarandon! A chance for 'his and hers' statues, perhaps.	59% His onscreen charisma. If her were a white man (sorry... but we're talking Hollywood) he'd be the new name on every casting directors lips. 23% The Performance: People who can save bad movies are appreciated. 16% The role is nearly a lead which helps in this category. 2% AMPAS Yul Brynner lovers probably went gaga for Watanabe.
How'd I do in Predictions
My predictions I scored 60% of this category with 3/5 missing Del Toro (who I chose as an alternate) and completely not foreseeing Djimon Honsou, an actor I like but this performance did nothing for me... I had him just outside of the top ten. I was wrong. The Academy REALLY does have a fascination with actors playing AIDS victims. Even if they look like they've never been sick a day in their lives. Strange. Honsou is also the only surviving member of my year in advance April Fool's predictions so my year in advance was 1/5 -heeee.
Who Got Robbed
	If I had a ballot -Of those who actually had a chance I am horrified that Peter Sarsgaard who was not just fantastic in Shattered Glass but who was F-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-C in Shattered Glass was left off of the list. That's the only performance I deeply cared about in this category this year. 2003 was an especially weak year for this category. There just wasn't a lot out there worthy of awards when it came to supporting male performances. My second choice though for "robbed" would be Paul Bettany in Master and Commander who stole the film (in the good supportive way -not the bad look at me look at me way of a certain other performer in this other category)
Which Film Clip Should Oscar Show? Send Your Suggestions
"You don't have off days" -Drums	"God knows when a single hair moves on your head" -Drums	Meeting the young girls, knocking at his door -The Godfather "I'm in love with your family" -Steve	Vampires and Werewolves -many readers Watching Katie dance in the bar -Moody	"To know my enemy" -John "This is a good conversation" -Mary
Who Should Think About Writing A Speech
Tim Robbins should have his speech memorized already. But I hope he says something politically. Strike while the iron is hot, Tim! In the event of an upset, perhaps Hollywood would like to play mediator between Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger. His and Her statues?
Who Should Win?
Toss a coin. Heads it's Benicio Del Toro, who gave the one performance in 21 Grams that feels absolutely complete, even through the jumble shattered editing. Tails it's Ken Watanabe, who nearly singlehandedly got me through The Last Samurai with skill, charisma, and control. But I should mention that I haven't seen Alec Baldwin's work. It's the only major nominee I missed seeing this year.