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OFF THE CARPET: Looking at the leading gentlemen

Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 10:31 am · November 2nd, 2009

Colin Firth in A Single ManWe’ve taken concentrated looks at the lead actress and supporting actress categories in recent weeks.  Now let’s turn our attention over to the fellas.

Behind the Best Picture race, of course, the lead actor competition is perhaps the most hotly anticipated award of a given Oscar telecast.  Movie stars are born, Hollywood staples are rewarded and careers leap to the next level.  It makes for an intriguing annual state of the union as it pertains the the film industry’s talent roster.

This year, one of Hollywood’s brightest stars finds himself right at the front of the conversation.  George Clooney is likely to end up with his third acting Oscar nomination, for Jason Reitman’s “Up in the Air,” and he’ll owe much of that to Reitman’s powerful work on the page.

Clooney doesn’t give his best performance to date in the film.  But the material is so cleverly built around his persona that one can’t blame the actor for saddling up to a role that fits like a glove.  And there is something to be said for the bravery of taking one’s image on like that.

Colin Firth, meanwhile, has caused a critical stir with his leading performance in Tom Ford’s “A Single Man.” He has already won the Venice Film Festival’s acting honor and has been tapped for another at February’s Santa Barbara Film Festival.  He is pitch-perfect in the film, giving a refined performance of nuance and gesture.

A number of other pre-season performances deserve to be noted in this space, however.  Jeremy Renner in Kathryn Bigelow’s “The Hurt Locker” is probably at the top of that list, yet he remains a bubble contender despite his film’s sure-fire status in other categories.  It can be difficult for a newbie to muscle in without a wave of critical support, but one major precursor award and Renner starts to look like a great bet.

Also from earlier in the year, Sam Rockwell gave a tour de force performance that is being taken seriously by the studio for awards in Duncan Jones’s “Moon,” while Sharlto Copley’s work in “District 9″ remains some of the finest on screens this year.

Sam Rockwell in MoonLike Rockwell, another actor from this year’s Sony Classics stable will get a serious push from the studio: Michael Sheen in “The Damned United.” Sheen apparently dazzled the Hollywood Foreign Press Association so much with his work in the soccer drama that some insiders are already placing early shoo-in bets on the actor nailing down a Golden Globe nomination.  He moves through the film with an airy sureness that could make voters sit up and take note or, perhaps, be too chameleon-like to register.

Two comedic performances that were on screens as the season took hold could survive the race.  Matt Damon offered perhaps his best work to date in Steven Soderbergh’s “The Informant!,” while Michael Stuhlbarg jumped onto the scene in the Coens’ “A Serious Man” and could get the added benefit of critical kudos.  The former is probably a safer bet than the latter, and may even be underestimated at the moment.

A pair of old-timers will be gunning for recognition in Hal Holbrook and Christopher Plummer for “That Evening Sun” and “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” respectively.  Holbrook gives a wonderfully ornery performance in a timely piece, while Plummer might have better luck in the supporting arena for another Sony Classics film.  An AFI tribute to the actor is right around the corner.

Two contenders that everyone is betting on (but no one has seen) are Daniel Day-Lewis in “Nine” and Morgan Freeman in “Invictus,” but another vet is lurking: Robert De Niro, who received an arbitrary Best Actor award from the Hollywood film fest for his work in the remake “Everybody’s Fine.” That film screens tomorrow at AFI Fest and buzz has really been cranking up on the actor’s potential return to the awards race.

Jake Gyllenhaal is said to be quite good in Jim Sheridan’s “Brothers” (Tobey Maguire, not so much), while Ben Foster nails the drama of “The Messenger.” Both will likely receive campaigns.  Ditto fellow younger contenders Ben Wishaw in “Bright Star” and James McAvoy in “The Last Station,” but all remain long shots at best.

Viggo Mortensen in The RoadOne performance that isn’t likely to go away, however, is one that has already become an excuse to hold career tributes to the actor: Viggo Mortensen in “The Road.” It will be tough for the Weinsteins to muscle both Mortensen and Firth into the race, however, and given the largely cool reception the film is receiving in many quarters, Mortensen’s work could be an awards casualty.  Truth be told, we’ve seen better, and he’s given better.

A final note on perhaps the best performance in this category I’ve seen all year: Tahar Rahim in “A Prophet.” While the film is France’s foreign language film submission, it will not receive a qualifying run for other categories in 2009.  Sony Pictures Classics is holding the release until February of 2010, where it will hopefully find an audience.  But unfortunately, Rahim cannot be considered for the Academy’s lead actor award this year.

There are other fringe possibilities, all of which are noted in the Contenders section.  But I don’t imagine the field will widen much beyond that.  The sidebar predictions, meanwhile, have been tweaked yet again, mostly in craft categories.

What are your thoughts on this year’s Best Actor race?  Have your say in the comments section below!

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61 responses so far

  • 1 11-02-2009 at 10:35 am

    Nicolas Mancuso said...

    Wouldn’t this be Clooney’s third acting nomination, and fifth altogether?

  • 2 11-02-2009 at 10:40 am

    Kristopher Tapley said...

    Third acting nod, yes. Thanks for the catch.

  • 3 11-02-2009 at 10:44 am

    Rae Kasey said...

    For some reason I’m really liking Firth this year. He’s a great actor who usually ends up with supporting roles and gets no love, so I’m hoping voters take advantage of the chance to honor his work.

    And amen on Tahar Rahim. Shame he can’t be considered. What a phenomenal performance in a phenomenal film.

  • 4 11-02-2009 at 10:56 am

    James D. said...

    What is Clooney’s best performance then, Chris? Batman perhaps?

    Also happy to see The White Ribbon as an Original Screenplay prediction, even if it has not found itself onto the Best Foreign Language Film.

  • 5 11-02-2009 at 10:58 am

    AmericanRequiem said...

    viggo, freeman, firth, lewis, clooney, its a done deal

    although i think whalberg for lovely bones should at least be mentioned

    and kris is there any way to mark the changes you make on the tracker so we can know what has changed?

  • 6 11-02-2009 at 11:02 am

    tdr said...

    Seen M.Sheen- good as ever, seen Renner- didn’t quite get it but he’s welcome in my book, seen Rahim- a breakthrough, very good.
    “Moon” surprised me. I knew it was good, but not THAT good; Rockwell is amazing. I saw Copley but I don’t find it that good. Damon is always great, but I honestly don’t see him it the lead race- supporting more likely.

  • 7 11-02-2009 at 11:08 am

    Kristopher Tapley said...

    Req: That’s just too much micro-managing for my tastes. I’ve begun to add “(new)” tags once again to the Contenders section, though.

    James: No sir, Batman is not George Clooney’s best performance. I’d say “Syriana” or “Good Night, and Good Luck.”

    That’s Kris, by the way. With a friggin’ “K.”

  • 8 11-02-2009 at 11:12 am

    James D. said...

    Sorry homey, I noticed it just after I typed it.

    I would have said Michael Clayton, but Syriana is up there. I wasn’t overly impressed with Good Night, and Good Luck.

  • 9 11-02-2009 at 11:38 am

    DHE said...

    Good Night and Good Luck was seriously snore-inducing on all levels. Clooney’s best performance remains Michael Clayton.

  • 10 11-02-2009 at 11:41 am

    Manuel said...

    “Behind the Best Picture race, of course, the lead actor competition is perhaps the most hotly anticipated award of a given Oscar telecast.”

    Not Director? It also belies a slight (and probably unintentional) male bias, no?

    As for the lineup, I think it all depends on how Nine and Invictus are received, but if all goes “according to plan” I think it’ll be:

    Freeman, Clooney, Firth, Day-Lewis & Renner (if only to offset the age/established actor set)

  • 11 11-02-2009 at 11:42 am

    Derek W. Clem said...

    I just hope Michael Sheen gets his nod, though I’m saying that arbitrarily since I havent seen the performance. He hasnt let me down yet, even in the Underworld movies. I feel like he’s been snubbed a lot lately (Queen, Frost/Nixon)

  • 12 11-02-2009 at 11:45 am

    JAB said...

    I really don’t think Damon get’s nominated for The Informant. DDL is seeming questionable as well as much as I’d love to see it happen. I just don’t see Clooney, Morgan, and DDL all getting in. Also i see you bumped A Single Man out of BP for Avatar…no way.

    current Best Actor lineup:
    George Clooney, Up in the Air
    Colin Firth, A Single Man
    Morgan Freeman, Invictus
    Jake Gyllenhaal, Brothers
    Jeremy Renner, The Hurt Locker

  • 13 11-02-2009 at 12:00 pm

    Kristopher Tapley said...

    JAB: I’ve seen A Single Man since (and actually Avatar went in LAST week), and I really don’t think it’ll get in. Avatar, on the other hand, if it hits — yes.

  • 14 11-02-2009 at 12:31 pm

    tc said...

    Firth
    Rockwell
    Copley
    Stuhlbarg
    Renner

    Is what I’m pulling for, with Viggo being interchangeable with anyone on that list.

  • 15 11-02-2009 at 12:39 pm

    DHE said...

    Has anyone actually SEEN “Nine”? It’s sitting there on everyone’s Oscar lists like an 800 lb gorilla, but how do we know it’s actually anything special?

  • 16 11-02-2009 at 12:44 pm

    John said...

    Kris, did you not like ‘A Single Man’? Or you just don’t see the nom happening?

  • 17 11-02-2009 at 12:45 pm

    Kristopher Tapley said...

    I have a lot of respect for it but I don’t think it’s a knockout and regardless, I don’t think it has the pull to land a nod. So a mix of both I guess.

  • 18 11-02-2009 at 12:48 pm

    geha714 said...

    My ideal five:

    Clooney, Firth, Renner, Rockwell and Copley.

    Freeman and Damon as wildcards.

    I don’t see Day-Lewis in this year.

  • 19 11-02-2009 at 1:01 pm

    M.Harris said...

    This is what I predict that the Academy will nominate.

    George Clooney-”Up in The Air”
    Matt Damon-”The Informant”
    Colin Firth-”A Single Man”
    Jeremy Renner-”The Hurt Locker”
    Morgan Freeman-”Invictus”

  • 20 11-02-2009 at 1:09 pm

    Brian said...

    I have a hard time seeing him get a nom, but Wahlberg could be in contention if Bones hits big.

  • 21 11-02-2009 at 1:10 pm

    Brian said...

    But really, I just want Clooney, Wahlberg and Jonze to all be nominated for a little Three Kings reunion.

  • 22 11-02-2009 at 1:14 pm

    j said...

    It’s looking like Firth, Clooney, & Freeman on top. The latter two being much-loved but winning just supporting once, Firth being my favorite and (I say biasedly) looking the most likely winner.

    At least right now I think Mortensen, Day-Lewis, and Renner are right beneath (I see Damon getting Supp nod.). Though I don’t care about any of them and wouldn’t mind seeing less-predicted men like Holbrook. As for Whishaw, since I’d argue he supports Fanny’s character, I’d “fraud” him and push him for supporting; I wasn’t that into Schneider.

    I see Potter’s all gone in favor of the Joker’s last movie. Hmph.

    I’d support Bullock if she magically knocked out Mulligan of the race. However, if she somehow did get in, she’d probably edge out one or both of two nominees I want to see (along with Streep) and are on the bubble, Ronan & Cornish.

  • 23 11-02-2009 at 1:18 pm

    Roarkkk said...

    On Wahlberg….according to Tom O’Neil everyone will be going supporting except Ronan…who according to his source…”is in virtually every scene of The Lovely Bones” and “steals the picture from everyone”.

    So Ronan may be considered the only lead.

  • 24 11-02-2009 at 1:19 pm

    moviefan said...

    I am so so sick of Hollywood’s orgasms over Clooney – he is just not that good an actor. If this is not Clooney’s best, then it’s probably about a 2 on a scale of 1-10. I haven’t seen all the upcoming movies yet but I have seen 3 or 4 actors who I’m sure are much more deserving of an Oscar than Clooney and I’m also sure there will be 3 or 4 more showing up in the next two months.

  • 25 11-02-2009 at 1:31 pm

    M.Harris said...

    I think he is a good actor.With roles in “Micheal Clayton” and “Syriana.” In my opionion – Hollywood past- and present has had “orgasms” over other good-looking leading men – so this certainly isn’t anything new.

    It is part of Show-biz isn’t it?

  • 26 11-02-2009 at 1:51 pm

    qwiggles said...

    I think it’s Clooney’s best performance largely because it’s the screenplay that makes him work the hardest. Michael Clayton seemed too often to let him off on his movie star charm. I always found the “Do I look like I’m negotiating?” scene and smug taxi cab smile a bit off, considering his character was sort of a failed Willy Loman type: bad small business, job that seems important but isn’t really, etc. UITA, by contrast, doesn’t coast on his embodiment of the smooth sailing Bingham persona: it takes him down a number of notches as the narrative progresses, and Clooney is oddly up to the task of playing a career-shark whose profession all-but evaporates overnight, leaving him grasping at relationships he hasn’t worked nearly hard enough at. It’s uncharacteristically soulful work from someone who usually balks at the vulnerability that calls for.

  • 27 11-02-2009 at 1:54 pm

    Hans said...

    Kris, what are your thoughts on the low hum of buzz for “This Is It” for BP?

  • 28 11-02-2009 at 2:23 pm

    Morgan said...

    Well, the real story of Michael Clayton was Tom Wilkinson getting robbed of an Oscar anyway.

  • 29 11-02-2009 at 2:38 pm

    Morgan said...

    What I’d like to see (admittedly some of these are sight unseen):

    Firth
    Renner
    Rahim
    Clooney
    Day Lewis

    And I love Sharlto Copley’s performance, but I’m hard pressed to imagine which clip they’d show on Oscar night and not get an FCC fine. Furthermore, he’s already “won” the going-to-Hollywood sweepstakes (being cast in The A-Team) so I’m sure Academy members would feel he doesn’t “need” further recognition.

  • 30 11-02-2009 at 2:42 pm

    Kristopher Tapley said...

    Hans: It’ll be over within the week. The low hum, that is.

  • 31 11-02-2009 at 3:14 pm

    geha714 said...

    Morgan is right. Wilkinson was superb in Michael Clayton.

  • 32 11-02-2009 at 3:23 pm

    david said...

    I’ve seen several very positive reviews for The Road. Most of the fanbase here at In Contention whose seen the movie, and posted there opinion really seem to like it. It’s also got a very high rating at Rotten Tomatoes currently. I haven’t seen it yet, so I don’t know which side I will fall on, but overall at this point, I’m wondering if you and Guy might end up in the minority (albeit a vocal one) on this one. We’ll have to wait until a bunch more reviews have been posted to find out for sure however.

  • 33 11-02-2009 at 3:31 pm

    SHAAAARK said...

    Clooney’s best performance is clearly O Brother, Where Art Thou, though? “I’m a Dapper Dan man.”
    I hope Sam Rockwell gets in, but it’s all too easy for the Academy to give lazy nods to Day Lewis and Freeman. And you can bet Jeremy Renner will pick up some critical notices, Firth probably being his only big competition on the critical awards circuit. They’ll trade off. Clooney will sweep the mainstream awards, and two others (yes, probably Day Lewis and Freeman) will be lucky to slip in.

  • 34 11-02-2009 at 3:38 pm

    Kate said...

    I would like to see:
    Firth
    Renner
    Copley
    Rockwell
    Mortensen

    and then…
    Day-Lewis
    Plummer
    Damon
    McAvoy

    I really don´t like Clooney (Am I the only girl?) I think he doesn´t deserve it. :P

  • 35 11-02-2009 at 4:30 pm

    Guy Lodge said...

    Considering I’d completely forgotten about “The Damned United” since seeing it in March, I’m a bit surprised by the sudden swell of talk about Michael Sheen — he’s certainly stronger there than in “The Queen” or “Frost/Nixon,” but I still wasn’t knocked out. Maybe I just don’t get him.

    I’m really starting to feel Firth could win this — à la Jeremy Irons in 1990 — even if “A Single Man” remains a minor player. (Which, I agree with Kris, will likely be the case.) I’m just having trouble swallowing the idea of the category having three repeat winners in a row — of the new blood, Firth is surely the best positioned.

  • 36 11-02-2009 at 4:33 pm

    John H. Foote said...

    Don’t count Mortenson out gang — he is brilliant in the film, carries it in fact — Clooney is brilliant in “Up in the Air” but his best work was in “Michael Clayton” and for those bitching about his talents…he’s the real deal…period.
    Let’s hope the Academy rmembers Jeremy for “The Hurt Locker” for Best Actor…he should be there.

  • 37 11-02-2009 at 4:47 pm

    Danny K. said...

    I would really love to see Michael Stuhlbarg get nominated. He is brilliant in the film and is arguably what holds the effort together. I’m really interested to see what kind of critical buzz comes around Everybody’s Fine. I thought it looked like a potential disaster, but the award for De Niro certainly raised my eyebrows.

  • 38 11-02-2009 at 5:53 pm

    moviefan said...

    “I really don´t like Clooney (Am I the only girl?) I think he doesn´t deserve it. :P”

    Kate, I’m a female and Clooney’s politician-like smarmy charm is completely lost on me.

    Sorry, John, I just don’t agree that he’s the real deal. He’s an average actor at best, IMO. Look, Ii’s not that I’m so against Clooney, I’ve enjoyed some of his movies, it’s that I’m against all the slobbering Hollyweird does over him award-wise when there are so many better actors out there who deserve an Oscar more than he does. Some have been around a long time, like Jeff Bridges, some don’t play the Hollywood game, like Sam Rockwell. Sean Penn deserves two Oscars, Russell Crowe ’should’ have two, Johnny Depp should have one, Robert Downey Jr should have one, I could go on and on.

    I would love to see some new blood awarded this year. Others have mentioned Sam Rockwell, Jeremy Renner, Sharlto Copley, all deserving.

  • 39 11-02-2009 at 7:18 pm

    aspect ratio said...

    As much as I like Renner in The Hurt Locker, I think it would’ve needed more scenes of emotional oomph (i.e. drama) to really be able to push through to the top five, especially in a year where there are plenty of noteworthy candidates with names far more famous.

    Anyway, rooting for Sheen. Grass roots campaign!

  • 40 11-02-2009 at 7:28 pm

    expert said...

    Johnny Depp will be nominated for Public Enemies.

  • 41 11-02-2009 at 7:54 pm

    JAB said...

    Kris have you seen The Blind Side? Do you really think Bullock has a shot? I honestly can’t wait to see the movie, I saw the story on SportsCenter a few months ago and think it looks like a fun little tearjerker. I’m sort of pulling for her.

  • 42 11-02-2009 at 9:22 pm

    Speaking English said...

    ***And I love Sharlto Copley’s performance, but I’m hard pressed to imagine which clip they’d show on Oscar night and not get an FCC fine.***

    Uhhh, I don’t think that’s even near the top of what the Academy is thinking of when they nominate a performance. If it were true how was Joe Pesci nominated for “Goodfellas,” or Mark Wahlberg in “The Departed.”

    It’s really a goofy thing to say, no offense. And they don’t always show clips, anyway.

  • 43 11-02-2009 at 11:27 pm

    tim said...

    Best Actor: Colin Firth
    Best Acress: Carey Mulligan or Saoirse Ronan
    Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz
    Best Supporting Actress: Monique (though I’m hoping Julianne Moore will gain some traction, she’s long overdue)

  • 44 11-02-2009 at 11:32 pm

    james said...

    I do hope Jake Gyllenhaal gets a nod for Brothers, the trailer looks amazing.

  • 45 11-03-2009 at 12:01 am

    Glenn said...

    I think it was Nick Davis who said Mickey Rourke must be kicking himself at this best actor field.

  • 46 11-03-2009 at 12:43 am

    mike said...

    I liked Michael Sheen in The Damned United, i was aware of the legend of Brian Clough so maybe i was biased, but he knocked it out of the park 4 me.

    As 4 Clooney, have 2 c/s the ladies in here who aren’t feeling him. I feel he has a good body of work when u think about it, he kinda working with a lot of talented directors etc, but he aint got that x factor 4 me. Kinda wanted him 2 be a new Michael Douglas, the most underrtated leading man of all time when u look at his catalogue, but he aint quite there.

  • 47 11-03-2009 at 1:27 am

    bill said...

    George Clooney-”Up in The Air”
    Matt Damon-”The Informant”
    Colin Firth-”A Single Man”
    Jeremy Renner-”The Hurt Locker”
    Morgan Freeman-”Invictus”
    —————————————————————
    i agree with#19,thats my prediction

  • 48 11-03-2009 at 4:16 am

    William said...

    I would cry if Sam Rockwell didn’t get nominated, I doubt that I will see a better performance in the lead actor category this year IMO.

  • 49 11-03-2009 at 6:08 am

    DHE said...

    I can’t help feeling that a lot of A-list acting talent (the Clooneys, the Pitts et al) are being challenged by a whole lot of up-and-coming male talent. At what point do we (the audience? the critics?) decide when we’ve seen pretty much all we’re going to see from some of the established stars, and move on?

    I’d just love to see a Best Actor list that had all new guys. It will never happen though.

  • 50 11-03-2009 at 6:19 am

    John said...

    Yeah, we’re into November, and Sam Rockwell is still firmly my #1. :-( Hope he gets some recognition.

  • 51 11-03-2009 at 9:21 am

    The Other James D. said...

    Let’s remember that Swank also got a Hollywood Fest Award, and Julianne Moore received one for three projects–one of which hasn’t even been seen yet, to my knowledge (”The Kids Are All Right”). That award is all about the person, so I’m wondering if the buzz is merely being manufactured from nothing. Like I said in another comment, I want to see it nonetheless. He’d be down around 13 or so on my predix list, however.

    I’m not sold on Damon or Day-Lewis. I feel one or both will miss the cut (but probably just Damon, who’ll likely get in w/ “Invictus” instead).

    I’m holding out hope that Rockwell pulls a miracle of a nomination for “Moon”, but my hopes are probably better spent pining for Renner’s, thus satisfying the perennial breakthrough achievement-nod instead.

    I’m very intrigued by Holbrook and cannot wait to see his performance on screen. And two non-contenders that I feel are worthy of mention would be Hugh Dancy for “Adam” (in an otherwise trite film) and Joseph Gordon-Levitt for “(500)” (nothing groundbreaking, but he played it wonderfully and probably WILL get a Golden Globe nomination to boot–hopefully nothing mucks that up).

    Time for some duck.

  • 52 11-03-2009 at 10:28 am

    billybil said...

    Today I am tired of the same old names all the time – that isn’t fair, I know, but today – if I had my way – there would be all 1st time nominees for best actor this year:

    Colin Firth A Single Man
    Jeremy Renner The Hurt Locker
    Sam Rockwell Moon
    Michael Stuhlbarg A Serious Man
    Ben Foster The Messenger

    I’ve seen 3 of these performances – I’m going on what I’ve read regarding the other two.

    IF we have to have some “repeats” then, today, I’d prefer to see one of these two get in:

    Hal Holbrook That Evening Sun
    Jake Gyllenhaal Brothers

    :-)

  • 53 11-03-2009 at 10:30 am

    Kristopher Tapley said...

    DHE: Same thing with the actresses, actually.

  • 54 11-03-2009 at 5:51 pm

    elemacd said...

    Yes, I am tired of the usual suspects, too.

    I say Colin Firth for Best Actor…will be a breath of fresh air.

  • 55 11-03-2009 at 8:33 pm

    Douglas said...

    Kris if you saw A Single Man what was Julianne Moore like? Cause really, she is overdue but could she be on track for another nomination?

  • 56 11-04-2009 at 3:53 am

    Satya said...

    That photo for Original Score on the sidebar makes a case for the Cinematography prediction for ‘Bright Star.’ Great shot!

  • 57 11-04-2009 at 4:00 am

    Guy Lodge said...

    Douglas: Not to speak for Kris when it comes to his own thoughts on her performance, but he’s seen “A Single Man” and he has Moore in his predicted five, as you can see to your right.

  • 58 11-04-2009 at 5:26 am

    DHE said...

    Seriously, I don’t hate Daniel Day Lewis or anything, but how sad is it that virtually nobody has actually seen his performance in “Nine” and yet everyone is assuming he’s a lock for a nomination? This happens any time he’s in an “Oscar bait” film. Automatic consideration by the predictors. And that sort of thing builds its own buzz.

  • 59 11-04-2009 at 5:40 am

    Guy Lodge said...

    Actually, not everyone is calling Day-Lewis a lock. I don’t have him in my five right now, and Nathaniel Rogers makes a compelling theoretical argument against him.

    That aside, however, it goes without saying that an actor as extraordinary as Day-Lewis is going to feature heavily in the discussion when he’s in a highly anticipated prestige picture. Same goes for anyone of his calibre.

    But it’s not as if it happens that often: prior to “Nine,” he’s only been in three films this decade, after all. And he got nominated for two of them because he did remarkable work in both. Where’s the problem?

  • 60 11-07-2009 at 2:46 pm

    Kyle J. said...

    My picks for who will be nominated:

    1.) Jeff Bridges in “Crazy Heart” (lock)
    2.) Colin Firth in “A Single Man” (lock)
    3.) George Clooney in “Up in the Air” (lock)
    4.) Jeremy Renner in “The Hurt Locker” (a frontrunner and the actor that I am most pulling for to be nominated, been watching this brilliant young actor’s films for years now)
    5.) Viggo Mortenson in “The Road” (saw a clip of his scene with Charlize Theron where they were talking about the gun, Viggo’s acting in that scene alone brought me to list him as a top contender)

    other possible nominations:
    1.) Sam Rockwell in “Moon” (the most deserving performance of a Lead Actor nomination that I have seen all year but I’m just worried that not enough of the Academy will see the film)
    2.) Morgan Freeman in “Invictus”
    3.) Michael Sheen in “The Damned United” (absolutely snubbed for both “The Queen” and especially “Frost/Nixon,” haven’t seen “The Damned United” yet but I have no doubt that he delivers from what I’ve heard)
    4.)Matt Damon in “The Informant” (one of his top 3 all time best performances, although his role in “Invictus” looks even better and looks to actually outdo Freeman’s performance, I think he’ll get a supporting nod for that one)
    5.) Michael Stuhlberg in “A Serious Man”

  • 61 12-27-2009 at 6:18 pm

    Lucy says: said...

    No, I haven’t seen all the Best Actor contenders that Kris has named. But of the ones I have seen:

    1. Colin Firth
    2. Viggo Mortensen
    3. Morgan Freeman
    4. George Clooney

    Colin Firth has to win this one hands down!