Oscar Watch: Actress in a Supporting Role

Nominees:
Amy Adams for Junebug (2005)
Catherine Keener for Capote (2005)
Frances McDormand for North Country (2005)
Rachel Weisz for The Constant Gardener (2005)
Michelle Williams for Brokeback Mountain (2005)

If you ask me, this is the tightest, and most talented group. Amy Adams-Brilliant. Catherine Keener-Beyond Brilliant. Frances McDormand-whatever about this role, but as whole her character acting career-wise is remarkable. Rachel Weisz-phenomenal. Michelle Williams-Unbelievable. It's too bad there weren't better leading roles for women this year.

Should Win: Keener...Mayyyyyybbbbeee Adams
Will Win: Weisz

Weisz has the buzz and the previous wins behind her. I'm personally pulling for those indie girls Keener and Adams. How fantastic were they? Always a Keener fan, now I'm jumping on the Adams bandwagon. No question though, Weisz has it lock, stock, and smoking barrell. A little part of me wants Williams to pull it out so I can feel a little bit more justified by watching Da Creek. Plus, I thought she outshined Ledger and Gyllenhaal, but don't tell anyone.

Oscar Watch: Actor in a Leading Role

Nominees:
Philip Seymour Hoffman for Capote (2005)
Terrence Howard for Hustle & Flow (2005)
Heath Ledger for Brokeback Mountain (2005)
Joaquin Phoenix for Walk the Line (2005)
David Strathairn for Good Night, and Good Luck. (2005)

This really is the year of the actor. There were so many wonderful leading performances by men this year, I'm sure it must have been hard to narrow the category.

Should Win: Hoffman (hands down)
Will Win: I'm going to take a chance and say Hoffman (here's hoping)

Heath Ledger gave a phenomenal performance in Brokeback. But, I don't know if anyone could top Hoffman as Truman Capote this year. Possibly not even Capote himself! I'm a Hoffman fan anyway, and a HUGE fan of In Cold Blood. So, I'm not sure I'm all that biased. In the voters minds, I'm pretty sure it will go as follows....Hoffman, Ledger, Phoenix. I'd have to tie Phoenix and Ledger. Walk the Line was the biggest snub this year in my opinion. Wonderful movie, wonderful performance by both Witherspoon and Phoenix. Straithairn was also very convincing as Murrow, and the cinematography in ...Good Luck was beautiful. Unfortunately, the performance wasn't as eye catching as the rest. And, while I always enjoy Howard, I am at a loss as to why he is nominated. Hustle and Flow was good but not great, as was Howard. This year, hopefully, the Oscar will go to the much-deserved Hoffman.

Oscar Watch: Actor in a Supporting Role

Nominees:

George Clooney for Syriana (2005)
Matt Dillon for Crash (2004)
Paul Giamatti for Cinderella Man (2005)
Jake Gyllenhaal for Brokeback Mountain (2005)
William Hurt for A History of Violence (2005)

I'm kind of eh about all of these performances. Although, I am quite a fan of Giamatti in general, and think it's about time he got a nod. Sadly, the tight race is between Clooney and Gyllenhaal.

Should Win: Clooney
Will Win: Clooney

Brokeback will take away a good deal of awards (at least the top two), but this category goes to Clooney. Brokeback will even itself out when Ang Lee takes the Oscar from Clooney in the Best Director category. It's too bad THIS is the year Giamatti got nominated. He was good in Cinderella Man, but I find it strange that he was nominated for that and not Sideways, which he was fantastic in. Dillion was good, but his character acting was right on par with what he usually gives us, plus he has too much competition. I love Hurt as a long shot, especially since he was only in Violence for, what was it, 20 minutes? I would be disappointed to see Gyllenhaal walk away with the award. He's a wonderful actor, but this one is deserved by our oh so hot Mr. Clooney.