Countdown to Oscar Night: Acting

Best Supporting Actor
Tom Hanks - A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
Anthony Hopkins - The Two Popes
Al Pacino - The Irishman
Joe Pesci - The Irishman
Brad Pitt - Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

On an otherwise exciting night, the acting categories this year are pretty underwhelming. Don't get me wrong the performances are stellar, but the winners are locked up. Save for two, there aren't even that many glaring snubs. One of those being in this category as Jonathan Majors gave the performance of the year in The Last Black Man in San Francisco. If you've been reading my blog, you probably have realized by now that I really dug that movie. It is streaming now on Amazon Prime. Go watch it... like right now...

As for the actual nominees, Pitt deserves to win his first acting Oscar (he previously won for producing 12 Years a Slave) for his pitch perfect portrayal of an aging quixotic stuntman. The Irishman is not my favorite, but Pacino actually surprised me and made me wish the movie was just about Jimmy Hoffa.

My Ballot
Brad Pitt - Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Al Pacino - The Irishman
Tom Hanks - A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
Joe Pesci - The Irishman
Anthony Hopkins - The Two Popes

My Pick to Win
Brad Pitt - Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Shamefully Snubbed
Jonathan Majors - The Last Black Man in San Francisco

Best Actor
Antonio Banderas - Pain and Glory
Leonardo DiCaprio - Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Adam Driver - Marriage Story
Joaquin Phoenix - Joker
Jonathan Pryce - The Two Popes

Save for Pryce (who can't seem to decide on an accent while portraying Pope Francis), these nominees represent some of the mightiest performances you will see in the new millennium. Joaquin is sure to win for his divisive bombshell of a feature, but Driver, I feel, gives the best performance of the year in the best movie of the year. I can't wait to see what he has in store for us in the coming years.

I never though I'd feel sorry for Adam Sandler, but missing his chance to win an Oscar for the best performance of his life is a plain travesty.

My Ballot
Adam Driver - Marriage Story
Leonardo DiCaprio - Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Joaquin Phoenix - Joker
Antonio Banderas - Pain and Glory
Jonathan Pryce - The Two Popes

My Pick to Win
Joaquin Phoenix - Joker

Shamefully Snubbed
Adam Sandler - Uncut Gems

Best Supporting Actress
Kathy Bates - Richard Jewell
Laura Dern - Marriage Story
Scarlett Johansson - Jojo Rabbit
Florence Pugh - Little Women
Margot Robbie - Bombshell

As much as I love Johansson and Driver as the leads of Marriage Story, their lawyers, especially Laura Dern steal every scene they are in (Alan Alda and Ray Liotta play Driver's attorneys). Her wily, friendly, evil, slimy, caring performance will be shown in acting class for decades to come. She is so far in front of the rest of these nominees that this (along with Parasite for international film) is probably the largest lock of the night.

Unfortunately this category also includes the only major film that I skipped for this Oscars. Sorry, but I just can't bring myself to watch Clint Eastwood films.... If you're curious as to why, there's a pretty deep dive into a certain Sniper film a few years back on this blog...

My Ballot
Laura Dern - Marriage Story
Scarlett Johansson - Jojo Rabbit
Margot Robbie - Bombshell
Florence Pugh - Little Women

My Pick to Win
Laura Dern - Marriage Story

Shamefully Snubbed
Billie Lourd - Booksmart

Best Actress
Cynthia Erivo - Harriet
Scarlett Johannson - Marriage Story
Saoirse Ronan - Little Women
Charlize Theron - Bombshell
Renee Zellweger - Judy

This category puzzles me. I absolutely adore Scarlett and Saoirse in their respectful films. I would erupt with excitement if either of their names are called tomorrow night, but alas... A bunch of folks in Hollywood feel bad for calling Renee Zellweger fat and ugly and making her quit movies. She's back now so she gets an Oscar I guess..... Don't get me wrong, her movie is fine, but have you seen it? Yeah... it's fine..... shrug.....

My Ballot
Saoirse Ronan - Little Women
Scarlett Johannson - Marriage Story
Renee Zellweger - Judy
Cynthia Erivo - Harriet
Charlize Theron - Bombshell

My Pick to Win
Renee Zellweger - Judy

Shamefully Snubbed 
Beanie Feldstein - Booksmart