Oscars: BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS & ACTOR Preview

     The Best Supporting Actor field is most likely set in stone, but the Best Supporting Actress is a tight race between two wonderful actresses. Jared Leto, who has been winning everything for is amazing performance in Dallas Buyers Club, probably deserves the win and I think it is one of the best performances of the year all around. A great group of actors, with stellar performances from all nominated on the men's side. The race between Lupita Nyong'o, for her powerful work in 12 Years a slave, and Jennifer Lawrence's great turn in American Hustle, is very tight. In all honesty though, this should not even be a question. Nyong'o should be a shoe-in and Lawrence, who is good in her film, does not even come close to the level of acting that Nyong'o brings. It baffles me that this race is even this close. The Academy does love American Hustle so we shall see how this race unfolds.

The nominees for Best Supporting Actress are:

• Sally Hawkins, Blue Jasmine (1st nomination)   A wonderful, touching performance as the sister of Cate Blanchett's Jasmine in Woody Allen's film of one woman's fall from the social elite. A great performance, and one that deserved more attention throughout the year. Great to see her get the attention here. 

• Jennifer Lawrence, American Hustle (3rd nomination; 1 win)   A really great performance, no doubt, but not even in the top two best performances in that film. If anyone takes the win away from Lupita Nyong'o it will be her, but that should not happen. The Academy loves American Hustle and with her 3rd nomination before she is even 25 years-old, they do respect and admire her star ability and talent. 

• Lupita Nyong'o, 12 Years a Slave (1st nomination)   The should-be clear favorite in this race. So full of power, grace and strength. Nyong'o nailed her role as Patsey down perfectly. She was absolutely amazing in Steve McQueen's film and stole every scene she was in. In my opinion, once again, she should win this easily, but somehow I feel the Academy is going to go safe and let the big star of the moment Lawrence win this one. I hope Nyong'o gets the victory. She earned it without a doubt.

• Julia Roberts, August: Osage County (4th nomination; 1 win)   An Academy favorite and Hollywood icon, Roberts, whose film I have not seen yet, looks extremely solid in the film. Cannot say too much, but the cast is amazing and she is always someone that brings her A game all the time.

• June Squibb, Nebraska (1st nomination)   A delightful and truly hilarious portrayal of a mother at her wits end with her drunken, delusional husband. Squibb gives the best performance in Nebraska and feels so true and honest in every scene. She felt so lived-in and pure. Not fake, that is for sure. The nomination is the win, but if there was a major upset, I would love it to be her.

The nominees for Best Supporting Actor are:

• Barkhad Abdi, Captain Phillips (1st nomination)   One of the best performances of the year by any actor and what a debut. Abdi is so believable, so true, so real. A man on a mission, even if it is bad, but shows the sacrifice and determination of someone doing what he has to do to survive in a world torn apart by years of conflict. And, he holds his own with Mr. Hanks. No win here, but a profound performance.

• Bradley Cooper, American Hustle (2nd nomination)   Keep working with Russell and he will get that win eventually. He really got to show off his comedic and dramatic chops in this role, but it is still is nowhere near as amazing as his performance in Silver Linings Playbook. Russell gets great performances out of his actors and this is another good turn from Cooper. Least likely to win though. 

• Micahel Fassbender, 12 Years a Slave (1st nomination)   It is kind of surprising that this is his first nomination with wonderful turns in McQueen's other two films Hunger and Shame. He played the slave/plantation owner Edwin Epps with ferociousness, hate and religious disillusionment. Wonderful all around and if it was not for Hill and Leto, he might have a shot at winning.

• Jonah Hill, The Wolf of Wall Street (2nd nomination)   I love Leto in DBC, but I could probably make Hill my pick in this category...maybe. His best role to date and just a knockout in every scene. Holds his own with DiCaprio and, once again as he did in Moneyball, shows he is so much more than just a comedic actor. Top notch stuff.

• Jared Leto, Dallas Buyers Club (1st nomination)   The clear-cut favorite and rightfully so. He has won almost every award so far and I do not see that stopping at the Oscars. Leto, who went through his own weight-loss manifestation, as did McConaughey, is brilliant as Rayon. But, it should be no surprise. He was amazing in Requiem for a Dream, Fight Club and Lord of War. The guy has the ability and will most likely win on Oscar night. I think it might be the best performance of the year.

     And that is it for Best Supporting Actress and Actor categories. Leto has it in the bag, but the real race is between Nyong'o (obvious choice) and Lawrence. Tomorrow, the Best Actress and Actor rundown on the blog. Enjoy.

Photo credit by the hollywoodreporter.com.