A Glimpse at the Acting Oscar Races

I see the same five nominees in the lead actor race that I predicted earlier in the year, but I do see support slipping for Robert Redford and Tom Hanks and increasing for Matthew McConaughey and Bruce Dern. Lurking outside the Top 5 is Leonardo DiCaprio for The Wolf of Wall Street and if Hanks’ support keeps dropping, DiCaprio could claim his spot.

Four of the five nominees in the lead actress category appear locked in and the fifth spot could go either to Meryl Streep, whom I still picking at this time but who is losing support, or Amy Adams for American Hustle. It also appears four of the five nominees are there just to fill out the field in a category that Cate Blanchett is a solid pick to win.

The supporting actor category is one of the most fluid. Three nominees — Abdi, Fassbinder, and Leto, — seem like sure bets with Leto the current favorite to win. The last two spots could go to any one of four contenders: Daniel Bruhl (Rush) Cooper, James Gandolfini (Enough Said) or Hanks. Also lurking in the periphery is Jonah Hill (The Wolf of Wall Street).

Right now I can’t see anyone else cracking the five nominees I’ve listed in the supporting actress category.

Lead Actor
Bruce Dern, Nebraska
Chiwetel Ejofor, 12 Years a Slave
Tom Hanks, Captain Phillips
Matthew McConaughey, Dallas Buyers Club
Robert Redford, All Is Lost

Lead Actress
Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine
Sandra Bullock, Gravity
Judi Dench, Philhomena
Meryl Streep, August: Osage County
Emma Thompson, Saving Mr. Banks

Supporting Actor
Barkhad Abdi, Captain Phillips
Bradley Cooper, American Hustle
Michael Fassbinder, 12 Years a Slave
Tom Hanks, Saving Mr. Banks
Jared Leto, Dallas Buyers Club

Supporting Actress
Jennifer Lawrence, American Hustle
Lupita Nyongo, 12 Years a Slave
Julia Roberts, August: Osage County
June Squibb, Nebraska
Oprah Winfrey, The Butler