Alternate Best Supporting Actor 2009: James Gandolfini in Where the Wild Things Are

James Gandolfini did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Carol in Where the Wild Things Are. 

Where the Wild Things Are, follows a precocious kid Max (Max Records) as he runs away from home to the titular place.

The titular place is filled with large creatures, however, the large creatures act more like children than large creatures or adults, though they are voiced by adults. The main creature played by James Gandolfini who was most famous for playing the very mature content related to Tony Soprano, and honestly, I wouldn't say this is hidden, as Gandolfini's vocal performance is closer to Tony Soprano than his actual voice, which is a bit fitting because in some ways Tony was nothing but an emotional infant. So really this casting makes perfect sense, even if it might be odd on paper, and it might seem odder in execution, though it is quite brilliant. And what makes it all work is Gandolfini's performance, which, much like his work as Tony Soprano oddly enough, makes a fairly despicable character likable. And one has to kind of wonder why. And yes Gandolfini is a charismatic performer, and I guess the incredible part here shows that his charisma comes through even when just being a voice within a "wild thing". And Gandolfini plays the most childish of the Wild Things, and as Carol, Gandolfini is wonderfully childish, to say the least. You just instantly understand this fact, and is also strangely disarming immediately, despite his character going around destroying things when we first meet him. And what is going with him is kind of this perfect depiction of petulance, in a way that is very bizarrely endearing, if you'd probably hate having to interact with a Carol in real life. Gandolfini though brings anger into his voice, but that anger is just always mixed with a child's vulnerability, even though he doesn't hide the age in an obvious way, he captures the spirit of a child's emotion so tangibly. And there is something special about the way Gandolfini so naturally flows and there is a beautiful purity in the moments where he is speaking the excitement of Carol as Max brings new games. He's just as honest though in his meek shyness when he tries to encourage another of the wild things, who he clearly likes, to stick around. Gandolfini is great because he's everything a child can be in terms of emotion, in that it can be very sweet, very endearing, very moving, but also in a way dangerous if not entirely caustic. Gandolfini though is all of these things, so naturally, and in such a way that you just understand him. He's great in the big expressions, but the quiet ones such as wanting a place where only what you what to happen happens, Gandolfini's performance captures this poignant sense of the comfort anyone may seek, however, especially a child. Gandolfini is great in making the way Carol is all over the place, which includes loving Max one second and then wanting to eat him the next, wholly logical in this way of a child's logic. It is genuinely a moving performance because Gandolfini never winks once, never once seems to say "Hey look I'm Tony Soprano in a kid's movie", he rather seeks to truly articulate all the vulnerabilities, all the difficulties of a child who can control their emotions, in a way that grants a real empathy to what is really in so many ways a mess of irrational thought. Gandolfini's work I think more than any other aspect of the film, realizes its specific ideas of truly exploring a kid's logic in a way that dances around absurdities, but also remains very true and almost covertly heartfelt. And while at the time, Gandolfini wouldn't have been the first person you'd expect in this film, he made himself essential to the film, and showed yet another aspect of his considerable talent that we saw all too briefly. 

Alternate Best Actor 2014: Tom Hardy & James Gandolfini in The Drop

Tom Hardy did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Bob Saginowski nor did James Gandolfini for portraying Marvin "Cousin Marv" Stipler in The Drop.

The Drop follows the two operators of a bar, used as a money drop for a crime boss, one the former owner attempting to orchestrate a robbery.

I will note first the oddity of an awards season, as so often is the case, in reflecting on the fact that James Gandolfini did not receive a bit of recognition for his final role in this film. This in that 2014 was not a year filled with supporting actor contenders, and it seemed it would've been easy enough to earn him a posthumous nod for his final role, particularly with the fact that the default, though not bad, nomination for Robert Duvall in The Judge, was able to coast to an easy nomination for a film without support. Yes I personally consider Gandolfini lead in this film, however it is not a clear cut case, it is definitely a borderline performance so it's not one that I would've even considered fraud. I guess the failed attempt for Enough Said, told them not to try twice? I guess, it just seems unfortunate, as it would've been an easy way to recognize the actor one last time. Anyways though lets actually look at the performances of both Gandolfini and Tom Hardy in what was technically his secondary role, in that it received less attention in the year, from the year after his "one man show" performance as a Welshman contractor going through a crisis in Locke. Hardy and Gandolfini play the operators of the bar that acts as the titular drop of dirty money, once in a while. Hardy playing the workaday bartender Bob seemingly just making a living doing his job as just that, and Gandolfini as Marv in the more complex situation being the former owner of the bar/crook, who lost ownership as well as his attempted criminal career to the Chechen gangsters they technically both work for as the film opens.

Gandolfini technically is fitting into the type of role he became known for as early as True Romance, however of course truly broke out in his TV star making turn as Tony Soprano. Although in the same world this is not Gandolfini replaying the part of the New Jersey Mafioso, not just because he's using his own appropriate accent for a NY pseudo gangster, but the whole being of who Marv is. Gandolfini's performance here is an interesting one in quietly subverting his typically more dominating presence in a subtle way. This as he portrays Marv in general with the slightly affable, if lazy, bar tender himself. His portrayal to the public seemingly as an unimportant soul just existing in the bar. This is rather fascinating in that this both directly connects to what Hardy is doing but in a very different way. Speaking of Hardy this is a performance that I'll say works in one way, but then works in an even greater way within the overarching revelations of the film. Let's look at the first side of that, naturally first, this in Hardy's portrayal of Bob seemingly is suited towards Marlon Brando as Terry Malloy in On The Waterfront, or Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa. This is as Hardy portrays Bob very much within this idea of this working class guy with a small job in a small underworld. This idea, seemingly, further accentuated within his performance that offers a very similar performance, at first, to Stallone and Brando. This in presenting this certain withdrawn quality at times, as a man other might describe as fool if cruel, though more than anything just appears to be an unassuming bartender. This in Hardy's quiet retiring voice, and just his manner where he seems to look away more than he looks at people. This making Bob seem a man of no note to most.

Hardy though carries with him that certain captivating quality within the unassuming quality within his performance. There is something about him within Hardy's portrayal that is just slightly unusual. Now for the first viewing, almost the entire film, this seems to be just maybe the quirk of the unassuming man. A possible likable enough quirk as he discovers a wounded dog outside the house of a woman, Nadia (Noomi Rapace). This as Hardy's eyes accentuate this quiet concern for the dog, and earnest manner with Nadia. Hardy is hardly a romantic, not even compared to the somewhat clumsy ways of a Rocky Balboa. Hardy rather accentuates though this sort of seeming fascination in his eyes that garner some strange semblance of a gentleness of Bob in his disposition, the heart within the awkwardness that Hardy so well realizes, but perhaps that's not all it is. Gandolfini on the other hand shows a different man in his personal scenes, though two different men. The first though is perhaps the more expected as we see that Marv is behind an attempted theft of his own bar and planning an even large heist. Gandolfini's portrayal of these scenes is with a minor sense of cunning but also a sloppiness. This not so much in his own delivery but in his interactions with the men he chooses to work with. Gandolfini accentuating a certain frustration as he tries to be the boss to incompetence, and the whole time he's terrific in granting a certain worry within Marv's eyes sensing that these men are not exactly reliable.

Hardy's performance as Bob though takes on initially this seeming rooting factor for him in how we see him as this shy "hero" to follow. This as we see him interact with the criminal elements just that with a quiet service in which he takes no joy or interest other to the point of doing his job. Where Hardy emphasizes Bob's concerns is with his dog, particularly when a complication arrives through a small time crook, and former mental patient Eric Deeds (Mathias Schoenaerts), who claims the dog is his own and intends to blackmail Bob by threatening the dog. Hardy is amazing in these moments as his eyes conduct such a sense of concern for the dog and distaste for this man without saying a word. It is all in his eyes and brilliantly so in conveying the way Bob interacts with even people he hates, is in this quite yet specific reduced emotion. Now for Gandolfini there is that other side of Marv we see as well in his scenes alone with Bob and his scenes with his sister (Ann Dowd). If Marv was a little more likable these would be absolutely devastating, however they are still heartbreaking in there own way. This as Gandolfini reveals just a quiet desperation in the man with his sister. His own eyes filled with just the sense of defeat as he ignores his sister's suggestions to leave the city, and he just accentuates a man who sees his life as a dead-end. His only attempt at anything else comes when speaking to Bob, who was technically a former member of his short lived crew. In these scenes, which are closest to his performance as Tony Soprano in approach, in that we get a bit of Gandolfini's unique intensity which he makes this interesting sort of microcosm of anger in the way he tightens both his voice and body language to this seemingly invisible point right in front of his mouth. It is still not a copy though as here Gandolfini's manner is filled with such a pathetic need to prove himself, rather than merely proving himself. His anger going to the deaf ears of Bob who has heard all of Marv's delusions of grandeur before. Essential to note that Hardy's performance in these scenes where even though in his delivery he maintains a certain detachment, a low key, derision of Marv though without really a hint of actual venom in his voice. 

Now the ending of the film is where there is the connection between the two. This as Marv gets Eric Deeds to attempt to rob the bar, when Bob is running it, in order to steal all the money from the titular drop. Where we saw Gandolfini portray Marv as on the surface just a guy going along with his plight as a bar tender, we find him as a bitter man trying to regain a hint of what he sees as his pride as a crook. For Bob this dichotomy is a bit more complicated. This is as Bob isn't just some awkward guy, he's actually a complete sociopath, what I love, is Tom Hardy is playing this way the whole time. This in his almost entirely detached manner with only emotion for certain things, like a proper sociopath, and even those emotions are largely reduced. This even more amplified in the moments where we see Bob directly interact with violence, indirectly. In that he disposes of body parts as though he disposing of any old garbage. Hardy playing with this disturbing clarity, that seems off, however it doesn't click until the ending where Eric is trying to rob Bob directly, but Bob first tells a story of a man he murdered for Marv, a man Eric has claimed he killed. Hardy is outstanding in this whole scene. This with his delivery of the story where Bob's stoic quality suddenly takes an unnerving quality to it while also just being wholly magnetic. This as there is this confidence even in it as he describes the kill in such a clinical way that is absolutely terrifying. This as his eyes have an eerie sense of purpose keeping his stare at Eric, where there isn't a hint of fear, rather eyes of sociopath ready to kill again. This which he does mercilessly to the unsuspecting Eric.

This transformation is incredible because it isn't one at all. This is Hardy just showing us those qualities in Bob from that certain degree of detachment in connection to violence, and his careful manner towards life. Hardy shows that he's not the quiet one because he's just shy, there's technically something mentally off about Bob, very much so, yet so easy to ignore due to his unassuming manner. The only major shift is the hate suggested in his eyes towards Eric comes out, in this marvelous rambling that Hardy performs as this unleashing of the few emotions that Bob does have. This as he derides Eric in such a peculiar way, but the way Hardy does it shows it as Bob's most vicious self towards Eric. This being the most Bob feels, and that means he feels it quite strongly. Gandolfini's final scene on the other hand is a bit simpler, as we just see Marv waiting out Eric's failure in a car outside until an assassin comes for him as well. This is one of those scenes that is heartbreaking, however I think that comes from one knowing it is Gandolfini's last filmed scene than really feeling too much for Marv who sowed his own demise. Even with that in mind though it is still beautifully performed by Gandolfini as his somber way of tensely closing his eyes is that of just a painful acceptance of death of a man without anything to live for. Although this isn't his greatest work it stood as a worthy sendoff for a man of his talent. For Hardy, this is one of his great performances. This in that he successfully is this off-beat working class guy with an oddly compelling quality, but then he subverts that by being this sociopath in plain sight. The man that "No one sees coming" as described by the investigating detective in the film. Hardy earns his idea wholly. What is so remarkable is that Hardy doesn't cheat in any way. In that he doesn't ruin Bob for any sympathies, he doesn't cheat to make the twist work yet he hides it. He allows one to care for Bob for all his quirks, those quirks though that he realizes all add up to a cold blooded killer.

(For Gandolfini)

(For Hardy)

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 2001: Results

5. Justin Theroux in Mulholland Drive - Theroux gives an enjoyable turn by providing a reality of sorts within the film's mad dream as his hapless director.

Best Scene: Meeting the cowboy.

4. Ian Holm in Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring - Holm manages to give a terrific balance between the warm father-figure and the pained man weighed down by a peculiar burden.

Best Scene: Letting go of the ring.

3. James Gandolfini in The Mexican - Gandolfini steals his film wholesale through his humorous, moving and surprisingly nuanced portrayal of an atypical hit man.

Best Scene: Reacting to the suicide. 

2. Paul Bettany in A Knight's Tale - Bettany gives a terrific turn that manages to find a proper mix between a classic orator and a barker cutting a wrestling promo.

Best Scene: *Scenes deleted*

1. Anthony Hopkins in Hearts in Atlantis - Hopkins delivers an especially moving turn showing his remarkable range in creating such a quietly warm character while also showing his great ability with child actors through his chemistry with Anton Yelchin. 

Best Scene: Helping Carol. 

Updated Overall

Next Year: 1952 Lead/Supporting (Not sure I'm going to do a lineup)

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 2001: James Gandolfini in The Mexican

James Gandolfini did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Winston Baldry in The Mexican.

The Mexican follows a low level criminal, Jerry (Brad Pitt), as he tracks down an ancient gun meanwhile he is being tracked by a hitman who has Jerry's girlfriend Samantha (Julia Roberts) in tow. The film actually is almost good and probably would've been far more successful if it embraced its more screwball leanings rather than its more serious ambitions, then again it could've approached the latter too however it would've required a far more assured hand. Its tonal imbalance is already found in the script but exacerbated by Gore Verbinski's equally awkward direction.

James Gandolfini plays Winston the hitman tracking Jerry via kidnapping his girlfriend. On the immediate surface this sounds like an expected role for Gandolfini best known for his portrayal of Italian American gangster Tony Soprano, and is also reminiscent of his underrated two scene wonder in True Romance, where he also shared the screen with Brad Pitt incidentally. This is as Gandolfini excels in this type carrying a striking menace with such ease. This finding this intensity he brandishes with the ease of a true career killer as he kidnaps Samantha while disposing of another potential killer. Gandolfini quickly and easily makes an impression as this killer, though the true nature of his character isn't as such. This is quickly found once Winston starts chatting with Samantha a bit about her difficult relationship with Jerry. Gandolfini's comedic chops quickly come out in his effortlessly incisive banter as he offers a bit of analysis. Gandolfini bringing the needed lack of shame in this finding the humor in it, but also managing to bring a certain honesty in the words. This is as even as he's listening Gandolfini's reactions show that Winston really is thinking about it before also delivering his own words of wisdom towards Samantha regarding his own opinion on their relationship woes.

There's quickly more than meets the eye to Winston as Samantha soon notices that he's checking out another man at a diner, figuring him successfully to be a homosexual hitman. That setup, especially in 2001, being prime for some serious overacting however Gandolfini wisely doesn't suddenly bring in any mannerisms, though he does successfully convey Winston's interest in the man in an honest way. This along with his certain shyness in admitting to the fact that he delivers with such a naturalistic mix of messy eagerness to be himself and hesitation to admit that all the same. Quite frankly I think the scene could've been terrible given exactly how the exchange is written, which skews towards the broad, however Gandolfini makes it work through his nuanced portrayal. Gandolfini doesn't trivialize the character at any point which is impressive, as the film quite frankly probably wouldn't have minded if that were the case. Gandolfini insists though on delivering a real honesty to the part worthier of a far better script. This as even as we see Winston engage with the mail man he and Samantha pick up, Gandolfini doesn't make it some camp relationship, as simplistic as it is written. Gandolfini offers a real emotional conviction within it portraying even the way Winston is swept up with this man to have this strict sincerity that grants a real tenderness and depth to the role. This is even as the script immediately says Winston found the love of his life, off screen, however the quiet joy in Ganodolfini's face does more than that as Winston explains a potential future for himself. The writing remains as thin when the mail man is soon murdered, however Gandolfini's heartbreak and anger is so real and quite frankly powerful he almost makes up for the weakness of the scenario as written. Gandolfini gives such a captivating turn as every little part of the character that feels like a lazy screenwriters short cut to creating a colorful character given to his part, he grants a real depth and vibrancy to. Sadly the truth of Gandolfini wholly stealing the film, without anyone else being aware apparently, becomes far too apparent as his character unceremoniously exits the film. I quite honestly sat there in disbelief as the film barely gave his character a second thought, and had the gall to go on without him. Thinking I suppose, that a random Gene Hackman cameo will save the day, I mean Hackman can do I lot, and is good as always, but the ending of the film feels so empty without Gandolfini. This is terrific work from him, even as the film fails to appreciate it, and makes me rather angry that this wasn't a film by say a Martin McDonagh or a Quentin Tarantino. This is as Gandolfini's work is deserving of a far greater film, but unfortunately he's stuck in The Mexican.

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 2001

And the Nominees Were Not:

Paul Bettany in A Knight's Tale

Mark Addy in A Knight's Tale

Ian Holm in Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

Justin Theroux in Mulholland Drive

Anthony Hopkins in Hearts in Atlantis

James Gandolfini in The Mexican 

Bettany for prediction purposes.

And a review of:

 

Hayden Christensen in Life As A House

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 2013: Results

7. Colin Farrell in Saving Mr. Banks- Farrell hits the right notes but his film weakens his impact.

Best Scene: Death bed scene.

6. James Gandolfini in Enough Said- Gandolfini gives a sweet natural performance that finding the depth of an average man.

Best Scene: Albert drives Eva home after their awkward dinner.

5. Sharlto Copley in Elysium- An absurd villainous performance by Copley to be sure but a most enjoyable one to watch.

Best Scene: Kruger comes to stop the hijack. 

4. Matthew McConaughey in Mud- McConaughey in his larger supporting role gives a naturally charming and moving portrayal of a desperate but good man.

Best Scene: Mud explains his murder. 

3. Matthew McConaughey in The Wolf of Wall Street- A great one scene wonder by McConaughey that you remember even after the almost three hour film is over. 

Best Scene: Mark Hanna has lunch with Jordan Belfort.

2. Ben Foster in Ain't Them Bodies Saints- Foster gives an extremely moving performance by being absolutely genuine in his character's goodness.

Best Scene: Ruth talks to Patrick about the day he was shot.

1. Ben Foster in Lone Survivor- The year actually came down to the two  performances by the same man. At least at the moment I think I'll give the win to the supporting performance that I feel benefited his film the most during the year. Foster in Lone Survivor gives the intensity and visceral punch needed for the story of soldier's trying to survive that would have otherwise been lacking. It is a moving work that shows the gamut of emotions of a soldier who must fight for his life.

Best Scene: Axe tells Luttrell to send a message for him. 

Overall Rank:

1. Ben Foster in Ain't Them Bodies Saints
2. Joaquin Phoenix in The Immigrant 
3. Ben Foster in Lone Survivor
4. Barkhad Abdi in Captain Phillips
5. Michael Fassbender in 12 Years a Slave
6. Matthew McConaughey in The Wolf of Wall Street
7. Ed Harris in Snowpiercer 
8. Matthew McConaughey in Mud
9. Lily Franky in Like Father, Like Son
10. Billy Nighy in About Time
11. Ben Foster in Kill Your Darlings
12. Sharlto Copley in Elysium
13. James Gandolfini in Enough Said
14. Kyle Chandler in The Wolf of Wall Street  
15. Jeremy Renner in The Immigrant
16. Eddie Marsan in Filth
17. Jeremy Renner in American Hustle
18. Javier Bardem in The Counselor
19. David Thewlis in The Zero Theorem
20. Colin Farrell in Saving Mr. Banks
21. Eddie Marsan in The World's End
22. Casey Affleck in Out of the Furnace
23. Richard Armitage in The Hobbit
24. Donald Sutherland in Catching Fire
25. Choi Min-sik in New World
26. Paul Dano in Prisoners
27. Hwang Jung-min in New World 
28. Colm Meaney in Alan Patridge: Alpha Papa
29. Jean Dujardin in The Wolf of Wall Street  
30. Luke Evans in The Hobbit
31. Tom Hanks in Saving Mr. Banks 
32. Robert De Niro in American Hustle 
33. Lucas Hedges in The Zero Theorem
34. Paul Dano in 12 Years a Slave  
35. Elmo Nuganen in Tangerines
36. Tom Hiddleston in Thor 2
37. Rob Reiner in The Wolf of Wall Street
38. Jonah Hill in The Wolf of Wall Street
39. Woody Harrelson in Out of the Furnace 
40. Chris Cooper in August Osage County 
41. John Hurt in Snowpiercer 
42. Jared Leto in Dallas Buyers Club
43. Joel Edgerton in The Great Gatsby
44. Nawazuddin Siddiqui in The Lunchbox
45. Ben Mendelsohn in The Place Beyond the Pines
46. Ben Kingsley in Iron Man 3
47. Stacy Keach in Nebraska
48. John Goodman in Inside Llewyn Davis
49. Song Kang-ho in Snowpiercer 
50. Mikheil Meskhi in Tangerines
51. Hiroyuki Sanada in The Railway Man 
52. Giorgi Nakashidze in Tangerines
53. Jacob Lofland in Mud
54. Paddy Considine in The World's End
55. Park Sung-woong in New World
56. Chris Evans in The Iceman 
57. John Gallagher Jr. in Short Term 12
58. Benedict Cumberbatch in The Hobbit 
59. F. Murray Abraham in Inside Llewyn Davis
60. Nick Frost in The World's End 
61. Jeremy Irons in Beautiful Creatures
62. Willem Dafoe in Out of the Furnace
63. Jamie Bell in Filth
64. Keith Carradine in Ain't Them Bodies Saints
65. Ian McKellen in The Hobbit
66. Woody Harrelson in Catching Fire
67. Jim Broadbent in Filth
68. Ray Liotta in The Iceman 
69. James Badge Dale in Parkland
70. Jamie Bell in Snowpiercer
71. Andrew Dice Clay in Blue Jasmine 
72. John Hurt in Only Lovers Left Alive
73. Sam Shepard in Mud
74. Stanley Tucci in Catching Fire
75. Bobby Cannavale in Blue Jasmine
76. Gary Lewis in Filth
77. Bob Odenkirk in Nebraska
78. Chris Chalk in 12 Years a Slave
79. Faysal Ahmed in Captain Phillips
80. Ruben Blades in The Counselor 
81. Jon Bernthal in The Wolf of Wall Street
82. Benedict Cumberbatch in 12 Years a Slave 
83. Ray McKinnon in Mud
84. Terrence Howard in Prisoners
85. Ken Stott in The Hobbit 
86. Frank Dillane in Papadopoulos & Sons
87. Jack Huston in Kill Your Darlings
88. Kevin Costner in Man of Steel 
89. Jeff Goldblum in Le Week-End
90. Harrison Ford in 42
91. David  Oyelowo in The Butler
92. Paul Giamatti in 12 Years a Slave 
93. Georges Corraface in Papadopoulos & Sons
94. Samuel L. Jackson in Oldboy
95. Jeffrey Wright in Catching Fire
96. Dwayne Johnson in Pain & Gain
97. Jonathan Pryce in G.I. Joe
98. Sean Gilder in The Selfish Giant
99. Michael Shannon in Man of Steel
100. Garret Dillahunt in 12 Years a Slave  
101. Louis C.K. in American Hustle 
102. Keith Stanfield in Short Term 12 
103. Jason Clarke in The Great Gatsby
104. Russell Crowe in Man of Steel
105. Aidan Turner in The Hobbit  
106. Ron Perlman in Pacific Rim
107. Tony Shalhoub in Pain & Gain
108. Michael C. Hall in Kill Your Darlings
109. Ray Liotta in The Place Beyond the Pines  
110. Jeremy Irvine in The Railway Man
111. Simon Pegg in Star Trek Into Darkness
112. Zhang Jin in The Grandmaster
113. Liev Schreiber in The Butler
114. Sharlto Copley in Oldboy 
115. Geoffrey Rush in The Book Thief 
116. Dwayne Johnson in Fast & Furious 6
117. Ed Harris in Pain & Gain
118. Karl Urban in Star Trek Into Darkness
119. Josh Gad in Frozen
120. Ron Donachie in Filth 
121. Justin Timberlake in Inside Llewyn Davis
122. Mahershala Ali in The Place Beyond the Pines 
123. Paul Giamatti in Saving Mr. Banks
124. Edward James Olmos in 2 Guns
125. Peter Weller in Star Trek Into Darkness
126. Sam Claflin in Catching Fire  
127. Michael K. Williams in 12 Years a Slave 
128. Stelland Skarsgard in The Railway Man
129. Matt Damon in The Zero Theorem
130. B.J. Novak in Saving Mr. Banks
131. Paul Giamatti in Parkland
132. Idris Elba in Pacific Rim 
133. Bob Odenkirk in The Spectacular Now
134. Jim Caviezel in Escape Plan
135. Anthony Mackie in Pain & Gain
136. Chang Chen in The Grandmaster
137. Josh Hutcherson in Catching Fire
138. Bradley Whitford in Saving Mr. Banks
139. Luke Evans in Fast & Furious 6
140. Philip Seymour Hoffman in Catching Fire
141. Jason Schwartzman in Saving Mr. Banks
142. Fred Ward in 2 Guns 
143. Christopher Eccleston in Song for Marion
144. Kyle Chandler in The Spectacular Now
     
145. Jean-Luc Vincent in Camille Claudel, 1915
146. Michael Imperioli in Oldboy
147. Dean Norris in The Counselor
148. Sam Shepard in August Osage County 
     
149. Don Cheadle in Iron Man 3
150. Robert Patrick in Lovelace
     
151. Garrett Hedlund in Inside Llewyn Davis 
     
152. John Leguizamo in The Counselor
153. Will Poulter in We're the Millers
154. Benedict Wong in Hummingbird
155. Nico Liersch in The Book Thief
156. Benedict Cumberbatch in August Osage County
157. Robert Davi in The Iceman
158. Bill Paxton in 2 Guns 
159. Nick Offermann in We're The Millers
160. Tony Danza in Don Jon
161. Peter Sarsgaard in Lovelace 
162. Ed Helms in We're the Millers
163. Benedict Cumberbatch in Star Trek Into Darkness
164. David Soul in Filth
165. Jonathan Groff in Frozen
166. Ewan McGregor in August Osage County
167. Billy Bob Thornton in Parkland
168. Bruce Greenwood in The Place Beyond the Pines
169. Ben Schnetzer in The Book Thief
170. John Cusack in The Butler
171. Charlie Day in Pacific Rim
172. Taylor Kitsch in Lone Survivor
173. Morgan Freeman in Oblivion
174. Michael Shannon in Mud
175. Sam Neill in Escape Plan
176. Walton Goggins in G.I. Joe
177. Eric Bana in Lone Survivor
178. Brad Pitt in The Counselor
179. George Clooney in Gravity 
180. Ty Simpkins in Iron Man 3
181. Paul Walker in Fast & Furious 6 
182. Yuen Woo-ping in The Grandmaster
183. Peter Stormare in The Last Stand
184. James Franco in Spring Breakers
185. Martin Freeman in The World's End 
186. Anthony Hopkins in Thor 2
187. Diego Luna in Elysium 
188. Andre Holland in 42
189. Len Cariou in Prisoners 
190. Emile Hirsch in Lone Survivor
191. Christian McKay in Rush 
192. Peter Sarsgaard in Blue Jasmine
193. Jack Huston in American Hustle 
194. Alec Baldwin in Blue Jasmine
195. Bradley Cooper in American Hustle
196. Stephen Fry in The Hobbit
197. Max Casella in Inside Llewyn Davis
198. James Marsden in 2 Guns
199. David Thewlis in The Fifth Estate
200. Forest Whitaker in The Last Stand
201. Chad Michael Murray in Fruitvale Station
202. Guy Pearce in Iron Man 3
203. Griffin Dunne in Dallas Buyers Club 
204. David Cross in Kill Your Darlings
205. Vincent D'Onofrio in Escape Plan
206. Kevin Durand in Fruitvale Station
207. Channing Tatum in Side Effects
208. John Cho in Star Trek Into Darkness
209. Alan Tudyk in 42 
210. Scoot McNairy in 12 Years a Slave
211. Lee Pace in The Hobbit
212. James Marsdan in The Butler
213. Will Yun Lee in The Wolverine
214. Taran Killam in 12 Years a Slave
215. Pierce Brosnan in The World's End
216. Burn Gorman in Pacific Rim
217. Robin Williams in The Butler
218. Toby Huss in Enough Said 
219. Robert Kazinsky in Pacific Rim
220. Hiroyuki Sanada in The Wolverine
221. Liam Hemsworth in Catching Fire
222. William Fichtner in Elysium
223. Rob Brown in Jon Don
224. Cuba Gooding Jr. in The Butler
225. Shea Whigham in American Hustle
226. Lenny Kravitz in The Butler
227. James Ransone in Oldboy
228. Peter Hermann in Philomena
229. Ben Falcone in Enough Said 
230. Matthew Goode in Stoker
231. Alan Rickman in The Butler
232. Clifton Collins Jr. in Pacific Rim
233. Christopher Eccleston in Thor 2
234. Zac Efron in Parkland
235. Rafael Gareisen in The Book Thief
236. Brad Pitt in 12 Years a Slave
237. James Franco in Lovelace
238. D.J. Cotrona in G.I. Joe
239. Eduardo Noriega in The Last Stand
240. Curtis Jackson in Escape Plan
241. Bruce Willis in G.I. Joe
242. Jeremy Luke in Don Jon
243. Anton Yelchin in Stark Trek Into Darkness
244. Orlando Bloom in The Hobbit
245. Emory Cohen in The Place Beyond the Pines
246. Terrence Howard in The Butler
247. Wagner Moura in Elysium
248. Alex Pettyfer in The Butler 
249. Will Smith in After Earth
250. Forest Whitaker in Out of the Furnace

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 2013: James Gandolfini in Enough Said

James Gandolfini did not receive an Oscar nomination, despite receiving a posthumous SAG nomination, for portraying Albert in Enough Said. 

Enough Said is a good enough film about a divorcee Eva (Julia Louis Dreyfus) who begins a romance with another divorcee although complications ensue when she finds out her other new friend is the man's ex-wife.

The late James Gandolfini plays the other divorcee Albert, and although he has the largest male role in the film I would not put him in lead. Where Daniel Bruhl shared importance and perspective as Niki Lauda in Rush, Gandolfini's character never is given any perspective and he does not have a single scene that is not through Dreyfus's view so I can pretty easily put him in supporting. Anyway Gandolfini's Albert meets Eva at a part where they begin dating each other, although both being people who have been around for quite awhile they proceed with the whole thing in a fairly casual and particularly understated fashion. This is definitely not the usual romantic comedy style romance.

Gandolfini, who is probably best known for his tough guy roles, plays a particularly average guy here. Part of the film really is about just how average Albert has, and there is not anything that makes him a particularly notable individual. Gandolfini though pretty much goes with this idea, and tries to make Albert just a pretty average guy who has lived a pretty average life. That does not sound like an especially compelling character when you like right at it, but Gandolfini makes the most of it by just realizing fully exactly who Albert is. Gandolfini goes about making Albert interesting by simply being the best Albert he can be. Sure Albert's a normal guy but Gandolfini makes him a very real normal guy.

Gandolfini has an unassuming charm about himself here through just showing that Albert is a pretty gentle sort. Most importantly though he has great chemistry with Julia Louis Dreyfus in the film and you can always believe their relationship in the film. Gandolfini handles himself particularly well in his portrayal of Albert's various little quirks that we discover that he has. The whole idea of the quirks seems primed for Albert to become a wacky character who is more about his quirks than himself. Gandolfini never allows this to happen though making his slightly slovenly behavior completely natural to the man himself. There does not in fact seem anything odd about because Gandolfini shows it to be entirely who Albert is.

Gandolfini is very effective with Dreyfus as they both show the certain awkwardness of their whole situation with the underlying affection that slowly grows between the two. They honestly create a quiet romance that builds up to be quite winning through various small moments, rather than any broad gestures. Gandolfini's performance is enjoyable one to watch because it honestly feels like you are watching someone just be themselves. It is a nice sweet performance, that never feels though he is trying too hard. Albert does have some problems because of his wife and daughter, and Gandolfini is very subtle in showing that these problems press on Albert in the quiet sadness he shows, but never shows him to be a man overwhelmed by his problems.

A major problem arises though when Eva starts becoming critical of Albert because of what she hears about him from his ex-wife. In the scene where she offers endless criticism Gandolfini is great in portraying Albert's reaction. He does not loud or extremely confrontational in the scene. Gandolfini instead is far more moving by conveying the just how disheartened Albert is to hear the exact same things that ruined his original marriage with his wife. Above else Gandolfini's work here is based on sheer honesty, and by that he gives a endearing portrait of a man just making his way through life. This is a very good performance and it is a shame that the academy felt they had to give Jonah Hill and Bradley Cooper their second nominations rather than honor Gandolfini with one.

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 2013

And the Nominees Were Not:

Ben Foster in Ain't Them Bodies Saints

Ben Foster in Lone Survivor

James Gandolfini in Enough Said

Colin Farrell in Saving Mr. Banks

Sharlto Copley in Elysium

Matthew McConaughey in Mud

Matthew McConaughey in The Wolf of Wall Street

For the prediction contest the honors go to:

Foster in Lone Survivor

McCounaughey in Wolf

(And just for Koook and RatedRStar, I picked the best troll face Sharlto Copley has to offer. Advanced apologies to both of you.)