Alternate Best Actor 1988: Results

5. Forest Whitaker in Bird- Whitaker gives a performance that combines the charm and pain of his character well.

Best Scene: Bird's death. 

4. William Hurt in The Accidental Tourist- Hurt is very strong here by realizing his character's depression while still giving a charming and sometimes humorous performance.

Best Scene:  Macon chooses Muriel.

3. John Malkovich in Danger Liaisons- Malkovich takes an unorthodox but effective approach to his womanizer character by stressing the mechanics of the man's method.

Best Scene:  Valmont tries to reject Madame de Tourvel.

2. Bob Hoskins in Who Framed Roger Rabbit- Hoskins is terrific in the lead of this film interacting perfectly with the strange cartoon characters throughout the film as well giving an entertaining and sometimes powerful performance entirely on its own as well.

Best Scene:  Eddie tells Roger what happened to his brother.

1. Jeremy Irons in Dead Ringers- Good Prediction Michael Patison, Mark, and Maciej. Well it should be no surprise to anyone that Jeremy Irons wins this year. Although I liked all these performances Irons stands far and above as the best. He is simply incredible in his portrayal of the twins of his film and their interconnected world. Irons here not only gives one but two great characterizations here finding the subtitles that differentiate the two perfectly as well as creating a fascinating connection between them.

Best Scene:  Beverly and Elliot finally separate.

Overall Rank:

1. Jeremy Irons in Dead Ringers
2. Klaus Maria Brandauer in Hanussen
3. John Neville in The Adventures of Baron Munchausen 
4. Willem Dafoe in The Last Temptation of Christ
5. Bob Hoskins in Who Framed Roger Rabbit
6. Eric Bogosian in Talk Radio
7. Bill Murray in Scrooged
8. Charles Grodin in Midnight Run
9. Robert De Niro in Midnight Run 
10. John Malkovich in Dangerous Liaisons
11. William Hurt in The Accidental Tourist
12. Gene Hackman in Mississippi Burning 
13. Michael Keaton in Clean and Sober
14. Bruce Willis in Die Hard  
15. Keith Carradine in The Moderns 
16. James Woods in Cop
17. Joe Mantegna in Things Change
18. Steve Martin in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
19. Michael Caine in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels 
20. Harrison Ford in Frantic
21. Robert Duvall in Colors
22. Daniel Day-Lewis in The Unbearable Lightness of Being  
23. Don Ameche in Things Change
24. Michael J. Fox in Bright Lights Big City
25. Forest Whitaker in Bird 
26. John Cleese in A Fish Called Wanda 
27. Jeff Bridges in Tucker A Man and His Dream
28. River Phoenix in Running on Empty 
29. Mel Gibson in Tequila Sunrise  
30. Isaach de Bankolé in Chocolat
31. Leslie Nielsen in Naked Gun 
32. Tom Cruise in Rain Man 
33. Harvey Fierstein in Torch Song Trilogy
34. James Woods in The Boost
35. Sam Neill in A Cry in the Dark
36. Bernard-Pierre Donnadieu in The Vanishing
37. Eddie Murphy in Coming to America
38. Edward James Olmos in Stand and Deliver
39. Kevin Costner in Bull Durham
40. Gene Bervoets in The Vanishing
41. Andy Lau in As Tears Go By
42. Sean Penn in Colors 
43. Sidney Poitier in Shoot to Kill
44. Tom Hanks in Big
45. Dustin Hoffman in Rain Man
46. Tom Berenger in Shoot to Kill 
47. Kurt Russell in Tequila Sunrise
48. Ray Liotta in Dominick and Eugene
49. Alec Baldwin in Beetlejuice
50. Warwick Davis in Willow
51. Emilio Estevez in Young Guns
52. Richard Dreyfuss in Moon Over Parador  
53. Francois Cluzet in Chocolat
54. Tom Hulce in Dominick and Eugene 
55. Navin Chowdry in Madame Sousatzka
56. Chris Sarandon in Child's Play 
57. Sylvester Stallone in Rambo III
58. Matthew Modine in Married to the Mob
59. Roddy Piper in They Live
60. Clint Eastwood in The Dead Pool
61. Brad Dourif in Child's Play
62. Jim Varney in Ernest Saves Christmas
63. Alex Vincent in Child's Play

Next Year: 1988 Supporting

Alternate Best Actor 1988: John Malkovich in Dangerous Liaisons

John Malkovich did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Vicomte de Valmont in Dangerous Liaisons.

Dangerous Liaisons is a well made film about two aristocrats who revel in horrible games of passion and deceit.

John Malkovich's casting here certainly was a point of contention when the film originally came out with his rather unorthodox appearance. The Valmont is a perpetual and successful womanizer, and it seems many would think Valmont would probably look a little less devious to begin with like perhaps Colin Firth in Valmont for example. The same could be said about his charms as well as Malkovich is not especially suave in the role of Valmont either, and one might think he would need to be to be believed in the amount of conquests he partakes in.

The question is though does Malkovich really need to be traditionally handsome and Clark Gable type charming for the role, and the simple answer is no. What Malkovich expresses most with Valmont here is the method in which Valmont goes upon his sexual expeditions. Malkovich instead of really trying to hide the sliminess that really does make up his character he instead portrays Valmont as a man who very much revels in exactly what he is. There is no shame in his performance and Malkovich very much accentuates the mechanics of his seductions more than anything else with his portrayal of Valmont. 

There are many liaisons we see Valmont having but we only see two seductions portrayed in the film a routine one, and more daring one of Madame de Tourvel (Michelle Pfeiffer) who is known for her virtue. In both Malkovich does not show Valmont as attempting really any charm in fact there is always far more of a strategy at play that utilizes both the gender roles of the time as well as the emotions of the woman in both cases. Malkovich is properly calculated as he shows the strategy of Valmont at all times to the audience well at the same time creating the proper ruse that he uses against the women.

Malkovich's makes Valmont's success with both women very convincing actually in the harsh brutality of his seductions. In the first he creates Valmont's method as making himself a bizarre teacher in a most brutal but believable fashion in his success with her through the uncompromising method that Malkovich portrays it all. In the other more difficult one though Malkovich again makes the strategy of Valmont something very clear as Valmont this time makes himself a haunted lost soul who would kill himself if Tourvel does not take his love.

As strange as his seduction method with Tourvel might sound Malkovich brings it to life through his depiction of Valmont who he portrays as throwing himself fully into his demented game. Malkovich makes the "depression" both fake and real enough that it would move Tourvel as it does. It is a difficult trick to pull but one that Malkovich is able to accomplish without any seeming effort. In doing this Malkovich carefully infuses just the slightest bit of moments that suggests that maybe Valmont is not entirely lying about his pledged love for Tourvel. It is in very subtle moments that are very well handled by Malkovich.

One of the most important aspects of Valmont is his relationship with Marquise de Merteuil (Glenn Close). Through most the film both actors portray theirs as a mutual love of their shared despicable nature and the havoc they cause with their games. This does not really change until the end of the film where Merteuil plays her own game against Valmont as she convinces him to brutally reject Tourvel since she sees that he truly loves her. Malkovich and Close are very effective in the scenes as the truly vile nature of both characters are perfectly created by the actors and we see the full extent of their damage that only hurts other but themselves as well.

Malkovich's final scene as Valmont is terrific as he shows him distraught after finally finding some sort of conscious in himself after all. In his final scene Valmont is fatally wounded by a man (Keanu Reeves) he has harmed and reflects on his behavior. The power of the scene is somewhat muted because Reeves might as well say "Uhh sorry dude I did not mean to stab you so hard" and it would have fit his performance. Forgetting about Reeves though Malkovich is quietly moving though as he shows this time finally an honest Valmont for once as he shows the full extent of his depression and self hatred he has created in himself due to his behavior.

This is a strong performance by John Malkovich in both his unique creation of Valmont as well as his execution of his character. He does well in bringing to life every facet of his manipulative character, and never fails to make his conquests believable. He takes a very different approach than many probably would have with the part as he never avoids the sliminess in character, and never really even tries to hide yet he still makes the story work entirely. It quite an achievement that he is able to do this through this method he makes Valmont a compelling as well as properly repulsive character. 

Alternate Best Actor 1988

And the Nominees Were Not:

Jeremy Irons in Dead Ringers

John Malkovich in Dangerous Liaisons

William Hurt in The Accidental Tourist

Bob Hoskins in Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

Forest Whitaker in Bird 

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 1999: Results

6. Laurence Fishburne in The Matrix- Fishburne is mysterious in his first scene, and a fine mentor in the rest of the film.

5.  John Malkovich in Being John Malkovich- Malkovich playing Malkovich is rather enjoyable to watch as he portrays Malkovich no matter who happens to be in his head.

4. Christopher Plummer in The Insider- Christopher Plummer gives a strong performance as Mike Wallace portraying the differences between the performer and the man in the case of a television journalist.

3. Alan Rickman in Galaxy Quest- Rickman gives a very entertaining deadpan performance that delivers.

2. Philip Baker Hall in Magnolia- Hall gives a powerful performance as a dying regretful man that stands well among the greatness of his film. 

1. Sam Rockwell in Galaxy Quest-Well no one predicted Rockwell would win so no one wins! Just Kidding. Good Prediction koook160 (Robert MacFarlane). Sam Rockwell actually was easily chosen by me as I loved every moment and every facet of his performance. He makes the most as the former red shirt, who does not want to go as quickly as his character. He is absolutely hilarious in every scene, but even manages to be honestly believable in the fears of his character as well.

Overall Rank:

1. Robert Carlyle in Ravenous
2. Sam Rockwell in Galaxy Quest
3. Tom Cruise in Magnolia
   
4. John C. Reilly in Magnolia
5. Alan Rickman in Galaxy Quest
6. Philip Baker Hall in Magnolia
7. Harry Lennix in Titus
8. Bryan Brown in Two Hands
9. Jude Law in The Talented Mr. Ripley
10. Philip Seymour Hoffman in Magnolia 
11. Michael Clarke Duncan in The Green Mile
12. Gary Cole in Office Space
13. Michael Jeter in The Green Mile
14. Harry Dean Stanton in The Straight Story
15. William H. Macy in Magnolia 
16. Hugo Weaving in The Matrix
17. Sam Rockwell in The Green Mile
18. Christopher Plummer in The Insider
19. Timothy Spall in Topsy-Turvy
20. Angus Macfadyen in Titus
21. John Malkovich in Being John Malkovich
22. Jason Robards in Magnolia 
23. Robert Carlyle in Angela's Ashes
24. Stephen Rea in The End of the Affair
25. Doug Hutchison in The Green Mile
26. Bruce McGill in The Insider
27. Stephen Root in Office Space
28. William Sadler in The Green Mile 
29. Tony Shalhoub in Galaxy Quest
30. Peter Sarsgaard in Boys Don't Cry
31. Anthony Wong in The Mission
32. Jefferey Jones in Ravenous 
33. Martin Savage in Topsy-Turvy
34. Paul Giamatti in Man on the Moon
35. Philip Seymour Hoffman in The Talented Mr. Ripley 
36. Ving Rhames in Bringing Out the Dead  
37. Jeremy Blackman in Magnolia 
38. James Woods in True Crime
39. Donnie Wahlberg in The Sixth Sense 
40. John Goodman in Bringing Out the Dead
41. Chris Cooper in American Beauty
42. Ron Cook in Topsy-Turvy
43. William H. Macy in Mystery Men
44. James Coburn in Payback 
45. Greg Kinnear in Mystery Men
46. Enrico Colantino in Galaxy Quest
47. Joe Mantegna in Liberty Heights
48. Vin Diesel in The Iron Giant
49. Kevin McKidd in Topsy-Turvy
50. David Herman in Office Space
51. Ray Winstone in The War Zone
52. Tom Waits in Mystery Men
53. William Hurt in Sunshine
54. Max von Sydow in Snow Falling on Cedars
55. Tommy Flanagan in Ratcatcher
56. Sidney Pollack in Eyes Wide Shut
57. Orson Bean in Being John Malkovich
58. James Cromwell in The Green Mile 
59. Geoffrey Rush in Mystery Men
60. Spike Jonze in Three Kings
61. Daryl Mitchell in Galaxy Quest
62. Cliff Curtis in Bringing Out the Dead
63. Orlando Jones in Liberty Heights
64. Danny Devito in Man on the Moon 
65. Wes Studi in Mystery Men 
66. Laurence Fishburne in The Matrix
67. Philip Baker Hall in The Talented Mr. Ripley 
68. Cliff Curtis in Three Kings
69. Orland Jones in True Crime
70. Ajay Naidu in Office Space
71. John Tormey in Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai
72. Chris Cooper in October Sky
73. Kris Kristofferson in Payback 
74. William Devane in Payback 
75. Isaach de Bankole in Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai
76. Tom Sizemore in Bringing Out the Dead
77. Christopher McDonald in The Iron Giant
78. Barry Pepper in The Green Mile
79. Dennis Leary in True Crime
80. Willem Dafoe in Existenz
81. Colm Feore in Titus
82. Ice Cube in Three Kings
83. Michael Gambon in The Insider
84. David Morse in The Green Mile
85. Philip Baker Hall in The Insider
86. Joe Pantoliano in The Matrix
87. Danny Aiello in Summer of Sam
88. James Woods in Any Given Sunday
89. Jay O. Sanders in Tumbleweeds
90. Alan Cumming in Titus
91. Fabrizio Rongione in Rosetta
92. Henry Silva in Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai
93. Delroy Lindo in The Cider House Rules
94. Jay O. Sanders in Music of the Heart
95. Simon Yam in The Mission
96. Frances Ng in The Mission
97. Lam Suet in The Mission
98. Roy Cheung in The Mission
99. Samuel L. Jackson in The Red Violin
100. Jamie Kennedy in Three Kings
101. Anthony Ray Parker in The Matrix 
102. Jamie Foxx in Any Given Sunday
103. Michael Caine in The Cider House Rules
104. Meat Loaf in Fight Club
105. Gavin O'Connor in Tumbleweeds
106. Jared Leto in Fight Club
107. Billy Connolly in The Boondock Saints
108. Rhys Ifans in Notting Hill
109. Alec Baldwin in Notting Hill
110. Matthew Rhys in Titus
111. Jonathan Rhys Meyers in Titus
112. Dan Hedaya in The Hurricane
113. Wes Bentley in American Beauty

Next Year: 1974 Supporting

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 1999: John Malkovich in Being John Malkovich

John Gavin Malkovich did not receive an Oscar nomination or portraying John Horatio Malkovich in Being John Malkovich.

Being John Malkovich which has quite a bit going on it is mainly about a puppeteer (John Cusack) who finds a portal in the mind of John Malkovich. I like parts of the film, but I do think it takes too many indulgences.

Despite getting some recognition for the role it should have been no surprise that John Malkovich was not Oscar nominated for the role of playing John Malkovich. After all a common, usually mistaken, criticism of many performances of certian actors is that they are merely playing themselves and deserve no credit. Well Malkovich seems to play himself, except of course for the fact that this movie John Malkovich has a different middle name from the regular Malkovich. Malkovich is suppose simply be Malkovich though in the film, but that does not mean this is a do nothing performance.

Although the film is certianly does not mind deprecating Malkovich in the way no one seems to know who he is, and do not really think much of him as an actor, as well as the scene where we go into his subconscious, Malkovich still plays the part of himself in a rather straight fashion early in the film. It really should be noted that the actually personal life of this Malkovich really is not gotten into, where only see him really reacting to everything else in the film, and being used by the other character. He really is not a particularly active character.

In the first half or so of the film Malkovich actually goes for playing himself in a rather realistic fashion, and there is not anything strange or out of the ordinary about his portrayal, other than of course he is John Malkovich which means this is a least some degree of strangeness anyways. Malkovich though actually is quite good in being how one would imagine a man in his very bizarre situation might be. Malkovich is not boring in anyway though, and through being a more realistic man standing within the oddness he actually able to effortlessly bring a great deal of humor in his performance.

Malkovich honestly shows a confusion at first as the strangeness goes on around, than slowly morphs into some degree of horror and anger over finding about the portal to his mind. Malkovich does well in portraying in a believable fashion while making it quietly funny, although he does this without ever making any jokes with his performance. It is not obvious comedic performance by Malkovich, but it work extremely well, although later on in the film Malkovich gets to do that sort of performance after the puppeteer takes control of Malkovich's body.

Malkovich has a lot of fun in the role embodying Cusack's performance from the film, although with one key by very brilliantly handled by Malkovich. The difference from Cusack's is that he is quite enthusiastic where Cusack was consistently depressed although it fits because the puppeteer has reached his dreams within Malkovich. It is an enjoyable and energetic performance by Malkovich playing a lot with the overly pretentious quality within the puppeteer as well as his amusingly emphasizing the pathetic qualities of the character.

Despite being quite tossed around in the role particularly at the end when he goes through three personalities in a matter of minutes, Malkovich makes all of it work out for the best. Although I do feel aspects of the film do go into self indulgence mostly on the part of Charlie Kaufman, but Malkovich despite the fact that he is in fact portraying John Malkovich falls into these problems with his personality. He seamlessly moves between the personalities that Malkovich must undergo, and makes sure to give an engaging performance no matter who happens to be using Malkovich at one time.

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 1999

And the Nominees Were Not:

Alan Rickman in Galaxy Quest

John Malkovich in Being John Malkovich

Christopher Plummer in The Insider

Philip Baker Hall in Magnolia

Laurence Fishburne in The Matrix

Best Supporting Actor 1984: Results

5. Ralph Richardson in Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes- Richardson is perfectly fine in his role, but whoever played the role could not have made it Oscar worthy.

4. John Malkovich in Places in the Heart- Malkovich gives a simple yet fairly effective performance. He is not given that much to do, but when he is given the chance to do more he does.

3. Pat Morita in the Karate Kid- Morita actually does everything he should as Mr. Miyagi, since it is the sort of role where it is hard to see anyone else in the role.

2. Adolph Caesar in A Soldier's Story- Caesar gives an effectively cruel performance realizing the hatred through this palatable self-loathing.

1. Haing S. Ngor in The Killing Fields- There is no competition here Ngor simply is incredible in his role. It is a quiet performance but it conveys so much strength. His performance is completely authentic, honest, and absolutely spot on.

Deserving Performances:
Jeffrey Jones in Amadeus
James Woods in Once Upon a Time in America

Best Supporting Actor 1984: John Malkovich in Places in the Heart

John Malkovich received his first Oscar nomination for portraying Mr. Will in Places in the Heart.

Places in the Heart is a somewhat enjoyable small town, save the farm movie.

John Malkovich portrays Mr. Will a new blind boarder at widow Edna Spalding's (Sally Field) struggling farm. First blind acting is not really big deal with unless it is way too obviously fake. Malkovich handles his character blindness just fine. He handles the disability well, showing his character just dealing with it, and really not trying to bring all that much attention to it in his performance.

Malkovich shows Mr. Will to be a man of a quiet dignity who does not like being mistreated by others. I think Malkovich does  a nice job being nice here most of the time, but also showing his frustration well in one scene. I liked his performance in the film, and it certainly is a nice part of the film. I believe he is not given that much to do, but there is one brilliant scene of his. He asks Sally Field's character to described herself to him, his reaction in this scene is just brilliant. A very nice performance from Malkovich overall even if it is not an amazing one.

Best Supporting Actor 1984

And the Nominees Were:

Pat Morita in The Karate Kid

Ralph Richardson in Greystoke:  The Legend of Tarzan, the Lord of the Apes

Haing S. Ngor in The Killing Fields

Adolph Caesar in A Soldier's Story

John Malkovich in Places in the Heart

Best Supporting Actor 1993: Results

5. Tommy Lee Jones in The Fugitive- Jones does what he needs to as a Federal Marshall in charge of a manhunt and fulfills his role.

4. John Malkovich in In the Line of Fire- Malkovich finds an effective way to be creepy as Mitch Leary, but he also adds more than just creepiness to makes his performance interesting.

3. Leonardo Dicaprio in What's Eating Gilber Grape- Dicaprio gives a performance filled with tics and mannerisms but he never makes them seem forced or strange but instead they help create his memorable character.

2. Pete Postlethwaite in In the Name of the Father- Postlethwaite is always a powerful presence in the film, and he and Daniel Day-Lewis create some very strong scenes together.

1. Ralph Fiennes in Schindler's List- Fiennes gives an incredible performance as the Nazil Commandant. He is truly chilling, but he also makes Goth into a real person, even if that person is incredibly disturbed.

Deserving Performances:
Ben Kingsley in Schindler's List

Best Supporting Actor 1993: John Malkovich in In the Line of Fire

John Malkovich received his second Oscar nomination for playing potential presidential assassin Mitch Leary in In the Line of Fire.

In the Line of Fire is a very well made thriller about a man who wishes to assassinate the president (Malkovich) and the secret service agent (Clint Eastwood) who must stop him.

Malkovich finds the right note with Mitch Leary and turns out to be incredibly effective in the role. Malkovich always has the right amount of creepiness and intelligence in his performance to make Leary a very memorable villain. Malkovich never really goes over the top with Leary but rather he keeps just this underscored creepiness that makes his performance work quite well.

Malkovich really is just right in his manner of speaking, to show the insanity of Leary but also that it is a sort of calculated insanity. He is not just crazy but rather someone who knows exactly what he is doing even if what he wishes to do is mad. This makes him all the more chilling, two scenes in particular stand out for me as incredibly chilling because of Malkovich's cold effectiveness. The scenes where he murders the two women and the two hunters.  Not just because of the act but because of that particular way Malkovich handles those scenes. He never starts going crazy but is just cold and merciless in the most disturbing way.

 Malkovich though does not make Leary a one dimensional murderer but also a isolated man who wants to be understood. I really like how Malkovich shows Leary's want for Clint Eastwood's character to understand, how Leary felt cheated by the government. Malkovich makes Leary want for understanding feel believable and honest despite coming from such an odd character. I felt he was exceptionally strong though when he freaks out briefly in particular scenes. Because Malkovich only does this at specific times it shows that Leary is not easily upset but becomes so when he feels betrayed. His coldness at almost all other times is perfectly contrasted by Malkovich, which makes these few "loud" scenes completely appropriate and very effective. Malkovich gives an interesting  performance, and creates memorable character with Mitch Leary.

Best Supporting Actor 1993

And the Nominees were:

Ralph Fiennes in Schindler's List

John Malkovich in In the Line of Fire

Tommy Lee Jones in The Fugitive

Pete Postlethwaite in In the Name of the Father

Leonardo Dicaprio in What's Eating Gilbert Grape

Who do you Pick? Who do you Predict?