Alternate Best Supporting Actor 2016: Results

13. Yoshi Oida in Silence - Oida gives a moving depiction of the quiet earnest devotion of one of the most devote Christians in Japan.

Best Scene: Ichizo pleads for someone to join him.

12. Shinya Tsukamoto in Silence -Tsukamoto along with Oida gives a moving depiction of a devoted Christian particularly as he faces certain demise.

Best Scene: A final hymn.

11. Alden Ehrenreich in Hail Caesar! - Ehrenreich gives a very funny performance by being so earnest in his approach to a singing cowboy who tries to be an actor.

Best Scene: Would that it were so simple.

10. Harvey Scrimshaw in The Witch - Scrimshaw gives an effective natural depiction of a boy in an unnatural situation that is absolutely haunting in his final moments.

Best Scene: Caleb wakes up.

9. Damian Lewis in Our Kind of Traitor - Lewis gives an incredibly compelling performance that works so well within the certain constraints he purposefully sets up for his refined government agent.

Best Scene: Hector tells about his son. 

8. Tadanobu Asano in Silence - Asano gives an extremely incisive yet somehow funny portrayal of a man viciously needling his hostage in order to break him. 

Best Scene: The interpreter meets Rodrigues.

7. Ralph Ineson in The Witch - Ineson gives a powerful depiction of a man essentially coming to terms with his own desperate state, and losing his delusions of grandeur.

Best Scene: William's prayer at night. 

6. Stellan Skårsgard in Our Kind of Traitor - Skårsgard is asked to do a lot in short order, yet he matches the challenge while giving an incredibly poignant portrait of a man doing whatever it takes to save his family.

Best Scene: Dima says goodbye to Perry.

5. Yosuke Kubozuka in Silence - Kubozuka gives a haunting portrayal that grants a heartbreaking understanding of what seems to be a wretched man.  

Best Scene: Kichijiro's first Confession.

4. Liam Neeson in Silence - Neeson in only a few scenes leaves such a considerable impression through his subversion of his usual role as the confident mentor by instead portraying a sad broken man being forced to destroy his own teachings.

Best Scene: Ferreira meets Rodrigues.

3. Issey Ogata in Silence - Ogata gives a truly menacing yet somehow also absolutely hilarious portrayal of a persecutor with a unique yet brutally effective method of destroying his foes.  

Best Scene: A story of Concubines. 

2. Sam Neill in Hunt for the Wilderpeople - Sam Neill delivers his best performance giving such a hilarious yet heartwarming portraying an irascible old man finding a connection with a troubled boy. Neill balances the various tones of the film brilliantly to be both very funny yet incredibly touching in depicting Uncle Hec's personal journey during his more literal journey through the bush.

Best Scene: The Boar. 

1. Ben Foster in Hell or High Water - Good prediction Michael McCarthy, and Luke Foster gives yet another great performance to his ever growing list of them. He gives an entertaining yet edgy depiction of an outlaw, yet he underlines it all with just a heartbreaking portrayal of man who has only ever found any use for himself as a criminal. Although this was a strong year for the category I have to admit this was an easy choice for me. Not just because this is a great performance, it is, but it hit me on an even more personal level than a good performance already hits you on.

This is not something I mentioned in my review but will I now. Foster's realization of Tanner went even further for me as he so reminded of my own older brother with whom I share a similair relationship to that Toby shares with Tanner, though far less extreme and in different circumstances of course. The little nuances and details of such relationship were there for me, and it connected with me on an even deeper level because of that. I simply cannot deny something like that.

Best Scene: The brothers say their goodbyes.

Overall Rank:

1. Ben Foster in Hell or High Water
2. Sam Neill in Hunt for the Wilderpeople
3. Issey Ogata in Silence
4. Tadanobu Asano in Harmonium
5. Mahershala Ali in Moonlight
6. Liam Neeson in Silence
7. Yosuke Kubozuka in Silence
8. Stellan Skårsgard in Our Kind of Traitor
9. Hugo Weaving in Hacksaw Ridge 
10. Ralph Ineson in The Witch
11. Tadanobu Asano in Silence 
12. Damian Lewis in Our Kind of Traitor
13. Woody Harrelson in The Edge of Seventeen
14. Harvey Scrimshaw in The Witch
15. Alden Ehrenreich in Hail Caesar!
16. Christopher Lloyd in I Am Not A Serial Killer
17. Ha Jung-woo in The Handmaiden
18. Farid Sajadhosseini in The Salesman
19. Shinya Tsukamoto in Silence
20. Yoshi Oida in Silence 
21. Gil Birmingham in Hell or High Water 
22. Sharlto Copley in Hardcore Henry
23. Jack Reynor in Sing Street
24. Macon Blair in Green Room
25. Tracy Letts in Christine
26. Nick Offerman in The Founder
27. John Carroll Lynch in The Founder
28. Cho Jin-woong in The Handmaiden
29. Toby Kebbell in A Monster Calls
30. Jun Kunimura in The Wailing
31. Jared Harris in Certain Women
32. Alan Rickman in Eye in the Sky
33. Donnie Yen in Rogue One 
34. Tom Bennett in Love and Friendship
35. Adam Driver in Silence
36. Shia Labeouf in American Honey
37. John Goodman in 10 Cloverfield Lane
38. Andre Holland in Moonlight
39. Ma Dong-Seok in Train to Busan
40. Glen Powell in Everybody Wants Some 
41. Jovan Adepo in Fences
42. Kurt Russell in Deepwater Horizon 
43. Ralph Fiennes in Hail Caesar!
44. Roger Guenveur Smith in Birth of A Nation
45. Patrick Stewart in Green Room 
46. Kevin Costner in Hidden Figures
47. Aaron Paul in Eye in the Sky
48. Mykelti Williamson in Fences
49. Sebastian Stan in Captain America Civil War 
50. Alan Tudyk in Rogue One
51. Jharrel Jerome in Moonlight 
52. Taiyō Yoshizawa in After the Storm
53. Tom Wilkinson in Denial
54. John Gallagher Jr. in 10 Cloverfield Lane
55. Craig Robinson in Morris From America
56. Lucas Dawson in The Witch
57. Stephen Henderson in Fences
58. Barkhad Abdi in Eye in the Sky
59. Bradley Whitford in Other People
60. Daniel Bruhl in Captain America Civil War
61. Mads Mikkelsen in Rogue One
62. Luke Bracey in Hacksaw Ridge 
63. Evan Peters in X-Men Apocalypse
64. Byung-hun Lee in The Age of Shadows
65. Tom Holland in Captain America Civil War
66. Alessandro Nivola in The Neon Demon
67. Kevin Spacey in Elvis & Nixon 
68. George Clooney in Hail Caesar!
69. Liam Neeson in A Monster Calls 
70. Barry Shabaka Henley in Paterson
71. Billy Crudup in Jackie
72. John Leguizamo in The Infiltrator
73. Frank Langella in Captain Fantastic
74. Peter Sarsgaard in Jackie
75. Keegan Michael-Key in Don't Think Twice
76. Ethan Hawke in The Magnificent Seven 
77. Chadwick Boseman in Captain America Civil War
78. John Hurt in Jackie
79. Billy Crudup in 20th Century Women 
80. Max Baker in Hail Caesar!
81. Michael Fassbender in X-Men Apocalypse
82. William Jackson Harper in Paterson
83. Bill Murray in The Jungle Book 
84. Russell Hornsby in Fences 
85. Blake Jenner in The Edge of Seventeen
86. Rene Auberjonois in Certain Women
87. James McAvoy in X-Men Apocalypse
88. Anthony Mackie in Captain America Civil War
89. Adam Driver in Midnight Special  
90. Paul Rudd in Captain America Civil War
91. Kanji Furutachi in Harmonium
92. Luke Treadaway in Ethel & Ernest
    
93. Ralph Fiennes in Kubo and the Two Strings
94. Riz Ahmed in Rogue One
95. Byung-hun Lee in The Magnificent Seven
96. Masatoshi Nagase in Paterson 
97. Hugh Jackman in Eddie the Eagle
98. Mike Birbiglia in Don't Think Twice
99. Channing Tatum in Hail Caesar!
100. Idris Elba in The Jungle Book  
101. Hayden Szeto in The Edge of Seventeen
102. Mads Mikkelsen in Dr. Strange
103. Lucas Hedges in Manchester by the Sea 
104. David Wenham in Lion
105. Jiang Wen in Rogue One
106. Brendan Gleeson in Live By Night
107. Toby Jones in The Man Who Knew Infinity
108. Sam Worthington in Hacksaw Ridge
109. TJ Miller in Deadpool
110. Jimmy O Yang in Patriots Day
111. Charles Berling in Elle
112. Michael Shannon in Nocturnal Animals
113. Simon Pegg in Star Trek Beyond
114. Toby Jones in Anthropoid
115. Colin Farrell in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them 
116. Oscar Kightley in Hunt for the Wilderpeople
117. Aaron Eckhart in Bleed for This
118. Colin Hanks in Elvis & Nixon
119. Rhys Darby in Hunt for the Wilderpeople
120. Jeremy Renner in Captain America Civil War
121. JK Simmons in Kung Fu Panda 3  
122. Stefan Kapicic in Deadpool
123. Ben Kingsley in The Jungle Book 
124. Michael Sheen in Passengers 
125. Hwang Jung-min in The Wailing
126. Joel Edgerton in Midnight Special
127. Tyler Hoechlin in Everybody Wants Some
128. Michael Parks in Blood Father
129. Shingo Tsurumi in The Age of Shadows 
130. Aidan Gillen in Sing Street
131. Corey Stoll in Cafe Society 
132. Jaden Piner in Moonlight
133. Ben Mendelsohn in Rogue One
134. Robert Picardo in Hail Caesar!
135. Joe Cole in Green Room
136. Kyle Chandler in Manchester by The Sea
137. Alex Wolff in Patriots Day
138. Themo Melikidze in Patriots Day
139. Benedict Wong in Dr. Strange 
140. Callum Turner in Green Room
141. Ed Skrein in Deadpool
142. Keanu Reeves in The Neon Demon
143. Timothy Spall in Denial
144. Frank Grillo in Captain America Civil War
145. Bryan Cranston in Kung Fu Panda 3
146. Matthew Goode in Allied  
147. Chiwetel Ejiofor in Dr. Strange
148. Mahershala Ali in Hidden Figures
149. Bill Camp in Midnight Special
150. Mahershala Ali in Free State of Jones
151. Jared Harris in Allied  
152. Laurence Fishburne in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice 
153. Ciaran Hinds in Bleed For This
154. Jemaine Clement in Moana 
155. Kevin Bacon in Patriots Day 
156. Nicolas Cage in Snowden
157. John Goodman Patriots Day
158. Ben Foster in The Finest Hours  
159. Babak Karimi in The Salesman
160. Laurence Fishburne in Passengers
161. Jonas Bloquet in Elle
162. Ciaran Hinds in Silence
163. JK Simmons in Patriots Day
164. Woody Harrelson in Triple 9 
165. William H. Macy in Blood Father
166. Jeremy Irons in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
167. Kodi Smit-McPhee in X-Men Apocalypse
168. Ethan Suplee in Deepwater Horizon 
169. Jay Hernandez in Suicide Squad
170. Karl Urban in Star Trek Beyond 
171. Tye Sheridan in X-Men Apocalypse
172. Clancy Brown in Hail Caesar! 
173. George MacKay in Captain Fantastic
174. Rhys Ifans in Snowden
175. Robert Seeley in The Love Witch
176. Aaron Eckhart in Sully
177. Daniel Grao in Julieta
178. Chiwetel Ejiofor in Triple 9
179. Laurent Lafitte in Elle
180. Karl Urban in Pete's Dragon
181. Zachary Quinto in Star Trek Beyond
182. Jeffrey Vincent Parise in The Love Witch
183. Harry Lloyd in Anthropoid
184. August Diehl in Allied  
185. David Costabile in 13 Hours
186. Anthony Mackie in Triple 9
187. Ken Stott in Cafe Society
188. Simon McBurney in Allied
189. Wyatt Russell in Everybody Wants Some
190. Bradley Cooper in War Dogs
191. Karl Geary in I Am Not a Serial Killer 
192. Graham McTavish in The Finest Hours
193. Norman Reedus in Triple 9 
194. Chris Messina in Live By Night
195. Jeremy Renner in Arrival
196. Chris Cooper in Demolition
197. Keanu Reeves in Keanu 
198. Robert Redford in Pete's Dragon
199. Ryan Guzman in Everybody Wants Some
200. Keith Carradine in A Quiet Passion
201. Edgar Ramirez in Gold
202. Mark Strong in Miss Sloane 
203. Stephen Fry in Love and Friendship
204. Anthony Head in A Street Cat Named Bob
205. Vince Vaughn in Hacksaw Ridge
206. JK Simmons in The Accountant 
207. Chris Tucker in Billy Lynn's Halftime Walk
208. Idris Elba in Zootopia
209. Jai Courtney in Suicide Squad
210. Kevin Pollack in War Dogs
211. Christopher Lambert in Hail Caesar!
212. Ewan McGregor in Miles Ahead
213. Michael Shannon in Loving 
214. Sam Waterston in Miss Sloane
215. Steve Carrell in Cafe Society 
216. Sam Shepard in Midnight Special
217. Anton Lesser in Allied 
218. Aaron Taylor-Johnson in Nocturnal Animals 
219. Jon Bernthal in The Accountant 
220. JK Simmons in Zootopia
221. Clifton Collins Jr. in Triple 9
222. Method Man in Keanu 
223. Anton Yelchin in Star Trek Beyond
224. Choi Woo-shik in Train to Busan
225. Jason Mitchell in Keanu
226. Manuel Garcia-Rulfo in The Magnificent Seven
227. Andrew Scott in Denial
228. Forest Whittaker in Arrival
229. Michael C. Hall in Christine
230. Don Wycherley in Sing Street
231. Eric Bana in The Finest Hours
232. Chris Gethard in Don't Think Twice
233. Steve Martin in Billy Lynn's Halftime Walk
234. Matthew McConaughey in Kubo and the Two Strings
235. Kim Eui-sung in Train to Busan
236. Scoot McNairy in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice 
237. Martin Sensemeier in The Magnificent Seven
238. Johnny Depp in Yoga Hosers 
239. Christopher Walken in The Jungle Book
240. Tracy Letts in Indignation
241. Chris Hemsworth in Ghostbusters 
242. Keith David in The Nice Guys
243. Idris Elba in Star Trek Beyond
244. John Lithgow in The Accountant 
245. Armie Hammer in Birth of a Nation
246. Zach Woods in Other People
247. Dylan Minnette in Don't Breathe
248. Andy Garcia in Ghostbusters
249. Gian Keyes in The Love Witch
250. Peyman Moaadi in 13 Hours
251. Wes Bentley in Pete's Dragon
252. Justin Long in Yoga Hosers 
253. Matt Bomer in The Nice Guys 
254. Michael Stuhlbarg in Arrival
255. Robert Glenister in Live By Night
256. Michael Sheen in Nocturnal Animals
257. Will Smith in Suicide Squad 
258. Oscar Isaac in X-Men Apocalypse
259. Beau Knapp in The Nice Guys
260. Luke Evans in Girl on the Train
261. Michael Stuhlbarg in Miss Sloane
262. Chris Cooper in Live By Night
263. Ezra Miller in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
264. Daniel Zovatto in Don't Breath
265. John Malkovich in Deepwater Horizon 
266. Nick Kroll in Loving
267. Vin Diesel in Billy Lynn's Halftime Walk
268. Aaron Paul in Triple 9 
269. Jim Parsons in Hidden Figures
270. Vincent D'Onofrio in The Magnificent Seven
271. Diego Luna in Blood Father
272. Armie Hammer in Nocturnal Animals  
273. Forest Whittaker in Rogue One 
274. Johnny Depp in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
275. Jackie Earle Haley in Birth of A Nation
276. Jacob Latimore in Collateral Beauty 
277. Justin Theroux in Girl on the Train
278. Bill Murray in Ghostbusters 
279. Judah Lewis in Demolition
280. Peter Sarsgaard in The Magnificent Seven
281. Ralph Garman in Yoga Hosers
282. Joel Kinnaman in Suicide Squad
283. Tyler Posey in Yoga Hosers
284. Jesse Eisenberg in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
285. Matthew Maher in Live By Night
286. Simon Helberg in Florence Foster Jenkins
287. Jared Leto in Suicide Squad
288. Edward Norton in Collateral Beauty
289. Austin Butler in Yoga Hosers
290. Christian Madsen in Mr. Church
291. Neil Casey in Ghostbusters
292. Michael Pena in Collateral Beauty

Next Year: 1937 though I'm going to take a break until after the Oscars.

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 2016: Shinya Tsukamoto, Yoshi Oida, Tadanobu Asano, Issey Ogata, Liam Neeson, and Yosuke Kubozuka in Silence

Shinya Tsukamoto and Yoshi Oida did not receive Oscar nominations for portraying Mokichi and Ichizo respectively in Silence.

Although Silence may seem to be a story about an individual's journey, the story of Jesuit priest Sebastião Rodrigues, played brilliantly by Andrew Garfield,  as he attempts to spread Christianity in Japan while learning of the whereabouts of his former mentor, it is so much more than that. The film is built around Rodrigues, but through him we encounter so many different people within 17th century Japan. Two of the first Rodrigues, and his fellow priest Garupe (Adam Driver), encounter are Mokichi and Ichizo played by Shinya Tsukamoto and Yoshi Oida. The two men are Japanese Christians with Ichizo having even been trained to give baptisms. Their performances are defined by an honesty in their very presence. Both Tsukamoto and Oida portray this desperate passion in the men in order to renew their faith once more. The two portray a direct uncompromising respect for the priests, which comes with this palatable attachment the villagers have to what they bring in to their lives.

What is important about both of their performances is that even within the intensity of that attachment the two directly show the appreciation that each man has for the priests, which directly connects to their faith. The desperation is real but within it Oida and Tsukamoto reveal what it is that Mokichi and Ichizo are granted from it. When in direct interaction, of their faith, they portray the solace they receive from it. Their joy is overwhelming at times and in that they directly suggest not only what they find in their beliefs but also what it grants them. All in this though we are given an insight into the very peculiar status of the men's beliefs considering that they are technically praying in secret. This is found in their performances that convey this terrible attempt to keep hidden something they hold dear. That intense fear they both bring when they believe they may loses the priests, it is not that either of them are holding onto the men, but rather the idea of the men being such powerful tools of their belief.

Their test of faith comes though when the Japanese inquisition visits their village, and again both actors excel in these scenes. There is real power in the terror that grace their face as they attempt to stand in front of the inquisition. It is decided that both Mokichi and Ichizo must be hostages, but they must find two more. Oida has a terrific scene where he reveals the pure unadulterated faith in Ichizo as he pleads with another to join them in their sacrifice. Here in these scene there such a poignancy in depicting both men attempting to deal with their own struggle to abandon their faith in order to save themselves. Both are exceptional in the moment where Rodrigues grants them the permission to trample the image of Christ they will be presented with. Rodrigues's own statement is given understanding through the sheer horror that Tsukamoto portrays as he asks what to do, and Oida is equally effective as he conveys Ichizo's surprise at the advice. The two fail though to apostatize to the inquisitions requirement, they do trample the image Christ but without certainty. Again both of the performances are essential in these moments as silently they given the terrible struggle in both men, and allude to their belief. The men are sentenced to death and slowly executed by the tide while placed upon wooden crosses. This is Tsukamoto's scene and he is heart wrenching throughout the scene. As he reveals the man's slow emotional death in painful detail. What makes it so moving though is that Tsukamoto depicts still that solace in the man's eyes as he says a pray for his friend when Ichizo dies, and then later when he sings a hymn as he tries to hold onto life or perhaps ease his death. Both actors give very strong performances as they so effectively, and importantly grant a face to the Japanese Christians and their struggle. Their deaths are not meaningless, as they continue to haunt long after their departure.

Tadanobu Asano and Issey Ogata did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying The Interpreter and the inquisitor Inoue Masashige respectively in Silence.

The lead persecutor of Christians in Japan we actually meet relatively early on as the Japanese inquisition first visits the Christian villagers. Ogata appears but does not speak for some time. In these scenes though we do get a glimpse into his rather brilliant approach to the part. As he's riding through the village he does not stare down at the villagers with hate, but actually a rather pleasant smile. Ogata's approach is not to present Inoue as this sinister villain instead playing the role kind of like a kooky old grandfather. The amazing part of it is how well he pulls it off. He's unassuming as we see him yet there is just something so interesting about the old man who rides with the inquisition. Everything about Ogata's demeanor is kind of something else, and again brilliantly so. The way he squints his eyes, his hunch, and especially that almost sweet? voice that he does, grants a most unique presence within the film to say the least. He gives though the age of the character, but also this man of power who essentially behaves in a way that only a man with his power could behave.

A shame about a transformative performance like this is it is not one that can be readily appreciated, though Ogata was the only supporting actor from the ensemble recognized anywhere to begin with, but if one actually goes to see the man in an interview one can see that he truly went out on a limb with his performance here. It absolutely works though and makes him the all the more effective as a villain. Ogata does not really speak for over an hour into the film, even though we see him before that point, after Rodrigues has been captured with a group of Japanese Christians. He speaks and we get a glimpse of Inoue's most unusual method of defeating his enemies. In that Ogata delivers his initial words against the Christians as though he is merely pleasantly giving them a bit of advice. This even continues as he opens up to Rodrigues, but this changes when Rodrigues makes it clear that he will not be an easily defeated priest. Ogata's switch is perfect, as well as rather menacing, revealing a more exact hatred, when he makes his frustrations known directly to him. I especially admire his venomous delivery of "The price of you glory is their suffering" suggesting a less gentle man when he sees that this priest will take some time.

We are soon introduced to the second persecutor with considerable emphasis within film which is the man only named as the interpreter. He is the man who most often interacts with Rodrigues as they attempt to get him to apostatize. Although the interpreter fulfills the requirements of his name that is not his only purpose. Tadanobu Asano's work is yet another striking turn in this film. Asano again twists the part in rather compelling way. He does not scream at Rodrigues, but he rather, well what's the best word to describe, yes I know, he trolls him. Asano delivers this palatable disdain in everything about his performance that is so effective in offering this curious atypical yet still sinister presence. What's so great about Asano's approach is just how much passive aggression he brings to the part, though he portrays all of the interpreters hatred as very much a natural state of being that he's quite comfortable with. Asano is not one note though even quite effectively delivering a real passion as he states what the value in Buddhism is. Asano delivers this straight to even allow one to potentially agree with the interpreter, of course then Asano is so incisive as he turns this honest defense into a vicious attack against Rodrigues's own beliefs.

Now the reason I discussed Ogata and Asano together, besides that their characters are in supportive of each other in the same task, is that they are also kind of hilarious. Despite being the most identifiable villains for the film, they are also the source of the most light hearted moments in the film. What is astonishing is that it somehow feels not only natural it only elevates the film's strengths all the more. A great deal of the credit for this needs to go to both actors. Asano's comedic moments come from that general sense of superiority he grants the Interpreter. Asano though is suddenly funny when he is funny, particularly his timing when Rodrigues asks if their plan is to let their body betray him and he instantly counters "Not at all" with such abrasive indifference. Ogata's very being is amusing particularly with the little business he goes in whether it is shooing a fly in his initial interrogation or his manner of calling or punishing those he needs when he's trying to straighten up. Both make the humor genuine, and fitting to their characters. In these instances Asano and Ogata reflect the attitudes of the men whose job it has become to inflict such punishments, and they're so comfortable in it that they can be rather blasé about it all. 

Ogata and Asano do not compromise their characters intentions though with those lighter moments. They are a natural part of their overarching characterizations of these inquisitors. When they become more direct in their technique both are brutally effective. Again one of the most notable sequences of the film is when Rodrigues is forced to watch Father Garupe drown in a failed attempt to save some of the Japanese Christians. Asano is bone chilling in the scene as he offers such exact remarks towards Rodrigues throughout it. There is no sympathy just the intention to break the man with his cruel words that are made all the crueler through Asano's direct almost unemotional delivery. Ogata excels in crafting this most unusual man's way of destroying those who oppose him, and he manages to make something so menacing out of only usually implying what he's capable of. We actually don't really ever hear him order someone to be directly executed or tortured. Ogata gives us that sly smile and even a warmth as he speaks to Rodrigues about a story regarding concubines, even offering this shyness as he ponders if he should regale such a story to a celibate priest. When the story is revealed to be a metaphor for the other countries interfering in Japan, there is this darker shade in his eyes, which only worsens when Rodrigues's resolve is not lost. Ogata in those moments suggests the man responsible for the torture and murders of so many. Ogata though in the end presents a man who has come to attempt to convert rather than kill, though that may involve the killing of others. I feel this is best represented in Ogata's final scene where he actually comforts the defeated Rodrigues, and delivers his message as "hey you tried your best but it was all against you". Ogata gives a great performance as he not only offers such a unique character, that you feel has quite the life outside of the frame we view him in. Asano and Ogata realize the effectiveness of the inquisition. They present men who have become so very comfortable and efficient in their task, making it almost second nature to them, even though it involves so many horrible deeds.

(Asano)

(Ogata)
Liam Neeson did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Father Cristovao Ferreira in Silence.

Liam Neeson plays almost the Colonel Kurtz for the journey, in that he's technically the end goal of the missionaries. Unlike Marlon Brando in Apocalypse Now we actually do see Liam Neeson before the end. He opens the film as we witness part of Father Ferreira's, who lead the Christian mission in Japan, downfall as he watches his fellow priests being slowly tortured. Neeson is devastating in these glimpses offering a man worn away by his anguish. Neeson in the flashbacks later as well shows a man who has been through hell and is almost hollow in the way his strength has been purged from him. We do not see Ferreira again for over two hours when he finally appears to be a final weapon of sorts by the inquisition in order to get Rodrigues to apostatize, as Ferreira had done. Ferreira is mentioned several times before his reappearance, as the inquisition name him as a great example for all others as he has not only given up his faith but also lives as a Japanese. There is this buildup to the man, again not unlike Kurtz in Apocalypse Now, so Neeson needs to live up to this.

Neeson does live up to his character's reputation but not in the way you may think. Neeson's work here is fascinating as seems aware of his own screen persona. Neeson is of course no way a stranger to playing mentors, on the contrary it is one of his specialties. Neeson though in those roles though is always known for the confidence and command he brings to them. That is not what Neeson brings here and he makes a tremendous impact from his first scene where Ferreira sits across from Rodrigues to speak. Neeson is notable as he gives us this broken man. Neeson realizes what was done to Ferreier in every aspect of his performance. Neeson shares almost no eye contact with Garfield throughout the scene, almost like beat dog, showing this shame as Ferreira knows how he must look to his old student. Neeson inflicts this hesitation in his early greetings, this stops in speech reflecting this overwhelming sadness of the man. When he asks "do I seem so different" to Rodrigues, there is such distress in his voice, as Neeson shows a man who honestly knows the answer already. When he speaks of being happy to finally be of use, Neeson reveals a man writhing in pain just below his skin, torn apart by just what he has become.

Neeson shows that Ferreira only can come out of this depression when he attempts to speak Rodrigues into following his example. Neeson portrays this in no way as Ferreira having become some true believer for the Japanese's  cause. There is something as painful as his depressed state as he attempt to argue for Rodrigues to denounce his faith himself. There is a passion that Neeson grants the words but a cynical passion. Neeson plays this as a man grasping onto his olds doubts to be able to speak these words. Neeson perhaps gives us the most direct Ferreira as he attempts to convince Rodrigues that the Japanese never understood Christianity to begin with. Neeson again does not deliver this as some man whose made a revelation, it is rather a man writhing in his own torments. There is no hope left in Neeson's voice or eyes in his miserable teachings towards his old student. Neeson's work is incredibly striking and oddly enough soulful as he depicts a man who has had his own faith ripped from him. As powerful as Neeson's performance is up until he helps to "break" Rodrigues, one of the most affecting moments though is in his final quiet scene as he and Rodrigues go about their duties as pawns of the anti-christian Japanese. Ferreira states that only "Our Lord" can judge their minds, and in that brief moment Neeson alludes to the man and teacher Ferreira once was, and that his faith was perhaps still within him. This is an outstanding performance by Liam Neeson as it is such compelling subversion of his usual presence, and leaves such considerable imprint on the film despite his very brief screentime. 

Yosuke Kubozuka did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Kichijiro in Silence.

The final performance I write about comes through the character who is probably given the second greatest importance within the narrative, behind Rodrigues of course. Kichijiro we are introduced to outside of Japan as he is living as an expatriate in Macau. Although living might be an overstatement as the two priests are shown the man who is little more than drunken wreck, with the only reason why he's the best man for the job of guide is because he's the only man for the job. Kubozuka does not give a quiet performance, but nor should he. The man after all from his first scene is shown to be a druken fool. Kubozuka excels in being just that as he yells nonsensically against going with them. Kichijiro needs to be an obvious mess to anyone who sees him, and Kubozuka brings that. He makes him a bit of a joke, which again is an intentional realization of the character who is a bit of joke to everyone who speaks of him. There is a moment though that Kubozuka effectively undercuts this slightly when he lashes out at being called a Christian. His lament that Christians die could merely be the ramblings of an idiotic drunk, but Kubozuka infuses it with a bit more pathos than that even if only lasts for a moment.

Kichijiro does in the end take the priests over to Japan where we eventually learn the cause of the man's state. The revelation is that Kichijiro is not only indeed a Christian but also his whole family was murdered by the Japanese inquisition. Kichijiro only survived himself by apostatizing yet he still saw his family die. We are given a brief insight into the former man as we flashback to see his family being massacred as he watched. Kubozuka's presence is different in that he stands not as the drunken fool, but a normal man. As the family is massacred though Kubozuka's reaction is truly haunting as it echoes the pain the man is suffering, a pain that could bring him to the state the Fathers originally found him in. The scene gives sense to Kubozuka's performance which not of a drunken fool, but rather a man driven to madness due his grief. In the scene where Kichijiro tells Rodrigues his story Kubozuka is absolutely heartbreaking by revealing the real man beneath the wretch. He portrays so well the hint of hope in the man with such poignancy as he asks if there is a chance that God may forgive him.

When the inquisition arrives though Kubozuka shows that although we may have a greater understanding of the man, he's in no way recovered. Kubozuka instead portrays this rather problematic attachment that Kichijiro gains towards Rodrigues. Kubozuka depicts it as that same madness in the man, but now he has a method of trying to find some respite which is through looking towards Rodrigues for guidance and absolution. When the villagers asks for Kichijiro's help, as well as accuse him of wrongdoing, Kubozuka's reaction grants an insight into the man. He reacts in utter fear but his protests are all aimed right towards Rodrigues in attempt for him to escape from his personal demons somehow. Kichijiro is one of the few Japanese who consistently avoids being killed by his willingness to apostatize again and again. Kichijiro for the rest of the film ends up being a rather strange ghost of sorts, though very much alive, who follows around Rodrigues. Again Kubozuka's work offers an understanding to this behavior by portraying that attachment that is so strong to the priest. Kubozuka's terrific because he really is absolutely the wretch Kichijiro seems to be, only becoming more wretched when he apparently betrays Rodrigues to the authorities. There is even a slightly comic element in this as Kichijiro continues to appear no matter where Rodrigues goes in order to deliver his confession. Kubozuka's performance touches upon a humorous undercurrent yet that is only an aspect in his realization of the terrible pathetic state of the man. What's so remarkable about his work is his ability to infuse Kichijiro with that history, and that at all points he carries that very real pain that brought him to this point with a very real desperation in his attempts to find some solace. Kubozuka is the last of the prominent supporting actors to appear in the film as he acts as a servant to the now apostatized Rodrigues. Years have past and Kubozuka gives a slightly more put together Kichijiro, having been living a different life of sorts. Kichijiro still asks to have his confession heard and it is comic in a way yet also tragic because Kubozuka makes the intention of his wish to have his sins forgiven so honest. He's incredibly moving and Kubozuka also manages to give understanding to Kichijiro as a man, despite his pathetic state. He's never a caricature as Kubozuka delivers his own embodiment of man's journey to finding his own path in regards to his faith, that mirrors Rodrigues's own though Kichijiro's perhaps is a less noble one. 

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 2016

And the Nominees Were Not:

Stellan Skarsgård in Our Kind of Traitor

Damian Lewis in Our Kind of Traitor 

Sam Neill in Hunt For the Wilderpeople

Ben Foster in Hell or High Water

Alden Ehrenreich in Hail Caesar!

Ralph Ineson in The Witch 

Harvey Scrimshaw in The Witch

For Prediction purposes:

Skarsgård from Traitor

Ineson from the VVitch

 And they also were not:

Shinya Tsukamoto in Silence

Yoshi Oida in Silence 

Tadanobu Asano in Silence

Liam Neeson in Silence 

Issey Ogata in Silence

Yosuke Kubozuka in Silence

For prediction purposes:
 
Tsukamoto out of the villagers.  

Alternate Best Actor 1996: Results

5. Leonard DiCaprio in Romeo and Juliet - DiCaprio does not have the language down but he does bring the right passion and enthusiasm although it is hard see through that direction.

Best Scene: Romeo's death monologue.

4. Chris Cooper in Lone Star- Cooper seems right as the quiet convicted Sheriff, but he's suppose to be uncomfortable with his job which isn't expressed very well.

Best Scene: Sam talks to his old flame.

3. Liam Neeson in Michael Collins- Collins is made to be an absolute hero here, and the film outright rejects any scenes to give a greater complexity to see him, but Neeson does bring the right power and passion to the part.

Best Scene: Collins attempts to defend the treaty.

2. Ewan McGregor in Trainspotting - McGregor gives a nicely charismatic portrayal, and meets any challenge in store for him.

Best Scene: Renton goes Cold Turkey

1. Kenneth Branagh in Hamlet - Although I was skeptical about Branagh approach to the prince of Denmark, he successfully won me over with his flamboyant portrayal of Hamlet. He creates an understanding in the insanity, but as well brings his performance down when needed and to great effect. For the overall win it came down to the men whose plan goes horribly wrong, I decided to go with the car salesman.

Best Scene: The duel.

Overall Rank:

1. Max von Sydow in Hamsun
2. William H. Macy in Fargo
3. Jeffrey Wright in Basquiat
4. Kenneth Branagh in Hamlet
5. Timothy Spall in Secrets & Lies
6. James Woods in Killer: A Journal of Murder 
7. Daniel Day-Lewis in The Crucible  
8. Phillippe Torreton in Captain Conan
9. Robert Carlyle in Carla's Song
10. Ewan McGregor in Trainspotting
11. Christopher Walken in The Funeral 
12. George Clooney in From Dusk Till Dawn 
13. Liam Neeson in Michael Collins
14. Matthew McConaughey in A Time to Kill
15. Mel Gibson in Ransom
16. Tom Cruise in Jerry Maguire
17. Ralph Fiennes in The English Patient
18. Noah Taylor in Shine  
19. Stellan Skarsgard in Breaking The Waves
20. Daniel Auteuil in The Eighth Day 
21. Pascal Duquenne in The Eighth Day
22. Luke Wilson in Bottle Rocket 
23. Eddie Murphy in The Nutty Professor
24. Jeff Daniels in Fly Away Home
25. Patrick Stewart in Star Trek: First Contact
26. Tom Hulce in The Hunchback of Notre Dame 
27. Christopher Eccleston in Jude
28. Richard Gere in Primal Fear
29. Owen Wilson in Bottle Rocket
30. Stanley Tucci in Big Night 
31. Joe Pantoliano in Bound 
32. Zdeněk Svěrák in Kolya
33. Charles Berling in Ridicule
34. Nathan Lane in The Birdcage 
35. Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible
36. Tom Everett Scott in That Thing You Do 
37. Jon Favreau in Swingers
38. Tony Shalhoub in Big Night
39. Denzel Washington in Courage Under Fire
40. Jérémie Renier in La Promesse
41. Leon Lai in Comrades: Almost a Love Story
42. Nicolas Cage in The Rock
43. Sener Sen in The Bandit 
44. Geoffrey Rush in Shine
45. Billy Bob Thornton in Sling Blade
46. John Malkovich in The Portrait of a Lady
47. James Spader in Crash 
48. Daniel Giménez Cacho in Deep Crimson
49. Kim Bodnia in Pusher
50. Michael J. Fox in The Frighteners 
51. John Travolta in Phenomenon
52. Antonio Banderas in Evita 
53. Jim Carrey in The Cable Guy 
54. Ben Stiller in Flirting With Disaster
55. Sean Connery in The Rock
56. Woody Harrelson in Kingpin 
57. Jeff Bridges in White Squall
58. Sean Connery in Dragonheart 
59. Albert Brooks in Mother
60. Michael Keaton in Multiplicity
61. Adam Sandler in Happy Gilmore
62. Dennis Quiad in Dragonheart
63. Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Eraser  
64. Chris Cooper in Lone Star
65. Bill Murray in Larger Than Life 
66. Joseph Perrino in Sleepers
67. Robin Williams in The Birdcage
68. Leonardo DiCaprio in Romeo + Juliet 
69. Bill Pullman in Independence Day
70. Jason Patric in Sleepers
71. Val Kilmer in The Ghost and the Darkness 
72. Steve Martin in Sgt. Bilko
73. Randy Quaid in Kingpin
74. Vincent D'Onofrio in The Whole Wide World
75. Blake Heron in Shiloh
76. Sylvester Stallone in Daylight
77. Will Smith in Independence Day
78. Woody Harrelson in The People vs. Larry Flynt
79. Vincent Gallo in The Funeral 
80. Bill Paxton in Twister
81. Chris Farley in Black Sheep
82. Leslie Nielsen in Spy Hard 
83. Kelsey Grammer in Down Periscope
84. Jack Nicholson in Mars Attacks! 
85. Jeff Bridges in The Mirror Has Two Faces
86. Keanu Reeves in Chain Reaction
87. Vincent Kartheiser in Alaska
88. Alec Baldwin in Ghosts of Mississippi
89. Jon Lovitz in High School High
90. David Spade in Black Sheep
91. Matthew Broderick in The Cable Guy
92. Robin Williams in Jack
93. Arnold Schwarzenegger in Jingle All The Way
94. Tom Arnold in The Stupids
95. Sinbad in First Kid
96. Jeffrey Nording in D3
97. Billy Zane in The Phantom
98. Robert Sean Leonard in Killer: A Journal of Murder
99. Joshua Jackson in D3
100. Jason Alexander in Dunston Checks In 
101. Brock Pierce in First Kid
102. Francis Capra in Kazaam 
103. Michael Jordan in Space Jam
104. Shaquille O'Neal in Kazaam
105. Eric Lloyd in Dunston Checks In
106. Stephen Baldwin in Bio-Dome
107. Pauly Shore in Bio-Dome

Next Year: 1996 Supporting

Alternate Best Actor 1996: Liam Neeson in Michael Collins

Liam Neeson did not receive an Oscar nomination, despite being nominated for a Golden Globe, for portraying the titular character in Michael Collins.

Michael Collins goes for mainly the fairly simple hero based  approach of showing the efforts of the Irish to gain independence. It isn't anything great, and Julia Roberts is in it for some reason, but I found watchable it enough.

Liam Neeson probably has had one of the stranger career paths for an actor as in the early nineties he was probably best known for starring in prestige pictures like Schindler's List then he transferred to the go to man to play the doomed mentor like in Gangs of New York  for example although still with the occasional portrayal of a lead in a prestige picture still like Kinsey, but now he is a go to bad ass for any action movie. Although a strange course perhaps it should not be looked at too surprising because take a look at his performance as Michael Collins an Irish freedom fighter of the early Twentieth Century. After all Michael Collins is an Irishmen with a very particular set of skills, and if you're English you better let Ireland go or else he will look for you, he will find you and he will kill you.

Seriously though Collins for most of the film is a rabble rousing heroic figure who will do everything he can to fight for the cause, and bring others to fight for it as well. Neeson definitely brings what the part need which is a lot of passion and energy to every scene. He's very believable as the freedom fighter because he just throws himself into every moment of it as fiercely as he can. Most of what he does is just basically calling upon his men or doing things himself to further cause with just a moment or two that are a bit quieter to make a potential wisecrack or two. Neeson is able to dial up and dial it down with great efficiency and he does a very good job of being a true hero type which is very much fitting to the way the film chooses to present Michael Collins.

There were potentially some room for more to the character but the film tends to avoid it. It delves a little bit into a romantic relationship with a woman named Kitty but since she is played by Julia Roberts those scenes are just kind of distracting. Neeson is sweet and charming enough in them, but honestly it really does not matter whether he chemistry with Roberts or not as the film does not really care too much about that relationship when you get right down to it. Another area that would have been interesting to explore is when Collins is sent to be a negotiator to England to work through a treaty to free Ireland. This could have shown Collins in a different light as he speaks and negotiates with the English, but the film chooses to not show these scenes leaving Neeson still very much restricted in his portrayal of Collins.

The film does not stop there though as the finale of the film depicts a rift between Collins and some of the Irish over the treaty that leads to a civil war. Collins does not really have a change of heart towards violence or anything else rather it shows that Collins believes that they have gotten what they need so the violence simply should stop nothing more. The film's decision to present this view makes it so once again Collins just needs to stay in that hero mode, just instead of arguing against the English he instead must passionately argue against his brethren. Neeson keeps it consistent though and he stays effective in bringing the needed zeal through the proceedings. Neeson in fact makes it very easy to sympathize with Collins in these late scenes because he only continues to present Collins as man fighting for the same cause the whole time.

Although Michael Collins is not presented in a particularly complex way I really can't blame Liam Neeson for any of this. Whenever there is a chance to explore Collins in a fuller fashion the film seems to actively avoid it to keep him very bluntly as a hero. The film easily could have created a journey where Collins perhaps changes his views or something, or even just changes his views slightly, but the film chooses instead to present Collins as being right from the beginning to end. All of this has to do with Neil Jordan's writing and directing though and none of it really comes down to Neeson's performance since where Collins would have to be a little different the film refuses to show it. In the limited scope given to him though Neeson does give a strong performance by bringing such a righteous intensity, and unquestionably making Collins the hero the film desires.

Alternate Best Actor 1996

And The Nominees Were Not:

Liam Neeson in Michael Collins

Leonardo DiCaprio in Romeo and Juliet

Kenneth Branagh in Hamlet

Chris Cooper in Lone Star

Ewan McGregor in Trainspotting 

Blast I hate it when that happens, but it appears Hard Eight received no public release until 1997, so here's a quick replacement to allow for some more Shakespearean comparisons which is usually fun. 

Alternate Best Actor 2012: Results

5. Jack Black in Bernie- Black gives a very different performance here going head first into creating a unique character who is believable as both the nicest man but also a murderer.

4. Liam Neeson in The Grey- Neeson gives a strong performance capitalizing well on his physical, but as well giving a powerful emotional portrayal as well.

3. Matthew McConaughey in Killer Joe- McConaughey proves himself more than capable as an actor through his oddly charming and at the same time freighting performance as a cop who does not mind killing for money on the side.

2. Denis Lavant in Holy Motors- Lavant gives a very different type of performance switching breathlessly from one character never stopping for a moment. It is a striking performance that is absolutely fascinating to watch.

1. Jean Louis Trintignant in Amour-Trintignant gives a quiet very restrained performance that is very moving and poignant while having a perfect chemistry with his co-star Emmanuelle Riva. A strong year for leading performances, and the academy did a pretty good job of selecting them too they nominated six deserving leading performances even if two were in the supporting category.

Overall Rank:

1. Joaquin Phoenix in The Master
2. Mads Mikkelsen in The Hunt 
3. Daniel Day-Lewis in Lincoln
4. Philip Seymour Hoffman in The Master
5. Jean Louis Trintignant in Amour
6. Denis Lavant in Holy Motors
7. Christoph Waltz in Django Unchained
8. Matthias Schoenaerts in Rust and Bone
9. Matthew McConaughey in Killer Joe
10. Liam Neeson in The Grey
11. Mads Mikkelsen in A Royal Affair
12. Choi Min-sik in Nameless Gangster   
13. Toby Jones in Berberian Sound Studio
14. Jack Black in Bernie
15. John Hawkes in The Sessions
16. Tom Holland in The Impossible
17. Suraj Sharma in Life of Pi  
18. Martin Freeman in The Hobbit  
19. Mel Gibson in Get the Gringo 
20. Bradley Cooper in Silver Linings Playbook 
21. Jake Gyllenhaal in End of Watch
22. Michael Pena in End of Watch
23. Richard Gere in Arbitrage
24. Frank Langella in Robot and Frank 
25. Mikkel Følsgaard in A Royal Affair
26. Daniel Craig in Skyfall 
27. Hugh Jackman in Les Miserables   
28. Paul Dano in Ruby Sparks
29. Tom Courtenay in Quartet 
30. Ranibir Kapoor in Barfi!
    
31. Jack Reynor in What Richard Did
32. Channing Tatum in 21 Jump Street 
33. Jonah Hill in 21 Jump Street 
34. Charlie Creed-Miles in Wild Bill 
35. Dane DeHaan in Chronicle
36. Colin Farrell in Seven Psychopaths
37. Brad Pitt in Killing Them Softly
38. Hugh Grant in The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists!
39. Christian Bale in The Dark Knight Rises
40. Tom Hardy in Lawless
41. Karl Urban in Dredd  
42. Gael Garcia Bernal in NO
43. Lambert Wilson in Ernest & Celestine
44. Robert Downey Jr. in The Avengers
45. Mark Ruffalo in The Avengers 
46. Seann William Scott in Goon
47. Ben Affleck in Argo
48. Joseph Gordon-Levitt in Looper 
49. Iko Uwais in The Raid 
50. Clarke Peters in Red Hook Summer
    
51. Chris Evans in The Avengers 
52. Jared Gilman in Moonrise Kingdom
53. Christopher Walken in Stand Up Guys 
54. Logan Lerman in The Perks of Being a Wallflower   
55. Will Poulter in Wild Bill
56. Emile Hirsch in Killer Joe
57. Chris Hemsworth in The Avengers 
58. Clive Owen in Shadow Dancer
59. Zach Galifianakis in The Campaign
60. Will Farrell in The Campaign  
61. Paul Brannigan in The Angels' Share
62. Tom Cruise in Jack Reacher
63. Denzel Washington in Flight
64. Anthony Hopkins in Hitchcock
65. Al Pacino in Stand Up Guys
66. Jamie Foxx in Django Unchained
67. Joseph Gordon-Levitt in Premium Rush
68. Robert Pattison in Cosmopolis 
69. Sacha Baron Cohen in The Dictator 
70. Steve Oram in The Sightseers
71. Alex Russell in Chronicle
72. Mark Duplass in Safety Not Guaranteed
73. Bill Murray in Hyde Park On Hudson
74. Shia LaBeouf in Lawless
75. Sylvester Stallone in The Expendables 2
76. Will Smith in Men in Black 
77. Jules Brown in Red Hook Summer
    
78. Chapman To in Vulgaria
79. Zac Efron in The Paper Boy

Next Year: 1968 lead

Alternate Best Actor 2012: Liam Neeson in The Grey

Liam Neeson did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying John Ottway in The Grey.

The Grey is a bleak film about a group of men who attempt to survive after a plan crash in Alaska, all the while being hunted by a group of vicious wolves. Hardly a perfect film, but I thought it was pretty effective survival/disaster film, a genre that I am not a big fan of.

Liam Neeson is an actor who definitely has had a most unusual career path. His earliest claims to fame where his leading performances in very dramatic pictures like Schindler's List, and Michael Collins. He drifted briefly into the role of the go to mentor in films like Gangs of New York, and the Phantom Menace among many others. Than suddenly he became a badass action hero despite being over fifty years old. The Grey represents this transition well as very much physical work is required of him here, but in this case his performances of old are harkened back by the dramatic core found in his character here as well.

Neeson portrays John Ottway who works as a wolf hunter to protect oil drillers. This is a rather unique lead to have in a survival film as usually the leads of such films slowly become pessimistic in some way through the failures and deaths during their attempts to survive. Ottway on the other hand starts out as suicidal and early on considers suicide to the point that he even sticks his rifle into his mouth, but he stops just before doing so. It is an odd place to start with Ottway, but Neeson knows how to handle it by internalizing this dread in Ottway in fashion that it is right in the man's bones. 

The depression Ottway is facing as well as his heartbreak over the death of his wife is only portrayed just about silently by Neeson. He does this really quite well by showing it very much as state of that Ottway is in. He is not necessarily depressed in the way an average man would be but Neeson shows Ottway to be a very hard man from the get go. It would be wrong for him to be excessively emotional in this moment, particularly since Ottway seems to be clearly a loner, but Neeson still conveys the pain that creates this depression in a way that is perfectly fitting for Ottway.

After the plane crash though Ottway sort of gets a sense of purpose which is just basic survival. Neeson has a certain type of presence here that few actors these days are able to deliver on. What that is is being a real man's man. Neeson makes Ottway as such and he just oozes in strength of will in his portrayal as a man who is willing to fight wolves with only a stick and a shotgun shell. He makes Ottway's ability to press on and even suggest fighting the wolves something that is entirely believable. Neeson simply has the conviction in his performance to make Ottway the survivalist he should be.

One of the best indications of Neeson unique presence is the way that he sets up Ottway as the defacto leader of the surviving men. Neeson does not leave it as something that can even be questioned he has just such a great command with his performance, that even though he is older than the others he easily is the one who stands the strongest in the situation. Neeson absolutely delivers in this way, and his scenes where he puts one of the other survivors in his place who is acting particularly rebellious. Neeson has such an assurance in his performance that he makes it abundantly clear that Ottway will stay absolutely in charge.

Neeson knows how to be both an imposing figure as Ottway, but also with just the right amount of vulnerability to allow us to sympathize with his plight as well. Neeson though is very good because he never compromises for either. When he does let us in on his internal emotions he still very much keeps the strengths of Ottway in view. In the more philosophical moments of the film Neeson is strong because he marvelously balances both cynicism and optimism in Ottway. Yes a great deal of what he says is gloom filled, but Neeson is terrific in showing that there is a spark of hope in Ottway that hope that really is what keeps him going during the film.

This is a performance that very much has the challenge of realizing the personal struggle of Ottway while moving along with the pressing physical struggle. Neeson is quite good in doing this as he gives the short moments throughout to realize this part of Ottway. It does not come out fully until near the end of the film where Ottway is the last man standing. There are two scenes in a row where Neeson breaks the conviction to survival that Ottway expressed earlier. By building quietly to this point Neeson is quite powerful when Ottway breaks down asking God for help. It is a powerful scene with Neeson showing in this moment that Ottway despite holding to this point is almost at his end.

That louder moment by Neeson though is trumped by his very last scene which is almost silent. The scene depicts Ottway examining and piling the wallets of the fallen. It is a moving scene in which Neeson brings all the poignancy the moment needs. The film has many deaths, and Neeson in this moment gives them the weight they deserve. This quickly leads to the moment in which Ottway is face with the Alpha Wolf. Neeson is terrific as he portrays that spark of hope at the end fuels him to make Ottway make at least one more stand. Although the ending is sudden Neeson honestly is the one who earns through his performance as it powerfully finishes Ottway's journey from a suicidal man to one who stands and fights even when death seems like an inevitability. Neeson gives a strong performance creating a portrait of great confidence, and a certain weakness leading this film in an entirely convincing manner that fits the film's tone perfectly.

Alternate Best Actor 2012

And the Nominees Were Not:

Jean Louis Trintignant in Amour

Jack Black in Bernie

Liam Neeson in The Grey

Matthew McConaughey in Killer Joe

Denis Lavant in Holy Motors

Best Actor 1993: Results

5. Laurence Fishburne in What's Love Got to Do With It- Fishburne never finds anything to do with the fact that the script writes his character as basically one dimensional throughout the film.

4. Tom Hanks in Philadelphia- Hanks does have some good moments in the film but he also has many bad ones. Then in much of the film he is just underwhelming.

3. Liam Neeson in Schindler's List- Neeson finds the right charisma as Schindler making everything Schindler does believable, and he finds the perfect way to show Schindler's change over the film making his change as effective as possible

 2. Anthony Hopkins in The Remains of the Day- Hopkins gives a brilliant portrayal of specific subtle tragedy.  

1. Daniel Day-Lewis in In the Name of the Father- Day-Lewis is very strong throughout the film, especially during scenes where he shares scenes with Pete Postlethewaite.

Deserving Performances:
Bill Murray in Groundhog's Day
Michael Douglas in Falling Down

Best Actor 1993: Liam Neeson in Schindler's List

Liam Neeson received his first Oscar nomination for playing Oskar Schindler a business man who saves many Jewish people by giving them work in his factory in Schindler's List.

Schindler's list is incredibly well done film about the holocaust, with many brilliant and powerful scenes throughout the film.

Oskar Schindler begins in the film, as only a selfish person who only wishes to use Jews in his factory because they are basically slave labor for his factory, enabling him to make more money. Neeson plays Schindler with the right amount of intensity and strictness in the way he goes about his business. He properly keeps Schindler as just an exploiter at first and nothing else. He has the right coldness in his performance and does not play him as a hero in the least, which makes the rest of his performance all the more powerful.

In these early scenes though he also shows the charisma of Schindler. The inherit charisma that Schindler has is something small in the overall film but it is essential to part of the success of the film. Believing in Schindler's charisma allows one to believe that Schindler was capable of everything that he accomplishes in this film. Neeson's performance is essential in showing the great feat that Schindler accomplished in convincing all the Nazi officials, and tricking them. Neeson is completely up to the task and always the right type of charisma in this performance. A nice natural charisma that is always believable, making it so Schindler's abilities never seem forced or unrealistic in the least.

The best part of Neeson performance is the his method in showing Schindler's change over from a completely selfish man to a Saint. Neeson never shows his change as an instant difference in Schindler but rather a slow deliberate change that it correctly handled by Neeson. He shows Schindler changes with short looks and reactions that are never overt but rather fine and understated. He makes Schindler change completely natural and with the right amount of power. He shows that Schindler slowly sees how truly evil the Nazi's are and slowly realizes his greater importance. The slow change builds up to the his final scene in the film where Schindler has completely become a righteous man.

The final scene of Neeson's is an incredibly powerful scene where Schindler regrets his inability to save even more lives. The scene I find is heart breaking every time, Neeson shows Schindler's true regret with all the possible true emotion and power. He shows that there was true loss of life felt by Schindler, and that he could have done more. This scene is perfect and Neeson is at the center of it with his perfect portrayal of Schindler's regrets. Neeson creates Schindler into a vivid and memorable character because of his perfect charismatic performance along with his, incredibly powerful transition. Both parts of his performance are incredibly challenging but Neeson succeeds quite well.