Alternate Best Actor 1953: Results

5. Montgomery Clift in I Confess- Clift gives a solid performance that always remains true to his character even if I wish it was a little less overshadowed by the plot.

Best Scene: Father Logan confronts the murderer.

4. Marlon Brando in The Wild One- Brando's performance is mostly repetitive but fitting for his character, and the few moments where he breaks the mold are quite effective.

Best Scene: Johnny runs from the mob.

3. Glenn Ford in The Big Heat- Ford might not reach the heights that the role seems to offer, but he still gives a fairly striking subversion of his usual decent average man type of character.

Best Scene: Bannion confronts the murderer.

2. Masayuki Mori in Ugetsu- Mori's performance is somewhat limited but good in portraying every moment of his character's rather odd journey.

Best Scene: Genjuro reunites with his "wife". 

1. James Mason in Julius Caesar- Good predictions Luke, JackiBoyz, and Kevin. Mason gives a powerful performance bringing such poignancy to his depiction of a man who stands by his convictions no matter how dark of a place they bring him to.

 

Best Scene: Brutus stabs Caesar.

Overall Rank:

1. Montgomery Clift in From Here to Eternity
2. James Mason in Julius Caesar
3. Chishū Ryū in Tokyo Story
4. James Stewart in The Naked Spur 
5. James Mason in Charade
6. Burt Lancaster in From Here to Eternity 
7. Masayuki Mori in Ugetsu
8. Charles Boyer in The Earrings of Madame de….
9. Masayuki Mori in Love Letter 
10. Clifton Webb in Titanic   
11. Charles Vanel in The Wages of Fear
12. Yves Montand in The Wages of Fear
13. Hans Conried in Peter Pan 
14. Trevor Howard in The Heart of the Matter  
15. Glenn Ford in The Big Heat
16. Marlon Brando in The Wild One
17. Montgomery Clift in I Confess
18. James Mason in The Man Between 
19. Lars Ekborg in Summer With Monika 
20. Eitaro Ozawa in Ugetsu
21. Charles Winninger in The Sun Shines Bright
22. Jack Hawkins in The Cruel Sea 
23. Alan Ladd in Shane 
24. Vincent Price in House of Wax 
25. Gregory Peck in Roman Holiday 
26. Richard Widmark in Pickup on South Street 
27. Arturo de Córdova in El
28. Louis Jourdan in Rue de l’estrapade 
29. Fred Astaire in The Band Wagon  
30. David Niven in The Moon is Blue 
31. Fredric March in Man on A Tightrope 
32. Laurence Olivier in The Beggar's Opera 
33. Charlton Heston in The President's Lady 
34. Alec Guinness in The Captain's Paradise 
35. Åke Grönberg in Sawdust and Tinsel 
36. Kazou Hasegawa in Gate of Hell  
37. William Tallman in The Hitch-Hiker 
38. Van Heflin in Shane 
39. Niall MacGinnis in Martin Luther
40. Howard Keel in Kiss Me Kate 
41. Jack Palance in Man in the Attic
42. John Wayne in Hondo 
43. Raf Vallone in Thérèse Raquin
44. Jacques Tati in Monsieur Hulot's Holiday 
45. Richard Burton in The Desert Rats 
46. Edmond O'Brien in The Hitch-Hiker 
47. William Holden in The Moon is Blue
48. Spencer Tracy in The Actress
49. Stewart Granger in All The Brothers Were Valiant 
50. Tyrone Power in The Mississippi Gambler 
51. Richard Widmark in Take the High Ground 
52. Michael Wilding in Torch Song 
53. Frank Lovejoy in The Hitch-Hiker 
54. Kenneth Moore in Genevieve 
55. Bobby Driscoll in Peter Pan
56. Clark Gable in Mogambo  
57. Bud Abbott in A & C meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
58. Lou Costello in A & C meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
59. Dean Martin in The Caddy 
60. Max Showalter in Niagara 
61. John Gregson in Genevieve 
62. Edmond O'Brien in The Bigamist 
63. Robert Taylor in All The Brothers Were Valiant 
64. Richard Burton in The Robe
65. Cary Grant in Dream Wife 
66. Mel Ferrer in Lili
67. Stewart Granger in Salome  
68. Tommy Rettig in The 5000 Fingers of Dr. T 
69. Gene Barry in The War of the Worlds 
70. Elroy Hirsch in Crazylegs  
71. Jerry Lewis in The Caddy 
72. Robert Wagner in Beneath the 12-Mile Reef 
73. Robert Taylor in Knights of the Round Table 
74. Ed Wood in Glen or Glenda
75. Richie Andrusco in Little Fugitive
76. John Brown in Robot Monster
77. George Nader in Robot Monster
78. John Mylong in Robot Monster

Next Year: 1953 Supporting

Alternate Best Actor 1953: Marlon Brando in The Wild One

Marlon Brando did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Johnny Strabler in The Wild One.

The Wild One is only an okay film about a group of bikers who invade a town causing stuff to happen.

Since it is Marlon Brando we are talking about here his role as Johnny Strabler is merely his least iconic out of his iconic roles. Brando plays the role of a 50's rebel, a 50's rebel being a young man who just seems to have more of a bad attitude rather than honestly fighting for or against something. He rides bikes with his gang who go harass a motorcycle race than proceeds to go harass a town for awhile. Brando plays Johnny in a fairly simple in some way one dimensional fashion, although I don't think he exactly plays his incorrectly by taking this approach. Johnny after all really doesn't have a purpose in his behavior such as when he randomly fights with the leader of another gang or frankly shown directly when asked what he was rebelling against and all Johnny replies is "Whadda you got?". Johnny is less of a rebel and more of just some young guy who just seems to not care about anything.

Brando's performance does work within the confines of his character as his mostly one note takes makes since for the character. Johnny isn't even like James Dean's Rebel without a Cause in that he secretly, or at least not according to what is shown in the film, that suggests he's pained by something in his personal life with family. Johnny on the other hand seems to be more or less content in being a motorcycle punk. Brando's performance therefore mostly depends on his charisma to portray the particular 'cool' of Johnny. Brando certainly is good in doing the understated charisma which works for Johnny. He has the power of personality and he does exude that certain element that would make everyone seem to almost bow before him whether or not they are part of his gang. Although Brando never has that smouldering magnetism that was found in his performance in A Streetcar Named Desire.

Brando's performance stays fairly steady except for a few moments where Johnny hangs out with the local waitress. Brando is fine as he suggests a little depth in Johnny as he pursues her. Brando is good in that he shows Johnny doing it in a half-hearted way as he portrays Johnny trying to hang on his 'cool' even when he is technically caring about something for once. Brando's best moment actually comes late in the film when the two finally turns on the bikers and attack Johnny. After Johnny manages to escape the mob Brando has one great moment where he completely loses the cool. Instead he rather powerfully turns Johnny into just a scared kid for a moment who is both surprised and hurt by suddenly being treated in such a way. That is a fantastic moment as Brando reveals Johnny's attitude to technically be a facade allowed by safety.

After that point Brando brings Johnny back to his normal not caring attitude although he adjusts it just enough to now suggest that he is more actively hiding emotions just underneath the surface. Brando no longer makes it a pure calm but rather a bit of cover as though perhaps Johnny could break down under the wrong circumstances. Unlike most of his other iconic roles this isn't quite a great performance. The character is perhaps a bit too limited and technically Brando's work here is not exactly filled with variety. Brando's approach does work, and his particular charm works for the character. Also the three dimensionality he does managed to infuse in Johnny comes out naturally and does make for some fairly poignant moments come from a character who simply could have been obnoxious.

Alternate Best Actor 1953

And the Nominees Were Not:

Masayuki Mori in Ugetsu

Glenn Ford in The Big Heat

James Mason in Julius Caesar

Montgomery Clift in I Confess

Marlon Brando in The Wild One

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 1979: Results

5. James Remar in The Warriors- Remar is gives a compelling and complex portrayal of the most interesting member of the Warriors even if his performance is cut short.

Best Scene:  Ajax is caught.

4. Marlon Brando in Apocalypse Now-Brando earns the build up to his character and gives a fascinating depiction of a man lost in his delusions of grandeur.

Best Scene: "An errand boy"

3. Michael Palin in Life of Brian- Palin creates several hilarious characters particularly a not particularly commanding Pontius Pilate, and a particularly pleasant Centurion.

Best Scene: The guard sends men on their way to the cross.

2. Dennis Hopper in Apocalypse Now- Hopper, despite not even giving a name, creates a fascinating depiction, worthy of his own film, of a burn out who has discovered an odd sort of faith.

Best Scene: Photojournalist greets Willard.

1. Ian Holm in Alien- Holm gives an excellent performance, which is amplified all the more by the terrific ensemble around him, of a rather unique deception and a particularly chilling depiction of a unique sort of evil.

Best Scene: Ash's final message.

Overall Ranking:

1. Robert Duvall in Apocalypse Now
2. Ian Holm in Alien
3. Dennis Hopper in Apocalypse Now
4. Yaphet Kotto in Alien 
5. Michael Palin in Life of Brian
6. Oliver Reed in The Brood
7. Art Carney in Going in Style
8. Lee Strasberg in Going in Style
9. Frederic Forrest in Apocalypse Now
10. Marlon Brando in Apocalypse Now
11. David Warner in Time After Time
12. Albert Hall in Apocalypse Now
13. John Hurt in Alien 
14. Tom Skerritt in Alien
15. Herb Rice in Apocalypse Now
16. Harry Dean Stanton in Alien
17. James Remar in The Warriors
18. Justin Henry in Kramer vs. Kramer
19. G.D. Spradlin in Apocalypse Now
20. Frederic Forrest in The Rose
21. Rentarō Mikuni in Vengeance is Mine
22. Utpal Dutta in The Elephant God
23. Laurence Fishburne in Apocalypse Now
24. Vladimir Samoilov in Siberiade
25. Vitaly Solomin in Siberiade
26. Nikita Mikhalkov in Siberiade
27. Sergey Shakurov in Siberiade
28. John Cleese in Life of Brian
29. Eric Idle in Life of Brian
30. Bernard Blier in Série Noire
31. Klaus Löwitsch in The Marriage of Maria Braun
32. Denholm Elliott in Saint Jack
33. Mick Ford in Scum
34. Larry Hankin in Escape From Alcatraz
35. Sam Neill in My Brilliant Career
36. Burgess Meredith in Rocky II 
37. Julian Firth in Scum
38. Paul Dooley in Breaking Away
39. Carl Weathers in Rocky II
40. Wilford Brimley in The China Syndrome
41. Michael O'Keefe in The Great Santini
42. Santosh Dutta in The Elephant God
43. Charles Grodin in Real Life
44. Richard Attenborough in The Human Factor
45. Harrison Ford in Apocalypse Now
46. Jackie Earle Haley in Breaking Away
47. Jackie Mason in The Jerk
48. Laurence Olivier in A Little Romance
49. Richard Dysart in Being There 
50. John Friedrich in The Wanderers
51. Harry Dean Stanton in Wise Blood
52. Siddhartha Chatterjee in The Elephant God
53. John Forsythe in And Justice For All
54. Andreas Katsulas in Série noire
55. Robert Morley in The Human Factor
56. Patrick McGoohan in Escape From Alcatraz 
57. Peter O'Toole in Zulu Dawn
58. Kenneth McMillan in Chilly Scenes of Winter
59. Christopher Lloyd in The Onion Field
60. David Patrick Kelly in The Warriors
61. M. Emmet Walsh in The Jerk
62. Haradhan Bandopadhyay in The Elephant God
63. Donald Sutherland in Murder By Decree
64. Ted Danson in The Onion Field
65. Ned Beatty in Wise Blood
66. Paul Benjamin in Escape From Alcatraz
67. Michael Douglas in The China Syndrome
68. Dan Shor in Wise Blood
69. Mickey Rooney in The Black Stallion
70. Deforest Kelly in Star Trek The Motion Picture
71. Sam Bottoms in Apocalypse Now
72. Mario Adorf in The Tin Drum
73. Ray Winstone in Quadrophenia
74. Michael Murphy in Manhattan
75. Laurence Olivier in Dracula
76. Roger Hill in The Warriors
77. Joe Spinell in Rocky II
78. Dennis Quaid in Breaking Away
79. Hoyt Axton in The Black Stallion
80. Dorsey Wright in Hair
81. Matt Dillon in Over the Edge
82. Roland Topor in Nosferatu The Vampyre
83. G.D. Spradlin in North Dallas Forty
84. John Gielgud in The Human Factor
85. Ned Beatty in Promises in the Dark
86. Peter Bogdanovich in Saint Jack
87. Jack Warden in And Justice For All
88. Leonard Nimoy in Star Trek the Motion Picture
89. Daniel Stern in Breaking Away
90. Warren Oates in 1941
91. Toshiro Mifune in 1941
92. Treat Williams in 1941
93. Robert Stack in 1941
94. Bobbi Di Cocci in 1941
95. Christopher Lee in 1941
96. Murray Hamilton in 1941
97. Dan Aykroyd in 1941
98. Peter Riegert in Chilly Scenes of Winter
99. Daniel Olbrychski in The Tin Drum
100. Walter Ladengast in Nosferatu The Vampyre 
101. Leigh Lawson in Tess
102. Melvyn Douglas in Being There
     
103. Peter Boyle in Hardcore
104. Alan Bates in The Rose
105. Erland van Lidth in The Wanderers
106. Donald Pleasence in Dracula 
107. Bob Hoskins in Zulu Dawn
108. Jose Ferrer in Natural Enemies
109. Charles Durning in Starting Over
110. Peter Firth in Tess
111. Michael Lonsdale in Moonraker
112. Willie Nelson in The Electric Horseman
113. Brian Dennehy in 10
114. William Andrews in The Wanderers
115. Ed Begley Jr. in The In-Laws
116. Burt Lancaster in Zulu Dawn
117. John Gielgud in Caligula
118. John Saxon in The Electric Horseman
119. Steve Bisley in Mad Max
120. Burt Young in Rocky II
121. Robert Webber in 10
122. Melvyn Douglas in The Seduction of Joe Tynan
123. Jack Warden in Being There
124. Marcelino Sanchez in The Warriors
125. Terry Jones in Life of Brian
     
126. John Belushi in 1941
127. David Hemmings in Murder By Decree
128. Trevor Eve in Dracula
129. Richard Libertini in The In-Laws
130. Tim Matheson in 1941
131. Rod Steiger in The Amityville Horror
132. Richard Keel in Moonraker
133. Sam J. Jones in 10
134. Jeffrey Tambor in And Justice For All

Next Year: 1942 lead

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 1979: Marlon Brando in Apocalypse Now

Marlon Brando did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Colonel Kurtz in Apocalypse Now.

Marlon Brando gets the Harry Lime role for this film a character we do not see much of, and we don't even meet until the third act yet there is such a tremendous build up for the character as we hear so much about him before we get our chance to meet him. Marlon Brando, being looked upon as basically a larger than life figure in terms of acting, was the perfect fit for the rouge army colonel figure who is apparently being worshiped like a god. Brando is an actor, much like Jack Nicholson, who I feel as his career progressed slowly became overly indulgent as an actor as if no one would question his greatness, and like Jack Nicholson it seems like it would require basically the director to really reign in their performances. Well Francis Ford Coppola seems like the perfect fit for one as he gave Brando his comeback role in The Godfather.

Now this could seem like an indulgent Brando performance, and Coppola notoriously had an incredibly difficult time with Brando while making this film. The thing is though, even if perhaps Brando was being very indulgent here, it works completely for the role of Colonel Kurtz. Kurtz after all is a man who could very easily be described as rather indulgent himself. When Willard (Martin Sheen) finally arrives to Kurtz's compound to assassinate him he has already seen many forms of madness, having some of that madness even in himself, but what Brando does is bring a whole different type of madness with his first scene. Enveloped in almost absolute darkness Brando brings us a man who is of his own world in more than one respected, it's his world that he is created that Willard is entering a world filled people who worship him, and his mind is also of another world.

Brando's unique manner of speaking creates this sense of Kurtz as an otherworldly figure. Brando does not simple speak as himself though as he speaks as though he is delivering a sermon in the specific conviction of his words yet there is an aloofness as if this sermon is only truly for himself. Brando's reactions equally portray Kurtz as viewing himself as something other than any normal man. He does not react naturally, rather as a man who knows all, and as if those who are near him are only there since he wished it. Brando carefully does not truly make Kurtz the god he portrays he makes the delusion, but along with that he brings the reality. Brando in a few moments, such as his angry outburst towards Hooper's photojournalist, that are short and to the point, but in these moments Brando effectively shows that are frustrations of a normal man. Brando treads carefully making the delusion something to be believed, but never shows it to be an absolute truth.

Brando makes the larger than life figure Kurtz should be, but above all his performance does meet the challenge of having this tremendous build up to his character. Brando's performance is most importantly compelling portrayal of Kurtz's unique brand of madness that in turn creates many others' madness. Brando delivers in making Kurtz an allusive, yet still fascinating mystery to behold. There is philosopher found in his constant ramblings, but there is the soldier as well as Brando is able to carry a palatable menace particularly in the scene where Kurtz offers Willard a most peculiar "gift" while Willard is his prisoner. The final fate of Colonel Kurtz may have seemed slightly absurd, but Brando makes it completely believable through his realization of Kurtz's complex insanity. Brando matches the challenge of the character and perhaps gives the last performance where he actually made use of his considerable talent.

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 1979

And the Nominees Were Not:

Dennis Hopper in Apocalypse Now

Marlon Brando in Apocalypse Now

Ian Holm in Alien

Michael Palin in Life of Brian

James Remar in The Warriors

Alternate Best Actor 1950: Results

5. Marlon Brando in The Men- Brando gives a solid turn but he always seems a bit restricted due to the role.

Best Scene: Ken's emotional outburst at the other Men

4. Toshiro Mifune in Scandal- Far from Mifune's best work but it is a nice charming performance as a fulfills the role a traditional leading man.

Best Scene: Ichiro makes his plea to the court.

3. Edmond O'Brien in D.O.A.- O'Brien is easily the best part of his film as he gives a convincing performance as a man forced to solve his own murder while he is dying.

Best Scene: Bigelow finishes telling his story.

2. Sterling Hayden in The Asphalt Jungle- Hayden doesn't give a hoot style doesn't always work but it certainly does here as the hoodlum Dix particularly due to the modicum of humanity he does bring to the part.

Best Scene:  Dix dreams of the farm as he tries to make it back to it one more time.

1. Toshiro Mifune in Rashomon- Good Prediction Psifonian. Feel free to name a year and a performance of your choice. My favorite this year is without a doubt Mifune's amazing performance here that may be his finest. He goes all out and is absolutely magnetic every second he is onscreen and gives a compelling portrayal of a man through four very different perceptions.

Best Scene:  (Hard to say as I love every minute of it but I'll have to say) The bandit's version of the story.

Overall Rank:

1. Toshiro Mifune in Rashomon
2. Richard Widmark in Night and the City
   
3. James Stewart in Harvey
4. William Holden in Sunset Blvd.
5. Jose Ferrer in Cyrano De Bergerac
6. John Garfield in The Breaking Point
7. Jean Marais in Orpheus
8. Alec Guinness in Last Holiday
   
9. Sterling Hayden in The Asphalt Jungle
10. Edmond O'Brien in D.O.A.
11. Sidney Poitier in No Way Out 
12. Kirk Douglas in Young Man With A Horn
    
13. Toshiro Mifune in Scandal
14. James Stewart in Winchester '73 
15. John Mills in Morning Departure 
16. Stig Olin in To Joy
    
17. Marlon Brando in The Men
18. John Wayne in Rio Grande
19. Richard Widmark in No Way Out 
20. John Dall in Gun Crazy
    
21. James Stewart in Broken Arrow
22. Richard Widmark in Panic in the Streets 
23. Takashi Shimura in Scandal
24. Gregory Peck in The Gunfighter  
25. Joel McCrea in Stars in My Crown
    
26. Spencer Tracy in Father of the Bride
27. Robert Newton in Treasure Island
    
28. Dilip Kumar in Babul 
29. Walter Huston in The Furies
    
30. Vincent Price in The Baron of Arizona 
31. Edouard Dermit in Les Enfants Terribles
    
32. Ben Johnson in Wagon Master
33. Dana Andrews in Where the Sidewalk Ends
    
34. Clifton Webb in Cheaper by the Dozen  
35. Alfonso Mejia in Los Olvidados
36. Dan Dailey in When Willie Comes Marching Home
    
37. Richard Todd in Stage Fright 
    
38. Louis Calhern in The Magnificent Yankee
39. Broderick Crawford in Born Yesterday
40. William Holden in Born Yesterday 
    
41. Fred Astaire in Three Little Words 
42. Stewart Granger in King Solomon's Mines
    
43. Burt Lancaster in Mister 880 
44. Harry Carey Jr. in Wagon Master
    
45. Humphrey Bogart in In a Lonely Place 
46. Bobby Driscoll in Treasure Island
    
47. Jimmy Hanley in The Blue Lamp  
48. Red Skeleton in Three Little Words
    
49. Alan Ladd in Captain Carey, U.S.A. 
50. Dirk Bogarde in The Blue Lamp
51. Ronald Reagan in Louisa
    
52. Jackie Robinson in The Jackie Robinson Story 
53. John Archer in Destination Moon
    

Next Year: 1950 Supporting

Alternate Best Actor 1950: Marlon Brando in The Men

Marlon Brando did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Ken in The Men.

The Men is a sometimes moving although far from perfect film about paralyzed WW II vets trying to adjust to their lot.

The Men is a mostly forgotten film even though it is Marlon Brando's first film his only film before he broke out to stardom through the film version of A Streetcar Named Desire. This may be because Brando isn't really himself for the most part it does not have the same screen presence he became noted for nor does it have that self indulgence that often came with his later work. This film is notable though as it is probably Marlon Brando at his most unassuming, and for my money even more notable as it contains a performance by Jack Webb where he is not playing Joe Friday but I digress.

I ought to get the negatives out of the way first which is the casting of Brando's love interest in the film who is played by Teresa Wright. I think Wright is a terrific actress and has such a natural charm, but she was miscast in the film. She plainly just doesn't seem to fit with Marlon Brando whether it be that she was about six years older then he was or that they just don't fit together. I really hate to say this as they both really try in their romantic scenes together but the chemistry needed just is not there. They do not fail in the usual way I refer to actors with bad chemistry because they both do go for it, but they just never seem compatible and at best come off as brother and sister or best friends.

The romantic aspect is one big fly in the ointment for sure as Ken relationship with his fiancee is unfortunately the focus of the film. There are also problems because Ken's journey is a little too simple. He starts very sad and down on himself then builds himself up again then he becomes sad again builds himself up again becomes sad again becomes happy finally and the film ends. It does feel a bit repetitive and there is not enough variation given to the character of Ken and his character arc feels oddly fixed like a graph where the line goes up and down in the same exact way three times without any changes in between. This is not Brando's fault as all of the transitions are spelled out by more than just his performance.

Well with that all out of the way there is some good to be said about Brando and that he is effective in portraying each of the phases of his character even though he is in this rigid structure of emotions that the film forces on him. The anguish is felt through Brando as is the happiness through some nice charm that Brando brings in the role. There is even a great moment where we see what made Brando such an unforgettable actor as that intensity he would carry in his later roles comes out in one of the scenes where Ken anger over his situation comes out. It is a great moment and you can really see that quality that made him the star he soon became although scenes like that are not seen often enough through the film unfortunately.

This is a solid performance by Marlon Brando but Brando really needed more breathing room in this part as he often seems held back, and he is left too often to watch as Fred Zinnemann handles the transitions of Ken for him. It also would have helped if his love interest had been maybe Kim Hunter for example as Wright just wasn't right for the part. This role did indicate two things about Marlon Brando. Firstly he needed to be allowed to really let loose in way this role never allowed him to do but A Streetcar Named Desire and On the Waterfront eventually did do. The other thing it did indicate though was the considerable talent that he did have including that emotionally searing quality, that eventually became his trademark of sorts, even though the film did not let him show it off as much as it could have.

Alternate Best Actor 1950

And the Nominees Were Not:

Toshiro Mifune in Rashomon

Toshiro Mifune in Scandal

Edmond O'Brien in D.O.A

Marlon Brando in The Men

Sterling Hayden in The Asphalt Jungle

Best Supporting Actor 1989: Results

5. Dan Aykroyd in Driving Miss Daisy- Aykroyd is not given much to do, but he adds a nice charm, as well as a descent amount of humor to the part.

4. Marlon Brando in A Dry White Season- Marlon Brando is in basically two scenes, and he is good in them both, although not amazing.

3. Denzel Washington in Glory- Although he overacts a bit at the beginning of the film, after that he gives a consistently effective performance particularly in his quiet scenes where he shows the true beliefs of the character.

2. Danny Aiello in Do The Right Thing- Aiello's performance is great throughout the film and manages to make a fascinating character. Aiello always stays true to the part, and life as he gives a interesting characterization of a man who believes in what he has built more than anything else.

1. Martin Landau in Crimes and Misdemeanors- Although Landau is clearly the lead in the film I do not disqualify therefore Landau is my choice. Landau gives a powerful and haunting performance as a man who confronts his morals, and looks into his own soul when faced with his crimes.

Deserving Performances:
Hugh O'Connor in My Left Foot
Sean Connery in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

Best Supporting Actor 1989: Marlon Brando in A Dry White Season

Marlon Brando received his eighth and final Oscar nomination for portraying Ian McKenzie in A Dry White Season.

A Dry White Season details a white South African (Donald Sutherland) who begins to see the serious problems with his country due to Apartheid.

Marlon Brando is not an actor who is looked particularly fondly in his late career as most of his roles usually were either in bad films, and were clearly just pay check sort of roles. Many times even if the film may be regarded in at least a semi positive fashion Brando was usually criticized for clearly not trying at all in his roles. His role in A Dry White Season though seems a little different though in that film is not regarded poorly, and Brando was nominated for an Oscar for his role.

Brando appearance in the film is very short and really he is only in two scenes. He plays a human rights lawyer in South Africa who attempts to help Sutherland's character find a little justice, or maybe just a little truth in what happened to Sutherland's gardener. Brando in his first scene is appropriately cynical showing that the lawyer has seen far too many cases turn out the wrong way in South Africa, but with a small undercurrent of a passion that indicates he will still try.

In second scene Brando gets to do an actor's favorite thing which is to be the lawyer who tears into criminals, the criminals this time are South African Officials. Brando is good in this scene, although not amazing. He is fairly effective displaying the fact the McKenzie knows his ways about officials lies, and Brando manages this to make it an effective scene where he bluntly displays the crimes to the criminals. Than after this scene he goes away never to be seen again in the film. Brando is short but effective he not truly great short performance like say Montgomery Clift in Judgment At Nuremberg, or Jackie Gleason in The Hustler, but it certainly is decent. 

Best Supporting Actor 1989

And the Nominees Were:

Martin Landau in Crimes and Misdemeanors

Marlon Brando in A Dry White Season

Denzel Washington in Glory

Danny Aiello in Do The Right Thing

Dan Aykroyd in Driving Miss Daisy

Best Actor 1953: Results

5. Richard Burton in The Robe- Although I found much of his performance hilarious it was not for the right reasons, also whenever he is not unintentionally funny he is rather dull.

4. Burt Lancaster in From Here to Eternity- His expert command of the character infusing both a dominating presence with an underlying warmness especially well.

3. Marlon Brando in Julius Caesar- Brando really on a whole is not given much to do, but what he has he makes the most of it. His major speech is made a pivotal moment in the film because of Brando's utterly stunning performance.

2. Montgomery Clift in From Here to Eternity-  Clift is outstanding throughout his performance perfectly bringing to life the struggle of Prewitt. In fact his performance is so effective that he actually brings more out of characters he does not even portray.

1. William Holden in Stalag 17- I will admit this is probably my favorite of these performances in terms of how much I enjoy watching them. I could watch Holden brilliantly sardonic turn over and over again that simply could not bring out more in his character.

Deserving Performances:
James Mason in Julius Caesar

Best Actor 1953: Marlon Brando in Julius Caesar

Marlon Brando received his third Oscar nomination for portraying Marc Antony in Julius Caesar.

Julius Caesar depicts the conspiracy to assassinate Caesar than the aftermath following the assassination.

Brando is not the lead in the film, and really his part is a supporting one. The true lead is James Mason as Brutus one of the lead conspirators, not Mark Antony. Marc Antony actually only comes in and out of the film, but whenever he appears it is important because he the chief defender of Julius Caesar, and desires revenge after the death of Caesar. Brando briefly appears at the beginning of the film, and does very little. Brando's performance mainly consists of three scenes that give him focus.

 He has first a small scene where he comes in after the assassination. Brando is properly repressed in this first scene, as Antony acts as the assassination as almost some sort of proper lawful act, because that is the way the conspirators say it is. Brando though suggests that Antony is holding back his true emotions in the event by subtly showing that he is keeping down the honest pain he does feel over Caesar's death. After the conspirators leave though Brando lets out the emotions in a short powerful moment really showing how much Caesar's death has devastated him.

Brando's major scene of performance than is his speech to the Roman people over the death of Caesar. They censure him by telling him that he can not use his speech to condemn them. The speech than is incredible well written and Brando performance is up to the quality of the speech itself. Brando brilliantly mixes in Antony's greif, and pain, along with his hatred, as well as love for the deceased Caesar flawlessly. He also infuses a great deal of power into every word that completely holds the screen for his entire speech. There is no question to Antony ability to turn the people against the conspirators, because Brando's performance creates such a powerful and finely tuned argument.

Brando brings his essential speech to fullest life it could possibly have, and appropriately makes it the turning point against the plot of the conspirators. Brando only has a few minor moments from than until near the end of the film where he shows remorse over the death of Brutus, becuase he believed Brutus was the conspirator's who honestly believed Caesar had to die for the good of Rome. Brando again is very strong in his short heartfelt speech that gives the film a strong effective end, becuase of Brando once again. This is most certainly a supporting performance, but an important one particularly in his two speeches which Brando knocks out of park. He might not have the most screen time but this is still a very strong performance that certainly is superior to all five of nominated supporting performance from this year.

Best Actor 1953

And the Nominees Were:

Burt Lancaster in From Here to Eternity

Montgomery Clift in From Here to Eternity

William Holden in Stalag 17

Marlon Brando in Julius Caesar

Richard Burton in The Robe

Best Actor 1957: Results

5. Anthony Franciosa in A Hatful of Rain- Franciosa is downright terrible, in a role that could have been good. He overacts everything that he does in this film.

4. Marlon Brando in Sayonara- Brando gives either one of or his worst performance from his earlier period. He portrays the part inconsistently, and never is able to make him into an interesting character.

3. Anthony Quinn in Wild is the Wind- Quinn's performance is hindered it by the film that unfortuantely uses his character as more of a plot device than it should have, but still Quinn is spot on with his performance anyways, and remains strong even when the material underwrites his character. Also when it does not underwrite his character he is amazing.

2. Charles Laughton in A Witness for the Prosecution- Laughton gives a delightful performance, that is filled with wit throughout. He gives an effective intelligent performance, that is always entertaining to watch whether he is tearing into a witness in the courtroom or bickering with his nurse.

1. Alec Guinness in The Bridge on the River Kwai- This is one year that was not at all close for me. Guinness stands out far and above for me in his fascinating performance. He creates a unique character out of what could have been entirely stock in the wrong hands. He portrays the character's devotion to the letter of thee law, as a madness, and his further descent into this madness is amazing to watch.

Deserving Performances:
William Holden in The Bridge on the River Kwai
Kirk Douglas in Paths of Glory