Oscar Watch: Best Supporting Actor
The real tragedy of this category is that Sean Astin wasn't nominated for The Return of the King. It's the continued ghetto-ization of fantasy and science fiction that the AMPAS can't recognize the work done in these genres (okay, Sigourney Weaver's Best Actress win for Aliens notwithstanding). The very definition of a "supporting actor" is Astin's work as Sam Gamgee in The Return of the King. Grr. It makes me want to climb a tree and fling my poo at people.
That said, my sentimental favorite of those who were nominated is Ken Watanabe for The Last Samurai. I, like director Edward Zwick, have a soft spot for samurai movies and Watanabe does an exemplary job as the ronin, Katsumoto, whom the world has passed by.
[I used that phrase -- "whom the world has passed by" -- in reference to Bill Murray's characterizations as well. I lifted it from Stephen King's Gunslinger books, though there he says "the world has moved on." It would appear that I have a weakness for characters who are out of step with the rest of the world, their nobility and character no longer in keeping with the current vogue. Some day Solomon may have cause to say this about me, probably when I demonstrate an inability to program his generation's electronic equipment.]
Anyway, Katsumoto's energy and pathos fills the screen and makes Tom Cruise look as small as he is. Watanabe appears to be eight feet tall and clearly embodies the samurai spirit which, frankly, the world is a slightly darker place to have lost.
Like I said, sentimental favorite. My betting money is on either Alec Baldwin or Tim Robbins, though I'd guess that Robbins' win at the Golden Globes and the anguish he throws up on screen in Mystic River will beat out Baldwin's clinically violent casino owner.