One Category at a Time: Supporting Actor

Plenty of variety for Oscar voters to choose from in this category, which didn't deviate too far from my own preferences. The only actor who could claim to be snubbed is Daniel Bruhl, who was excellent in Rush. I must admit I'm saddened by it. I thought he was good enough to be nominated back in 2005 for the wonderful German comedy Goodbye, Lenin, and a nomination looked like it was in the cards this time, especially after being up for the Golden Globe, Critics Choice, and SAG Award. That said, there is a certain justice to this cruelty, as a nomination for him here would've been blatant category fraud, so let's be happy we skirted that controversy.

Anyway, of the actual nominees, a clear frontrunner has asserted himself:

SAG nominations

The Screen Actors Guild is the first major trade group out of the gate this year, and even though their nominees are always somewhat predictable, there's always a surprise or two to stir the pot.

Nominees and individual commentaries on the film categories after the jump.

Review - Rush

The 'sports movie' tends to be a troubled genre; one usually marred by predictability and all too willing to eschew the human spirit behind the sport. Such is not the case in Ron Howard's Rush, which takes us inside the world of 1970s Forumla One racing for a look at a legendary rivalry bewteen two champion motorists. The film is less interested in impressing us with their achievements, as it is in discovering what drives the drivers.

One is James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth); with his roguish good looks, cocky charm and playboy antics, he seems the spitting tabloid image of a stereotypical racing superstar. It helps that he has the God-given skill and renegade aggression behind the wheel to back up his boasts in front of a microphone. The other is Nikki Lauda (Daniel Bruhl); more prickly and misanthropic, but with a sharply analytical mind that serves him remarkably well in the garage and on the pavement.