The 30 Acting Performances of 2013 PART 1!

Year two of counting down the top 30 performances of the year and I am very excited for this year’s list because it’ been a very, very strong year for acting in general. Of course there are some mistaken nominations this year and we will get into that, and that’s why I’ve got my wild cards, so I can discuss the performances that have been overlooked.  

Just like last year, the top 4 spots are reserved for my picks on who will win the Academy Award this year, one from each category (Best Actor, Actress, Supporting Actress, and Supporting Actor)

Why 30?

Because we are combining combination of all of the acting categories: Best Actor & Actress and Best Supporting Actor & Actress. Already done the math? Realize that I’m 10 performances over? Well the other 10 are going to what I call wild card performances, these are performances from actors who have not been nominated for an academy award but I believe that they should be. 

What are elements that I look for in a good performance?

·        

     Character Development – is the character fully developed with a clear history that effects how the character moves, acts, thinks, feels and reacts to the currently situation. Is the character progressing through the story, is their performance layered, show depth and continuing in a logical path.

·      

            Relationships – are the relationships clear and consistent with every character they interact with.

·         Believably – do we believe the actor in the part? Am I looking at the character in the story or at the actor on the screen? It should be the former not the latter. Does the actor use all available tools (voice, body and mind) to create a brand new and unique character?

·         Interpretation – what did the actor bring to the character? Did he make proper choices for the character? Does the character feel organic or forced? Did the actor take appropriate risks? Could you see anyone else playing the character?

·         Objective – dose the actor understand the goals and objectives of the character in every moment and every scene?

·         Progression – does the actor understand and portray the arch, story and development of the character? Are they on point in every moment on screen? An actor is a storyteller, are they telling me the story.

30-16 Acting Performances of 2013

The Three Who Doesn’t Belong

            

30. Meryl Streep – August: Osage County – Best Actress – Why is she on this list this year? Because she’s Meryl Freaking Streep. This is sadly the second Streep nomination in a row that I just simply don’t agree with. She’s a great actress, but we need to actually watch what she’s doing not just award her for gracing us with her presents on screen. It’s a great part, in a great play; but on film August: Osage County falls very flat as does this performance.

29. Julia Roberts – August: Osage County – Best Supporting Actress – Read above… She’s here for name value and Oscar night ratings. A showy performance in overall pretty poor film full of showy performances

28. Christian Bale – American Hustle – Best Actor – I have a long storied history with thinking that Mr. Bale is quite overrated. I think he’s a very good actor, and his win for The Fighter is more than well deserved, but quite frankly I’m not sure what’s with the crazy Bale love (or the crazy love for American Hustle), sure he’s Batman, but he wasn’t a very good one. In a year that was marked by several insanely good leading acting performances Bale didn’t deserve to be in the category, he’s good, he’s very good, in most years he would be higher on this list but 2014 is far too good for this nonsense.

The Two That Other People Like

27. Bradley Cooper – American Hustle – Best Supporting Actor – This is not so much an indictment of Cooper, who is more than adequate in American Hustle, as much as the film itself. If Oscar night features a ton of wins for Hustle I’m going to be one sad film critic. Cooper is one of the most enjoyable parts of the film, but not enough for him crack my top 25 and again he’d miss my list completely if it wasn’t for his nomination.

26. Cate Blanchett – Blue Jasmine – Best Actress – Can I say anything bad about Blanchett in this role? No. Can I say that I enjoyed this role? No. Blue Jasmine fits right in with Woody Allen’s other recent films and is very well made. Blanchett is the star of this film, she’s what makes it work, her character is entitled, self-centered, ego driven and a just plain awful person. What makes this hard to watch is that her character grates on you at every moment and to top it off her character arc is very small, if it exists at all. Blanchett is very good at playing a very terrible person; it’s just hard to watch when she’s the focus of film. If I was betting on the Oscars Blanchett would be my bet to win, but for me it’s a very difficult performance to watch.

The Very Good But Not Flashy      

25. Sally Hawkins – Blue Jasmine -- Best Supporting Actress – I may be the only person to put Hawkins of Blanchett for Blue Jasmine but Hawkins plays a character like I’ve never seen her play before. She pulls off a true middle class American, with heart and soul, kindness and caring, depth and layers (and considering she’s British, that’s an accomplishment).  Hawkins is understated and very good, she’s makes Allen’s script shine and make the film enjoyable.

24. June Squibb – Nebraska – Best Supporting Actress – The definition of a firecracker is June Squibb in Nebraska, she’s wonderful and strong. Squibb has very little screen time and she shines when she’s on the screen. Squibb is a hidden gem of an actress, giving a hidden gem of a performance. Happy to see her nominated.

23. Barkhad Abdi – Captain Phillips – Best Supporting Actor – “I’m the captain now” is probably the most quotable line of the year. Abdi came out of nowhere this year to become a true dark horse in the Supporting Actor race. Abdi is very strong and holds his own opposite mega star Tom Hanks (who was robbed this year from an Oscar nomination for this film or Saving Mr. Banks). But, yet, it’s Abdi who is representing Captain Phillips this year and it’s more than deservedly so. Abdi plays the leader of his Somali pirate crew and allows us to see why he’s doing what he’s doing, what is the reason behind his action, and at points we actually care for this true to life pirate captain.

22. Sam Rockwell – The Way Way Back – Josh’s Wild Card Best Supporting Actor – Alright, this is my first wild card spot and I dedicate this one to Rockwell. It’s not surprising that Rockwell is great, he’s great more often than not, but what is surprising is his soulful and youthful take on this slacker owner of a waterpark. The character could come off as stale and clichéd but in the hands of Rockwell the character becomes the emotional center of the film. The Way Way Back was a small summer hit and if you missed it find a way to see it this winter on DVD.  

21. Amy Acker – Much Ado About Nothing – Josh’s Wild Card Best Supporting Actress – Speaking of small summer hits, Joss Whedon followed the biggest hit of last year with a small black and white adaptation of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. This script always hangs on the relationship between Benedict and Beatrice played skillfully by Alexis Denisof and Amy Amy Acker, respectively. Acker steals this film, she is simply breathtaking in the role, subtle yet strong a true independent woman. I hope this opens up her career allows her to shine more often.  

The Very Good But Too Flashy

20. Jonah Hill – The Wolf of Wall Street – Best Supporting Actor – It’s good to see Hill taking time to make films like these. He’s a great actor and is allowed to shine here. Yes, he’s one of the comedic relief elements of the film, but hangs in with star Leo DiCaprio in every scene. The film is about excess and Hill’s character personifies that. He shows that he can play it straight while in a big broad film and proving that he deserves his spot in the Hollywood hierarchy.    

19. Amy Adams –American Hustle – Best Actress– Getting back to American Hustle Adams is a deserved nominee from this film. She holds what little plot there is together, gives us an emotional and logical center that we can follow and a character that we can care for and root for, which is something you can’t say the men of American Hustle.

The Best of the Blockbusters

            18. Tom Hiddleston – Thor: The Dark World – Josh’s Wild Card Best Supporting Actor – its characters like these that will never get noticed, its performances like Hiddleston’s will never get noticed. Its characters like Loki that will be far more remembered then most characters on this list. It takes a lot to take a villain and turn him into a beloved film icon and that’s what Hiddleston has done. What allows him to do this? He’s a very talented actor who elevates a character to the next level. Giving the character depth, humor, reliability and likeability, Hiddleston is the star and steals every second of Thor: The Dark World that he’s in.        

           

17. Simon Pegg – The World’s End – Josh’s Wild Card Best Actor – Let us take a moment to bask in the glow how amazing Simon Pegg is an actor… we done basking? Good. Pegg is amazing and doesn’t get enough credit because he constantly acting in comedies and giant blockbusters, but in The World’s End he’s given a chance to really show what he can… in this sci-fi genre film… but still. He takes an archetype slacker character and fills it with hope, joy, feelings, depth and change. He’s the emotional drive of one of my favorite films of the year and a fantastic finish to Pegg, Nick Frost and Edgar Wright's trilogy.

          

  16. Sandra Bullock – Gravity –Best Actress – So Sandra Bullock already has an Academy Award but now she finally deserves one. Gravity is a feat, it’s a spectacular film and Bullock is one of the top reasons why. After years of being a star she finally proves that there is something really deep with in her that is worth watching. I have a theory that there is one perfect dramatic part out there for everyone, and Bullock found it. She is great in Gravity and deserves all the attention she is getting. About time she finally gives a performance to back up the credit she’s already been given.   

Come Back Tomorrow for numbers 15-1!

Oscar Season: The 6 Most Fun Film Experiences of 2013

           

 This is one of my favorite lists to compile each year because this is what film is supposed to be about, fun; a joyous, wonderful and memorable trip to the movies. Movies are an amazing communal experience, a story to get endlessly lost in and a great way to open your mind (at least when done right). Yes, it’s a commercial industry but there is real artistry and that’s when good films are made. Yet, there are times when a bad movie is made better by circumstance, theatre, timing and the great company you keep.

           Now let’s jump right into Nerd 5 Top 6 Most Fun Film Experiences of 2013

6. The Conjuring – Surprise, surprise as horror film makes the list of most fun film experiences, a horror film that I saw by myself nonetheless. Most of the horror fans that I know don’t care for this movie, which is probably why I love it. A great horror film, that tells the a story and uses it’s creepy elements for good, not for shock value. Maybe it’s low expectations that helped, but The Conjuring is a great film, full of interesting characters, a great mystery and fantastic visual styling’s. Director James Wan continues to prove why he’s a modern master of the horror genera and I’m excited to see what he does away from horror films with his next outing Fast and Furious 7.    

5. Fast & Furious 6 – Speaking of the Fast and Furious franchise, the 6^th installment comes in right here. A great time at the movies with my lady! This is probably the dumbest franchise in Hollywood right now, but man it’s endlessly fun, always entertaining and the just the right amount of self-aware. This film knows what it is and takes advantage of it at every turn, it’s ridiculous, illogical, and down-right insane; in most films that would be a bad thing, but it works here because everyone on screen is having such a good time it’s infectious. I mean come on, two sports cars take down a giant airplane on a never ending runway in this films climax and it’s the best thing I’ve seen since Fast 5. Hey everyone, remember when these films were actually about street racing?

4. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire – A great film, made even better by great company. Catching Fire is the best book of The Hunger Games series and will probably go down as the best film as well. It’s a great time at the movies with a little bit of message to boot. But there are times where the universe allows you to see a wonderful film with perfect company! My friends Marsha and Laura and I ventured into the theatre on opening weekend, surrounded by hardcore fans of the series, and had a marvelous time! Sometimes it’s the amazing people that make the amazing film, even better. Whether you are a member of a fandom or not there is nothing like seeing a film on opening weekend with those who are going to love it endlessly and always, try it, at least once. And Hunger Games fan enjoy the ride, because at some point the new films come to an end, take from a Potter fan who still longs for those days. But more importantly, enjoy Catching Fire

3. Hansel & Gretel Witch Hunters – Coming out in the dumping ground of February 2013; Hansel & Gretel Witch Hunters was exactly what we needed. Produced by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay, this fairy tale reimagining is very aware of it ridiculous nature, even to the point of satire at times. Now, it’s not genius but man this is crazy fun. Little did my buddy Max and I know what we were in for when we sat down to watch Hansel & Gretel take down some witches, that there was also steam punk weapons, crazy super powers  and trolls…. Yes trolls. Only a viewing of this comedic masterpiece, which never once tries to be a comedy, will let you truly know its greatness. Also props to Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton who give this script and film far more credence then it deserves.

2. World War Z – A great way to end a great day. I was lucky enough to see plenty of films this year with one of my best friends of all time and roommate Jeff. World War Z came as celebration of my entry into Seattle, we had just filmed our own zombie film, summer was in high gear and we sat down to watch this great summer blockbuster. Yes we were tired, yes we’d be with amazing folks all day, but the joy of sitting down to film at the end of a great is simply irresistible. World War Z might be the weakest film on this list, but it was one of the great moments of my year. Watching this film with a group of close friends is the way to go, enjoy its flaws and its greatness.  

1. Frozen – Sorry everyone, nothing is going to top watching Frozen with a couple of the coolest 4 year olds that I know. Again a great film (and my personal pick for best animated film of this year) made even better by the circumstances around it. Thanksgiving Day 2013 was a very fun day. It started with hanging with my family, a trip to the park, a wonderful meal then Uncle Josh loaded up his niece Rita and nephew Kyler and headed off to see the new Disney animated film. As great as kids films can be without kids, they are even better with them. We pulled up to the theatre and instantly this joy began with buying tickets from a former SHS student of mine, enjoying our popcorn and soda, running into several wonderful HomeLink families, enjoying this timeless and joyous film, the taking the new Frozen fans to get some hot chocolate after the film, where again was helped by a former student, then blasting “Let it go” in my car as we pulled up just in time for bed. I will always remember Rita telling me that “You know everyone!” as we pulled out of the Starbucks drive though. A wonderful memory.

Oscar Season: The 10 Worst Films of 2013

     

      I don’t like to be hater, but I can’t paint a complete picture of 2013 without talking about the bad, awful, and sometimes atrocious films of 2013. In a year that could go down as one of the greatest of all time, there has to be a flip side, and 2013 has been as bad as it was good.

            This list doesn’t include films that are so bad they are good because those would have actually been enjoyable at times. These are ten films to avoid. Most of them are long, unoriginal and flat out boring. Some appear on this because of expectations that were too high, some appear on this because they couldn’t help but be here, and some were destined to be here.

            And now Nerd 5 presents the 10 worst films of 2013

10. Pacific Rim – What happens when you give Guillermo del Toro complete control, an unlimited budget, and endless time to make a film? A poor excuse for a summer blockbuster, that’s what happens. In all of his freedom del Toro forgot the main thing that makes a quality film, a good script. If all you wanted was video-game-quality giant robots fighting the same endless fight that never escalates and delivers the same mind-numbing scenes on a two hour loop, then Pacific Rim is for you. If you even want the slightest bit of intelligence, character development, and original voice, look elsewhere. Pacific Rim is this year Avatar, an over hyped computer graphic demonstration with a lack of a story, at least Rim failed at the box office; looks like Atlantic Rim, Arctic Rim and Indian Rim won’t be hitting a theatre near you.  

9. Ender’s Game – Epic filmmaker Gavin Hood took control of a beloved book and burnt it to the ground. Still confused as to who Gavin Hood is? Director of X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Yup that guy got another shot a franchise. Ender’s Game missed the point completely and everyone on screen seemed like they were floating their way through the process. This film wasn’t helped by a tagline that gave away the ending. Adapting a book to film when done right can lead to many millions of dollars from the already built in fan base; adapting a book when done poorly is the fastest way to become one of the biggest bombs and a complete waste of non-existent digital film.

8. Free Birds – Two turkeys, one smart one dumb, must team up and travel to through time to take down the world’s biggest evil… Holidays??? Yeah. It’s a film about how Thanksgiving needs to be taken down. Contrary to popular commercial shopping belief, there is a holiday between Halloween and Christmas and Free Birds tried to bring it down! This film defines pandering nonsense; it panders to children for all the wrong reasons. Watch any of the other kids films that was released this year, even Planes is better than this dull piece of leftover turkey.   

7. The Heat – Most people loved this movie, it was hailed as funny, original, and one of the best comedies of the year; it’s actually appearing on some critics top 10 lists of year and all of this baffles me. 100% baffles me. I don’t get the joke. The Heat is not original (you want an original take on this premise, watch 21 Jump Street from 2012), it’s not funny (a sad attempt to make swearing and Boston cop cliché’s funny), and it’s one of the most overrated comedies of all time. The Heat quickly devolves into the same joke over and over and over again, the plot is hamfisted and predicable, and all in all The Heat is another failed attempt at getting Melisa McCarthy a star vehicle (I adore her, but this is a miserable attempt). I won’t be in line for The Heat 2: THE SAME JOKES STRIKE AGAIN!  

6. Tyler Perry’s Temptation – Does anyone except to Tyler Perry to make a good film? Honestly if you are a fan of Perry you have to want him to turn it around. His last few projects have tanked at box office and with critics. Temptation was his first of 4 films released into theatre’s this year (slow down Tyler, it’s not a race). Temptation felt like watching a really horribly put together adult film, minus all the X-rated material, add in Kim Kardashian. There’s too much going on for these very stereotypical characters to deal with and the actors are lost in every moment of the film, it’s filmed like a low end TV drama, and fails on every level. This film is the definition of horrible people doing horrible things to decent people and we are supposed to care about them for some reason, goodness Perry let’s move on.

5. Grown Up 2 – No one should be surprised that this is here. Grown Ups 2 is the yearly Adam Sandler suckfest. It’s clear that Sandler has no one on his team telling him “no.” Sandler can do whatever he wants, it’s sad that these films are what he chooses to do. There is nothing wrong with making a film with your friends. Honestly the idea of Grown Ups and Grown Ups 2 are not terrible, a group of friends catching up and finding out who they really are, with actors you like, in locations that are fun to look at, however it takes a good script and people who care about a project, Grown Ups 2 lacks both. If you like what Sandler has done the last 5 years then this is right up your alley, but I think even those few remaining Sandler fans will be disappointed with this junk… maybe he’s just making films for 3-year-olds now, they would enjoy Grown Ups 2.

4. Man of Steel – Another attempt to reboot the Superman franchise, sadly this time it worked. Man of Steel made more money than it ever should have. It also suffered from a steep decline in box office money. If you followed the arc of this film in theatres it’s clear that word of mouth killed a film that people were excited to see. People want a good Superman film; this is not a good superman film. Man of Steel is director Zack Snyder’s application to Hollywood’s next Michael Bay. This is as dumb as any Transformers film, and even more pointlessly violent, misguided at every turn, ignorant to the tradition of the characters, yet visually kind of pretty. The topper to all of this is that it’s dull, predicable, and insulting. Yet, because people flocked early to see this Snyder get helm the next film in this unfortunate franchise. Yippie! More terrible films, this time starring Ben Affleck as Batman…

3. Movie 43 – Coming out in 2013’s dumping ground (Jan & Feb), Movie 43 was missed by most people and be lucky that you did (I wish I had). The concept is not terrible, a collection of sketch staring the most famous people in all of Hollywood. The cast includes Emma Stone, Richard Gere, Dennis Quaid, Greg Kinnear, Hugh Jackman, Kate Winslet, Seth MacFarlane, Liev Schreiber, Namoi Watts, Anna Farris, Chris Pratt, Jack McBrayer, Justin Long, Uma Thurman and many, many more. However the final product is an unfunny extremely raunchy (as one point the film was given an NC-17 rating) collection of some of the worst moments in Hollywood history. Don’t waste a single moment of your day on Movie 43.

2. The Lone Ranger – A film so bad, so off putting, so confusing that even Depp’s legion of fans didn’t flock to see this. Director Gore Verbinski, Depp and Disney teamed up once to make one of the biggest film franchises of all time (Pirates of the Caribbean) but The Lone Rnager is giant swing and a miss. Long, unoriginal, boring action sequences, terrible direction, actors who are phoning it in, and it’s just plain weird at times The Lone Ranger is a historically bad film. Because of its high profile failure this film will be remembered for its failure for a long time to come, and could end up being a tipping point away from these $300 million films which could end up being a good thing. Somehow Disney bought two Oscar nominations for this film (Hair and Makeup and Visual Effects) that has a 45 minute werewolf subplot cut from it, and until they release that I’m avoiding this 6 time Razzy nominee.

1. The Counselor – blink and you would have missed Ridley Scott’s The Counselor. Starring Michael Fassbender, Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem, Cameron Diaz, and Brad Pitt and written by the iconic Cormac McCarthy The Counselor is a drag. Illogical, extremely slow, endlessly bleak… this film is a bummer; in every sense of the word. I’d gladly watch any other film this before I’d sit through the Counselor. Scott is clearly trying to work through some personal issues here, but get a counselor not a $25 million budget. 

Nerd 5 Presents: A Tribute to Philip Seymour Hoffman

            Sunday February 2^nd was a very bittersweet day, as a Seahawks fan it was a glorious day 38 years in the making (28 for me, but who’s counting); but Sunday was also the day that we lost Philip Seymour Hoffman, possibly the greatest actor of his generation and one of the greatest of any generation. Hoffman’s death came because of a tragically fatal flaw, addiction.

            From all accounts Hoffman was a good person, he took care of his family, was pleasure to work with on set, a consummate professional, and good man to both his wife and kids. He struggled with his addiction privately and never let it affect his life. Addiction is something that many people struggle with and while I’m not conducing Hoffman’s drug addiction I am saying he should not be condemned for it. Hoffman was drug free for 20 years before a recent relapse and subsequent rehab stint, he was released and thought to be clean, this was not the sadly the case and lead to the tragic events of Sunday morning. Was his addiction illegal? Yes. Was it wrong? Yes. But Hoffman has paid the ultimate price for his addiction and lost the last years of his life. (There are plenty of sites with the story of Hoffman’s death, that’s not what we are here for. There’s a wonderful thing called Google that can help you with that).

            So why we are here? To celebrate the life and career of Philip Seymour Hoffman. Hoffman left this world far too soon; he was such a good actor that it’s very hard to find a poor performance in his entire career. Hoffman had a very good run from the mid-90s to mid-2000’s, and was currently in a phase of rejuvenation, about to reclaim his spot in the Hollywood pantheon recently gaining two more Oscar Nominations and taking part in one of the biggest box office hits of 2013 (The Hunger Games: Catching Fire). Hoffman was one of the most talented and respected actors in Hollywood and it seemed like he was on the brink of giving another all-time great performance. Another performance that would that would be among the best of the best, a performance so iconic and so memorable it would be held with the likes of Atticus Finch, Michael Corleone, Hannibal Lector, and Daniel Plainview, but alas we will never this performance.

            In Nerd 5 tradition we are here to countdown the top performances of Hoffman’s varied and winding career. As a person with countless standout performances it’s hard to narrow it down to just a few, 5 was impossible so you’re getting 6 and you are going to deal with it. Hoffman was outstanding in Big-Budget blockbusters like Twister, Mission Impossible 3, and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire; amazing in independent films such as Happiness, Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead, and Mary and Max (a beautiful and touching, yet very overlooked film; watch it today on Netflix); wonderful in smaller studio films like The Talented Mr. Ripley and Patch Adams; and simply breathtaking when working with his most frequent collaborator Paul Thomas Anderson in such great films as The Master, Punch-Drunk Love, Magnolia, and Boogie Nights (some of which will be talked about later in the article.) A four time Academy Award nominee (The Master, Charlie Wilson’s War, Doubt, Capote), and one time winner (Capote) Hoffman will be sorely missed and now it’s with great honor that we present the Nerd 5 Top 6 Philip Seymour Hoffman performances.     

6. The Count – Pirate Radio (2009) – Hoffman plays The Count, a legendary radio DJ in the 1960s. As The Count Hoffman is the most enigmatic and charismatic DJ of the whole bunch and serves a leader, mentor, and inspiration for all the others aboard the boat and around the UK. Richard Curtis directed this little seen film and it’s simply a delight. A great journey, with something to say, and unforgettable characters leads Pirate Radio to be a great film and Hoffman stands out in the fantastic ensemble, as he always does.

5. Art Howe – Moneyball (2011) – Art Howe was the cantankerous manager of 2001 Oakland A’s and is played to perfection by Hoffman. The part of Howe could easily be lost in the shuffle of this film full of great drama, friendship, baseball, transition, and tradition; but because of Hoffman he’s not. Moneyball is not the first film that director Bennett Miller and Hoffman have worked together, and not the last time they will be on this together. Moneyball is a film that reveals more and more of itself with each viewing and Hoffman’s performance is equally layered.   

4. Father Brendan Flynn – Doubt (2008) – Father Flynn is a unique character shrouded in questions, mainly; did he? Or didn’t he? Which is the central question behind Doubt. Hoffman plays Father Flynn right down the middle giving the audience to grapple with the questions of the film. It’s legend vs. legend as Hoffman is opposite Meryl Streep for some of the most crushing, brutal and honest scenes in all of film. Doubt is a titanic performance that leaves you questioning many things; but not a single one about Hoffman’s greatness.

3. Truman Capote – Capote (2005) – For playing Truman Capote Phillips Seymour Hoffman won a most well-deserved Oscar. In what could have been a showy and gaudy performance Hoffman fills it with subtly and nuance. He turns an outlandish real life personality into someone we can sympathize, empathizes, and relate with. In Capote Hoffman transforms himself into someone completely unrecognizable. This is the first pairing of the fruitful relationship between Bennett Miller and Hoffman and it stands as their best. Capote stands as a pillar of what happens when you let an amazing once in a lifetime actor carry an amazing once in a lifetime script. This is certainly one of the best three performances of Hoffman’s career and is his best leading part.

2. Lester Bangs – Almost Famous (2000) – Hoffman made a name for himself by stealing scenes and films in the 90s and early 2000s, in Almost Famous Hoffman is unbelievable as Lester Bangs a middle aged music critic and DJ passing on knowledge to the films lead character. Hoffman knows his character inside and out and this gives him the ability to be the most well rounded and fascinating part of Cameron Crowe’s best film. Almost Famous has very little of Hoffman in it, but you want more, it leaves you wanting more. An entire film of Hoffman playing Bangs, yes please; I know I want a mentor like Bangs; we could all use a Lester Bangs to help us on our way and remind us that “The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what we share with someone else when we are uncool.”

1. Scotty J. – Boogie Nights (1997) – Oh… Scotty J…. Scotty J. The immortal Scotty J, this breakthrough performance stands as the most iconic of Hoffman’s career, it’s layered and funny, serious and moving, unforgettable and stunning. As Scotty J. Hoffman plays the sound guy for a pornography film crew and has more issues than anyone could have ever imagined. In the nearly three hour film Hoffman is on screen for maybe 30 minutes but has one of the more lasting characters of the film. A truly breathtaking performance from a truly breathtaking man.  

Nerd 5’s Oscars Season Coverage Presents: Oscar Nominations… Snubs, Scrubs and Surprises Edition!

          

            Sections is RED have been updated.

            January 16^th 2014, IS OSCAR ANNOUCMENT DAY!! I am just a little excited. Tonight we are going to take a look at a couple of things. First being who I would nominated for the award, the next being my predications of who will actually be nominated, and if those are correct who would win. My personal predictions will be listed alphabetically, like the Oscars do and I’ll be handing my acting awards in this year’s Top 30 Acting performances of 2013 and 20 Best films of 2013 (because 10 just won’t cut it this year) and of course more through the month, for now It’ll just be the top 5. Also not every category will be covered here; we are leaving out all the short film categories, foreign films, and documentaries mainly because I’ve not seen enough of them to judge; and for the purpose of time I’m limiting my technical categories too.  

            After the awards are announced I’ll update the article with the real nominations, but for tonight here we go! Enjoy!! I know I will

            Well, now that Nominations have arrived, it’s time to talk about what we got right, what got snubbed and what doesn’t deserve to be here! Now let’s jump in!! Snubs. Scrubs and Surprises edition; snubs being people who were shut out and scrubs being people who are overrated and not deserving of their nominations and surprises… well you know what a surprise is.

            Before I jump into this article I want to say this; Inside Llewyn Davis is my biggest snub of the year. It should have been nominated for Picture, Director, Original Screenplay, Actor, and Supporting Actress… but it wasn’t and I’m not happy about it. I want to say That the two awards it is up for, Cinematography and Sound Mixing, are very deserved, but this film deserved more. So let me say this here; Inside Llewyn Davis was snubbed in every category, so I won’t list it below but I’m not happy about it.  

Best Picture

Josh’s Picks (Alphabetical)	Oscar Predictions	Oscar Reality (ComingSoon)
12 Years a Slave	12 Years a Slave	American Hustle
Dallas Buyers Club	American Hustle	Captain Phillips
Frozen	Dallas Buyers Club	Dallas Buyers Club
Gravity	Gravity	Gravity
Her	Her	Her
Inside Llewyn Davis	Nebraska	Nebraska
Nebraska	Philomena	Philomena
Philomena	The Wolf of Wall Street	12 Years a Slave
Saving Mr. Banks	(IF There is 9) Inside Llewyn Davis	The Wolf of Wall Street
The Wolf of Wall Street	(IF There is 10) Saving Mr. Banks

Well only 9 films nominated this year, it’s a three year trend now, but there are some definite snubs and scrubs.

Best Picture Snubs: Saving Mr. Banks

Best Picture Scrubs: Captain Phillips, American Hustle

Best Picture Surprises: None really…

Best Director

Josh’s Picks (Alphabetical)	Oscar Predictions	Oscar Reality (ComingSoon)
Joel and Ethan Coen – Inside Llewyn Davis	Alfonso Cuaron – Gravity	American Hustle – David O. Russell
Alfonso Curron – Gravity	Spike Jonez – Her	Gravity – Alfonso Cuaron
Spike Jonez – Her	Steve McQueen – 12 Years a Slave	Nebraska – Alexander Payne
Steve McQueen – 12 Years a Slave	David O. Russell – American Hustle	12 Years a Slave – Steve McQueen
Alexander Payne -- Nebraska	Martin Scorsese – The Wolf of Wall Street	The Wolf of Wall Street – Martin Scorsese

A strong year for directing means a strong category for awards season. Scorsese sneaks in based on merit and a good film, while somehow David O. Russell has tricked the academy into another undeserved nomination; while I’m presently surprised that Payne pulls a nomination because his work with Nebraska is great

Director Snubs: Spike Jonez – Her

Director Scrubs: David O. Russell – American Hustle

Director Surprises: Alexander Payne – Nebraska

Best Actor

Josh’s Picks (Alphabetical)	Oscar Predictions	Oscar Reality (ComingSoon)
Bruce Dern – Nebraska	Bruce Dern – Nebraska	Christian Bale – American Hustle
Leonardo DiCaprio – The Wolf of Wall Street	Chiwetel Ejiofor – 12 Years A Slave	Bruce Dern – Nebraska
Chiwetel Ejiofor – 12 Years a Slave	Tom Hanks – Captain Phillips	Leonardo DiCaprio – The Wolf of Wall Street
Oscar Issac – Inside Llewyn Davis	Matthew McConaughey – Dallas Buyers Club	Chiwetel Ejiofor – 12 Years a Slave
Matthew McConaughey – Dallas Buyser Club	Robert Redford – All is Lost	Matthew McConaughey – Dallas Buyers Club

This is likely one of the best years in Best Actor history; it’s been a crazy good year for male leading performances, there is an entire other category full of deserving actors this year. These five are very good and even the bottom performance could have one in another year. Relish years like this because they are not likely to come around again soon.  

Best Actor Snubs: Tom Hanks – Captain Phillips, Robert Redford – All is Lost, Oscar Isaac – Inside Llewyn Davis,  Forest Whitaker – Lee Daniel’s The Butler, Joaquin Phoenix -- Her

Best Actor Scrubs: Christian Bale – American Hustle (he’s very good, no doubt, but not one of the top 5)

Best Actor Surprises: Christian Bale – American Hustle (not many people thought he’d sneak into the nomination group this year, and Mr. Hanks is sad on the outside looking in)

Best Actress

Josh’s Picks (Alphabetical)	Oscar Predictions	Oscar Reality (ComingSoon)
Amy Acker – Much Ado About Nothing	Amy Adams – American Hustle	Amy Adams – American Hustle
Sandra Bullock – Gravity	Cate Blanchett – Blue Jasmine	Cate Blanchett – Blue Jasmine
Judi Dench – Philomena	Sandra Bullock – Gravity	Sandra Bullock – Gravity
Adele Exarchopoulos – Blue is the Warmest Color	Judi Dench – Philomena	Judi Dench -- Philomena
Emma Thompson – Saving Mr. Banks	Emma Thompson – Saving Mr. Banks	Meryl Streep – August: Osage County

Guys, I hate taking this position as I really do love Meryl Streep, but she does not deserve to be here, there are times in August: Osage County where she is downright bad. I’m sorry to say that but it’s true. Streep is great, but not perfect. This is the biggest mistake of this year’s Oscars. The other 4 of this category were pretty locked in

Best Actress Snubs: Emma Thompson – Saving Mr. Banks

Best Actress Scrubs: Meryl Streep – August: Osage County

Best Actress Surprises: Streep over Thompson… just wow. Thompson is wonder in a rare role for a woman that doesn’t revolve around a romantic relationship with a man or about the struggles of motherhood; it’s even more rare to have it come from a woman over 50 is even more rare… and in fact one of the few from an actress not name Streep.

Best Supporting Actor

Josh’s Picks (Alphabetical)	Oscar Predictions	Oscar Reality (ComingSoon)
Michael Fassbender – 12 Years a Slave	Daniel Bruhl – Rush	Barkhad Abdi – Captain Phillips
James Franco – Spring Breakers	Bradley Cooper – American Hustle	Bradley Cooper – American Hustle
Tom Hiddleston – Thor: The Dark World	Michael Fassbender – 12 Years a Slave	Michael Fassbender – 12 Years a Slave
Jonah Hill – The Wolf of Wall Street	Jonah Hill – The Wolf of Wall Street	Jonah Hill – The Wolf of Wall Street
Jared Leto – Dallas Buyers Club	Jared Leto – Dallas Buyers Club	Jared Leto – Dallas Buyers Club

A pretty unshocking category overall, I think it’ll be a tight race between Leto, Fassbender, and Cooper. Everyone is just happy to be here

Supporting Actor Snubs: James Franco – Spring Breakers (just saying, fascinating film – although I’m not sure if it’s good—and an even more fascinating performance.

Supporting Actor Scrubs: None—all actors are pretty deserving here.

Supporting Actor Surprises: Jonah Hill – The Wolf of Wall Street (he’s not been nominated in any other major awards show this year, yet he appears here, very deservedly so, good job Hill)

Best Supporting Actress

Josh’s Picks (Alphabetical)	Oscar Predictions	Oscar Reality (ComingSoon)
Jennifer Lawrence – American Hustle	Jennifer Lawrence – American Hustle	Sally Hawkins – Blue Jasmine
Carrie Mulligan – Inside Llewyn Davis	Lupita Nyong’o – 12 Years a Slave	Jennifer Lawrence – American Hustle
Lupita Nyong’o – 12 Years a Slave	Octavia Spencer – Fruitvale Station	Lupita Nyong’o – 12 Years a Slave
Octavia Spencer – Fruitvale Station	June Squibb – Nebraska	Julia Roberts – August: Osage County
Oprah Winfrey – Lee Daniels’ The Butler	Oprah Winfrey – Lee Daniels’ The Butler	June Squibb – Nebraska

With Lawrence pulling the upset at The Golden Globes, I would not shocked to see her go back to back as she’s possibly the most popular actress on the planet right now. Spencer needs to be mentioned as she’s flawless in Fruitvale Station and gives one of the most emotional performances of the year, a true tear-jerker. June Squibb is amazing and Lupita Nyong’o is still the front runner for this award for her transformative and memorable role in 12 Years a Slave.

A couple of surprises here one nice, Hawkins (a very deserved nomination) and Roberts (a very undeserved nomination

Supporting Actress Snubs: Octavia Spencer – Fruitvale Station is one of the most criminally underrated films of the year and Spencer’s nomination would have be a least a small tip of the hat to this great film.

Supporting Actress Scrubs: Julia Roberts – August: Osage County (star power! Activate!)

Supporting Actress Surprises: The fact that Roberts is this category is one of the biggest shocks of this whole process.

Best Original Screenplay

Josh’s Picks (Alphabetical)	Oscar Predictions	Oscar Reality (ComingSoon)
Craig Borten & Melisa Wallack – Dallas Buyers Club	Craig Borten & Melisa Wallack – Dallas Buyers Club	Eric Warren Singer and David O. Russell – American Hustle
Joel and Ethan Coen – Inside Llewyn Davis	Joel and Ethan Coen – Inside Llewyn Davis	Woody Allen – Blue Jasmine
Spike Jonez – Her	Spike Jonez – Her	Craig Borten & Melisa Wallack – Dallas Buyers Club
Bob Nelson – Nebraska	Bob Nelson – Nebraska	Spike Jonze – Her
Simon Pegg & Edgar Wright – The World’s End	David O. Russell & Eric Singer – American Hustle	Bob Nelson – Nebraska

Original Screenplay Snubs: Joel and Ethan Coen – Inside Llewyn Davis (so good it cannot be not mentioned here), Simon Pegg & Edgar Wright – The World’s End

Original Screenplay Scrubs: Singer & Russell (this film is full of great acting performances, but the overall story and screenplay are a convoluted confusing mess. It’s what really hurts this film.)

Original Screenplay Surprises: Dallas Buyers Club picking up the nod here was a great little shock in the announcement section

Best Adapted Screenplay

Josh’s Picks (Alphabetical)	Oscar Predictions	Oscar Reality (ComingSoon)
Simon Beaufoy & Michael deBruyn (Michael Arndt) – The Hunger Games: Catching Fire	Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope – Philomena	Richard Linklater, Julie Delpy, Ethan Hawke – Before Midnight
Steve Coogan & Jeff Pope – Philomena	Jule Delpy, Ethan Hawke & Richard Linklater – Before Midnight	Billy Ray – Captain Phillips
Abdellatif Kechiche & Ghalia Lacroix – Blue is the Warmest Color	Abdellatif Kechiche & Ghalia Lacroix – Blue is the Warmest Color	Steve Coogan & Jeff Pope – Philomena
Scott Neustadter & Michael H. Weber – The Spectacular Now	John Ridley – 12 Years a Slave	John Ridley – 12 Years a Slave
John Ridley – 12 Years a Slave	Terence Winter – The Wolf of Wall Street	Terence Winter – The Wolf of Wall Street.

Really nothing much shocking or surprising here, some of the films I wanted were not here but that was more wishful thinking than anything else. I’m rooting for Philomena as that is the best screenplay out of all these listed.

Adapted Screenplay Snubs: Nothing

Adapted Screenplay Scrubs: Nada

Adapted Screenplay Surprises: None

Best Animated Feature

Josh’s Picks (Alphabetical)	Oscar Predictions	Oscar Reality (ComingSoon)
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2	Despicable Me 2	The Croods
Ernest & Celestine	Ernest & Celestine	Despicable Me 2
Frozen	Frozen	Ernest & Celestine
Monsters University	Monsters University	Frozen
The Wind Rises	The Wind Rises	The Wind Rises

Best Animation Snubs: Monsters University – The first years since 2011 that Pixar has had a film in theatres and it didn’t get an Oscar nod, however that film was Cars 2 and this film Monsters University is much better. Sad day.

Best Animation Scrubs: The Croods, Despicable Me 2 – These films did well at the box office, but not good enoght to be here over Monsters University. Ehhh, no big deal really Frozen is the easiest guarantee of the year.

Best Animation Surprises: The Croods, was a shock to end up here. But hey I guess it’s more deserving the Despicable Me 2

Best Original Score

Josh’s Picks (Alphabetical)	Oscar Predictions	Oscar Reality (ComingSoon)
William Butler & Owen Pallett – Her	Alex Ebert – All is Lost	John Williams – The Book Thief
Thomas Newman – Saving Mr. Banks	Thomas Newman – Saving Mr. Banks	Steven Price – Gravity
Mark Orton – Nebraska	Stephen Price – Gravity	William Butler and Owen Pallett (Arcade Fire) – Her
Stephen Price – Gravity	John Williams – The Book Thief	Alexandre Desplat – Pholomena
The Book Thief – John Williams	Hans Zimmer – 12 Years a Slave	Thomas Newman – Saving Mr. Banks

Pretty happy all around here these are five fine scores, I’m rooting for Newman myself. But be happy no matter what!

Best Score Snubs: Nothing

Best Score Scrubs: Nothing

Best Score Surprises: Arcade Fire and Newman were both great surprises this morning one of the few categories where The Academy went five for five.

Talk to you soon!!