Countdown to the Oscars - 3 - Best Supporting Actor

Performance by an actor in a supporting role

George Clooney in “Syriana” (Warner Bros.)
Matt Dillon in “Crash” (Lions Gate)
Paul Giamatti in “Cinderella Man” (Universal and Miramax)
Jake Gyllenhaal in “Brokeback Mountain” (Focus Features)
William Hurt in “A History of Violence” (New Line)

Before I get into this category, let me just fess up that I haven’t seen Syriana and really have no interest to see it;
This is a weird mix, since Jake Gyllenhaal really belongs in the Best Actor category as he was just in as much of Brokeback Mountain as Heath was, while William Hurt appears only in one of the final scenes in A History of Violence and to be honest, his kooky performance was a little too kooky for me.
Matt Dillon gave a great performance but personally, I thought Terrence Howard was better in Crash and should have gotten it in this category (and would have actually had a chance of winning). For Matt, it was just an honour to be invited back to the party, plus, I can’t stop forgetting he’s Drama’s brother. Paul Giamatti was also in good form and is always an excellent actor, but does this seem more like payback for missing out on him in Sideways and American Splendor? I still can’t believe he didn’t get a nomination for Sideways since he should have won last year. Again, it seems like Paul may get passed over again because George Clooney will win for Good Night, and Good Luck. People Love George. Hollywood Loves George. Hollywood wants to have George’s babies. Everyone loves George enough to forgive him for suiting up in a horrible Batman sequel. George will probably win, because they’ve GOT to give him at least ONE this year after being nominated THREE times (Screenplay and Director for Good Night) and since other movies are locked in those categories (Crash and Brokeback), the Academy will give it to George over here in this category, for a completely different movie. Which is also too bad for poor Jake Gylenhaal who was first overshadowed by Heath’s revelatory performance, and now being up against Paul and George. Some may have seen him as the weakest part of Brokeback, but a second viewing shows how important his energy and spunk (is that a bad word to use in anything describing Brokeback?) is to the core of the movie and how it balances out the quiet performances by Michelle, Heath and Anne Hatheway. My pick? I’m torn between Jake and Paul, but George will get it.