Which 5 leading men will be nominated in the best-actor category and which of these actors will win the coveted Oscar for Best Actor at the 80 th Academy Awards on February 24 th 2008? Here’s the latest hotlist of the 10 most serious contenders.
Daniel Day Lewis, There Will Be Blood
Appearing in virtually every scene in his best work to date (and that’s saying something) Daniel Day Lewis is brilliant, and surely an odd’s on favourite for Best Actor at this year's Oscars? Daniel Day Lewis is outstanding as oil prospector Daniel Plainview in There Will Be Blood, a dark and compelling story of greed and brutality, were success far outweighs human compassion. There Will Be Blood is an entertaining, blockbuster of a story, driven by a blockbusting performance from Daniel Day Lewis.
Tommy Lee Jones, In The Valley of Elah
Tommy Lee Jones plays Hank Deerfield to perfection In the Valley of Elah. Jones excels as the patriotic ex-military man who now seeks answers about his son’s disappearance after a tour of duty in Iraq. Despite strong military resistance Hank Deerfield will stop at nothing to uncover the truth, Tommy Lee Jones masters Deerfield’s character and his military ways to the core, a hand-grenade of a performance, just wait till he explodes.
Denzel Washington, American Gangster
American Gangster is the true story of 70’s Harlem drug boss Frank Lucas played by Denzel Washington. Cool businessman or cold-hearted killer, Washington is convincing as he sources heroin direct from the jungle of Southeast Asia to annihilate the competition and expand his criminal empire. A family man yet a loner Lucas is heading for an explosive collision with fellow loner, corruption investigating NYPD detective Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe). Watch the onscreen fireworks when they finally meet.
Benicio Del Toro, Things We Lost in the Fire
Bencio Del Torro plays Jerry Sunborne a recovering heroin addict to perfection in Things We Lost in the Fire. Playing alongside Halle Berry, Del Torro steals the show with a performance that will have you questioning whether he really is on drugs. You can almost feel Del Torro’s pain as he sweats and pleads when trying to kick the habit.
Johnny Depp, Sweeney Todd
As Sweeney Todd is the 6 th film that Tim Burton and Johnny Depp have made together ( Edward Scissorhands , Ed Wood , Sleepy Hollow , Charlie & the Chocolate Factory and Corpse Bride ) it is only natural that they have developed a film making ‘chemistry’. Perhaps the singing will go against him, but as the title role demon barber Sweeney Todd, Johnny Depp is frighteningly realistic, with Helena Bonham Carter as his pie making and singing accomplice Mrs Lovett, perhaps I will grow that beard after all!
Philip Seymour Hoffman - Before the Devil Knows Your Dead
Philip Seymour Hoffman is excellent as Andy the corporate accountant and heroin addict who has come up with the perfect crime. Perfect that is until the robbery of their parent’s jewellery store goes horribly wrong. As Andy struggles to cope with the consequences and his conscience, Philip Seymour Hoffman’s portrayal as a man on the brink, is enthralling.
George Clooney, Michael Clayton
George Clooney plays the eponymous Michael Clayton, a ‘fixer’ at a powerful New York law firm. Not being adverse to a little bribery and corruption, Michael is forced to wrestle with his own conscience when sent to rescue the case after his colleague Arthur (excellently portrayed by Tom Wilkinson) suffers an emotional breakdown. A divorcee, ex gambler with financial problems, this is a confrontational and far more challenging role than that of the supporting role as Bob Barnes for which George won his previous Oscar in Syriana. George Clooney’s powerful performance may just be enough for another nomination.
Christian Bale, 3:10 to Yuma
Elmore Leonard's western short story 3:10 to Yuma stars Christian Bale as the debt burdened rancher Dan Evans offered $200 and the chance to regain respect to escort outlaw Ben Wade (Russell Crowe) to the Federal Court. A great movie and Christian Bale is excellent as the downtrodden rancher with something to prove in a psychological and physical battle against Wade.
James McAvoy, Atonement
Whilst Atonement is not my cup of tea, there’s no doubting that come Oscar time it will be there in force. James McAvoy plays Robbie the working-class man falsely accused of raping an underage aristocrat. Whilst McAvoy excels as the shy, well-mannered son of a grounds-keeper I can’t help feeling the role restricts the full extent of James McAvoy’s talents.
Brad Pitt, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford .
As infamous outlaw Jesse James, Brad Pitt puts in a fantastic performance. Brad Pitt swaggers with superiority and charisma (just as I would if I was with Angelina Jolie J ) as the myth wanted for 17 murders and numerous robberies tries to live up to the ever increasing price on his head. Brad Pitt performs admirably but put your money on Casey Affleck for best supporting actor as he steals the show as the tormented soul Robert Ford.
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