Here are the five nominees: (Winner in Bold)
LaKeith Stanfield (Judas and the Black Messiah)
Daniel Kaluuya (Judas and the Black Messiah)
Leslie Odom Jr. (One Night in Miami)
Paul Raci (Sound of Metal)
Biggest Snub:
Mark Rylance – The Trial of the Chicago 7
My Overall Thoughts:
This is a category that has been a lock from the start of the awards season. That being said every one of the nominees was quite deserving of being in this group.
My Rankings:
Supporting Actor
5. Leslie Odom Jr.
4. Lakeith Stanfield
3. Paul Raci
2. Sasha Baron Cohen
1. Daniel Kaluuya
Movies
4. One Night in Miami – I was somewhat familiar with each of these four characters prior to watching this film, but they do a wonderful job of giving an even larger impression of who each of these four men were. The overall premise is an intriguing one that works most of the time. The film is based on a play and remains engaging due to the superb dialogue between these characters since their interactions are quite enjoyable to watch unfold.|
3. Judas and the Black Messiah – Great biopic that allows us to see the way that both the Black Panthers and the FBI work from the inside. The story shows how someone can start of doing on job but after getting exposed to the ‘enemy’, he can realize that things are never so clear as day and night. The fact that this is based on a true story adds even more to the suspense of it all.
2. Sound of Metal – They do a wonderful job telling this story in a very realistic fashion which helps keep it so enjoyable to watch. The acting is superb and both Riz Ahmed and Paul Raci are amazingly genuine and powerful in their roles. I am not surprised at all that they both have been mentioned quite often in award nomination discussions for their work on this film. They help make the story and characters feel even more powerful and poignant in all that they say or so here.
1. The Trial of the Chicago 7 – Amazing film that works even better on subsequent viewings. Aaron Sorkin is a superb writer and director and it’s easy to see his adept hand in this film. The script is based on the transcripts of the trial and it’s great that that fact is publicized because otherwise it would be hard to believe some of the things that happen here along the way. The story plays out really well and they do a wonderful job keeping the story anchored and focused in the courtroom.
Do I agree with the Oscar winner? – Yes and No! Kaluuya does an amazing job here, but I think that a case could have been made for Cohen taking this award home just as equally.
Let me know what you think about these films and my rankings!
MovieRob 