Oscar Predictions: Best Supporting Actress/Best Supporting Actor

Will Win: Anne Hathaway - Les Misérables

Ever since the trailer for Les Misérables dropped back near Thanksgiving, it seems like Anne Hathaway has had this award all but sewn up. Her passionate rendition of “I Dreamed a Dream” charmed people before they even saw her role in the complete context of the film. Since then, she’s been winning every major industry award under the sun. There’s whispers of a backlash forming due to her winning streak, and that would benefit an industry veteran like Sally Field. But I don’t think it’s enough to stop the Hathaway steamroller.

Should Win: Anne Hathaway - Les Misérables

While I really did not like Les Mis, the one element I can praise are the performances, and Hathaway is most definitely a standout. Her time on screen is brief, but she leaves an unforgettable mark on the entire movie. You miss her dearly when her character departs, and she makes the most out of the time she is there. You can’t walk out of this film, whether love it or hate it, and not think about her performance. It is the most memorable character out of the bunch, and I would be glad to see her win.

Will Win: Robert De Niro - Silver Linings Playbook

This is one of the most open ended category at the Oscars. I can conceivably see any one of these nominees winning, all previous winners at that. I’m calling it for De Niro if only because Silver Linings Playbook is still a well liked film by the Academy, and he is campaigning HARD for it. Last year, when Meryl Streep asked for another award, she got it. I think it’ll happen again, but don’t count out SAG winner Tommy Lee Jones in a Best Picture favorite or Christoph Waltz after surprising triumphs at the Golden Globes and BAFTA, and has won every major award he has been nominated for. Predict at your own risk.

Should Win: Philip Seymour Hoffman - The Master

I’m a bit torn in this category because while Philip Seymour Hoffman arguably gives the best performance out of this bunch, he clearly is a co-lead being masqueraded in supporting. For me, the truest best “supporting” actor is Tommy Lee Jones for a charming, funny and endearing turn in Lincoln. So do I choose the best performance or the best supporting actor? Even with playing victim to category fraud, I think you should still vote based on performance, and Hoffman is fantastic in a deeply complicated role. He far and away outshines the others.