2012 Oscar Predictions: Best Actor

Continual shifting is to be expected over the coming months, but one thing is set in stone: I am going to chronicle it. I've been addicted to Oscar predictions since the Academy threw me for a loop in 2008 and gave Best Actor to Sean Penn over Mickey Rourke (a travesty!) and I realized just how fun it was to get them right - or to be proven wrong. Every month I will post changes in my predictions, and I can see how the odds change on my predictions as the year progresses. I hope you enjoy.

1. Leonardo DiCaprio - J. Edgar



Leonardo DiCaprio, three-time Oscar nominee (never won) in a biopic directed by Clint Eastwood (whose films over the past 8 years have earned a total of 9 acting nominations -- 4 of which won) about controversial FBI director J. Edgar Hoover and his life as a closeted homosexual. What about this doesn't sound like Oscar material? I will go on the record saying that there is absolutely no chance that DiCaprio doesn't receive a nomination for his performance here, and I believe it would be safe to bet that he could very well win it in the long run: Without having even seen it.

- 100% chance

Top 100 Actors: Part X (#10-1)

And it all comes down to this... It's going to be a relief not having any more of these to do, but it was fun for me, and I hope the same could be said for you. Thank you everyone for sticking with me this far, and I hope my finale won't be too great a letdown for all of you.

10. Peter O'Toole

Top 5 Performances:

1. The Lion In Winter [1968]

2. The Stunt Man [1980]

3. Becket [1964]

4. The Ruling Class [1972]

5. Lawrence Of Arabia [1962]

6. Venus [2006]

7. My Favorite Year [1982]

8. Goodbye, Mr. Chips [1969]

9. Ratatouille [2007]

10. Murphy's War [1971]

Top 100 Actors: Part IX (#20-11)

The first part of the series to use "Top 10 Performances" lists instead of Top 5. Enjoy!

20. John Hurt

Top 5 Performances:

1. The Elephant Man [1980]

2. Midnight Express [1978]

3. Love And Death On Long Island [1997]

4. 10 Rillington Place [1971]

5. Scandal [1989]

6. Owning Mahowny [2003]

7. Nineteen Eighty-Four [1984]

8. A Man For All Seasons [1966]

9. Alien [1979]

10. Beyond The Gates [2006]

Top 100 Actors: Part VIII (#30-21)

After these ten, the "Top 5 Performances" lists will be extended to top 10.

30. Robert Duvall

Top 5 Performances:

1. Tender Mercies [1983]

2. The Apostle [1997]

3. Apocalypse Now [1979]

4. Network [1976]

5. The Godfather [1972]

Top 100 Actors: Part VII (#40-31)

And here's where they really start to get fantastic.

40. Alan Arkin

Top 5 Performances:

1. The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter [1968]

2. Little Miss Sunshine [2006]

3. The Russians Are Coming The Russians Are Coming [1966]

4. Thirteen Conversations About One Thing [2001]

5. Wait Until Dark [1967]

Top 100 Actors: Part VI (#50-41)

And we've officially reached the second half!

50. Tom Hanks

Top 5 Performances:

1. Forrest Gump [1994]

2. Saving Private Ryan [1998]

3. Road To Perdition [2002]

4. Cast Away [2000]

5. Philadelphia [1993]

Top 100 Actors: Part V (#60-51)

50 down, 50 to go. Remember, this is just my opinion, so don't get too worked up if this list doesn't match yours. But I would love to hear any comments/complaints you might have!

60. Mel Gibson

Top 5 Performances:

1. The Patriot [2000]

2. Braveheart [1995]

3. Gallipoli [1981]

4. Ransom [1996]

5. The Beaver [2011]

Top 100 Actors: Part IV (#70-61)

For the previous lists:
• Part I
• Part II
• Part III

70. Robert Downey, Jr.

Top 5 Performances:

1. Tropic Thunder [2008]

2. Chaplin [1992]

3. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang [2005]

4. Iron Man [2008]

5. Less Than Zero [1987]

Top 100 Actors: Part III (#80-71)

Part III of the gripping saga that captured the nation... and demanded ransom for its release.

80. George Clooney

Top 5 Performances:

1. Up In The Air [2009]

2. O Brother, Where Art Thou? [2000]

3. Michael Clayton [2007]

4. The American [2010]

5. Syriana [2005]

Top 100 Actors: Part II (#90-81)

Part 2 of my soon-to-be exhausting list of my top 100 actors: 2011 edition.

90. Stephen McHattie

Top 5 Performances:

1. The Rocket [2005]

2. Pontypool [2009]

3. Salvation! [1987]

4. Summer's Blood [2009]

5. A History Of Violence [2005]

Top 100 Actors: Part I (#100-91)

The exact placing will change with the passing time, but at the current moment (meaning, as of yesterday) this is my list of my top 100 favorite/most talented actors. I like some more than others, but their talent and experience might place them higher or lower. It's difficult to rate them, but here is what I've got:

100. Donald Sutherland

Top 5 Performances:

1. Ordinary People [1980]

2. M*A*S*H [1970]

3. Don't Look Now [1973]

4. Invasion Of The Body Snatchers [1978]

5. Klute [1971]

Wrecked

Wrecked

Directed by Michael Greenspan

A completely forgettable Adrien Brody vehicle, that's just good enough to keep you watching, but not enough to make the time spent worthwhile.

Source Code

Source Code

Directed by Duncan Jones

Director Duncan Jones' debut "Moon" displayed his skill in subtlelty and detailed plot construction most characteristic of an experienced filmmaker, but here he ventures into more standard fare. However, utilizing his talents, he manages to create a distinctly superior sci-fi action adventure.

The Tree Of Life

The Tree Of Life

Directed By Terrence Malick

Slow, metaphorical, and symbolic, The Tree Of Life is a decidedly difficult film to rate -- being one of only a handful of movies presented in such a manner. Much like The Thin Red Line or The New World, there seems to be a split somewhere between story and presentation, almost as if two separate movies had been made, but due to their dependent nature, found themselves glued together in post-production.

Midnight In Paris

Midnight In Paris

Directed by Woody Allen

Nostalgic, hilarious, and wonderfully unique, Midnight In Paris already ranks as one of my all-time favorite Woody Allen movies.

The Beaver

The Beaver

Directed by Jodie Foster

Despite his greatest efforts, not even Mel Gibson (who delivers a powerful, emotional performance) can save this picture from it's strange and silly premise.