2022 Academy Awards Supporting Actor Series

Nominee: Ciarán Hinds
Picture for Nomination: Belfast
Age: 69
From: North Ireland
Filmography: Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021), The Man in the Hat (2020), Frozen II (2019), Grace and Goliath (2018), First Man (2018), Captain Morten and the Spider Queen (2018), Elizabeth Harvest (2018), Red Sparrow (2018), Justice League (2017), Woman Walks Ahead (2017), Axis (2017), Silence (2016), Bleed for This (2016), Hitman: Agent 47 (2015), The Driftless Area (2015), Last Days in the Desert (2015), The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them (2014), Frozen (2013), McCanick (2013), The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Him (2013), Closed Circuit (2013), The Sea (2013), John Carter (2012), The Woman in Black (2012), Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2011), Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011), Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011), The Rite (2011), Salvation Boulevard (2011), The Debt (2010), Life During Wartime (2009), The Eclipse (2009), Race to Witch Mountain (2009), The Tale of Despereaux (2008), Ca$h (2008), Stop-Loss (2008), Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (2008), In Bruges (2008), There Will Be Blood (2007), Margot at the Wedding (2007), Hallam Foe (2007), The Tiger's Tale (2006), Amazing Grace (2006), Miami Vice (2006), Munich (2005), The Nativity Story (2005), The Phantom of the Opera (2004), Mickybo and Me (2004), The Statement (2003), Calendar Girls (2003), Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life (2003), Veronica Guerin (2003), Road to Perdition (2002), The Sum of All Fears (2002), The Weight of Water (2000), The Lost Lover (1999), Il tempo dell'amore (1999), The Lost Son (1999), Titanic Town (1998), Oscar and Lucinda (1997), The Life of Stuff (1997), Some Mother's Son (1996), Mary Reilly (1996), Circle of Friends (1995), December Bride (1990), The Cook, the Thief, His Wife and Her Lover (1989), Excalibur (1981)

Academy Awards History in Acting:
This is his first nomination in Acting Categories.

Achievements in Acting:
2022 BAFTA Film Awards Best Supporting Actor Nomination for Belfast
2022 Golden Globes Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture Nomination for Belfast

Nominee: Troy Kotsur
Picture for Nomination: CODA
Age: 53
From: United States
Filmography: Wild Prairie Rose (2016), No Ordinary Hero: The SuperDeafy Movie (2013), Universal Signs (2008), The Number 23 (2007)

Academy Awards History in Acting:
This is his first nomination in Acting Categories.

Achievements in Acting:
2022 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role for CODA
2022 BAFTA Film Awards Best Supporting Actor for CODA
2022 Golden Globes Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture Nomination for CODA

Nominee: Jesse Plemons
Picture for Nomination: The Power of the Dog
Age: 33
From: United States
Filmography: Antlers (2021), Jungle Cruise (2021), Judas and the Black Messiah (2021), I'm Thinking of Ending Things (2020), El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie (2019), The Irishman (2019), Vice (2018), Game Night (2018), The Post (2017), Hostiles (2017), American Made (2017), The Discovery (2017), Other People (2016), Bridge of Spies (2015), The Program (2015), Black Mass (2015), The Homesman (2014), Flutter (2014), The Master (2012), Battleship (2012), Meeting Spencer (2011), Paul (2011), Happiness Runs (2010), Observe and Report (2009), Shrink (2009), The Flyboys (2008), When Zachary Beaver Came to Town (2003), The Failures (2003), Like Mike (2002), Children on Their Birthdays (2002), All the Pretty Horses (2000), Varsity Blues (1999), Finding North (1998)

Academy Awards History in Acting:
This is his first nomination in Acting Categories.

Achievements in Acting:
2022 BAFTA Film Awards Best Supporting Actor Nomination for The Power of the Dog

Nominee: J.K. Simmons
Picture for Nomination: Being the Ricardos
Age: 67
From: United States
Filmography: Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), National Champions (2021), Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021), Seal Team (2021), Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021), The Tomorrow War (2021), Ride the Eagle (2021), Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021), Palm Springs (2020), Klaus (2019), 21 Bridges (2019), 3 Days with Dad (2019), Spider-Man: Far from Home (2019), The Front Runner (2018), The Boxcar Children: Surprise Island (2018), A Boy Called Sailboat (2018), Father Figures (2017), Justice League (2017), The Snowman (2017), I'm Not Here (2017), Renegades (2017), The Bachelors (2017), All Nighter (2017), Patriots Day (2016), The Accountant (2016), The Late Bloomer (2016), La La Land (2016), Rock Dog (2016), And Punching the Clown (2016), Zootopia (2016), Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016), Worlds Apart (2015), The Meddler (2015), Terminator Genisys (2015), April and the Extraordinary World (2015), Ava and Lala (2014), Men, Women and Children (2014), The Rewrite (2014), Murder of a Cat (2014), The Boxcar Children (2014), Break Point (2014), Barefoot (2014), Whiplash (2014), Labor Day (2013), 3 Geezers! (2013), Dark Skies (2013), Jobs (2013), Adventure Planet (2012), The Words (2012), Contraband (2012), Young Adult (2011), The Good Doctor (2011), The Music Never Stopped (2011), True Grit (2010), Megamind (2010), An Invisible Sign (2010), A Beginner's Guide to Endings (2010), Cats and Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore (2010), Crazy on the Outside (2010), Jennifer's Body (2009), Up in the Air (2009), Extract (2009), Post Grad (2009), Aliens in the Attic (2009), I Love You, Man (2009), Red Sands (2009), The Way of War (2009), New in Town (2009), The Vicious Kind (2009), Burn After Reading (2008), Rendition (2007), Juno (2007), Postal (2007), Spider-Man 3 (2007), The Astronaut Farmer (2006), First Snow (2006), Thank You for Smoking (2005), Harsh Times (2005), Spider-Man 2 (2004), The Ladykillers (2004), Hidalgo (2004), Off the Map (2003), Spider-Man (2002), The Mexican (2001), The Gift (2000), Autumn in New York (2000), Beautiful Joe (2000), For Love of the Game (1999), The Cider House Rules (1999), Hit and Runway (1999), Above Freezing (1998), Celebrity (1998), Anastasia (1997), The Jackal (1997), Crossing Fields (1997), Love Walked In (1997), Extreme Measures (1996), The First Wives Club (1996), The Scout (1994), Pom Poko (1994), The Ref (1994)

Academy Awards History in Acting:
2015 Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role for Whiplash

Achievements in Acting:
2015 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role for Whiplash
2015 BAFTA Film Awards Best Supporting Actor for Whiplash
2015 Golden Globes Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture for Whiplash

Nominee: Kodi Smit-McPhee
Picture for Nomination: The Power of the Dog
Age: 25
From: Australia
Filmography: 2067 (2020), Dolemite Is My Name (2019), Dark Phoenix (2019), Alpha (2018), Deadpool 2 (2018), X-Men: Apocalypse (2016), Slow West (2015), Maya the Bee Movie (2014), Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014), All the Wilderness (2014), Young Ones (2014), Romeo and Juliet (2013), The Congress (2013), A Birder's Guide to Everything (2013), ParaNorman (2012), Dead Europe (2012), Let Me In (2010), Matching Jack (2010), The Road (2009), The Tender Hook (2008), Romulus, My Father (2007), Stranded (2006)

Academy Awards History in Acting:
This is his first nomination in Acting Categories.

Achievements in Acting:
2022 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role Nomination for The Power of the Dog
2022 BAFTA Film Awards Best Supporting Actor Nomination for The Power of the Dog
2022 Golden Globes Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture for The Power of the Dog

Conclusion:
27 March 2022
Who Will Win Likely: Troy Kotsur for CODA
Who May Be Alternate: Kodi Smit-McPhee for The Power of the Dog

20 March 2022
Who Will Win Likely: Troy Kotsur for CODA
Who May Be Alternate: Kodi Smit-McPhee for The Power of the Dog

14 March 2022
Who Will Win Likely: Troy Kotsur for CODA
Who May Be Alternate: Kodi Smit-McPhee for The Power of the Dog

28 February 2022
Who Will Win Likely: Kodi Smit-McPhee for The Power of the Dog
Who May Be Alternate: Troy Kotsur for CODA

12 February 2022
Who Will Win Likely: Kodi Smit-McPhee for The Power of the Dog
Who May Be Alternate: Troy Kotsur for CODA

Who Should Win: Kodi Smit-McPhee for The Power of the Dog
Who Got Snubbed: Bradley Cooper for Licorice Pizza, Jamie Dornan for Belfast
Personal Favorite: Troy Kotsur for CODA
Who Wins? Troy Kotsur for CODA

恐襲波士頓馬拉松 Patriots Day (2016)

電影名稱：恐襲波士頓馬拉松 Patriots Day
產地：美國 USA
上映日期：23 February 2017
觀看日期：24 February 2017
片長：133 Minutes
導演：Peter Berg
演員：John Goodman, Kevin Bacon

觀後感：
自從智能手機被普遍使用後，我們的生活因此變得更方便，無論任何時候在任何地方都可以連接網路，處理各式各樣的事務。拍攝功能也變得流行，很多使用者在社交網站發佈自己的作品，向世界分享生活的點適；當有任何事情發生時，我們可以立即使用手機攝錄案發現場，一切都變得更容易。在電影事件發生的年代智能手機已經普及，恐怖分子相對較困難找到藏身之所避開追捕，他們最終敵也不過天網恢恢的命運，成為美國近代著名的恐襲事件。在2013年愛國者日的年度波士頓馬拉松賽事上，發生炸彈襲擊導致不少死傷。中情局特工Richard DesLauriers(Kevin Bacon飾)被委派領導當地的調查小組進行搜證、處理傷者及展開追捕，成員包括警司Ed Davis(John Goodman飾)、警長Jeffrey Pugliese(J.K. Simmons飾)和Tommy Saunders(Mark Wahlberg飾)。中情局透過閉路電視的片段初步確認疑犯身份，DesLauriers為免引起公眾恐慌而下令禁止公開情報。當情報被洩露至傳媒，Pugliese的隊伍也正在努力尋找兩名疑犯。兩名施襲者拒捕殺警後脅持大學生駕駛帶他們逃走，大學生駛至油站時奮力逃走報警，Saunders趕至了解情況後通知小組追蹤座駕的GPS座標，警方最後成功找到他們的蹤影，雙方激烈槍戰對峙期間，其中一名疑犯被擊斃 ，而警方也有不少人員的損失。中情局找到疑犯的親人朋友詢問襲擊的細節，無功而回後收到居民報警，發現一名疑犯躲藏在他的船隻內，警方最後將他拘捕。疑犯被判處死刑等候上訴，警方在鬆一口氣後繼續調查兩名疑犯的相關活動計劃。

John Goodman是一名美國男演員，他年輕時因傷而放棄發展運動員事業，轉為一名專業的演員；他參與過不同規模的演出，在演藝圈是一名大家很尊重的前輩，演技的水準無容置疑，代表作有Eddie Macon's Run、Barton Fink及10 Cloverfield Lane。他戲中的警司角色戲份有限，沒有留下一個深刻的印象，筆者幾乎忘記了電影有他的存在，因為其他演員的表現較有看頭；筆者從資料搜集中發現他較常演出配角，而且角色都沒有很奪目的設計，他靠自己的演技穩住陣腳，在部分作品中獲得觀眾一致的認同。他的下一部推介是Captive State，電影是一齣以外星人侵佔地球為題材的科幻片，故事與一般同類題材的鋪排不一樣，筆者對這齣戲的興趣不大，不過他的演出可能會有不少口碑。Kevin Bacon是一名美國男演員，他演出電影成名後發現自己並不是偶像派的材料，於是轉型為性格演員，自此在不少著名的電影中飾演膾炙人口的角色；他是遊戲Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon的主角，所有在荷里活的影星都能夠和他扯上關係，更因而出現了Bacon number這個概念；他的代表作有National Lampoon's Animal House、JFK及X-Men: First Class。筆者沒有看過他的演出，單憑在這齣電影的表現，筆者覺得他是有一定實力的，只是今次的發揮機會有限，所以欠缺了出色的演繹；他的特務角色很有政府情報人員的味道，不過他的戲份太細碎，未能看到他較全面的詮釋，筆者認為他是難得有明星特質的好戲之人。他近年較常主演電視電影，暫時沒有參與大銀幕作品的製作，相信他會等待著一個很適合他的角色才會重出江湖。

電影改編自真人真事，完整地把事件發生的過程至犯人被拘捕的細節透過作品向觀眾呈現，我們未必可以設身處地感受到在場人士的驚惶失措，但電影至少表達了波士頓人自強不息的精神，在傷痛中逐漸回復生活的正軌，這份無比的勇氣已經很值得我們敬佩。電影以群戲為主，即使Mark Wahlberg是電影的主角也未見有領演的作用，筆者對覺得飾演疑犯妻子的Melissa Benoist的表現有點驚喜。電影以故事發展為主導，除了盡量把真相在電影中展示外，還利用音效等技巧帶觀眾走到波士頓的襲擊現場，帶動觀眾一起追尋犯人的情緒，筆者覺得導演在表達上的功夫很不錯。筆者留意到近年當意外發生時，圍觀者拿起手機拍攝現場狀況已成了大眾的文化，反而少了有心人去協助解決問題；大家在享受科技發展的同時，不妨關心一下周遭所發生的事物，在別人有需要時伸出援手，改善這種不知所謂的陋習及風氣。

評分：
故事：39/50
演員：27/35
效果：13/15
總分：79/100

暗算 The Accountant (2016)

電影名稱：暗算 The Accountant
產地：美國 USA
上映日期：13 October 2016
觀看日期：18 October 2016
片長：128 Minutes
導演：Gavin O'Connor
演員：Ben Affleck

觀後感：
社會大眾很喜歡以特別的目光對待殘疾人士，雖然他們得到不少的協助，不過總會有人去講一些難聽的說話，務求打擊他們的信心，提高自己的地位。殘疾人士不會太計較別人的看法，他們已習慣冷言冷語的出現，而他們只想把自己的生命活得更精彩。研究顯示患有自閉症人士的智力比一般人高，他們成長的環境足以影響他們如何運用這種優勢，在這個真實世界上生存。Chris(Ben Affleck飾)小時候確診患上自閉症，他的父親沒有將他送往特殊學校就讀，他和弟弟Braxton(Jon Bernthal飾)自小便進行武術訓練，讓他們在真實的世界裡學懂保護自己，後來他們的父親為了保護Chris而喪命，兩兄弟自此分道揚鑣。Chris現時是一位會計師，他暗中與犯罪集團及恐怖組織聯繫，協助他們取得內幕財務資訊，他靠The Voice這把聲音完成工作，並每天進行一些可以提醒自己面對真實世界的破壞性行為。Chris被一間公司聘請為核數師，他和會計師Dana(Anna Kendrick飾)合作，發現有大量資產被公司成員侵吞，後來他被解除合約，並遇上殺手的追捕。他和Dana會合後在詢問中得知公司總裁為了股價表現而侵吞資產。政府的特務搜尋Chris的蹤影及住所，負責財務罪案部門的總監Ray King(J.K. Simmons飾)公開Chris的身世，原來他會將不道德的案件交由政府處理。Chris打算找出行政總裁的藏身之所報仇，總裁的保鑣就是失蹤多年的Braxton，後來總裁死於他槍下，兩兄弟嘗試重修舊好。Chris最後離開是非之地，The Voice繼續提供遠端的支援，Dana則回復原本的生活。

Ben Affleck是一位美國男演員，他身兼製片人、導演及編劇的身分，參與不同類型及規模的製作，他幕後的工作得到影評人的喜愛，反而幕前的演出相對較失色，他也曾經在2004年後期一段時間人氣下滑，失去不少工作的機會，近年的作品有Runner Runner、Gone Girl及Justice League系列。他的角色是一位患有自閉症的人士，利用自己的才智及身手去適應生活，同時需要掌控情況及顧及情緒變化，角色的難度非常高；他演出時給予筆者一種奇怪的感覺，整體上的演繹顯得十分木訥，他對身邊的人及事是沒有任何感受的，欠缺了一份對角色較深層次的理解，不能稱得上是好的演出。他的下一部推介是Witness for the Prosecution，故事根據著名作家Agatha Christie的作品改編，觀眾可以再看到他自導自演的才華。

電影是一個原創故事，主要圍繞著男主角如何自力更生地擺脫自閉症的包袱，在社會上發揮專長，故事強調他是一位正義之士，他並沒有因為和不良分子合作而妄顧道德觀念，不過筆者認為他的角色被美化得過份，脫離了現實的考量。演員們的演出只是一般，飾演分析師的Cynthia Addai-Robinson帶來驚喜，為沉悶的電影增添一點生氣。電影仿似將Chris塑造成一位英雄一樣，凡事都能夠手到拿來，在生活上遇到的也不算是甚麼挫折，令筆者不太理解電影所說的是甚麼。無論我們是否殘疾人士，都有責任把自己的生命活得有意義，只要我們不執著別人的看法及嘲弄，人也會變得開心一點。

評分：
故事：21/50
演員：21/35
效果：2/15
總分：44/100

鼓動真我 Whiplash (2014)

電影名稱：鼓動真我 Whiplash
產地：美國 USA
上映日期：16 October 2014
觀看日期：16 October 2014
片長：107 Minutes
導演：Damien Chazelle
演出：Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons

影評：
夢想與現實的距離為何？現今很多人都認為我們應趁年輕時懂得去追夢，勇敢嘗試並豐富自己人生的體驗；另外有一些人則認為我們應腳踏實地，先解決我們在生活上的需求，再追尋其他的人生價值。我們在社會上可以看到不少成功把夢想變成現實的人，他們過著很愉快美滿的生活，不過我們看到的只是他們風光的一面。每個人都一定會發夢，然而自身的能力往往是我們萬向夢想路途上的障礙，因為很多人只會辨認到自己的夢想，而忽略追尋夢想的過程及付出。媒體報導的故事總是極具鼓勵性，只是很多讀者清楚了解後決定放棄夢想，原因在於付出不保證有同等的收穫。電影中的主角Andrew(Miles Teller飾)同樣經歷過追夢時期的低潮，不過他所選擇的面對方式卻有所不同。他非常熱愛打鼓，夢想成為一位舉世知名的鼓手。著名的指揮家Terence Fletcher(J.K. Simmons飾)一天晚上偷聽到他的練習後，便邀請Andrew以後備鼓手的身份，參與樂團的練習。不過Fletcher是一位對學生很暴躁的導師，他甚至向Andrew擲椅子、當眾侮辱他及掌摑他。在一次爵士樂比賽中，Andrew取替了首席鼓手Carl順利演出，Fletcher隨即讓Andrew坐上首席鼓手之位置。不久，Fletcher招攬另一名鼓手取替Andrew的位置，他深深不忿地苦練鼓技至雙手流血，並為了專心學業而跟女友分手。Fletcher向樂團透露他以前有一個很有才華的學生Sean不幸意外身亡，然而他在樂團中開始練習新曲目，Andrew在試演中獲得最後的演出機會。在前往比賽場地途中，Andrew發現鼓棍遺留在租車中心；他跟Fletcher吵架後，便折返取回鼓棍趕至會場，途中不幸遇上交通意外，受了傷的他堅持演出，但Fletcher不忍其表現強差人意而中場終止，並暗示Andrew他的音樂生涯到此為止，他忍不住上前襲擊Fletcher而被退學。Andrew之後決定以匿名身分作證，以指證Fletcher的教學方法導致學生自殺，他也因此被解僱。幾個月後，Andrew放棄音樂並申請其他院校，他看見Fletcher在一家酒吧演出，兩人聊了起來，Fletcher坦言嚴厲的方法只為教出好的學生，他亦邀請Andrew參加其樂團於音樂節的演出。Fletcher打算藉是次演出讓Andrew出洋相，因為他知道Andrew是當初指證他的匿名者，不過Andrew在演出結束後馬上以鼓樂開始另一首樂曲的演奏，Fletcher措手不及地跟隨著他的節奏，Andrew最後憑精彩的獨奏部分結束，二人心裡又有其他的主意了。

Miles Teller主修戲劇，出道前曾經遇過嚴重的交通意外，因而在他臉上及頸上留下不少的疤痕。他在第一次電影演出前已經參演不少短片累積經驗，代表作有Rabbit Hole、The Spectacular Now及Divergent系列。他在電影中的演出一點也不幼嫩，雖然角色的背景跟他本來的其實有點類似，但觀眾看到的是他投入精準的演出，而且他一路以來所演出的角色都有所變化，很適合不同類型的電影，所以我個人認為他的進步很快，而且他的路途將會走得很遙遠。他的下一部推介是Get a Job，這部喜劇對當地年輕人應該會產生很多共鳴，小弟也覺得電影的幽默感會很強。J.K. Simmons從影經驗豐富，他從舞台走到電視圈再走至電影圈，當中經歷過的為數不少，他甚至涉獵至配音的範疇。他參演的電影大約八十部，作品包括Spider-Man系列、Juno及Up in the Air。他在電影中的演出是亮點，因為他一向的演出都不太受注目，觀眾沒有想過他這個角色能夠有這樣的爆發力，其光芒將同樣演得出色的男主角稍為比了下去，只能說他是這個角色的合適人選。他的下一部推介是The Runaround，電影屬於喜劇類型，我有點期待看他的喜劇演出如何。

電影是改編至導演同名的短片，內容很適合我們這個年紀的觀眾去欣賞，明白追夢到底是怎麼樣的一回事。電影的內容沒有很花巧及支線，讓觀眾很容易了解故事的概要，也不需要花太多時間去消化及思考，而結尾二人相視而笑的一幕令觀眾有著不同的解讀。電影的選角也很恰當，一個經驗豐富的演員配搭一位很有潛質的新星，其他配角又處於不會過份搶鏡的情況下，突顯了電影中兩位男角之間的互動。電影的剪接手法也獲得不少人的讚賞，而小弟較喜歡電影中所沿用的音樂編排，總是覺得有份讓人衝夢的感覺。其實追夢並不是那麼困難，充實自己的能力更加容易，反而自身踏出第一步的勇氣才是關鍵之處。

評分：
故事：47/50
演員：26/35
效果：11/15
總分：84/100

2015 Academy Awards Supporting Actor Series

Nominee: Robert Duvall
Picture for Nomination: The Judge
Age: 84
From: United States
Filmography: A Night in Old Mexico (2013), Jack Reacher (2012), Jayne Mansfield's Car (2012), Seven Days in Utopia (2012), Crazy Heart (2009), Get Low (2009), The Road (2009), Four Christmases (2008), We Own the Night (2007), Lucky You (2007), Thank You for Smoking (2005), Kicking and Screaming (2005), Secondhand Lions (2003), Open Range (2003), Gods and Generals (2003), Assassination Tango (2002), John Q (2002), The 6th Day (2000), A Shot at Glory (2000), Gone in 60 Seconds (2000), A Civil Action (1998), Deep Impact (1998), The Gingerbread Man (1998), The Apostle (1997), Sling Blade (1996), Phenomenon (1996), A Family Thing (1996), The Scarlet Letter (1995), Something to Talk About (1995), The Stars Fell on Henrietta (1995), The Paper (1994), Wrestling Ernest Hemingway (1993), Geronimo: An American Legend (1993), Falling Down (1993), The Plague (1992), Newsies (1992), Convicts (1991), Rambling Rose (1991), Days of Thunder (1990), A Show of Force (1990), The Handmaid's Tale (1990), Colors (1988), Hotel Colonial (1987), Let's Get Harry (1986), Belizaire the Cajun (1986), The Lightship (1986), The Natural (1984), The Stone Boy (1984), Tender Mercies (1983), The Pursuit of D.B. Cooper (1981), True Confessions (1981), The Great Santini (1979), Apocalypse Now (1979), Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978), The Betsy (1978), The Greatest (1977), The Eagle Has Landed (1976), Network (1976), The Seven-Per-Cent Solution (1976), The Killer Elite (1975), Breakout (1975), The Godfather Part II (1974), The Conversation (1974), The Outfit (1973), Badge 373 (1973), Lady Ice (1973), Joe Kidd (1972), The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid (1972), Tomorrow (1972), The Godfather (1972), Lawman (1971), THX 1138 (1971), The Revolutionary (1970), MASH (1970), The Rain People (1969), True Grit (1969), Bullitt (1968), The Detective (1968), Countdown (1967), The Chase (1966), Nightmare in the Sun (1965), Captain Newman, M.D. (1963), To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)

Academy Awards History in Acting:
1999 Best Actor in a Supporting Role Nomination for A Civil Action
1998 Best Actor in a Leading Role Nomination for The Apostle
1984 Best Actor in a Leading Role for Tender Mercies
1981 Best Actor in a Leading Role Nomination for The Great Santini
1980 Best Actor in a Supporting Role Nomination for Apocalypse Now
1973 Best Actor in a Supporting Role Nomination for The Godfather

Achievements in Acting:
2015 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role Nomination for The Judge
2015 Golden Globes Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture Nomination for The Judge
2011 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role Nomination for Get Low
1999 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role for A Civil Action
1999 Golden Globes Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture Nomination for A Civil Action
1998 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role Nomination for The Apostle
1985 Venice Film Festival Best Actor for The Lightship
1984 Golden Globes Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama for Tender Mercies
1980 BAFTA Film Awards Best Supporting Actor for Apocalypse Now
1980 Golden Globes Best Motion Picture Actor in a Supporting Role for Apocalypse Now
1981 Venice Film Festival Best Actor for True Confessions
1978 BAFTA Film Awards Best Supporting Actor Nomination for Network
1973 BAFTA Film Awards Best Supporting Actor Nomination for The Godfather

Nominee: Ethan Hawke
Picture for Nomination: Boyhood
Age: 44
From: United States
Filmography: Good Kill (2014), Cymbeline (2014), Predestination (2014), Getaway (2013), The Purge (2013), Before Midnight (2013), Total Recall (2012), Sinister (2012), The Woman in the Fifth (2011), Daybreakers (2009), Little New York (2009), Brooklyn's Finest (2009), What Doesn't Kill You (2008), New York, I Love You (2008), Before the Devil Knows You're Dead (2007), The Hottest State (2006), Fast Food Nation (2006), Lord of War (2005), One Last Thing... (2005), Assault on Precinct 13 (2005), Taking Lives (2004), Before Sunset (2004), The Jimmy Show (2001), Training Day (2001), Chelsea Walls (2001), Tape (2001), Waking Life (2001), Hamlet (2000), Snow Falling on Cedars (1999), Joe the King (1999), The Velocity of Gary (1998), The Newton Boys (1998), Great Expectations (1998), Gattaca (1997), Search and Destroy (1995), Before Sunrise (1995), Quiz Show (1994), White Fang 2: Myth of the White Wolf (1994), Floundering (1994), Reality Bites (1994), Alive (1993), Rich in Love (1992), Waterland (1992), A Midnight Clear (1992), Mystery Date (1991), White Fang (1991), Dad (1989), Dead Poets Society (1989), Explorers (1985)

Academy Awards History in Acting:
2002 Best Actor in a Supporting Role Nomination for Training Day

Achievements in Acting:
2015 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role Nomination for Boyhood
2015 BAFTA Film Awards Best Supporting Actor Nomination for Boyhood
2015 Golden Globes Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture Nomination for Boyhood
2002 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role Nomination for Training Day

Nominee: Edward Norton
Picture for Nomination: Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
Age: 45
From: United States
Filmography: The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014), The Bourne Legacy (2012), Moonrise Kingdom (2012), The Dictator (2012), Stone (2010), Leaves of Grass (2009), The Invention of Lying (2009), Pride and Glory (2008), The Incredible Hulk (2008), The Painted Veil (2006), The Illusionist (2006), Down in the Valley (2005), Kingdom of Heaven (2005), After the Sunset (2004), The Italian Job (2003), 25th Hour (2002), Red Dragon (2002), Frida (2002), Death to Smoochy (2002), The Score (2001), Keeping the Faith (2000), Fight Club (1999), Rounders (1998), American History X (1998), The People vs. Larry Flynt (1996), Everyone Says I Love You (1996), Primal Fear (1996)

Academy Awards History in Acting:
1999 Best Actor in a Leading Role Nomination for American History X
1997 Best Actor in a Supporting Role Nomination for Primal Fear

Achievements in Acting:
2015 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role Nomination for Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
2015 BAFTA Film Awards Best Supporting Actor Nomination for Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
2015 Golden Globes Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture Nomination for Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
1997 BAFTA Film Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role Nomination for Primal Fear
1997 Golden Globes Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture for Primal Fear

Nominee: Mark Ruffalo
Picture for Nomination: Foxcatcher
Age: 47
From: United States
Filmography: Infinitely Polar Bear (2014), Begin Again (2013), Now You See Me (2013), Iron Man 3 (2013), Thanks for Sharing (2012), The Avengers (2012), Margaret (2011), Date Night (2010), Shutter Island (2010), The Kids Are All Right (2010), Sympathy for Delicious (2010), Where the Wild Things Are (2009), What Doesn't Kill You (2008), The Brothers Bloom (2008), Blindness (2008), Reservation Road (2007), Zodiac (2007), All the King's Men (2006), Rumor Has It... (2005), Just Like Heaven (2005), Collateral (2004), 13 Going on 30 (2004), Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004), We Don't Live Here Anymore (2004), In the Cut (2003), View from the Top (2003), My Life Without Me (2003), Windtalkers (2002), XX/XY (2002), The Last Castle (2001), Apartment 12 (2000), Committed (2000), You Can Count on Me (2000), Ride with the Devil (1999), 54 (1998), Safe Men (1998), A Fish in the Bathtub (1998), The Last Big Thing (1996), Blood Money (1996), The Dentist (1996), The Destiny of Marty Fine (1996), Mirror Mirror 3: The Voyeur (1995), There Goes My Baby (1994), A Gift from Heaven (1994), Mirror Mirror 2: Raven Dance (2000)

Academy Awards History in Acting:
2011 Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role Nomination for The Kids Are All Right

Achievements in Acting:
2015 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role Nomination for Foxcatcher
2015 BAFTA Film Awards Best Supporting Actor Nomination for Foxcatcher
2015 Golden Globes Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture Nomination for Foxcatcher
2011 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role Nomination for The Kids Are All Right
2011 BAFTA Film Awards Best Supporting Actor Nomination for The Kids Are All Right

Nominee: J.K. Simmons
Picture for Nomination: Whiplash
Age: 60
From: United States
Filmography: Ava and Lala (2014), Men, Women and Children (2014), The Rewrite (2014), Murder of a Cat (2014), The Boxcar Children (2014), Break Point (2014), Barefoot (2014), Labor Day (2013), 3 Geezers! (2013), Dark Skies (2013), Jobs (2013), Adventure Planet (2012), The Words (2012), Contraband (2012), Young Adult (2011), The Good Doctor (2011), The Music Never Stopped (2011), True Grit (2010), Megamind (2010), An Invisible Sign (2010), A Beginner's Guide to Endings (2010), Cats and Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore (2010), Crazy on the Outside (2010), Jennifer's Body (2009), Up in the Air (2009), Extract (2009), Post Grad (2009), Aliens in the Attic (2009), I Love You, Man (2009), Red Sands (2009), The Way of War (2009), New in Town (2009), The Vicious Kind (2009), Burn After Reading (2008), Rendition (2007), Juno (2007), Postal (2007), Spider-Man 3 (2007), The Astronaut Farmer (2006), First Snow (2006), Thank You for Smoking (2005), Harsh Times (2005), Spider-Man 2 (2004), The Ladykillers (2004), Hidalgo (2004), Off the Map (2003), Spider-Man (2002), The Mexican (2001), The Gift (2000), Autumn in New York (2000), Beautiful Joe (2000), For Love of the Game (1999), The Cider House Rules (1999), Hit and Runway (1999), Above Freezing (1998), Celebrity (1998), Anastasia (1997), The Jackal (1997), Crossing Fields (1997), Love Walked In (1997), Extreme Measures (1996), The First Wives Club (1996), The Scout (1994), Pom Poko (1994), The Ref (1994)

Academy Awards History in Acting:
This is his first nomination in Acting Categories.

Achievements in Acting:
2015 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role for Whiplash
2015 BAFTA Film Awards Best Supporting Actor for Whiplash
2015 Golden Globes Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture for Whiplash

Conclusion:
22 February 2015
Who Will Win Likely: J.K. Simmons for Whiplash
Who May Be Alternate: Edward Norton for Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
9 February 2015
Who Will Win Likely: J.K. Simmons for Whiplash
Who May Be Alternate: Edward Norton for Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
1 February 2015
Who Will Win Likely: J.K. Simmons for Whiplash
Who May Be Alternate: Edward Norton for Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

Who Should Win: J.K. Simmons for Whiplash
Who Got Snubbed: Josh Brolin for Inherent Vice, Miyavi for Unbroken
Personal Favorite: Edward Norton for Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
Who Wins? J.K. Simmons for Whiplash