SAG Nominees: Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture

The nominees:
RUBY DEE, AMERICAN GANGSTER
AMY RYAN, GONE BABY GONE
CATE BLANCHETT, I'M NOT THERE
CATHERINE KEENER, INTO THE WILD
TILDA SWINTON, MICHAEL CLAYTON

My predictions: 3/5, with Keener as my alternate, but choosing Saoirse Ronan and Marisa Tomei over her and Dee.

Ruby Dee does not belong here. She has a very limited role and does little that is impressive. It could have been a juicy role, but she does not infuse it with anything worthwhile. I think her inclusion feels very much like that of Cloris Leachman a few years ago for "Spanglish", and is hardly likely to garner her an Oscar nod. Unfortunately, it does give "American Gangster" a boost. Good for Catherine Keener, though her role was severely limited as well. I actually had to rewind my tape of the nominations announcement to realize which one of my guaranteed 4/5 was left off. Poor Saoirse Ronan, I hope this is not the end of the road for her. This category was the start of the rise for "Into the Wild" and the downfall of "Atonement". At least Vanessa Redgrave was not included, on the bright side.

Who will win? I think this will be Blanchett's, but it could just as easily go to critical favorite Ryan.
Oscar lineup? I think Ronan will return to the lineup, but that fifth slot is still up for grabs, and I do not think either Dee or Keener will fill it. I think it is between Marisa Tomei and Kelly Macdonald, with my money on Tomei right now. "Before the Devil Knows You're Dead" has yet to be recognized, and I think that is where the Oscars come in.