Oscar Winner Predictions: Best Actor in a Supporting Role

The competition: Matt Damon’s Afrikaner Rugby captain (Invictus), Woody Harrelson’s Casualty Notification officer (The Messenger), Christopher Plummer’s Leo Tolstoy (The Last Station), Stanley Tucci’s vicious killer (The Lovely Bones), and Christoph Waltz’s crazed Nazi Jew Hunter (Inglourious Basterds).

Previous winners: Heath Ledger, Javier Bardem, Alan Arkin, George Clooney, Morgan Freeman
Who should win: Waltz
Who will win: There hasn’t been any diversity in this race at any awards show yet, with Waltz taking home the prize nearly every time. There’s no reason to suggest he won’t triumph at the Oscars, but let’s take a quick look at the other contenders. It’s a wonder that Tucci even get nominated considering his film bombed. Plummer earned his first nomination at age 80, so he could certainly win like Alan Arkin did three years ago. The crucial difference is that the frontrunner didn’t open a film called “Norbit” right at the time ballots were being filled out. It could still happen, but it’s doubtful. Damon’s chances are blown since his film was left off the Best Picture list, and Harrelson’s film is still too small for him to get noticed. Especially since Quentin Tarantino’s hit probably won’t take home the top prize, this award will surely go to Waltz, and I’m excited to hear him deliver another brilliant speech.