Oscar Nominees: Best Actor in a Leading Role

My predictions: 3/5, picking Leonardo DiCaprio and Michael Fassbender over Bichir and Oldman
My ballot: Come back next week!
The nominees: Demian Bichir (A Better Life), George Clooney (The Descendants), Jean Dujardin (The Artist), Gary Oldman (Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy), Brad Pitt (Moneyball)

As many expected, Globe and SAG nominee DiCaprio didn’t make the cut, but in addition to SAG-nominated Bichir getting in, never-nominated Gary Oldman did too. It’s hard to debate how focused that performance was, though I was less impressed with Bichir’s turn. It’s a shame (sad pun intended) that Michael Fassbender didn’t get recognized, but otherwise the list is strong. Clooney has won before, this is Pitt’s third nomination, and it’s the first time for the other three.

My current bet to win: Maybe Clooney, but I still think it will be Dujardin, though maybe Oldman could pull off an upset?