Golden Globe Musings: Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture

Golden Globe nominations for this year will be announced in just a few weeks, so here’s a survey of the contenders and the most likely predictions at this time. Weigh in with your thoughts, and let me know if I’ve left off anything important. A reminder that the Globes are wildly unpredictable and that it is still a bit early to gauge the reception or awards potential of a number of the so-called “contenders” at this point.

Last year’s nominees:
Kenneth Branagh (My Week with Marilyn)
Albert Brooks (Drive)
Jonah Hill (Moneyball)
Viggo Mortensen (A Dangerous Method)
Christopher Plummer (Beginners)

This year’s race is full of past nominees. Past winners Philip Seymour Hoffman (The Master), Leonardo DiCaprio (Django Unchained), and Tommy Lee Jones (Lincoln) are all great bets, and they may be joined by veterans Russell Crowe (Les Miserables) and Robert De Niro (Silver Linings Playbook) if their performances really do represent career comebacks. Also in the running are Alan Arkin (Argo), Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Lincoln), and John Goodman (Flight), if they can distinguish themselves from crowded ensembles. If voters are keen on the film, they might nominate Dwight Henry (Beasts of the Southern Wild). I’m pulling for the excellent Michael Fassbender (Prometheus) to be recognized, but I don’t think it’s likely.

Current predictions:
Russell Crowe (Les Miserables)
Robert De Niro (Silver Linings Playbook)
Leonardo DiCaprio (Django Unchained)
Philip Seymour Hoffman (The Master)
Tommy Lee Jones (Lincoln)