For months now, everyone (me included) has insisted that the late Heath Ledger of The Dark Knight is a lock for winning the Oscar as Best Supporting Actor on Feb. 22nd. I still think it will happen, despite the fact that the Academy has awarded only one single posthumous Oscar in its 82-year history. And that was to Peter Finch for his mad-as-hell TV anchorman in 1976's Network. What I'm saying is the Academy doesn't rush into these after-death honors. James Dean was just 24 years old when he died in a car crash in 1955 and became the first actor in Oscar history to win a posthumous acting nomination, for his performance in East of Eden. Dean received a second posthumous nomination the following year for Giant. He lost both times. Don't get me wrong. Ledger, who was 28 when he died from an accidental overdose of prescription drugs, definitely deserves the prize. His tour de force as the Joker belongs in a time capsule. I wouldn't envy the actor who beat him and had to get up there on Oscar night and accept the prize with Ledger's family in attendance. As an experiment, who would you pick as Best Supporting Actor if Ledger's name wasn't on the ballot? Here are the nominees:
PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN in DOUBT
As Father Flynn, the parish priest suspected by Sister Aloysius Beauvier (Meryl Streep) of behaving inappropriately with an altar boy, Hoffman nails every nuance in a complex role. Back in 2005, it was Hoffman who won the Oscar for Best Actor in Capote when Ledger was considered the favorite for his heartbreaking portrayal of the gay cowboy in Brokeback Mountain. Could that upset happen again?
ROBERT DOWNEY, JR. in TROPIC THUNDER
As Kirk Lazarus, an Aussie actor who has already collected five Oscars for losing himself in his roles, Downey ups his own ante on risk-taking. To prepare for the film role of African-American Sgt. Lincoln Osiris Kirk alters his voice and dyes his skin black. Kirk won't stop talking black even when the camera stops rolling. "I don't break character till the DVD commentary," says the out-of-control actor. Downey is so off-the-charts hilarious that you want to stand up and cheer.
MICHAEL SHANNON in REVOLUTIONARY ROAD
While his two costars, Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio, failed to score acting nominations for this drama about a 1950s marriage rotting in the suburbs, Shannon managed the feat. As John Givings, the institutionalized son of a gossipy realtor (Kathy Bates), the volcanic Shannon plays the role like a heat-seeking missile that targets hypocrisy, spitting truth at the young marrieds. He's electric.
JOSH BROLIN in MILK
As Dan White, the troubled San Francisco supervisor who shot and killed Harvey Milk, Brolin is simply astounding at revealing the inner torment of a man at odds with his own emotions. At a party, a drunk Dan approaches Harvey in a piercing display of yearning and isolation. It's a piercing scene, intensified later by an image of Dan naked in front of a window, utterly alone. Devastating.
MY CHOICE? Josh Brolin. His stature as an actor grows with each film, and this is his best, most deeply felt performance to date.
YOUR CHOICE? Let's hear it.
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Chris | August 13, 2009 7:03 AM
This is it!!
Batman Begins was very good. The Dark Knight was better, and Heath was Best of the year. We all know that the Oscars (and me) love Batman Begisn and The Dark Knight even if they hate comic book movies. Why love TDK?
Well, that's the only superhero movie you can take seriously.
Michael Cain. Christian Bale. Gary Oldman. And Heath Ledger is the best actor who ever walked on the planet.
Which actor do you know who gave this much of preformance at the age of 28 and Brokeback Mountin at age 25? None!!!
HEATH LEDGER would grow bigger then De Niro, Pacino and Brando.
RIP HEATH LEDGER
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Buster | February 20, 2009 8:43 PM
Brolin all the way, man
Anonymous | February 20, 2009 5:36 AM
I dunno, What about Mickey Rourke? I thought he was great in The Wrestler, deserving of a nomination (at least). I know I'm alone here but I did not see the brilliance behind Heath Ledger's performance in The Dark Knight. I just didn't see it as any better performance than Christian Bale in American Psycho, Anthony Hopkins in Silence of the Lambs or Havier Bardem in No Country For Old Men.
Emily | February 17, 2009 10:14 PM
I am so tired of Heath Ledger. Yes it was sad what happened to him. I do feel bad for his family as well. But honestly, if he was still alive it would be just another movie like Transformers or Hulk. Could you see either of those nominated? The movie wasn't the best as others make it out to be. The only reason he is even nominated is because he has passed away. If he were alive, then the movie wouldn't have been nearly as big as it was. Everyone was just curious to see Heath's last completed performance.
I would love for RDJ to win because I am a big fan of his, however, I am able to recognize the difference between fandom and who actually deserves to win, that would be Josh Brolin for "Milk" it is a deeper role than the others and is an obvious choice, however, since no one died making that movie, it will get overlooked as usual. The academy has gotten very pathetic.
someone | February 16, 2009 11:50 PM
anyone that could upstage jack nicholson in any role deserves an oscar.
TMF | February 16, 2009 4:49 PM
Ledger--alive or not would have walked away with this award.his portrayal of Joker set the bar VERY high for any villian in ANY future movie. He left me frightened--I actually was frightened to think that someone "out there" could exist.Josh Brolin's character was amazingly sad--and I was blown away by his role--was it in the ballpark of Ledger? No---and for Downey Jr....I'm sorry but I think everyone is holdin' his nutz a bit too tightly these days..I enjoyed that flick as well as Ironman, but they were nowhere near as good as everyone has stated...just one mans opinion
Aries | February 16, 2009 12:32 PM
I would go with Phlip hoffman or Robert Downery jr.
wtf? | February 16, 2009 11:12 AM
Well, I'd give the runner up prize to Michael Shannon.
All these actors were great no question but Heath absolutely deserves the award. I agree he might not be such a shoe in if he were alive, but he'd still be nominated and deserving of the win. He was generating a shit load of buzz even before his death for this role. I can imagine the other movies here without these supporting roles but not TDK. Heath friggin owned that movie. Everytime he was off the screen I couldn't wait for him to pop back up. None of these other actors had that effect on their respective movies.
The guy is barely recognizable in that role and not just cause of the makeup. Watch an interview with Heath and try and match that with the Joker. The other roles I could see as being within each actors' personality. Heath became an entirely different person and he did it convincingly as hell and he should be recognized for it.
Anonymous | February 16, 2009 8:22 AM
i don't think the dark knight would've gotten any more attention than iron man last summer, if all of its cast was still alive.. but go ahead, do give the pitty oscar to ledger's family (he's only going to win it because everybody wanted another brokeback from him, but he never got the chance to make one...) i'm not saying he wasn't good as joker but it was only enough good that the performance could be praised.. the extra creepiness came from the the thought of watching a dead person on screen... i'm just wondering, would've bale gotten nominated if he had died and would've anyone thought of ledger's work as anything special if he had died after the premiere, after the reviews? this whole thing is just a big "what if", no one can truly say anything without the knowledge of ledger's death in their words
Anonymous | February 16, 2009 8:04 AM
You know it's gonna be Heath who wins, because nobody would dare to give the award to anybody else. What is it really gonna do for anyone in his family? Give it to someone who can be present and experience the glory moment. But not Hoffman
Anonymous | February 16, 2009 4:29 AM
I HAVE NOT SEEN ANY OF THE OTHER MOVIES THAT THE OTHER ACTORS ARE IN HOWEVER,HEATH LEDGER SENT SHIVERS DOWN MY SPINE WITH HIS PERFORMACE AS THE JOKER.WHEN HE WAS ON THE SCREEN I WAS LOOKING AT HIS EYES HE WAS SO INBEDDED IN THAT CARACTER THAT IF HE WAS NOT PLAYING A ROLE IN A MOVIES YOU WOULD THINK HE REALLY WAS GONE.WHEN NEXT WATCHING THE MOVIES LOOK INTO HIS EYES AND YOU WILL SEE WHAT I MEAN.TRUELLY A BRILLIANT PERFORMANCE DESERVING OF AN OSCAR.R.I.P. HEATH
BRENDA | February 16, 2009 4:25 AM
I HAVE NOT SEEN ANY OF THE OTHER MOVIES THAT THE OTHER ACTORS ARE IN HOWEVER,HEATH LEDGER SENT SHIVERS DOWN MY SPINE WITH HIS PERFORMACE AS THE JOKER.WHEN HE WAS ON THE SCREEN I WAS LOOKING AT HIS EYES
Mark | February 16, 2009 1:24 AM
If Ledger doesn't win, as much as I loved Downey, Jr. in "Tropic Thunder," Josh Brolin is the only choice! He has been overlooked in the past couple of years for some great work (for example, he easily could have copped a nod for his oily police officer in "American Gangster") and this film is no exception. Brolin is a dynamite actor...and one with good taste too...he's married to the sublime Diane Lane!!! That's worth an Oscar if his excellent performance in "Milk" isn't enough! :)
AJ | February 15, 2009 8:23 PM
First of all who said he died from doing "too much drugs"? U idiot!!!!! If you read you will see how it was "an ACCIDENTAL PRESCRIPTION overdose" I hate when people talk ISH and don't even know what they are saying!!!! or convince themselves to "think" they know what they are saying! ANYWAYS...
Heath Ledger made The Dark Knight the success it was and is.... I agree he should have been nominated for best actor not best supporting actor.
Heath should and will win this award & although it may be his last it is a well deserved one!
I don't care much about the other actors.....
Jeff Teasers | February 15, 2009 6:13 PM
Hey! Nonononono, Crash was terrible. I saw every plot device coming from a mile away, it didn't have the heart of the other movies; it was pale in comparison. Crash was a rehash of American Beauty from 2000. And then I had to sit at home the next year, sick out of my mind, when Babel got ignored--even when it took the same story formula (pieces of human lives) and did it 2000 times better! I was disgusted when Crash won, I thought it was the most shameful act by the Oscars I had ever seen. They completely copped out for the pop phenomenon instead of the "token gay" movie. It was a move made of pure 'anti-gay' sentiment.
I never saw brokeback but I heard it was good. Yet that doesn't mean I'll concede to Crash. Nor do I think Heath should have won a best actor win for BbM, it was Capote by miles, Hoffman nailed it. I saw bits and pieces and was impressed by Ledger in that movie, it just didn't stand out to me like the opposite performance by PSH. Ledger's performance as the Joker was his seminal, brilliant, standout performance that he left us here on Earth with. This is the culmination of his career, just like Capote was for PSH.
I do however really like Brolin in just about everything I see him in, same with Eckhart, so they will both probably win the with stronger perfromances in the future.
In conclusion, Crash is a terrible movie that never should have won. If oscar had guts they would have shoved a Brokeback Mountain win in everybody's faces, including mine. They caved under the pressure of societal politics that year.
NIKKI LOVRICH | February 15, 2009 5:49 PM
I think that Heaths performance as the Joker is over rated. He is playing a cartoon character & this is not Oscar worthy. I am a big fan of Heaths, going right back to his early Aussie movie 'Two Hands'... he was a gifted actor & should have won the Oscar for Brokeback Mountain.... Heaths death is a tragic loss but the reality is that he took too many drugs & died of an overdose. Thats nothing to admire.
E-an | February 15, 2009 3:39 PM
Ofcourse Heath will win. Anyone who think otherwise is stupid. It's not just because he died either, his performance was truelly electric. Lets face it, he made The Dark Night the huge success it is. But if its not Heath on Oscar night, I think it should definetly go to Hoffman. Each performance he gives is always amazing. And unlike alot of you, I do belive that his win for Capote was deserved. And Brolin was great in Milk, but he most definetly got over shadowed by Sean Penn, who has to win best actor.
Eric | February 15, 2009 2:27 PM
Heath has to win it. Not because he died but because he was by far the best. I was not a Heath Ledger fan before this movie. I challenge you to sit at home, in the dark, with a big screen TV and sound system and not get the shivers. Personally I think this is one of the finest film performances of all time. Acting, for the most part is not that hard. You have to look right for the part and be able to express emotion.
Try standing in front of the mirror or video camera at home and play a psycopath. Not as easy as you think. I'm also surprised Gary Oldman has never won an Oscar because he is my favorite actor and amazing at his diversity.
john e. sox-smith | February 15, 2009 6:17 AM
i'd go with michael shannon by a hair, ledger in second. heath should've won for brokeback mountain - i think he'd agree. shannon is a rising star who was AMAZING in revolutionary road. performance of the year.
Ton | February 15, 2009 1:56 AM
Julian, Robert Downy isn't even close to being better than Heath Ledger, Bobby's role is a joke.
Anonymous | February 15, 2009 12:37 AM
Ledger deserves it first and foremost. The only disappointment here is that he is nominated for "supporting" actor. Ledger made The Dark Knight what it is and deserves a best actor nod rather than a supporting role nod. However, if he didn't win, which would prove the academy is stupid, I would hope that Downey Jr. would win.
Jman | February 14, 2009 6:23 PM
Ledger deserves it. finest bit of acting in any acting category this year, (with penn right behind). he created a character that is already etched in every movie villain list on the web.
that being said, michael shannon is second best. not many people can steal the acting chops from leo dicaprio, but in the scene's shannon was in, he managed to do just that...
jo | February 14, 2009 5:07 PM
josh brolin deserves it
Julian | February 14, 2009 4:27 PM
Personally, I think Heath would be ashamed at the prospect of him winning an Oscar, because I think if it's given to him, it will have been given out of charity. I love Heath, I love the Joker, and I'm very sad at his passing - but his role was not the best. Robert Downey or Brolin deserve it. I'll be upset if either PSH or Ledger get it. The other 3 deserve it the most.
chocolate | February 14, 2009 1:04 PM
no one! heath deserves it theres no compition!
Kaiser | February 14, 2009 10:41 AM
Michael Shannon
He did such an uncomfortable role in which he served as the "unconscious" of a situation. This was a serious movie and this character must've been hard to develop in such a way that you could actually buy that those situations were actually taking place.
He bought me.
p.s I havent seen milk but im sure brolin kicked ass. He's been amazing since he came back
Eijnar Amadeus | February 14, 2009 6:17 AM
I just have to get this off my chest; why on earth didn't Bruce get an Oscar nomination for his tribute to the Wrestler? And why didn't the Wrestler get an Best Picture nomination? It's a shame! The Oscars is a shame.
Bill C. | February 14, 2009 3:20 AM
Robert Downey Jr's performance was so rich, so hilarious. I hope he wins. And if he shows up AS Kirk Lazarus he will go down in history as one of the greats.
joker suck dick | February 14, 2009 2:56 AM
he sucks
josh brolin all the way
who cares if his not gonna win
i care less about him and whatever his uptoo in grave
LOL
he is overrated after his death
and he will never win oscar
John | February 13, 2009 8:03 PM
Heath was great in Brokeback but I think Brolin gets the prize. He was huge in No Country For Old Men. Hoffman is tremendous...but this should go to Brolin.
Czikk | February 13, 2009 7:08 PM
I would not go so far as to say that Ledger had the most memorable performance in The Dark Knight, regardless of what some of the posters here have said. Eckhart, Bale, and Oldman all have roles that shine throughout the darkness that permeates the film, and it is when they play off of each other and Ledger that we see some of the magic everyone raves about. The fact that the film realizes the potential and legend established in the comic series also makes it a shame that the Academy has chosen to overlook this amalgamation of talent. It's a shame that Eckhart could not have been nominated also; his performance is underrated, and sadly has been lost amongst the Ledger fanfare.
I would like to see Brolin win, should the Academy not pick Heath. His performance is suffocating, particularly because I can resonate with some of his character on a personal level. I am not sure if I am the only one, but I think a trend is present here between the Academy and films about homosexuals. Brokeback Mountain was acknowledged but nudged aside by other films, and I fear that Milk has been overlooked, perhaps intentionally, while the rest of our continent has matured and shown more acceptance of homosexual individuals. Hopefully we as a human race are beyond that, and if nothing else, Brolin and Penn are shown some respect.
Ledger all the way | February 13, 2009 6:24 PM
Ledger had the best performance of 2008, hands down. If he doesn't get the Oscar, it would be tragic.
And on a sidenote. Stop whining about Brokeback Mountain.
I did like that movie a lot. It had great acting, but as a whole just didn't measure up to Crash. Crash was not overrated. I know many, many people that consider that their favorite film. Not so much with Brokeback.
Crash was just the slightly better film and allowed more people to identify with it. Brokeback could have one but didn't. That's just the way it goes.
ape | February 13, 2009 3:00 PM
First of all, heath ledger was the only good thing about the dark knight. Morgan freeman couldn't even make that movie good. Ledger did a great job making the joker into a psychotic maniac. Sure, it may have been poorly written, but ledger was outstanding and the nomination was a no brainer.
Secondly, one trick pony is dead on. The academy awards are a joke. Does anyone remember when crash beat broke back mountain for best movie? Jack Nicholson just stared at that envelope until he realized that yes, that overrated and underwritten movie lost. The academy likes to pick high profile movies, like Benjamin button, to give awards to. It’s all political, which is why the great movies (slumdog millionaire, wrestler) don't win. Just check out the nominations, there are only about 15 different movies. (fyi 281 were eligible)
And finally, I can't agree with you more jp. Comedies are much, much harder movies than dramas. After you watch a drama, you talk about the ideas. After Benjamin, I thought about whether or not I’d like to age backward. After tropic thunder, I talked about how hilarious Downey was. If there is anything poorly done with a comedy, it's a flop. So why do comedies never get the nominations??
Wanna see brad pit act well?? Watch burn after reading. Another amazing comedy that got snubbed.
One trick pony | February 13, 2009 1:37 PM
IF Heath gets robbed, I'd probably say it's going to PSH. Just a gut reaction, but feels like the type of role and performance the Academy rewards.
With that said, I have to agree with some of the posts here, that the Academy awards are pointless. Year after year they become even more out of touch with what constitutes a good movie or performance, and this year, it's even more obvious. Pitt gets nominated for sleep-walking through an average movie? Bruce Springsteen's "The Wrestler" is not even nominated? Well done, Hollywood! (insert sarcastic golf clap) Question: is your enjoyment of what you thought was a good movie or performance going to change if the actor doesn't win? No. So grab your popcorn, throw in the DVD, and enjoy it again!
JP | February 13, 2009 1:06 PM
Anonymous | February 12, 2009 4:28 PM
"a badly written role that Heath Ledger performed decently"....... "I haven't seen most of the other nominated roles"...... but "it a no-brainer that Robert Downey Jr. should win Best Supporting Actor this year" Wow JP! Either your a huge douche bag or you have a shit taste in movies.
________________________________
You know what, Anonymous, I'm neither. However, insulting people without putting a name with it is pretty d-bag.
As for not seeing other nomianted performances, most of them were released in limited release at the end of last year. They are now getting around to be seen nationwide. Since, money is tight right now. I can't go out and see everyone to make an informed choice. I will see them sooner or later and maybe I'll change my mind.
However, I won't change my mind between who deserve the award more between Heath Ledger and Robert Downey Jr. The two movies I did see last year. Simply put, Robert Downey Jr. portrayed a role that could have blown up in his face and sunk the whole movie. Instead, he delivered an outstanding performance that pushed the boundaries of good taste without crossing the line. Heath Ledger took an established character from a comic book from point A to point B in Christopher Nolon's contrived script. His performance complimented the dark and disjointed tone of the movie. What made the performance less than Oscar-worthy was the script. Christopher Nolon neutered the character by turning The Joker into Johnny Knoxville with bad clown makeup who is pulling deadly pranks throughout the city. Like the "Jackass" TV show, his performance got more tedious as the movie went on.
Katie | February 13, 2009 6:52 AM
I completely disagree with JP; the role of The Joker was in no way poorly written and being performed 'decently' by Heath Ledger is the understatement of the year. His portrayal of one of the most disturbed characters in movie history was legendary and definitely Oscar worthy. As for it being a 'no-brainer' that Downey-Jr should win, yes his performance was very good in Tropic Thunder, but put it against Ledger's Joker and you will notice a BIG difference. There is absolutely no comparison; one deserves an Oscar, the other deserves a nomination and nothing more.
Heath Ledger must win! It was amazing what he did in The Dark Knight.
Riley | February 13, 2009 5:17 AM
Ya I totally Disagree with Travers as well. I think if Heath doesn't win than it should go to Downey!
I don't understand why Brolin even got nominated- he's hardly in the movie! I think James Franco should have been nominated instead, he was awesome in Milk!!
Yeah | February 12, 2009 7:32 PM
If they give that to the gay movie and not Heath Ledger (how ironic) the backlash from geeks will be MASSIVE.
fizzyliftingdrinks | February 12, 2009 6:25 PM
Michael Shannon dominated Revolutionary Road. In every scene of his, you could just sense a great presence that completely overshadowed Winslet and Dicaprio. Next to Ledger, his character felt the most defined and three dimensional.
MM | February 12, 2009 5:14 PM
Listen to JP, he got it right.
Ebert says to bet the table on Ledger. | February 12, 2009 4:49 PM
It took some time for me to be convinced that in my opinion he should win. I do like Robert Downey Jr., who came back from near death. If someone other than Heath Ledger should win, it is possible that we could see the first refusal of an Oscar since Marlon Brando for The Godfather.
Dudgeon | February 12, 2009 4:47 PM
Disagree with Travers.
Downey Jr. is the best SUPPORTING actor,aside from Ledger. I think that Brolin was nominated to make up for last year's snub. There were better SUPPORTING roles in MILK, Franco and Hirsch were also fantastic.
Award goes to Downey Jr., no question in my opinon. He's never won an oscar and deserves one.
Anonymous | February 12, 2009 4:28 PM
"a badly written role that Heath Ledger performed decently"....... "I haven't seen most of the other nominated roles"...... but "it a no-brainer that Robert Downey Jr. should win Best Supporting Actor this year" Wow JP! Either your a huge douche bag or you have a shit taste in movies.
Clarence Balsac | February 12, 2009 3:49 PM
I think it's undeniable that Philip Seymour Hoffman is the best actor around. He's phenomenal in every role he takes on.
John Pacenti | February 12, 2009 3:38 PM
There's an actor not nominated who I think deserves as much the Oscar as Ledger: Bill Irwin for his portrayal of the tormented father in Rachel Getting Married. It's a shame he has been overlooked. His performance, to some degree is the opposite of Ledger's bigger-than-life Joker. It's nuanced.
Right here. | February 12, 2009 3:15 PM
Wow, some of you people are seriously missing the point here. The question is, what if Ledger WASN"T up for the award. We get that he was great. We get that he's most likely going to win. But WHAT IF (and I know abstract thought is hard for some of you) he wasn't on the list.
I personally would go for Michael Shannon. I was honestly shocked he was nominated at all. Clearly Revolutionary Road left much of the academy cold, even though I really enjoyed it, so IF Ledger wasn't there, he would be my choice.
JP | February 12, 2009 3:03 PM
Quite frankly, I'm tired of the necrophilia of Heath Ledger. It has ruined a decent comic book movie with absurdly high praise. Seriously, snubbed for Best Picture? People are ready to bitch and moan if Heath Ledger doesn't win Best Supporting Actor for a badly written role. "The Dark Knight" supporters need to stop drinking the kool-aid and watch the movie again. The Joker is an aimless psychotic with no endgame. Once that was revealed, it sucked all meaning and life out of the movie. It was a badly written role that Heath Ledger performed decently, but not Oscar-caliber.
I haven't seen most of the other nominated roles. Just judging from the description of the performances, none of them matched what Robert Downey Jr. did in "Tropic Thunder". First, he walked a very thin line between being funny and being offensive. Second, what he does later on in the movie (which would be spoiling the movie if it was revealed) showed alot of depth that most performers would have difficulty to reach. Since, comedy is harder than drama to pull off. It makes it a no-brainer that Robert Downey Jr. should win Best Supporting Actor this year.
Preston B. | February 12, 2009 1:12 PM
I am with Travers. Brolin definitely shines. But I wonder if Brolin won instead of Ledger, how would he feel? Would he be excited or would he feel terrible because he beat out a dead guy? I really hope Ledger wins... Also Penn better win not Rourke. Like Travers said best is best. He won the SAG so he is just about a lock.
Nick Bridwell | February 12, 2009 12:44 PM
oh yeah...but the question is who would we pick if Ledger wasn't on the ballot lol...missed that part.....I'd pick that guy who played the drums in The Visitor lol
Nick Bridwell | February 12, 2009 12:40 PM
If they haven't passed out an oscar to the greats like Peter O'Toole out of obligation, then they won't do it for Ledger. I think he has earned his position. His performance was riveting (I'd rather see Aaron Eckhart up there though, he played Dent to perfection). This category has some great performances. With the exception of Downey, Jr. I mean what the hell is that. Tropic Thunder isn't exactly The Singing Detective. Downey, and Brolin are fads right now. Although I do believe Downey is a much better actor.
Eitherway my vote goes to Ledger.
Eijnar Amadeus | February 12, 2009 12:07 PM
Heath Ledger. It's one of the most memorable villains in film history, and it would be doing the right thing as he doesn't get any more chances. Though it's a shame not awarding Hoffman and Brolin.
And where on Earth is James Franco's nomination? Shiiiiit.
RLee | February 12, 2009 11:48 AM
Gotta go with Hoffman although I still don't understand why he is up for supporting actor rather than lead.
Savon | February 12, 2009 11:00 AM
While I hope Ledger wins, I will agree with Travers' choice and chime in with more words of support for Josh Brolin if there is an "Oscar upset." Javier Bardem may have gotten the lion's share of the acting glory, including the Oscar, for 2007's No Country for Old Men, but Brolin's performance in that film was also beautifully realized. His work in Milk this year is worthy of the Oscar. Brolin directed a short film that played at SXSW in 2008. I look forward to his future work in front of and behind the camera.
Weatherboxer | February 12, 2009 10:30 AM
If Ledger doesn't win, then fuck the Oscars. It's bad enough Clint Eastwood didn't even get a nomination for GT, but if Ledger doesn't get it...My second choice hands down Robert Downey Jr. In a supporting role he out did everybody else in that movie. Brolin is good but he should've got his nomination last year for No Country.
BIGGEST Oscar Snub ever:
Harvey Keitel in Ferraras Bad Lieutenant, yea he got the Indepent Spirit award, but come on not even a nomination in Oscar?
Gorbama | February 12, 2009 9:47 AM
@Kate L
I've always wanted to know an answer to this: Why when a person, such as I, states an impersonal opinion do people like yourself feel the need to insult someone because you disagree with their opinion? This seems to be commonplace with the humourless morons that populate the web.
Gorbama | February 12, 2009 9:40 AM
@Kate L
Somebody on IMDB said his total time in the movie, including scenes where just his can be heard comes to 19 minutes. Don't call me a dick, you pathetic little child. I stated an impersonal opinion and you insulted me personally. That makes you a fuckwit.
Shawn | February 12, 2009 9:33 AM
I had never seen Heath Ledger act in a movie and i find myself watching it over and over. Brilliant is but only one word to describe his performance. He BECAME the JOKER in a sense to portray the "agent of chaos" he was so proud to represent in that movie. There could never be another to top his Joker!
Chad Ceccola | February 12, 2009 9:19 AM
Frankly, regardless of whether or not Ledger is considered for Best supporting actor, i wouldn't be able to pinpoint the potential winner in his place. Although the list displays terrific actors of there time, i wasn't overly thrilled when i heard the nominations list. It has been a mediocre year for films and nominations at the Oscars this year, as very few of the nominations have been able to exceed the high bar as considerations of recent years.
However, Ledger winning the gold is the one thing that i am utterly sure about, the one nomination that stands clearer than a ketchup stain on a white T-shirt.
And there's always the underlying factor that has been deeply rooted in the history of the academy awards ...The oscars love crazy. And Ledger undoubtedly brought the buffet.
That's my take, Travers.
LRQ | February 12, 2009 4:54 AM
Last night I was at a bar talking about this same thing
What if Ledger lose? I go with Phillip Seymour Hoffman no matter it was a lead performance.
Jack | February 12, 2009 4:13 AM
Robert Downey Junior would be my 2nd pick. Heath should win though.Nothing to do with his death! It was one of the best performances of the year. Thats all there is to it! I thought he should have won for BBM too. I mean PSH who won for Capote was good too, but he was also imitating a person he kind of already looked like. Heath Ledger brought a character to life from a book and no one else could ever play Ennis Delmar. Others will do a great job as the Joker too,but no one will ever be th "Heath" Joker, ever. Heath could have cared less if he ever won any award.He would find it so silly, all this talk about him.He never took himself seriously. I can just hear him " Why so serious?" Miss ya mate, my bro.RIP.
Kate L | February 12, 2009 4:05 AM
Heath is only in the DK for 20 min? You must have a different DVD of the DK than the rest of us. Stop downloading the illegal versions while gargling with bong water! What a dick!
Gorbama | February 12, 2009 2:53 AM
Did you know that Heath is only in The Dark Knight for 20 minutes of a total 150 minute running time? It says a lot about his performance when he's only in the film for what, 12.8% of the movie and he's by far the most memorable thing about it. Don't get me wrong I kind of enjoyed Gary Oldman doing CSI: Gotham.
blah | February 12, 2009 2:13 AM
yeah because no one ever gets anything as a result of winning that piece of metal you idiot. Take another rip off the bong and just watch movies... don't comment on them... please.
John | February 12, 2009 1:44 AM
Just give it to Heath Ledger. If not Robert Downey Jr. or Josh Brolin. But Heath Ledger should get it.
movie watcher | February 12, 2009 1:41 AM
Heath should win and WILL WIN!!!!!!!!!! No DOUBT!!!!
and that's not because of sympathy votes because he actually deserves it. And also as you state it the Academy is not very sympathetic due to the fact that their was only one posthumous win.
Lets give it up for HEATH LEDGER BEST VILLAIN OF 2008!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR OF 2008!!!
Critic | February 12, 2009 1:37 AM
Heath Ledger has to win. He has already won a SAG, BAFTA, Golden Globe,critic choice awards, and many many more awards. He has to win if he doesn't then that would be really bad and people would not trust in the Academy anymore. But just in case if his name wasn't on the ballot. I'd like to see Robert Downey Jr. win for his role in tropic thunder(a very funny movie). But it doesn't matter his performance was brilliant and he did an amazing job. Although Downey Jr. did a good job his performance cannot match Heath's Performance.
The Intl | February 12, 2009 12:36 AM
Sigh. Give it to Ledger, & let him be dead already. He was no big thing.
Brad Vidmar | February 11, 2009 11:21 PM
I haven't seen "Milk" yet, but I'd argue that Brolin is probably one of the best actors in the game today, and Traver's is right about Brolin's performances getting better and better, film after film.
And these are all great actors, so I don't know who will win, or who SHOULD win.
I thought Heath Ledger's performance in "The Dark Knight" was top notch. Probably his best.
But I didn't think the movie was all that great and Chris Nolan is probably the most overrated director in the Biz.
And my biggest complaint-besides all the bloodless, cheeseball shit associated with "PG-13" films-is that Ledger wasn't in the film ENOUGH.
The Joker had to step aside for the Two-Face subplot-which I thought was stupid, rushed, and could've been used more usefully for the next Batman movie-and that was my biggest complaint with "Batman Begins."
They could've really made an outstanding film, had they just focused on the Scarecrow as the main villan, but instead they had to cram a whole bunch of "plot" down our throats. If done right, it could've worked, but it didn't and it just took away valuable screen time from Ledger.
So in my opinion, if Heath Ledger doesn't win it's Chris Nolan's fault.
Kevin | February 11, 2009 11:13 PM
I'm going with Shannon. He perfectly underlines the focus of the narrative without a hint of overacting and just crystalizes the perfection of a great, if under-appreciated, film. Highway robbery for DiCaprio, Winslet, and Mendes, kudos to Michael Shannon.
oscar | February 11, 2009 10:27 PM
all are great actor, but I want ledger to win.
daddio | February 11, 2009 9:40 PM
well if any of these actors wins the oscar it would be like the time marisa tomei won the oscar for my cousin vinny and you know how that is even now ledger deserves the oscar all the way but if he loses to another nominee my vote goes to michael shannon he was weird and mesmerizing
Rose Bell | February 11, 2009 7:34 PM
Sorry but I don't really think any of these guys should get the oscar. I loved Heath Ledger and devestated when he died. I really think he had a lot of potential. That is not the reason I think he deserves the oscar. I think he did a AWESOME job and his attitude and good nature that he put into the character really made it all the better. Heath was everything in being the Joker. He was funny, a little scary and of course SO SERIOUS. R.I.P Heath you were great. I just wish you could have seen what you would have become.
John Debono | February 11, 2009 7:24 PM
Tough call, in a underwhelming oscar year this is the only category that is actually is near perfect. (I'm not even a fan of Revolutionary Road but its hard to argue Michael Shannon didn't deserve a nomination.) I'm going to have to go with the popular choice and say Josh Brolin because he turned what could have easily been played as a over the top monster, into a subtle and almost as heart wrenching character as Harvey Milk. Any other year he would have gotten my vote but I am for Ledger all the way.
that guy | February 11, 2009 7:08 PM
to be perfectly honest, even though i want Ledger to get it, i gotta give my personal vote as a tie between Robert Downey Jr and the extremly underrated Micheal Shannon. downey is amazingly funny, and even on the tropic thunder commentary he keeps up the character, even if its a joke, few other actors i think couldve really done this part well and downey knocks it out of the park. Shannon was the best part of revolutionary road hands down, and i really liked the film a lot, but he's so quietly great, and perfects this character, he's fascinating to watch, plus he's a stage actor mainly and to be able to be as good as he is on both stage and screen is true talent he's a real actor. but ledger recreated a character and has made it an icon that will stand forever in film history.
to be honest i think this is the strongest catagory i've seen in any awards race.
choice for what? | February 11, 2009 5:37 PM
Does it matter? It's a piece of metal given out by some committee. These performances stand on their own merits, and an oscar doesn't mean anything worthwhile.
Chase Casanova | February 11, 2009 5:12 PM
Right there with you Travster. Brolin is pristine.