Something trippy about this project is that I tend to forget I'm watching films that are 20 years old. I forget that some of the people I'm watching have been dead for years or when they do a summary of characters at the end of a film that it's not contemporary. Saying some character is now living peacefully in such and such place but that was in 1995 so it's not relevant anymore is definitely a weird feeling. I didn't ever think of that when starting this project that I'd forget that I'm watching the past, the history of Oscar. It's like my brain wants to think of everything as new since a lot of the time these films are new to me. Just a little trippy thought I had to share. This will be a good group because I've seen 3 of these already. Just hoping the other 2 are just as good.
1994 Best Supporting Actor
Martin Landau - Ed Wood
Damn, another really good supporting actor performance to choose from (yes, I watch these out of order so this is the third of the five I've seen) making this an extremely tough choice. Landau plays the famous horror movie actor Bela Lugosi, or maybe I should say Landau brings Lugosi back from the dead. I don't even say that jokingly because Landau really inhabits the spirit of Lugosi in all aspects of the men. Landau is the spitting image of Lugosi and nails the mannerisms and way he walks from what I've seen of the original man. He seriously brings Lugosi to life and it's incredible to watch. Landau does get ample opportunity to show off his acting chops because Lugosi gets a ton of screen time and really the film is more about Bela Lugosi than it is about Ed Wood. It's a supporting turn but the case could be made for a shared leading role if Depp didn't carry the film. When it comes to the performance, though, make no mistake - it's not just an impersonation. There's a ton of depth to Landau's performance as the character is more than just comic relief. Lugosi is a sad figure, a man addicted to drugs, out of money and holding on to his fading legacy. As good as Landau is when it comes to acting like Lugosi, he may be even better at portraying the tragic, profound moments in the film. Lugosi long for yesteryear when he was acting and making good horror movies and was a wanted commodity. Now he's addicted to morphine and a sad, angry man. So it's sweet when Ed Wood runs into him and just wants him to be in his film no matter his current issues. This reinvigorates Lugosi who gives his all to the craft once again despite the film being beyond awful. Again, lot's more to this performance than just actor portrays famous old horror movie guy. Landau is also pretty gung ho with the comedy and acting like it's actually the 20's or 30s and it's a lot o fun to watch. It's definitely a really good performance that can stand on its own but I do think it being a role about old Hollywood sure helps since that's something the Academy loves. Not to mention the veteran actor angle. A lot going right for Landau in this Oscar win.
Samuel L. Jackson - Pulp Fiction
Do I even have to talk about this one, motherfucker?! But seriously, when you think of Samuel L. Jackson, do you think of any other role? I certainly don't. Maybe you think of him as Nick Fury or maybe one of his other 400 films come to mind, but this is probably his most famous - and best - performance of his career. I really don't think I can say anything bad about it this one at all. Jackson is perfect as the hitman, Jules and brings such a presence and gravitas and general sense of bad ass-ness that it's hard to argue against him possibly being the winner. In fact, I think Jackson is the best part of Pulp Fiction hands down. When he's onscreen, you're watching for whatever he's gonna say and/or do next. Jackson makes it seem effortless, too. Some of his other performances, even in Tarantino films, are too long winded or build off his reputation too much. Here, he creates that reputation and Tarantino doesn't saddle Jackson down with too much dialogue. It's just enough and it's obviously done perfectly. We all remember the Bible passage and the Does he look like a bitch?! line because Jackson makes them so memorable. I mean, it really is a great piece of acting and I can't find any faults in it. If you haven't seen Pulp Fiction yet, what exactly are you waiting for? This performance alone should convince you to go watch it. Truly a great performance that is going to make choosing a winner for this category extremely hard, which is something I very much like!
Chazz Palminteri - Bullets Over Broadway
Full disclosure, I met Chazz my first year working for my local film festival. I thought it was telling that he brought his elderly mother to the event and that spoke to what a great person he was. He was very nice to me. That has nothing to do with this performance but I just like saying I met him and he was an awesome person. But when it comes to his performance, I think he nails it here. Seriously, without any prejudice I think he delivers one hell of a performance. He plays a gangster henchman that escorts Tilly's character around. His first real scene he dominates by almost beating up John Cusack but doing so in such a restricted, subdued manner. I loved how Chazz came across when being tough. It really did feel very natural and I never once doubted Palminteri as a brute. So Chazz sits on all the readings for the play as he babysits Tilly and then eventually pipes up with his two cents on the goings on and how the play can be improved. His suggestions are spot on and make the play into a better product and Cusack is amazed that the bodyguard is able to come up with this. Chazz never plays it as if he's too eager to jump in and get to work. He just wants to toe the party line so to speak and escort Tilly around and knock some heads in when told to. But in a natural progression, Cusack asks for more help and Chazz gives him his ideas and then it becomes their play and not just Cusack's. The performance during all of this is beautiful. It's never too villainous or too hokey. It feels like a guy giving honest feedback on what he sees and hears everyday. Even the end when he shoots Tilly feels legit. Chazz doesn't want to see his product harmed and you can't really blame him. I really do think this is the best male character Woody Allen has written that I've seen so far. That's huge! That's like 23 films. You can't not like Palminteri in this film. This is a well deserved nomination that will be tough to beat.
Paul Scofield - Quiz Show
I'm going to admit right off the bat that after an hour and forty minutes into this film, I had no idea who Paul Scofield was playing. I know he already won a Best Actor Oscar but I had no idea what he looked like and didn't look him up before I started watching. When I found out it was Ralph Fiennes' father in the film, it made sense. He did have the look and airs of an old British actor. He is Mark Van Doren who I guess was a famous literary and intellectual family back then. Mark was a writer and professor at Columbia and just a very sharp guy in general. He was also supportive of his son even if it was in a roundabout way. He kidded with his son about being on TV and it was all some good natured ribbing but the love was evident. There's not a lot to the role other than Scofield and Fiennes talking about the game show and discussing literary things. He also has a scene where he's rooting on his son while watching his brand new TV and turns it off because he's too nervous. A very natural thing to do. The big scene is at the end when Fiennes tells Scofield that he was given the answers for the game show and Scofield seems incredulous at first that his son would even need the answers to begin with because he's so smart. He is superbly convincing in this moment of being let down, in disbelief, and fully supportive still of his son. He accepts that his son cheated but stands with him like any good father. It's decent supporting work that I wonder if his previous Oscar winning status helped get him another nomination. He's good but doesn't exactly standout and blow you away. In fact, I'd rather have John Turturro in this spot if you can call him a supporting actor. I was so enthralled by Turturro and wanted to see more of him after the beginning. I don't exactly feel that way for Scofield but I do recognize that he's a great actor and is definitely believable in this role. I guess I was expecting more based on who he was in real life and was slightly disappointed that he was just playing the proud, supportive father. I'm glad the film is represented, though, because I really enjoyed it.
Gary Sinise - Forrest Gump
Lieutenant Dan, ice cream! That's the first and only thing I remember when it comes to Sinise in this film. Okay, so I remember more, but that's what I like to remember because it's a hilarious line to me. Anyway, I always forget how good Sinise is as an actor. He obviously succeeds in these military/authoritarian roles like this and in the next year's Apollo 13 as an astronaut. His performance is a feel good one, too, since he starts out wanting to die in combat like all his ancestors to being dejected that he was saved and lost his legs to finding a new lease on life with Gump and the shrimp business. It's a satisfying arc and one made better by Sinise's acting ability. You really do root for him and it's a perfectly supporting role. He creates a memorable character that doesn't overshadow Tom Hanks, but instead complements him and gives us something entertaining to watch. I'm not even sure what else I can say about him. He's good, not the best. I enjoyed watching him a lot more than I remember from previous viewings. His character sticks in the mind more than any other besides Gump for me and that's got to count for something. I've also got to say how much I love what Sinise does for veterans. That might trickle into my adoration for this performance a little bit but I love he genuinely cares about us veterans. It doesn't seem to be something he does for publicity, either, which is nice. I'm definitely glad he was nominated here because he deserved some recognition for Lieutenant Dan.
Welp, another year, another great - and tough! - Supporting Actor category. It continues to be my favorite category simply because it has some of the best acting out of this project and typically has the best films overall. This year is no different as you could make a case for everyone in this group if you really wanted. I will say that I was disappointed with Scofield because I was really hoping for something big and important given his pedigree but it's still a good performance, just the weakest of the bunch. Now I get into the really tough part because there's not much separating the next 4 guys. I guess I could put Sinise 4th because while I enjoy his performance, the others are all a bit stronger overall. Palminteri would be my middle guy. I really enjoyed his performance a lot and maybe in a weaker year he could have won, but the top 2 are really strong actors. I'd give Jackson the win because I think his performance was flawless and iconic and one of the best of all time. Landau wowed me because I forgot how great his performance actually was. It's got a ton of depth that might not be apparent when think of the film. All in all this was a fantastic year and I hope I get a ton more like this!
Oscar Winner: Martin Landau - Ed Wood
My Winner: Samuel L. Jackson - Pulp Fiction
Martin Landau
Chazz Palminteri
Gary Sinise
Paul Scofield
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