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NOMINEES BRING AUTHENTICITY
Preparation helps actors take on characters
Many of this year's Oscar-nominated performers walk a fine line between brilliance and catastrophe. The actors are forced to find just the right balance, lest they fly off the rails and into the realm of histrionic aggression.
BEST ACTOR
GEORGE CLOONEY
WHY HE'LL WIN: Clooney plays off his public image, but in an elegant, deft, old Hollywood way a la Clark Gable.
WHY HE'LL WIN: Clooney plays off his public image, but in an elegant, deft, old Hollywood way a la Clark Gable.
DANIEL DAY-LEWIS
WHY HE'LL WIN: For the actor's work in buzz-saturated "Blood," Day-Lewis already amassed a mantel-full of trophies.
WHY HE'LL WIN: For the actor's work in buzz-saturated "Blood," Day-Lewis already amassed a mantel-full of trophies.
JOHNNY DEPP
WHY HE'LL WIN: Depp proves he can act, sing and embody in mind, soul and ghostly makeup every role he enthusiastically tackles.
WHY HE'LL WIN: Depp proves he can act, sing and embody in mind, soul and ghostly makeup every role he enthusiastically tackles.
TOMMY LEE JONES
WHY HE'LL WIN: Jones delivers one of the year's most lacerating performances as a Vietnam vet digging tirelessly for the truth.
WHY HE'LL WIN: Jones delivers one of the year's most lacerating performances as a Vietnam vet digging tirelessly for the truth.
VIGGO MORTENSEN
WHY HE'LL WIN: Mortensen's monstrous mobster ultimately experiences a redemptive end of the sort that Academy members admire.
WHY HE'LL WIN: Mortensen's monstrous mobster ultimately experiences a redemptive end of the sort that Academy members admire.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
CASEY AFFLECK
WHY HE'LL WIN:Affleck holds more than his own sharing the screen with one of the world's biggest stars in Brad Pitt.
WHY HE'LL WIN:Affleck holds more than his own sharing the screen with one of the world's biggest stars in Brad Pitt.
JAVIER BARDEM
WHY HE'LL WIN: Bardem's psychotic Anton Chigurh drives the action of "No Country" and has entered the pantheon of respected screen villainy.
WHY HE'LL WIN: Bardem's psychotic Anton Chigurh drives the action of "No Country" and has entered the pantheon of respected screen villainy.
PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN
WHY HE'LL WIN: The wired and witty Gust Avrakotos might be the best part of "Charlie Wilson's War."
WHY HE'LL WIN: The wired and witty Gust Avrakotos might be the best part of "Charlie Wilson's War."
HAL HOLBROOK
WHY HE'LL WIN: At 83 years old, Holbrook is the oldest actor ever to be nominated for an Oscar -- and this is his first trip to the dance.
WHY HE'LL WIN: At 83 years old, Holbrook is the oldest actor ever to be nominated for an Oscar -- and this is his first trip to the dance.
TOM WILKINSON
WHY HE'LL WIN: Wilkinson gets some of the most actor-friendly material to work with in Tony Gilroy's biting screenplay.
WHY HE'LL WIN: Wilkinson gets some of the most actor-friendly material to work with in Tony Gilroy's biting screenplay.
BEST ACTRESS
CATE BLANCHETT
WHY SHE'LL WIN: Her work still provokes wonder from auds everywhere -- she's a true heavyweight in this division.
WHY SHE'LL WIN: Her work still provokes wonder from auds everywhere -- she's a true heavyweight in this division.
JULIE CHRISTIE
WHY SHE'LL WIN: Christie staged a master class in acting with her beyond-nuanced portrayal of a woman's battle with Alzheimer's.
WHY SHE'LL WIN: Christie staged a master class in acting with her beyond-nuanced portrayal of a woman's battle with Alzheimer's.
MARION COTILLARD
WHY SHE'LL WIN: It almost seems as if Cotillard has been touted for this award since the days when Edith Piaf was singing.
WHY SHE'LL WIN: It almost seems as if Cotillard has been touted for this award since the days when Edith Piaf was singing.
ELLEN PAGE
WHY SHE'LL WIN: Her ability to convey both the edge and the poignancy of the title character has become one of the biggest stories of the season.
WHY SHE'LL WIN: Her ability to convey both the edge and the poignancy of the title character has become one of the biggest stories of the season.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
CATE BLANCHETT
WHY SHE'LL WIN: A Golden Globe win only adds to the fact that she's being rewarded for what might be the bravest performance of the year.
WHY SHE'LL WIN: A Golden Globe win only adds to the fact that she's being rewarded for what might be the bravest performance of the year.
RUBY DEE
WHY SHE'LL WIN: Voters, looking over the breadth of her career, may be hard-pressed to feel someone else is more worthy of acknowledgement.
WHY SHE'LL WIN: Voters, looking over the breadth of her career, may be hard-pressed to feel someone else is more worthy of acknowledgement.
SAOIRSE RONAN
WHY SHE'LL WIN: The film's success hinges on Ronan's ability to persuade the local authorities, while also trying to persuade herself.
WHY SHE'LL WIN: The film's success hinges on Ronan's ability to persuade the local authorities, while also trying to persuade herself.
AMY RYAN
WHY SHE'LL WIN: Ryan's performance as a Boston mom felt as authentic as a summer's night at Fenway Park.
WHY SHE'LL WIN: Ryan's performance as a Boston mom felt as authentic as a summer's night at Fenway Park.
TILDA SWINTON
WHY SHE'LL WIN: She plays Karen with expressionless perfection, a woman who thinks she knows everything but is quickly re-educated.
WHY SHE'LL WIN: She plays Karen with expressionless perfection, a woman who thinks she knows everything but is quickly re-educated.
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