Best Supporting Actor

Javier Bardem leaves a bloody path behind him in No Country For Old Men, and off-screen he’s slaying the competition with equal aplomb. His portrayal of an impenetrable serial killer has everyone (except me) pissing their pants with fear and falling over themselves with praise. He just may win the final contest. The precious few prizes that haven’t gone to Bardem went to Casey Affleck, playing the second title character in The Assassination of Jesse James By the Coward Robert Ford. (And that’s the last time I’m going to type out the entirety of that long-ass title!) His performance in the psychological Western noir has earned him the first serious-actor reviews of his career, so a coronation is in order. Next up is revered Brit Tom Wilkinson for his nervous breakdown in Michael Clayton, which brought in his best notices since his nominated work in In the Bedroom. Finally, Hal Holbrook is a solid bet for his bittersweet third-act appearance in Into the Wild. The actor best known for his many stage and screen performances as Mark Twain (and as Deep Throat in All the President’s Men), will become a first-time nominee at 82 years old. That leaves one spot up for grabs. It won’t be Globe nominee John Travolta; too many were turned off by his casting in Hairspray. It’s probably not going to be Paul Dano; early buzz for his young preacher in There Will Be Blood has quieted down. It might be Tommy Lee Jones as one of the Old Men in No Country For…, which could also serve as recognition for his well-respected turn in the critical flop In the Valley of Elah. But my money is on Philip Seymour Hoffman, the sweaty tornado of Charlie Wilson’s War. The film’s promise may have tanked, but enthusiasm for his performance is still afloat. A nomination could also be a tip of the hat to his eclipsed candidacies for The Savages and Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead.