If I Had a Ballot: My Picks for the Oscars

J.K Simmons – Whiplash

Chris Pine – Into the Woods

Tony Revolori – The Grand Budapest Hotel

Mark Ruffalo – Foxcatcher

Riz Ahmed – Nightcrawler

Mark Ruffalo and J.K. Simmons are pretty much definite sure shots for nominations tomorrow and I’ll guess now that Simmons will go on to win, and he’ll deserve it because his performance was masterful and terrifying. “Not my tempo” may have been the most threatening phrase uttered this year in film. Ruffalo brings a lot of heart to Foxcatcher, a movie that certainly needed it, and I love him in just about everything so I can’t complain about a nomination. The other three are where my hopes and dreams for tomorrow will never be touched, because despite giving great turns none of them have a shot in hell… maybe Riz Ahmed, but he’s a super long shot despite proving himself wondefully in Nightcrawler. Tony Revolori gives a strong breakout turn as Zero in The Grand Budapest Hotel, showcasing an acute comic timing that fit well with Wes Anderson’s style. Chris Pine had me laughing harder in one scene than in any other movie this year, and if the Academy ever decided to actually pay attention to offbeat or comic performances then he’d be a shoe-in. Alas.