Best Supporting Actor 2012

Let's kick this puppy off.  Good year for this category in my opinion.

Josh Brolin (Young Agent K)/Men In Black 3- It’s absolutely uncanny the way Brolin channeled the younger version of Tommy Lee Jones’ crusty character.  He must have followed Jones around 24/7 watching every last nuance of his mannerisms and voice inflections.

 

Tom Hiddleston (Loki)/Marvel’s the Avengers- Hiddleston plays the Trickster God with twisted, evil glee.  You’re actually happy when the Hulk viciously pounds him.  Speaking of which…

 

Mark Ruffalo (Bruce Banner/The Hulk)/Marvel’s the Avengers- Mark Ruffalo finally gives the audience the definitive movie Hulk.  Something Eric Bana couldn’t do.  Something Edward Norton wasn’t bad at.  Ruffalo’s timid scientist-turned- green rage monster is what this character will be measured against from now on.

 

Tom Cruise (Stacee Jaxx)/Rock of Ages- Cruise may be as crazy as a road lizard in real life but there’s no denying he is a good actor capable of taking on a variety of different roles.  As the world weary, spaced out rocker, Stacee Jaxx, he is by far the most watchable character in a very forgettable musical.  And, he can actually carry a tune!

 

Jason Statham (Lee Christmas)/The Expendables 2- Amidst all the madcap chaos in both movies, Statham’s character seems the least like a caricature.  Christmas is fast and deadly with a wry sense of humor that doesn’t make you want to constantly roll your eyes.  I know Statham has no formal martial arts training, but his fight scenes always pop.

 

Leonardo DiCaprio (Calvin Candie)/Django Unchained- With all due respect to Christoph Waltz who does give a more than credible performance in this film, it is DiCaprio who has the outstanding part here.  A gross oversight by the Academy.   DiCaprio gives one of the best performances, if not, THE best performance of his career as the charismatic, but brutal plantation owner dealing in slave fighting and prostitution.  Leo breaks from his norm here and is outstanding doing so.

 

Samuel L. Jackson (Stephen)/Django Unchained- Jackson at his snarling, foul-mouthed best as Calvin Candie’s traitorous house slave.

 

Tom Hardy (Bane)/The Dark Knight Rises- It’s no secret that I have some issues with this film (although I have softened toward it upon a second viewing).  Hardy’s intelligent portrayal of this hulking anarchist is one of the best parts of TDKR.  And anything that makes you forget about Joel Schumaker’s Bane is aces in my book.