The Grendel Academy Awards - Actor in a Supporting Role

Leading up to the Oscars, I will be laying out my picks for who I want to win the Academy Award in each category...this isn't who I think will win, but who I think SHOULD win.

Josh Brolin

Josh Brolin plays Dan White, the conservative former fireman who is elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors at the same time as openly gay politician Harvey Milk. This is the first Academy Award nomination for Josh Brolin.

Robert Downery, Jr.

As Kirk Lazarus, Robert Downey Jr. plays a white Australian actor who has immersed himself completely in his latest role as an African-American soldier. This is the second Academy Award nomination for Robert Downey Jr. He was previously nominated for:
CHAPLIN (1992) Nominee, Actor in a Leading Role

Philip Seymour Hoffman

Philip Seymour Hoffman plays Father Brendan Flynn, a progressive priest in a 1960s Bronx school who is suspected by its head nun of improper relations with a student. This is the third Academy Award nomination for Philip Seymour Hoffman. He was previously nominated for:
CHARLIE WILSON'S WAR (2007) Nominee, Actor in a Supporting Role
CAPOTE (2005) Winner, Actor in a Leading Role

Heath Ledger

Heath Ledger portrays the Joker, a psychopathic criminal mastermind who will stop at nothing in his scheme to outwit and humiliate Batman. This is the second Academy Award nomination for Heath Ledger. He was previously nominated for:
BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN (2005) Nominee, Actor in a Leading Role

Michael Shannon

As John Givings, Michael Shannon plays a young man confined to a mental institution whose dinner with his parents' friends unleashes his relentless propensity for telling the truth. This is the first Academy Award nomination for Michael Shannon.

To be fair, I have not seen Revolutionary Road. I hope to before the Oscars, and if I do, I will report back. This is tough. I loved Hoffman in Doubt and Brolin was phenomenal as the despicable Dan White. But I'm afraid I am gonna have to go with my heart on this one and vote for Heath Ledger. The Dark Knight was a fantastic movie and he was great in the role. He was creepy and awesome and so so dark.