Road to the Oscars #1: Best Supporting Actor

In what may be the closest race of the 2013 awards season, the nominees for Best Actor in a Supporting Role this year are all Academy Awards veterans: Alan Arkin for Argo, Robert De Niro for Silver Linings Playbook, Philip Seymour Hoffman for The Master, Tommy Lee Jones for Lincoln, and Christoph Waltz for Django Unchained. Each man has proven himself worthy of the nomination, and regardless who wins, this category can't go wrong.

My prediction is that Tommy Lee Jones will take the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role as a confident and self-assured radical Congressman in Lincoln. Jones' stellar performance in this Spielberg blockbuster captivated and charmed me. His portrayal of Thaddeus Stevens was definitely one of the highlights of the movie and will remain in my memory for time to come. I also feel that Jones deserves this award because of his believability. Not once did I think to myself during the film, "Tommy Lee Jones is incredible," for I didn't see him as Tommy Lee Jones; I saw him as Thaddeus Stevens. I laughed with Stevens; I was near tears when all seemed to be hopeless for the Thirteenth Amendment and, along with the pivotal document, Stevens. I sympathized with Stevens as he fought for what he believed (and what we know) is right, despite the myriad obstacles. Had Jones not delivered an incredible performance, I would not have felt the range of emotions I found myself dealing with during Lincoln. Because of these reasons, I believe that Tommy Lee Jones will take the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

Although I have not seen The Master, I have heard it is an incredible film, and many critics are saying Philip Seymour Hoffman deserves to win this award. Thus, I would like to mention his performance here and say that I would love to see this movie in order to better make my prediction. However, I still feel that the Academy will pick Jones even though critics enjoyed Hoffman's performance since the Academy tends to have a soft spot for Steven Spielberg. I am sure The Master is an incredible movie, but until I have seen it, I can't judge for myself.

In conclusion, it seems to me that Tommy Lee Jones of Lincoln will take home the Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. Although the other contenders, namely Alan Arkin, Robert De Niro, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Christoph Waltz, are all worthy of the esteemed award, I feel that Jones should be the one to hold the golden trophy in his hand and make his acceptance speech on February 24th. Hopefully, my prediction comes true, and Jones will get the glory he deserves!