Five Best Actors Yet To Win An Oscar

Ed Norton: This guy always impresses me. Compare and contrast his performances in “Primal Fear” and “American History X”. The man has range and such quiet intensity. And of course, he was so good in “Fight Club”, it’s almost enough to forgive “Death to Smoochy.”

Robert Downey Jr.: I don’t know if there is a more natural actor than Robert Downey Jr. except for maybe Robert Duvall. If he can just keep off the shit, I think his day will come. Hollywood loves a comeback story. And look at his performances in “Less Than Zero,” “Chaplin,” “Wonder Boys” and “Zodiac.”

Leonardo De Caprio: The kid from “Growing Pains” has some fierce acting chops. He stole the show in “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” and held his own against De Niro in “This Boy’s Life.” When he is well cast, he is damn impressive, as he proved in both “Catch Me if You Can” and “The Departed.”

Alec Baldwin: What a prick. Nobody can play an asshole like Alec Baldwin. His brief stint as Blake in “Glengarry Glen Ross” scared the shit out of me. Baldwin was also cruel and unforgettable in “The Cooler” and “The Departed.” Somebody give this dickhead an Oscar.

Paul Giamatti: Insecurity has found its muse with Paul Giamatti. Balding, paunchy and well, perfect for character roles, Giamatti gave one of the best performances I’ve ever seen as Miles Raymond in “Sideways.” He was less likeable but just as nuanced the prior year in “American Splendor.” Let’s just hope that “Fred Claus” was a fat paycheck and he goes back to playing losers.


Runners Up: Jude Law, Johnny Depp, Samuel Jackson, Mark Wahlberg, William H. Macy

(Pat, thanks for letting me fill in for you, whle you are out on break. -Brian)