Oscar Picks & Predictions - BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

The Best Supporting Actress Oscar race is another slam-dunk with one contestant virtually assured of winning the coveted golden statue. Unfortunately, this is the least "Oscar-worthy" performance of all the performances (male or female, lead or supporting) in this year's field. Here is how I would stack them up 5). Regina King - IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK: She WILL WIN the Oscar this year for her portrayal of the mother of a pregnant girl in 1970's Harlem who's boyfriend is wrongfully incarcerated. This is a "fine" performance, but I kept waiting for the "Oscar scene" that put her into contention here, but it never came. 4). Emma Stone - THE FAVOURITE: the winner of the Best Actress statue for LA LA LAND, Stone puts in a strong performance in this film, but it is only the 3rd strongest female performance in that film. 3). Marina de Tavira - ROMA: The biggest surprise performance of the year for me. At first I didn't like the character, or the portrayal that de Tavira put in but then a funny thing happened, this performance (like the film) grew on me and I think her Oscar nomination is truly deserved. I go back and forth on the ranking of the top 2 Supporting performances nominated for the Oscar, so today, here is how I rank them (come back tomorrow and they might be swapped)... 2). Amy Adams - VICE: I cannot believe that Adams has yet to win an Oscar. Once again, she brings brings a strong, fully formed character to the screen in the person of Lynne Cheney, wife of former Vice President Dick Cheney in VICE. She is the "power behind the man" and one of two powerful performances in this film. 1). Rachel Weisz - THE FAVOURITE: I've never been a hug fan of Weisz. I think she is good, not great. But my opinion of her changed after being "wow'ed" by her performance in this film. She portrays Lady Sarah, "the favourite" of the Queen in the court of Queen Anne (at least at the beginning of the film). Her Lady Sarah is "large and in charge" from the start, but then her world is rocked and the emotional change that goes through this character (or does it?) is quite good. She has my vote as the performer that SHOULD WIN the Oscar in this category this year. But King WILL WIN (good for her) for what is a "good, but not Oscar-worthy" performance. And you can take this to the Bank (ofMarquis)