The Matty’s 2015: Best Supporting Actor
Welcome back to The Matty Awards. I’m your host, Matty W. Kelley and I’m the second best movie reviewer in the world.
Our previous category, Best Supporting Actress was a tough one. I’d like to say congratulations to Maggie Gyllenhall on her surprise win over Patricia Arquette in the closest voting margin in the history of “The Matty’s.” Cherish your Golden Nostrils, Ms. Gyllenhall.
Let’s get right into the next category, Best Supporting Actor.
And the nominees are:
Robert Duvall, (The Judge):
I met this man in an airport in Virginia, (Dulles Airport). I was giving my licence to security when the guard started laughing at my picture. Mr. Duvall, (who was right behind me) asked if he could see my photo. I said “Sure…….. Mr. Duvall?” He said, “Yes, I am.” Then he started laughing out loud at my picture. Like, laughing really hard at it. He said, “They let you take this photo?” I said, “They sure did!”
So me and Mr. Duvall sat down on a bench and put our shoes back on. I said to him, “Mr. Duvall, you are a legend. You are one of my favorite actors.” He was like, “Thank you, sir. What’s your favorite movie of mine?” And I said, “Um, Deep Impact!” He said, “Deep Impact? You know I was in The Godfather, right?” And I said, “Um, I haven’t seen that one yet.”
Then we and said our goodbyes and went our seperate ways. That was my biggest brush with fame to date.
(Note: I have since seen The Godfather and I absolutely love it. Mr. Duvall was fantastic in it as Tom Hagen.)
And he was also great in “The Judge.”
Ethan Hawke, (Boyhood):
I’ve never met Ethan Hawke in an airport, but I do love him as an actor. One of his best roles for me is as officer Jake Hoyt in Training Day. But he isn’t up for a MATTY in Training Day. He’s up for a MATTY for his role as a slacker dad in Boyhood. His character is interesting, and the film is groundbreaking, but will he pick up ‘Matty’s Beak?’
Stick around to find out.
Edward Norton, (Birdman):
This is one of my favorite actors going today. He draws me to the theatre. With films under his belt like American History X, Primal Fear, The Score, and Fight Club, this man seems to know how to pick a script.
He once again throws his acting chops out there in Birdman. He plays Mike Driver, an actor with an ego, who always wants it his way and demands perfection. This role fit him perfectly. Outstanding job. MATTY AWARD? Hmm.
Mark Ruffalo, (Foxcatcher):
This man deserves more recognition for his acting… and he’s finally getting it. Shutter Island, Now You See Me, Zodiac, and even 13 Going On 30 are all films that benefitted by having him in them.
The same applies for Foxcatcher. Everyone is talking about Steve Carell’s performance in it, but you can’t overlook the performance of Ruffalo as David Schultz, a caring, loving, family man just trying to keep an eye on his kid brother. Ruffalo seems to be an everyman in his films and I think that’s why people like him.
Next up is J.K. Simmons, (Whiplash):
Simmons plays an overbearing, abusive band conductor at a prestigious music university when he notices potential in one of his new students. Simmons stops at nothing to pull this potential out of his drummer, even if it means physically and emotionally hurting this young man.
It’s an incredible performance by Simmons. But to be honest, he had a great co-star in Miles Teller to bounce his acting skills off of. Both of these thespians delivered the beat.
John Goodman, (The Gambler):
No one’s talking about this film but I loved it. If you’ve ever been addicted to gambling then you will understand where this movie is coming from.
John Goodman is a loneshark trying to make sure his investment gets paid back. Physically, he doesn’t resemble any loneshark that I’ve ever dealt with, (and I’ve dealt with my fair share) but he’s still a loanshark with a ferocity in him that only a loneshark who wants their money back has. I loved his calm but direct demeaner in this film. Also, he has a monologue in this movie that I think will live on in cinematic history.
Thare are your SIX nominees for Best Supporting Actor. This is such a stacked category. So many other great supporting actors could’ve made this list, (like Haley Joel Osment for Tusk or any of the secondary characters living in that tank in Fury) but it really wouldn’t matter because there is only one clear winner here.
And the MATTY goes to…
J.K. Simmons.
Have you seen the movie? Have you seen Whiplash yet? Well, if you have then you know for certain that Simmons deserved the MATTY. He delivers such a powerful performance it frightens you as you cower in your seat.
Yes, he was that good.
So congratulations to you Mr. Simmons on your first Golden Nose statuette. Put it some place safe because it’s gonna be the most highly coveted award in Hollywood within the next five years.
Who WILL win the Oscar: J.K. Simmons.
Who SHOULD win the Oscar: J.K. Simmons.
Who cares about the Oscar: NOT MATTY.
That’s it for tonight’s portion of The Matty’s.
Tune in next time for my Best Actress award.
Fun Fact: As I wrote this article MY New England Patriots won the Superbowl, and I won 500 bucks.
Fun Matty Fact: I am a HUGE gambling addict.