Sacha Baron Cohen, The Trial of the Chicago 7

• He was actually compelling in this movie (and it was written by Aaron Sorkin, which is usually a word-salad-spinner for any actor), but is anyone else having SBC Fatigue? Not that I don't enjoy his work -- he's still very niiice. But he's good at too many things. I'm beginning to worry that he's going to decide to go corporate, take my job, then fire me, then take my wife, then leave her for one of my daughters, and enslave my son.  Whoa...that was some Borat-infused fever dreaming. Apologies.

Daniel Kaluuya, Judas and the Black Messiah

• Really compelling. I think he was slightly outdone by Lakeith and recognize they're splitting votes, partially because: same movie; partially because: mixed-up white voters who will mix up black actors like a Daniel Kahlua cocktail.

Leslie Odom, Jr., One Night in Miami

• Lots of love for one of our Hamilton favs, but he really was great in this one. A docudrama, to be sure (see Writing comments below) but Sam Cooke's struggle was there for us to feel.

Paul Raci, Sound of Metal

• Who? Earthy performance in a tough movie. I'll be looking for him again (although he must loathe that kind of comment, given he's been working professionally for 4 decades and I just started paying attention).

Lakeith Stanfield, Judas and the Black Messiah

• See above. Would not be at all upset if he won, but it would be a pleasant surprise. It was tough that Daniel couldn't crack the Best Actor category, then Lakeith would've been a lock.