The 91st Oscars: Best Actor

Hugh Jackman in "The Front Runner"

Last year at this time, Gary Oldman could start clearing off a shelf for all the awards he would end up winning for Darkest Hour. This year the Best Actor Oscar trophy is wide open, with some familiar faces who have had nominations but no wins. I think there are three front runners, but someone else could surprise.

Christian Bale, Vice (3 nominations, 1 win) I just saw the trailer for Vice, and Bale is unrecognizable as Dick Cheney, whom this film is about. Oscar loves actors who play real people and go through transformations, which Bale does so well. If he's nominated I doubt Cheney would attend the ceremony.

Steve Carell, Beautiful Boy (1 nomination) Carell is actually in three big films coming out this fall, including playing Donald Rumsfeld in Vice. But the most Oscar-baity role is as the father of a meth addict, which seems to be dripping with pathos. While the film may not meet expectations, I figure Carell could get a nomination.

Bradley Cooper, A Star Is Born (3 nominations) I must admit I thought the world didn't need a fourth adaptation of this old chestnut, but it's getting great reviews across the board and Cooper just might get two nominations, for acting and directing. Although he may be outshone by Lady Gaga, he stands a good shot at winning.

Ryan Gosling, First Man (2 nominations) A shoo-in for a nomination, Gosling is another possible winner, as me might be seen as due, even though he has only two previous nominations. This film is also getting rave reviews and should earn a passel of nominations.

Hugh Jackman, The Front Runner (1 nomination) Jackman has earned a lot of good will in Hollywood for being both a song and dance man and Wolverine. Here he plays Gary Hart in a film about when the press turned on presidential candidates by reporting the truth. If I had to pick right now, I'd say he is the winner, but a lot will change between now and nomination time.

Other possibities: Viggo Mortensen, Green Book; Ethan Hawke, First Reformed; Rami Malek, Bohemian Rhapsoy; Robert Redford; Old Man With a Gun; Lucas Hedges, Boy Erased or Ben Is Back