Hi and welcome to a new feature that will take a closer look at the nominees in each of the categories for the upcoming Oscars in February. This one is looking at the five actors up for Best Lead Actor at this year's awards:

 

BEST LEAD ACTOR

http://i.imgur.com/yUwyebP.jpg

 

The nominees are:

Casey Affleck – Manchester by the Sea (as Lee Chandler)

Andrew Garfield – Hacksaw Ridge (as Desmond T. Doss)

Ryan Gosling – La La Land (as Sebastian Wilder)

Viggo Mortensen – Captain Fantastic (as Ben Cash)

Denzel Washington – Fences (as Troy Maxson)

 

What do you think will win? Who would you like to win? How many of these have you seen so far? What actors are you sad about missing the cut? Discuss anything you like!!

 

Here are the latest odds too (with Sky Bet) just to see how things are likely to pan out:

 

Casey Affleck - Manchester by the Sea 4/7

Denzel Washington - Fences 11/8

Ryan Gosling - La La Land 18/1

Andrew Garfield - Hacksaw Ridge 25/1

Viggo Mortensen - Captain Fantastic 100/1

 

Other discussions

Best Picture

Best Lead Actress

Edited February 4, 20178 yr by Josh.

Usually this is the easiest category to call! However, this year, I can't call it between the 3 front runners (and even Garfield has an outside shot at winning!)

 

Excited to see which way it pans out.

I just saw Captain Fantastic the other day so I've now seen 4/5 of these and will definitely be seeing Fences upon its UK release. I think I'd rank them like this:

 

1. Casey Affleck - Manchester by the Sea

2. Andrew Garfield - Hacksaw Ridge

3. Ryan Gosling - La La Land

4. Viggo Mortensen - Captain Fantastic

 

I would like Casey Affleck to win because he's always been pretty underrated and did an excellent job in this movie but as an outsider, I'd be really pleased if Andrew Garfield took it home too even though it is unlikely. Everyone loves an underdog plus he is very likeable and gave two great performances this year worthy of nomination (He was amazing in Silence too!). Viggo Mortensen was good but yeah not one of my favourites and I wasn't that huge on the film either, good on him for getting another nomination though.

 

Out of the other realistic actors in with a chance that missed out, I'd have put Sunny Pawar in my top 5 for Lion (even though he'd probably be more likely to be a supporting actor due to being young and Dev Patel took a lot of the praise in this movie away from him really), and probably Colin Farrell too (a shame The Lobster didn't get more recognition outside of screenplay because the whole thing was really unique and interesting).

5/5 here too, only got lead actress to go to complete the big categories :D

 

01 Casey Affleck "Manchester by the Sea"

02 Andrew Garfield "Hacksaw Ridge"

03 Ryan Gosling "La La Land"

04 Denzel Washington "Fences"

05 Viggo Mortensen "Captain Fantastic"

 

I'm hoping Denzel doesn't pull a surprise win after the SAG win because I much preferred Casey Affleck's performance. Denzel was good but I found it difficult to understand his accent sometimes and Viola demanded my attention much more imo.

Think it's between Casey and Ryan. Would rather Casey nabbed it, I'd be mega miffed if Ryan got it for LLL over Half Nelson.

I'm here for a Denzel and Viola sweep.

1. Ryan Gosling (La La Land)

2. Casey Affleck (Manchester By The Sea)

3. Andrew Garfield (Hacksaw Ridge)

4. Denzel Washington (Fences)

 

I really couldn't give a damn here which one wins. All four were utterly fantastic (not seen Captain Fantastic but I think Viggo will probs be a distant 5th!).

 

For the first time in ages, this is finally the strongest category for me at the Oscars!!

 

My fave just is probably Ryan Gosling, he is so incredible in the wonderful La La Land! Casey is heartbreaking, Andrew is fantastic and is my favourite performance of his yet and Denzel is terrific as usual. Such good performances!