Colonel Landa

The Oscar pick I feel strongest about this year is Christoph Waltz for supporting actor. Having watched the basterds on blue ray again I was fascinated anew by his compelling turn as Colonel Hans Landa. More so than on the first viewing. Waltz creates here a character that is entertaining and fascinating in the way a brightly coloured, but deadly venomous tropical fish may be. Impossible to look away from. He combines deadly menace, with smooth and genuinely likeable charm, with the enthusiasm of a game show host. I'm holding thumbs for him to win.