INDIANAPOLIS — The state of Indiana has a pair of strong connections to the Best Actor categories for Oscar Sunday.
And at least one of them has a strong chance of taking home Oscar Gold.
Let's start with Best Supporting Actor.
Adam Driver grew up in Mishawaka and graduated from high school there in 2001.
Driver joined the Marines after that and served for nearly three years. He attended the University of Indianapolis for a year before going off to The Julliard School in New York City to study drama.
He was fantastic as an undercover cop in 'BlacKkKlansman,' earning his first Oscar nomination.
But this is category full of scene-stealing pros this year. And I think Driver will have to settle for watching another of these men win.
Which one?
My pick is Richard E. Grant in 'Can You Ever Forgive Me.'
Striking a great combination of funny and tragic, it's the first nomination for the 61-year-old veteran British actor.
After more than 30 years in the business, I think Grant will get his Oscar moment.
Before making a name for himself in Hollywood, Rami Malek moved from California and attended the University of Evansville.
Malek studied theater and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in the class of 2003. And now he looks like the favorite to win an Oscar next Sunday.
Few performances have been talked about more than Malek in 'Bohemian Rhapsody.' A full-on embodiment of the legendary 'Queen' singer, Freddie Mercury.
Malek didn't sing live, but he didn't really need to. He's just that spectacular. The movie as a whole, however, is good - not great.
But Maleks's career could be going from great to epic with a well-deserved Oscar win. And that's quite a feat, given the level of performances among the nominees.
Bradley Cooper is amazing in 'A Star Is Born.' And it's hard to look past the job Christian Bale did as Dick Cheney in 'Vice.'
Bu, my friends, Rami Malek takes the trophy this time.
