By Trey Graham

There's been no shortage of experts handicapping the Oscars horse-race — in fact it started at roughly 8:31 a.m. on Jan. 22.

But even the most wonkish insider analysis focuses on the outcome of this year's Oscars. We say: Why limit yourself to whether Heath will trounce Hoffman, or whether The Reader will come from behind to skunk Slumdog Millionaire?

And so we offer you the first of five Oscars Past and Present polls, in which this year's nominees are forced, completely arbitrarily, to compete for your affections with Oscar winners from the past five decades — specifically the winners in their categories from 1999, 1989, 1979, 1969 and 1959.

We'll start with the roundup for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. The poll's below — pick your favorite, whether he's from this year or from a classic.

And yes, we know, you've probably forgotten what part the Welsh-born actor Hugh Griffith played in Ben-Hur.

(Why, it was Sheik Ilderim, the Arab horse-racing fanatic, of course! 'Cause it was Old Skool Hollywood, and that was how ... oh, wait, that's still how they roll. )

God bless the Internets.

categories: Awards Season, Movies

4:45 - February 4, 2009

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