Acting favorites

Here follow some musings on the year’s outstanding performances from a member of the nominating committee for the 10th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards:

Nominations in the Academy Award acting categories may not mirror the SAG Award nominations as much as the directing nods seem to reflect the DGA Awards, but it’s interesting to note how Kenneth Turan’s Oscar picks (“It’s January -- Roll Out the Oscar Picks,” Jan. 18) are similar to our nominations.

We’re all in agreement on the outstanding performances of Ben Kingsley, Sean Penn and Bill Murray -- and I certainly understand that Johnny Depp of “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “The Station Agent’s” Peter Dinklage are Oscar long shots -- but Russell Crowe and Jude Law? Not this year, Mr. T.

We see eyeto eye regarding the talent of Diane Keaton in “Something’s Gotta Give” and of Naomi Watts in “21 Grams,” and I nominated the performances of Jennifer Connelly and Cate Blanchett. I disagree, however, with Mr. Turan (and the majority of my fellow committee members) in so honoring Charlize Theron for her work in the offensive “Monster.”

I agree that the amazing performances of Shohreh Aghdashloo in “House of Sand and Fog” and Melissa Leo in “21 Grams” are worthy of supporting actress nominations, even if the other committee members thought Maria Bello (“The Cooler”) and Keisha Castle-Hughes (“Whale Rider”) were more deserving. I myself chose Essie Davis’ wonderful turn as the world-weary wife of Vermeer in “Girl With A Pearl Earring” to round out this category.

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Geoffrey Rush was the “Pirate of the Caribbean” I nominated for outstanding supporting performance, while my compatriots chose Chris Cooper. The nominating committee is otherwise in sync with Turan’s predictions of honors for Benicio Del Toro, Tim Robbins, Ken Watanabe and possibly Alec Baldwin.

Kevin Carr

Los Angeles

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Kenneth TURAN’S Oscar predictions overlooked the dominating performance of Keisha Castle-Hughes in “Whale Rider.”

Charles Crowley

Costa Mesa