Best Supporting Actress 2015

05. Elizabeth Banks in Love and Mercy - As the girlfriend and eventual wife of Brian Wilson, Banks took what could have been a cliche, throwaway role and transformed it into a singular and compelling character who shows the power of love pulling us out of our darkest moments.

04. Kate Winslet in Steve Jobs - In a movie about men, written by men, made by men, Winslet is extraordinary as the lone woman, the sweet but ballsy, sympathetic but tough assistant to Jobs who was never afraid to speak her mind.

03. Kristen Stewart in The Clouds of Sils Maria - Another role that could have been a throwaway cliche - the long suffering assistant to a fading movie star - Stewart is a revelation in the role. If you, like me, wasn't entirely convinced she had any acting chops, watch this movie. It may be boring, but she never is.

02. Alicia Vikander in Ex Machina - I had seen Vikander just once before this, in a small role in Anna Karenina, but that didnt prepare me for the kind of impact she would have with this movie, as a sexy and manipulative A.I., who will do anything to be free.

01. Jennifer Jason Leigh in The Hateful Eight - Quentin Tarantino movies are notoriously talky films. So, what to make of the fact that the best performance in his newest effort is by an actress who spends three quarters of the film mostly quiet? Leigh does more with her eyes and physicality than most other actresses could do with all that and the fancy words, too.