Overlooked top-notch performers

When the Oscar nominations are announced Tuesday, they will undoubtedly overlook some of the year’s most fun and lively performances. Among them:

“Daniel Craig, “Casino Royale”: No performance was more anticipated last year than Craig’s entry into the 007 canon, and the consensus was clear: the blond Bond more than met expectations. Craig’s nuanced performance came in that dirty genre (“action movie”) and therefore isn’t suited for the Oscars, even though they share the same taste in attire (tuxedos).

“Jack Black, “Nacho Libre”: As a wannabe Mexican wrestler, Black’s insanity leaps off the screen in the sometimes too-precious “Nacho Libre.” Whether in his red and aqua suit or simply curly-haired and mustachioed, seldom has a movie character ever been so funny simply by appearance.

“The kids: Child actors are infrequently honored, but several young actors were every bit as good as their elders in 2006: Ivana Baquero in “Pan’s Labyrinth,” Abigail Breslin in “Little Miss Sunshine” and the teenage Shareeka Epps in “Half Nelson.”

“Dave Chappelle, “Block Party”: It’s true that “Block Party” is a documentary, but don’t let that fool you – Chappelle is most certainly playing a part, hosting the concert he’s always wanted to see as a mix of comedian, music-lover and social do-gooder. He’s at his best doing his James Brown impression, explaining the power of “Hit me!”

“Aaron Eckhart, “Thank You for Smoking”: With a politician’s smile, Eckhart impressively embodies tobacco lobbyist Nick Naylor in this satire of political correctness. Naylor doesn’t miss a beat when his son asks him why the U.S. government is best: “Because of our endless appeals system.”

“Mark Wahlberg, “The Departed”: Wahlberg is quietly putting together a solid resume as a supporting player. Before his fiery, expletive-laced performance in “The Departed,” his existential motormouth was the best thing about “I (Heart) Huckabees.”

“Catherine O’Hara, “For Your Consideration”: As an over-the-hill actress nearly deformed by plastic surgery, O’Hara stands out in Christopher Guest’s mockumentary about a small film (“Home for Purim”) that magically gathers wholly unwarranted Oscar buzz. If the academy had a better taste for irony, it would nominate her.

“Kevin Kline, “A Prairie Home Companion”: Kline is clearly having fun in bringing to life Guy Noir, the recurring ‘40s-style private eye character in Garrison Keillor’s beloved radio program.

Maybe – like Greg Kinnear in “Little Miss Sunshine” – Kline gets overlooked for making it seem so effortless.

“Rob Brydon, “Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story”: If one pays attention to Michael Winterbottom’s uneven film-within-a-film, it’s clear all the best parts feature Brydon – especially his conversations with co-star Steve Coogan that bookend the movie.

While the credits roll, he discusses the influences on his craft:

“I look for truth, and that’s why I go to Pacino. That’s why I go to Hopkins. … I go to Streisand.”

“Ken Davitian, “Borat”: Of all the things in Sacha Baron Cohen’s film that one questions as real or fake, you don’t for a minute doubt Davitian as Azamat Bagatov, Borat’s (mostly) loyal sidekick and manager.

After all, he did supply most of the humor in the famed naked wrestling scene. (And people think Will Ferrell is immodest.)