RECOMMENDED: Charlie Wilson's War (2007)

If Ides Of March made us think that Philip Seymour Hoffman would make one heck of a political fixer in real life, this Aaron Sorkin-scripted satire made us think that he probably wouldn’t. The handbreak is well and truly off in a Hoffman performance that spans all the emotions from mild annoyance to full-blown rage as his paunchy CIA spook Gust Avrakotos rails against his Agency superiors like Jason Bourne with angina. About as politically sensitive as a tornado in an ill-fitting suit, the role is a fantastic showcase for both the actor’s schlebbier side and his ability to chomp the scenery when called upon. The Academy certainly thought so, giving him his second Best Actor nomination.