A few days ago I posted a riff about Will Smith being regarded in some quarters as an eccentric-orbit kind of guy, and therefore is probably looking at an uphill effort to win a Best Actor nomination for his performance as Dr. Bennet Omalu, the real-life forensic pathologist who discovered chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), in Peter Landesman‘s Concussion (Sony, 12.25). Reaction from guy who’s seen Concussion: “Uh, no. And by the way, there were only three standing ovations at Hollywood Film Awards last Sunday night — Jane Fonda, Robert De Niro and….Will Smith.” To which I responded, “I suspect they were applauding his fame and monetary success, not the man and certainly not the artist.” Concussion guy: “Not so sure. But maybe, just maybe, you should wait to see the film (it’s great) before beginning the takedown.” Me: “What takedown? I have no dog in this. Smith’s rep is his rep.”