Oscar Nominations
Deb asked me earlier if I planned to talk about the Oscar nominations today. She knows I'm an Oscar junkie. Sure, why not?
Best motion picture of the year
"Chicago" (Miramax)
"Gangs of New York" (Miramax)
"The Hours" (Paramount and Miramax)
"The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers" (New Line)
"The Pianist" (Focus Features)
Well, I'm happy to see "Towers" on here, as it was my favorite movie of last year, but it will not win. Peter Jackson and gang may well take all the marbles in 2004 when the LOTR trilogy is complete, but not now. This year the winner will be "Chicago".
Achievement in directing
"Chicago" (Miramax) Rob Marshall
"Gangs of New York" (Miramax) Martin Scorsese
"The Hours" (Paramount and Miramax) Stephen Daldry
"The Pianist" (Focus Features) Roman Polanski
"Talk to Her" (Sony Pictures Classics) Pedro Almodovar
Rings fans are crying in their beer today because Peter Jackson isn't on this list (inviting jokes again about nominated Best Pictures that seemingly directed themselves), but I'd say it's a safe bet PJ will be the front-runner in this category next year. Oscar's gonna go sentimental and give the award to Martin Scorsese this year.
Performance by an actor in a leading role
Adrien Brody in "The Pianist" (Focus Features)
Nicolas Cage in "Adaptation" (Sony Pictures Releasing)
Michael Caine in "The Quiet American" (Miramax and Intermedia)
Daniel Day-Lewis in "Gangs of New York" (Miramax)
Jack Nicholson in "About Schmidt" (New Line)
Haven't seen any of these movies, but I gather this is a really strong list this year. It won't go to Nicholson (didn't he just win a few years back with Helen Hunt?). Daniel Day-Lewis seems to have the buzz, though Michael Caine is really well liked.
Performance by an actress in a leading role
Salma Hayek in "Frida" (Miramax)
Nicole Kidman in "The Hours " (Paramount and Miramax)
Diane Lane in "Unfaithful" (20th Century Fox)
Julianne Moore in "Far From Heaven" (Focus Features)
Renee Zellweger in "Chicago" (Miramax)
I suspect this will be a battle between Nicole Kidman and Julianne Moore. Nicole lost out last year, so she'll probably win this year. She's playing a respected literary character, that'll help her, too.
Performance by an actor in a supporting role
Chris Cooper in "Adaptation" (Sony Pictures Releasing)
Ed Harris in "The Hours" (Paramount and Miramax)
Paul Newman in "Road to Perdition"
John C. Reilly in "Chicago" (Miramax)
Christopher Walken in "Catch Me If You Can" (DreamWorks)
I'm sorry not to see Andy Serkis (Gollum) on this list, just for the interesting controversy it would have sparked over the next several weeks. This is another tough category, full of well-respected actors. Have only seen one of the five movies, so let's make it John C. Reilly for the win.
Performance by an actress in a supporting role
Kathy Bates in "About Schmidt" (New Line)
Julianne Moore in "The Hours" (Paramount and Miramax)
Queen Latifah in "Chicago" (Miramax)
Meryl Streep in "Adaptation" (Sony Pictures Releasing)
Catherine Zeta-Jones in "Chicago" (Miramax)
Yeah, they say Meryl is great in this part, but she has enough Oscars to sink a ship. The "Chicago" vote may cancel each other out. And I'm still fuming about Kathy Bates losing this Oscar a few years back when she was so fabulous in "Primary Colours" so I'm going with her.
Some more quickies:
Best Animated Picture:
I loved "Lilo and Stitch" and I may vote for it, but word seems to be that "Spirited On" will not be denied. I haven't seen it yet.
Art Direction:
Chicago.
Costumes:
Oh, my LOTR costumer friend in Buffalo must be having a fit today that "Two Towers" isn't even up for this award. She's still getting over that FOTR lost to "Moulin Rouge" last year. Again, I haven't -seen- four of these films, but I'll predict "Gangs of New York".
Best Documentary Feature:
Yay, Michael Moore! Hooray, Michael Moore! "Bowling For Columbine", it's got to be.
Editing:
They say "Gangs of New York" should take this one.
Make-up:
Another surprising category, until you realize all the big genre films last year (TTT, Clones, Spiderman, Harry Potter) used more CGI than make-up. Will have to go with "Frida" here.
Score:
I have no idea and will have to see what the critics are saying. Howard Shore's TTT score was my favorite score of the year (though he won last year and probably knocked himself out of contention this year). That Rohan theme was just breath-taking.
Song:
I haven't heard most of these songs, but I know it will go to U2. A classic Irish rock band playing a patriotic American song in a sprawling Irish-American epic? It's sure-fire.
Animated Short:
There's a Pixar cartoon in there...
Sound:
They say always go with the war movie for the Sound award. That seems to narrow it down to "Gangs" or "Rings". Let's give one to "Rings".
Sound editing:
And one to "Minority Report", which should have gotten more nominations.
Special Effects:
Ooo, as the two great fan franchises of recent years and two great special effects pioneers go head to head in this category (SW and LOTR). It's gotta be Gollum, right? Rings for the win. Yes, my precious.
(Aside: I'm shocked this is the only technical category where "Towers" and "Clones" are up against each other.)
Screenplay on Previous Material:
Here's where "Adaptation" will get its nod.
Original Screenplay:
And Oscar loves a feel-good moment, so I'm going to say "My Big Fat Greek Wedding".
And I of course reserve the right to change my mind on all these categories in the upcoming weeks :).
Any thoughts on these? Agree? Disagree? Let me know.
Exercise log: 45 minutes of winter walking. 959 minutes left to complete the Idita-Walk challenge.
Best motion picture of the year
"Chicago" (Miramax)
"Gangs of New York" (Miramax)
"The Hours" (Paramount and Miramax)
"The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers" (New Line)
"The Pianist" (Focus Features)
Well, I'm happy to see "Towers" on here, as it was my favorite movie of last year, but it will not win. Peter Jackson and gang may well take all the marbles in 2004 when the LOTR trilogy is complete, but not now. This year the winner will be "Chicago".
Achievement in directing
"Chicago" (Miramax) Rob Marshall
"Gangs of New York" (Miramax) Martin Scorsese
"The Hours" (Paramount and Miramax) Stephen Daldry
"The Pianist" (Focus Features) Roman Polanski
"Talk to Her" (Sony Pictures Classics) Pedro Almodovar
Rings fans are crying in their beer today because Peter Jackson isn't on this list (inviting jokes again about nominated Best Pictures that seemingly directed themselves), but I'd say it's a safe bet PJ will be the front-runner in this category next year. Oscar's gonna go sentimental and give the award to Martin Scorsese this year.
Performance by an actor in a leading role
Adrien Brody in "The Pianist" (Focus Features)
Nicolas Cage in "Adaptation" (Sony Pictures Releasing)
Michael Caine in "The Quiet American" (Miramax and Intermedia)
Daniel Day-Lewis in "Gangs of New York" (Miramax)
Jack Nicholson in "About Schmidt" (New Line)
Haven't seen any of these movies, but I gather this is a really strong list this year. It won't go to Nicholson (didn't he just win a few years back with Helen Hunt?). Daniel Day-Lewis seems to have the buzz, though Michael Caine is really well liked.
Performance by an actress in a leading role
Salma Hayek in "Frida" (Miramax)
Nicole Kidman in "The Hours " (Paramount and Miramax)
Diane Lane in "Unfaithful" (20th Century Fox)
Julianne Moore in "Far From Heaven" (Focus Features)
Renee Zellweger in "Chicago" (Miramax)
I suspect this will be a battle between Nicole Kidman and Julianne Moore. Nicole lost out last year, so she'll probably win this year. She's playing a respected literary character, that'll help her, too.
Performance by an actor in a supporting role
Chris Cooper in "Adaptation" (Sony Pictures Releasing)
Ed Harris in "The Hours" (Paramount and Miramax)
Paul Newman in "Road to Perdition"
John C. Reilly in "Chicago" (Miramax)
Christopher Walken in "Catch Me If You Can" (DreamWorks)
I'm sorry not to see Andy Serkis (Gollum) on this list, just for the interesting controversy it would have sparked over the next several weeks. This is another tough category, full of well-respected actors. Have only seen one of the five movies, so let's make it John C. Reilly for the win.
Performance by an actress in a supporting role
Kathy Bates in "About Schmidt" (New Line)
Julianne Moore in "The Hours" (Paramount and Miramax)
Queen Latifah in "Chicago" (Miramax)
Meryl Streep in "Adaptation" (Sony Pictures Releasing)
Catherine Zeta-Jones in "Chicago" (Miramax)
Yeah, they say Meryl is great in this part, but she has enough Oscars to sink a ship. The "Chicago" vote may cancel each other out. And I'm still fuming about Kathy Bates losing this Oscar a few years back when she was so fabulous in "Primary Colours" so I'm going with her.
Some more quickies:
Best Animated Picture:
I loved "Lilo and Stitch" and I may vote for it, but word seems to be that "Spirited On" will not be denied. I haven't seen it yet.
Art Direction:
Chicago.
Costumes:
Oh, my LOTR costumer friend in Buffalo must be having a fit today that "Two Towers" isn't even up for this award. She's still getting over that FOTR lost to "Moulin Rouge" last year. Again, I haven't -seen- four of these films, but I'll predict "Gangs of New York".
Best Documentary Feature:
Yay, Michael Moore! Hooray, Michael Moore! "Bowling For Columbine", it's got to be.
Editing:
They say "Gangs of New York" should take this one.
Make-up:
Another surprising category, until you realize all the big genre films last year (TTT, Clones, Spiderman, Harry Potter) used more CGI than make-up. Will have to go with "Frida" here.
Score:
I have no idea and will have to see what the critics are saying. Howard Shore's TTT score was my favorite score of the year (though he won last year and probably knocked himself out of contention this year). That Rohan theme was just breath-taking.
Song:
I haven't heard most of these songs, but I know it will go to U2. A classic Irish rock band playing a patriotic American song in a sprawling Irish-American epic? It's sure-fire.
Animated Short:
There's a Pixar cartoon in there...
Sound:
They say always go with the war movie for the Sound award. That seems to narrow it down to "Gangs" or "Rings". Let's give one to "Rings".
Sound editing:
And one to "Minority Report", which should have gotten more nominations.
Special Effects:
Ooo, as the two great fan franchises of recent years and two great special effects pioneers go head to head in this category (SW and LOTR). It's gotta be Gollum, right? Rings for the win. Yes, my precious.
(Aside: I'm shocked this is the only technical category where "Towers" and "Clones" are up against each other.)
Screenplay on Previous Material:
Here's where "Adaptation" will get its nod.
Original Screenplay:
And Oscar loves a feel-good moment, so I'm going to say "My Big Fat Greek Wedding".
And I of course reserve the right to change my mind on all these categories in the upcoming weeks :).
Any thoughts on these? Agree? Disagree? Let me know.
Exercise log: 45 minutes of winter walking. 959 minutes left to complete the Idita-Walk challenge.