Oscar
2001 Preview
Tuesday, February 12th at 5:30 in the freaking
morning, Frank Pierson, President of Academy of Motion Picture
Arts and Sciences and actress Marcia Gay Harden announced
the major nominations for 2001 Academy Awards. Harden was
there because she was last year's winner for Best Supporting
Actress for "Pollack."
Below are the nominations, some of my thoughts,
some rants, as well as my pick and the probable winner.
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Some notes of interest:
This is the first time two African American
men have ever been nominated in the same year for Best Actor.
This marks the first time in 30 years that
3 African-American actors have been nominated in the best
acting categories, Will smith in "Ali," Denzel in "Training
Day" and Halle Berry in "Monster's Ball." (I don't remember
Berry being in that Disney cartoon. Oh, wait.) In 1972 it
was Paul Winfield and Cicely Tyson in "Sounder" and Diana
Ross in "Lady Sings the Blues."
"Lord of the Rings" has 13 nominations.
That is one off the record of 14 shared by "Titanic" and "All
about Eve."
"Moulin Rouge" and "A Beautiful Mind," meanwhile,
each have 8 nods.
"Moulin Rouge" is the first musical nominated
for Best Picture since 1979's "All That Jazz," unless, of
course, you count the Disney animated "Beauty and Beast" which
was nominated for Best flick in 1991. The last musical to
win the award was "Oliver!" in 1968
Some missing nods (Shame on the Academy!):
*"Waking
Life" for Best Animated Feature.
*"Black
Hawk Down" for Best Picture.
*Baz Luhrman for Best Director.
*Any number of songs from "Hedwig"
and "Moulin Rouge" for Best Song.
*Thora Birch for Best Actress in "Ghost
World."
*Billy Bob Thornton for Best Actor in "The
Man Who Wasn't There"
Films I still need to see: Iris, Ali, Training
Day, I am Sam, LOTR, Monsters Ball…
The Academy Awards will be telecast on Sunday,
March 24th at the new Kodak theater in Hollywood. The last
time the telecast originated from Hollywood was in 1960.
To be hosted by Whoopi Goldberg, who last
did the honors in 1998. Last year's host was Steve Martin.
Writing staff this year, for the 13th time,
will be led by gay comedian and writer Bruce
Villanch, whose staff this year consists of several comedians
and writers, including African-American, female comedian Wanda
Sikes.
BEST
PICTURE:
A
BEAUTIFUL MIND
GOSFORD
PARK
IN
THE BEDROOM
THE LORD OF THE RINGS:
THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING
MOULIN
ROUGE
"A Beautiful Mind" has the buzz. The Academy
members like a good film that stars "name actors," is directed
by a "name director" and also makes good money. Plus, Ron
Howard has been snubbed so many times, it is felt he is owed.
With Howard and Crowe popular in their categories, look for
"Mind" to win here. "LOTR" and "In the Bedroom" are the real
longshots here. I don't think they've got a chance against
these other films. In 10 years, however, the film that will
still stand up is "Moulin Rouge." Of these five, it will become
the classic. Sadly, it will lose.
My Choice: Moulin
Rouge
Who Will Probably Win:
A Beautiful Mind
DIRECTING:
Ron Howard - A BEAUTIFUL MIND
Ridley Scott - BLACK HAWK DOWN
Robert Altman - GOSFORD PARK
Peter Jackson - THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE
FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING
David Lynch
- MULHOLLAND
DRIVE
Wow, Lynch. That's one of this year's biggest
surprises. I have not seen "LOTR" but nothing Jackson could
do could impress me more than the other 4 here. Picking one
is difficult. My admiration for "Mind" has waned in the passing
days. I love Lynch too much to be objective. Scott and Altman
have made admirable films. I hate to to have to pick just
one but if I do, I'll pick Altman. I'll bet the Academy will
too. Ron Howard is still Opie to too many voters. Sure, he
has a chance, but people are going to vote for "Mind" for
Best Picture and then turn around and pick the elder statesman
of film, Altman, for directing. Everyone will think that Howard
is due, but this will work against him, I'm betting. And where
the hell is Baz Luhrman?
My Choice: Robert
Altman
Who Will Probably Win:
Robert Altman
ACTOR
IN A LEADING ROLE:
Russell Crowe - A Beautiful Mind
Sean Penn - I am Sam
Will Smith - Ali
Denzel Washington - Training Day
Tom Wilkinson - In the Bedroom
Well, I've still got to see "Ali," "Training
Day" and "I am Sam." I've never been this far behind on the
Best Actor category. Who knew "Training Day" would get some
nominations? I'm going to have to hold off on picking who
I would like to see win until I amass more info. Denzel could
be a surprise winner here. Wilkinson is the longshot. Smith
and Penn have no real chance. Crowe will repeat. His speech
will be far more conceited this year.
My Choice: TBD
Who Will Probably Win:
Russell Crowe
ACTRESS
IN A LEADING ROLE:
Halle Berry - Monster's Ball
Judi Dench - Iris
Nicole Kidman - Moulin Rouge
Sissy Spacek - In the Bedroom
Renée Zellweger - Bridget
Jones's Diary
I have not seen "Monsters Ball" and "Iris"
has not been released in Austin yet. Still, these two films
really don't matter as the race here is between Kidman and
Spacek, who shared honors at the Golden Globes. Academy voters
will have to pick one, though. I'm guessing that Spacek will
beat out Kidman's more frivolous role (voters are going to
shy away from honoring her singing even thought it is quite
good). Spacek will win for her body of work as well as her
performance in this role. Zellweger is a huge longshot.
My Choice: TBD
Who Will Probably
Win: Sissy Spacek
ACTOR
IN A SUPPORTING ROLE:
Jim Broadbent - Iris
Ethan Hawke - Training Day
Ben Kingsley - Sexy
Beast
Ian McKellen - THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE
FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING
Jon Voight - Ali
Wow, sadly the only film I've seen here
is "Sexy Beast." As I've said, "Iris" hasn't been released
in Austin, I don't think. Again, I'll have to wait to decide
who I would like to see win. This one's a real horse race.
Anyone could get it. Hawke is probably the longshot. Broadbent
may have a shot as voters will want to reward him for "Iris"
and "Moulin Rouge." Voight, McKellen and Kingsley are all
well respected and any one of them could easily walk away
with the prize. I'll make a projection though.
My Choice: TBD
Who Will Probably Win:
Ian McKellen
ACTRESS
IN A SUPPORTING ROLE:
Jennifer Connelly - A Beautiful Mind
Helen Mirren - Gosford Park
Maggie Smith - Gosford Park
Marisa Tomei - In the Bedroom
Kate Winslet - Iris
I've seen them all but "Iris." I don't know
what Winslet does with the role but I'm doubtful it could
impress me more than what Maggie Smith does in "Gosford Park."
Her subdued giggling fit when hot liquid is spilled on Ryan
Phillippe's lap is worth the price of admission alone. Sure,
partially this is for her body of work, but of the four performances
I've seen, hers is also the best. Tomei is the only longshot
here. Voters feel she is already one up on the Academy since
she won for "My Cousin Vinnie" in the 90's. Nobody can beat
Connelly; not only does she have the "ingenue wins the Supporting
Actress" history to rule in her favor, but she is worthy of
the prize with her performance in "Mind" as well.
My Choice: Maggie
Smith
Who Will Probably Win:
Jennifer Connelly
ANIMATED
FEATURE FILM:
JIMMY NEUTRON: BOY GENIUS
MONSTERS,
INC.
SHREK
Where the fuck is "Waking Life?" Academy
voters have made this category a laughing stock in its first
appearance. What a joke! Linklater should go to the front
offices of Nickelodeon and take a big shit in their potted
plant. "Jimmy Neutron," my ass.
My Choice: Fuck it
- WAKING LIFE
Who Will Probably Win:
Who cares? It's a joke category now anyway.
No, really.
Oh, okay.
My Choice: Monsters
Inc
Who Will Probably Win:
Shrek
WRITING
(ADAPTED SCREENPLAY):
A BEAUTIFUL MIND
GHOST
WORLD
IN THE BEDROOM
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF
THE RING
SHREK
I don't care that I said "A Beautiful Mind"
had the best script in my 2001 year-end wrap up. "Ghost World"
deserves a nod and deserves a win. I know it is wishful thinking.
This is one where "LOTR" could actually nudge out "Mind,"
but I don't think so.
My Choice: Ghost World
Who Will Probably Win:
A Beautiful Mind
WRITING
(ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY):
AMÉLIE
GOSFORD PARK
MEMENTO
MONSTER'S BALL
THE
ROYAL TENENBAUMS
Could the Academy honor the piece of stinky
crap that is the script to "Royal Tenenbaums?" I sure hope
not. I think this is "Memento" all the way. No question about
it.
My Choice: Memento
Who Will Probably Win:
Memento
FILM
EDITING:
A BEAUTIFUL MIND
BLACK HAWK DOWN
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF
THE RING
MEMENTO
MOULIN ROUGE
How can you not pick "Memento" here? (Well,
if you were a professional editor who knew what he was talking
about…) The Best Editing Oscar nod for "Memento" is really
a nod to the structure of the film, not really the editing
job alone. Still, I'd like to see the film get something for
its unique structure.
My Choice: Memento
Who Will Probably Win:
Memento
FOREIGN
LANGUAGE FILM:
AMÉLIE
ELLING
LAGAAN
NO MAN'S LAND
SON OF THE BRIDE
I have only seen "Amelie." I won't see any
of the others. The trailer for "No Man's Land" is horrible.
My
Choice: N/A
Who
Will Probably Win: Amelie
MUSIC
(SCORE):
A.I. ARTIFICIAL
INTELLIGENCE
A BEAUTIFUL MIND
HARRY
POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF
THE RING
MONSTERS, INC.
"A.I." by John Williams and "Monsters, Inc"
by Randy Newman are actually longshots here because these
guys have been showered in gold statues in the past. I think
that while voters are looking for new blood the "Beautiful
Mind" buzz will work here. It's actually a really good score.
My Choice: A Beautiful
Mind
Who Will Probably Win:
A Beautiful Mind
MUSIC
(SONG):
KATE
& LEOPOLD - "Until" by Sting
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF
THE RING - "May It Be" by Enya
MONSTERS, INC. - "If I Didn't Have You" by
Randy Newman
PEARL
HARBOR - "There You'll Be" by Faith Hill (Written by Diane
Warren)
VANILLA
SKY - "Vanilla Sky" by Paul McCartney
Are these the 5 lamest, most gawdawful songs
ever to be nominated or what? Are we going to have to kill
Newman and Sting and Warren to get some decent new blood in
here. Were they afraid Ewen MacGregor would come sing "Come
What May" if it were nominated? Are they afraid he would wear
a swan shaped codpiece? These lame ass songs aren't really
even in the movies are they? They're all over end credits,
aren't they? HEY! WHERE THE FUCK IS A SONG FROM "HEDWIG?"
Where is a song from "Moulin Rouge?" These are the worst nominations
in any category ever! Academy members need to get their heads
out of their asses and work to find some awesome nominations
in this category or simply lay it to rest. These nominees
are D.O. fucking A. I don't even remember the McCartney song
from the film, but McCartney is a shoe-in once it is announced
he will perform his song live on the show.
My Choice: Kill Diane
Warren.
Who Will Probably
Win: Anyone who puts on the Hedwig Soundtrack and cranks it
up while turning down the TV sound during the lame performances
on the telecast. Hollywood is indeed a Wicked Little Town!
ART DIRECTION:
AMÉLIE
GOSFORD PARK
HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF
THE RING
MOULIN ROUGE
My Choice: Moulin
Rouge
Who Will Probably Win:
Moulin Rouge
CINEMATOGRAPHY:
AMÉLIE
BLACK HAWK DOWN
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF
THE RING
THE
MAN WHO WASN'T THERE
MOULIN ROUGE
My Choice: The Man
Who Wasn't There
Who Will Probably Win:
Black Hawk Down
COSTUME
DESIGN:
THE AFFAIR OF THE NECKLACE
GOSFORD PARK
HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF
THE RING
My Choice: Gosford
Park
Who Will Probably Win:
LOTR
DOCUMENTARY
FEATURE:
CHILDREN UNDERGROUND
LALEE'S KIN: THE LEGACY OF COTTON
MURDER ON A SUNDAY MORNING
PROMISES
WAR PHOTOGRAPHER
I have seen none of
these.
DOCUMENTARY
SHORT SUBJECT:
ARTISTS AND ORPHANS: A TRUE DRAMA
SING!
THOTH
I have seen none of
these.
MAKEUP:
A BEAUTIFUL MIND
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF
THE RING
MOULIN ROUGE
My Choice: Moulin
Rouge
Who Will Probably Win:
LOTR
VISUAL
EFFECTS:
A.I. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF
THE RING
PEARL HARBOR
I still haven't seen "LOTR" and the other
two suck balls.
My Choice: N/A
Who Will Probably Win:
LOTR
SHORT
FILM -- ANIMATED:
FIFTY PERCENT GREY
FOR THE BIRDS GIVE UP YER AUL SINS
STRANGE INVADERS
STUBBLE TROUBLE
I have actually seen "For the Birds" and
"Stubble Trouble." "Stubble" is not all that. "For the Birds,"
a Pixar film that played before "Monsters, Inc.," is hilarious
and worthy. I'll hope for it.
My Choice: For the
Birds
Who Will Probably Win:
?
SHORT
FILM -- LIVE ACTION:
THE ACCOUNTANT
COPY SHOP
GREGOR'S GREATEST INVENTION
A MAN THING (Meska Sprawa)
SPEED FOR THESPIANS
I have seen "The Accountant" and it cannot
lose. It played at the Austin Film
Festival. I've met the guys who made it and they are great.
If they win, the speech will be a hoot.
My Choice: The Accountant
Who Will Probably Win:
The Accountant
SOUND:
AMÉLIE
BLACK HAWK DOWN
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF
THE RING
PEARL HARBOR
Got me.
SOUND
EDITING:
MONSTERS, INC.
PEARL HARBOR
Ditto.
Well that's it! Get out granny's cheese dip recipe and go
to the liquor store. March 24th will be here soon. We've got
the Independent Spirit Awards and the Razzies before then too!
Look for "Ghost World" all over the ISA and "A.I." all over
the Razzies.
Lodger2002
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