Lodger's 75th Annual Academy Awards Notebook (This was an
early exclusive for Whipping
Post members)
Lodger will be hosting a Oscar's
chat for Whipping Post Members Only The night of the show.
Stay tune for more details.
Well, what a dull and bland morning for me today. Of all
the announcements that came at 7:30 in the morning on Tuesday,
only a couple, both in the same category, caused me to gasp.
In the category of original screenplay, my sweetheart
film of 2002, "Y tu mama tambien" actually scored a nomination.
Also in that same category, Pedro Almodovar also scored for
"Talk to Her." Why these two films were singled out by other
screenwriters over so many American films is anyone's guess,
but it was the only damn surprise of the day. Well, Almodovar's
nod for Best Director (nudging out Peter Jackson) was also
a bit of an eye-opener.
The rest of the awards were typical and expected. The
nauseatingly ubiquitous and highly undeserving "Chicago" received
13 nominations. What a sad commentary on American film. This
once again proves several things:
1. Actors are stupid. Who else votes for Best Film? Well,
everyone in the Academy does but there is no doubt that it
is the actors and the tech crews (read that: gay guys) who
have the biggest block of votes, not intellectuals. This is
why "Shakespeare in Love" beat out "Saving Private Ryan" a
few years ago.
2. You can still buy votes. Harvey Weinstein does indeed
do many good things for independent film in this country,
but he is a bloated tyrant at Oscar time and his endless hype,
purchased at a great price, for this film is a sad commentary
on how the Oscars really work. Tragically, the saddening performance
of "Chocolat" two years ago hasn't dissuaded Harv from throwing
his cash around this time of year.
"Chicago's" 13 nods ties it (with numerous films) for
second place behind "All About Eve" and "Titanic" (both with
14 nods) as the most nominations a film has ever received.
If Gere had gotten a nod, and he was the only major player
in "Chicago" who didn't tally a mention, then "Chicago" would
have 14 and tied for the most and I would be laying dead in
my office from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Whew. Suicide
on Oscar day averted once again.
Also undeserving and with numerous nods: Gangs of New
York: 10 The Hours: 9
More deserving films that did do well include "The Pianist"
with 7 nods and the worthy vanity project of Selma Hayek,
"Frida," which has 6.
It has happened before, but Julianne Moore joins that
select group of thespians who have been nominated in the same
year in two categories, although I believe she is the first
woman to have that distinction. Moore is up for Best Actress
for "Far From Heaven" and Best Supporting Actress for "The
Hours." It's almost safe to say she was nominated in two categories
for the same performance because the two characters were so
damn similar they almost canceled each other out. Thanks goodness
she is so worthy for her work in "Far From Heaven" that this
wonderful film buoyed her to the notice of her peers.
Meanwhile, Meryl Streep surpassed Katherine Hepburn as
the most nominated performer (male or female) in the history
of film. She now has 13 nominations in her history. Streep
is certainly worthy but that does make it a sad day for those
of us who really love Hepburn. What was a surprise was that,
unlike Moore, Streep didn't get a double nod, and move firmly
ahead with 14. While her work in "Adaptation" was noted, her
performance in "The Hours," which is far superior, was not.
By the way, Herburn's last win was 20 years ago for "On
Golden Pond."
Jack Nicholson ties Hepburn with his 12th nod for "About
Schmidt." He's already won three times but a forth seems inevitable.
Nicholson was already the most nominated male ever when he
had 11 nods. If he wins it will be his forth time to do so
and he will tie Hepburn for the most wins ever.
Paul Newman, meanwhile, gets his 10th mention for "Road
to Perdition." Michael Caine, nominated for "The Quiet American,"
has won twice for Supporting roles but never for the lead.
This is his 6th nomination.
With "Chicago" and "The Hours" the two hot films this
year, many pundits have noted that the role of women in films
looks to be honored by association this year, much like African-Americans
were last year. Maybe Hepburn will appear at the awards to
cement this idea in the minds of film fans.
A quick note that Hispanic films are also on a bit of
a pedestal should be included with "Y tu mama" and "Talk to
Her" getting script nods, Almodovar getting a director's nod
and the lackluster "Crimes of Father Amaro" getting a Best
Foreign Film nomination also brought on this attention.
The 90's proved that independent studios were a major
force in American films and there is a bit of similar hype
about this year's award as no "major" studio really has an
important nomination. Mirimax, which is considered an indie
player, and maybe incorrectly so, has four films to promote
and over 30 nominations. Wow. Only Paramount, which had a
hand in getting "The Hours" to screens, is considered a major
studio with a major nod.
That being said, it's really hard to call "Lord of the
Rings" an independent film with its huge budget. New Line
has moved somewhat into the realm of the majors, as has Mirimax,
in recent years. To make the matter more clear consider that
"The Two Towers" sequel has grossed $321 million since it
was released a few months ago. "The Pianist," at the other
end of the spectrum, has only grossed about 3. "The Pianist"
is distributed by Focus Features, who also released "Far From
Heaven."
"Chicago," of course, could be the first musical to win
a Best Picture Oscar in over 2 decades, since "Oliver!" nabbed
the prize in 1968. It might have held the distinction of being
the first live-action musical even nominated in decades if
the far superior and more deserving "Moulin Rouge" hadn't
been honored with mentions last year. 1991's "Beauty and the
Beast" fits into this category but gets less kudos because
it was considered more an animated film than a musical. My
biggest fear is that the incredibly inventive and original
"Moulin Rouge" might heave led to the greenlighting of crap
like "Chicago."
It's notable, I suppose, as well, that the second installment
of "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, "The Two Towers," becomes
only the second sequel to be nominated for Best Picture in
Oscar history. If the third (and final) part of the series
gets the nod next year (and it will), it will make only the
second time ever that three films from the same franchise
will ever have been nominated, or that all three parts of
a trilogy of films have ever been nominated. The only other
sequel ever to get a nod for Best Pic is "Godfather 2" and
"3."
Donald Kaufman, the co-writer of "Adaptation" with Charlie
Kaufman, is actually the first fictional person to ever be
nominated for an Oscar. A few nominees have actually been
pseudonyms of real people (mainly ashamed scriptwriters) but
Donald is a bit different than that. The character of Donald
became important to the script-writing process of "Adaptation"
when Kaufman wrote himself into the script and then wrote
his fictional twin brother into the script. Officials, by
the way, have already said that if "Adaptation" wins Kaufman
will only receive one statuette.
By the way, I learned today that Steve Martin will host
the awards. He's very funny and this will certainly make for
yet another entertaining evening. Too bad the Oscars couldn't
come up with an entertaining woman for the evening. (Martin
will be swimming in estrogen that night). Where's Whoopi?
My suggestion: Margaret Cho. Of course, this is as likely
to happen as my pick for the successor to Billy Crystal as
the the Best Host of all time, John Waters.
There is likely to be a couple of notable no shows at
the awards. Roman Polanski, nominated for Best Director for
"The Piano" is still on the lam running from a charge of child
rape over 20 years ago for fucking a 13 year old girl in Jack
Nicholson's hot tub. (The actor was not at home at the time,
legend says). Polanski is still a fugitive and the LA District
Attourney has said that he would be arrested if he came into
this country. (Imagine the after party if he shows up!)
And Peter O'Toole, who is slated to receive an honorary
award, has already said he won't show up because he feels
it is a consolation prize and that he still is capable as
an actor to win the award legitimately. O'Toole, who is 70,
graciously asked the Academy to hold the award until he was
80 in a letter to the board.
Other awards to look forward to include the Independent
Spirit Awards and the Razzies both of which are announced
the day before the Oscars. The Spirit Awards are usually broadcast
on Bravo or A&E. The Razzies are for the worst movies and
they are mainly an Internet award, even though they pre-date
they information highway. Madonna is nominated for three awards
this year: Worst Actress (Swept Away), Worst Supporting Actress
(Die Another Day) and Worst Song (Die Another Day). Big losers
on the Razzie noms this year include "Crossroads" (8 mentions),
"Swept Away" (7), "Star Wars 2" (7), "Pinocchio" (6), and
"Pluto Nash" (5). My worst film, "Kung Pow," was snubbed.
So, here we go with my look at the nominations, the names
that were surprisingly left out (not many), the names that
should have been mentioned but weren't, my thoughts on who
should win and who will win on March 23rd in LA.
Best Picture Nominees
Chicago
The
Hours
Gangs
of New York
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
The
Pianist
Oddly Missing
About Schmidt
Adaptation
My Big Fat Greek Wedding
Confessions
of a Dangerous Mind
My Anger
Far
From Heaven
Y
tu Mama
Longshot
The Lord of the Rings
Who Should Win
The Pianist
Who Will Win
Chicago
I can't believe that "Chicago" is getting such buzz going.
My only hope is that the buzz that left Richard Gere out of
the running for Best Actor will also leave this one in the
cold. The Mirimax machine is hot and running, however, and
I don't see anything, not even the hours, beating "Chicago."
Keep in mind that all 5.600+ Academy members, especially actors
and numerous gay guys, vote for Best Picture and a group of
queeny thespians will have no trouble in honoring this boring,
mean-spirited, ham-acted and poorly edited piece of crap.
Best Director
Pedro Almodovar - Talk
to Her
Rob Marshall - Chicago
Stephen Daldry - The Hours
Roman Polanski - The Piansit
Martin Scorsese - Gangs of New York
Oddly Missing
Peter Jackson
My Anger
Todd Haynes - Far
From Heaven
Longshot
Almodovar
Who Should Win
Almodovar
Who Will Win
Scorsese
Let's face it, of these 5 films, "Talk to Her" is the
most creative, inventive and worthy of being honored. That
being said, directors vote for Best Director and Scorsese
has been snubbed for years. He will win for his body of work.
Plus "Gangs" is a sweetheart vanity project and directors
will thoroughly enjoy honoring the idea that a director got
a multi-million-dollar sweetheart film made by a studio. Subconsciously,
they think if they vote for it, it will make it easier for
them to get their vanity projects funded.
Best Actor
Adrien Brody - The Pianist
Nicolas Cage - Adaptation
Michael Caine - The
Quiet American
Daniel Day-Lewis - Gangs of New York
Jack Nicholson - About Schmidt
Oddly Missing
Richard Gere
Leonardo DiCaprio
Ray Liotta
My Anger
Gael Garcia Bernal
Longshot
Adrien Brody
Who Should Win
Nicholson
Who Will Win
Nicholson
There will be no denying Jack on the big night. It's
too bad the Academy honored Nicholson for the Godawful "As
Good as it Gets" a few years ago. I still haven't forgiven
him for that shitty, homophobic film.
Best Actress
Selma Hayek - Frida
Nicole Kidman - The Hours
Diane Lane - Unfaithful
Julianne Moore - Far From Heaven
Rene Zellweger - Chicago
Oddly Missing
Meryl Streep - The Hours
My Anger
Maribel Verdu
Longshot
Diane Lane
Who Should Win
Julianne Moore
Who Will Win
Rene Zellweger
And I will find it hard not to throw something through
my TV. That "Far From Heaven" and Todd Haynes, its director,
were snubbed for an Oscar makes me furious! And that the shitty
"Chicago," a mean-spirited, vile, bile-spewing piece of Broadway/Hollywood
crap would beat it out makes me even more nagry. If I ever
meet Rob Marshall I am going to scratch his eyes out. Insipid
fuck. I won't deny that Zellweger did a very good job with
her role, but it's nowhere near as wonderful as the understated
and subdued performance that Moore gives. Moore has won 12
of the 17 major critical acting awards this year. That will
mean nothing to Academy voters.
Supporting Actor
Chris Cooper - Adaptation
Ed Harris - The Hours
Paul Newman - Road to Perdition
John C. Reily - Chicago
Christopher Walken - Catch
Me If You Can
Oddly Missing
Dennis Quaid
My Anger
Keiran Culkin - Dangerous
Lives of Altar Boys
Ralph Waite - Sunshine
State
Longshot
Ed Harris
Who Should Win
Chris Cooper
Who Will Win
Chris Cooper
That Reily even got nominated is a surprise since he
strred in so many films this year in supporting roles. Still,
this one is all Cooper. If you're going to Vegas, this is
the one sure thing this year.
Best Supporting Actress
Kathy Bates - About Schmidt
Julianne Moore - The Hours
Queen Latifah - Chicago
Meryl Streep - Adaptation
Catherine Zeta-Jones - Chicago
Oddly Missing
Susan Sarandan - Igby
Goes Down
My Anger
Jodie Foster - Dangerous Lives of Altar
Boys
Longshot
Streep
Who Should Win
Kathy Bates
Who Will Win
Julianne Moore
This one is really a horse race; anyone could walk away
with the prize. I'm betting that voters will vote for Zellweger
for Best Actress and then vote for Moore here as a sort of
consolation prize. Still, any sort of buzz could begin to
circulate for any one of these women at any time. Best Supporting
Actress is often a surprise (remember Mira Sorvino and Marisa
Tomei?). If Queen Latifah walked away with the prize, I wouldn't
be surprised in the least. Even though Streep won the Golden
Globe, I think Academy voters are tired of writing down her
name. Note that she didn't even get nominated for Best Actress
in "The Hours" and that Richard Gere, a Golden Globe winner,
didn't even get nominated. Moral: Golden Globes are meaningless.
Best Original Screenplay
Far From Heaven
Gangs of New York
My Big Fat Greek Wedding
Talk to Her
Y tu mama tambien
Oddly Missing
none
My Anger
Roger Dodger
Sunshine State
Longshot
Y tu Mama tambien
Who Should Win
Y tu Mama tambien
Who Will Win
Gangs of New York
Scriptwriters are smarter than actors and that's why
they have honored some really exceptional films here. Of course,
they can be as guilty of being star struck and as typical
as any thespian. And even though they have nominated 3 really
excellent scripts, they will fall into the trap of honoring
Scorsese's sweetheart project and by proxy the lackluster
and flimsy script.
Best Adapted Screenplay
About
a Boy
Adaptation
Chicago
The Hours
The Pianist
Oddly Missing
About Schmidt
Lord of the Rings
My Anger
Confessions of a Dangerous Mind
Longshot
About a Boy
Who Should Win
Adaptation
Who Will Win
Adaptation
Another sure bet. Kaufman is a shoe-in. I just wish he
would have gotten a double nod for both his amazing and unique
script adaptations this year. (I'm trying to move "Human Nature"
out of my mind).
Best Foreign Film
Crimes
of Father Amaro - Mexico
Hero - China
The Man without a Past - Finland
Nowhere in Africa - Germany
Zus and Zo - Netherlands
Oddly Missing
Y tu Mama Tambien (Mexico submitted
Father Amaro instead)
Talk to Her (Spain submitted another
film)
My Anger
Y ti mama tambien
Talk to Her
Longshot
Zus and Zo
Who Should Win
I Don't care
Who Will Win
No one cares
If "Father Amaro" wins I will cry.
Best Animated Feature
Ice Age
Lilo and Stitch
Spirit: Stallion of the Cimmaron
Spirited Away
Treasure
Planet
Oddly Missing
None
My Anger
Waking
Life
Longshot
Spirit: Stallion of the Cimmaron
Who Should Win
Spirited Away
Who Will Win
Ice Age
I'm still pissing vinegar over the fact that "Waking
Life" was snubbed from the statue last year. This category
is a joke and to prove it, Academy voters will honor something
mainstream like "Ice Age" rather than "Spirited Away." Note
that three of the five films are Disney related. Dumbasses.
Best Cinematogrpahy
Chicago
Far From Heaven
Gangs of New York
The Pianist
Road to Perdition
Who Should Win
Far from Heaven
Who Will Win
Gangs of New York
No comment will be forthcoming through my tears.
Art Direction
Chicago
Frida
Gangs of New York
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Road to Perdition
Oddly Missing
Far from Heaven
Who Should Win
Frida
Who Will Win
Chicago
Who cares? "Far From Heaven" wasn't even nominated proving
that Art Directors wouldn't know true art if they were paid
to create it.
Best Costumes
Chicago
Frida
Gangs of New York
The Hours
The Pianist
Oddly Missing
Far from Heaven
My Anger
Far from Heaven
Who Should Win
Frida
Who Will Win
Chicago
Who cares? "Far From Heaven" wasn't even nominated proving
that Art Directors wouldn't know true art if they were paid
to create it. (Whoops, I used cut and paste, I meant Costume
Designers).
Best Documentary
Bowling
for Columbine
Daughter from Danang
Prisoner of Paradise
Spellbound
Winged Migration
Oddly Missing
The Kid Stays in the Picture
My Anger
Dogtown
and ZBoys
Who Should Win
Bowling for Columbine
Who Will Win
Bowling for Columbine
I can't believe that I saw over 30 documentaries last
year and of the 5 nominated, I've only seen one.
Best Editing
Chicago
Gangs of New York
The Hours
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
The Pianist
Who Should Win
Who cares
Who Will Win
Gangs of New York
Make-Up
Frida
The Time Machine
Who Should Win
Frida
Who Will Win
Frida
Why only two nominations?
Best Score
Catch Me If You Can - John Williams
Far From Heaven - Elmer Bernstein
Frida - Elliot Goldenthal
The Hours - Phillip Glass
Road to Perdition - Thomas Newman
Oddly Missing
Peter Gabriel - Rabbit-Proof
Fence
My Anger
Phillip Glass
Longshot
None
Who Should Win
Elmer Bernstien
Who Will Win
Elmer Bernstien
I can't believe Glass was nominated here. I mean, I love
Glass but his score was so diametrically opposed to "The Hours."
Pretentious shit. My only hope is that the musical geniuses
who vote for Best Score will see that not only is Bernstein's
score the best of the year, but that he deserves this win
immensely.
Best Original Song
Burn it Blue from Frida by Julie Taymor
and Elliot Goldenthal
Father and Daughter from The Wild
Thornberrys Movie by Paul Simon
The Hands that Built America from
Gangs of New York by U2
I Move On by Kander and Ebb from Chicago
Lose Yourself from 8
Mile by Eminem
My Anger
Hedwig
and the Angry Inch
Longshot
Burn it in Blue
Who Should Win
Lose Yourself
Who Will Win
Hands that Built America
Just to see Eminem on the Awards show performing his
song is going to be amazing. This is the biggest coup since
"Blame Canada" was nominated from the "South Park" movie a
few years ago.
I'm still bitter about "Hedwig" being snubbed last year
(or two years ago or whatever) and I can't believe that fucking
"Chicago" put in a newly written song just so they could get
a nomination. Assholes.
Finally, I gotta ask… "Frida" had an original song? I
don't even remember that. It's sad that U2's tacked on piece
of typical bloated U2 shit will win over Em.
Best Visual Effects
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Spider-Man
Star
Wars 2: Attack of the Clones
My Anger
Star Wars 2
Who Should Win
Spider-Man
Who Will Win
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
I'd like "Spider-Man" to win if only for that gooey web
scene.
And that's the Oscar noms for this year. I can honestly say
I've never cared less about who wins. If "Far From Heaven" and
Todd Haynes had been nominated I'd be sitting breathlessly by
my TV. Still, we here at filethirteen love movies as much as
we love bitching about movies. On the 23rd, we'll have a chatroom
set up so we can all sit around and chitchat while the award
show roles on and on (even though Academy President Frank Pierson
promised an early evening that night).
Looking forward to the party more than the winners for
the first time ever,
Lodger2003
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