76th Annual Academy Awards
February 29, 2004 - 2:37 pm
Today is Oscar Day, my favorite awards show. In fact, the Oscars to me are what the super bowl is to television ratings. It is my event! I feel the movie selection this year was much better than last year. I feel a lot stronger about a few of my picks. On with my selections...
Actress in a Leading Role
Nominees:
Keisha Castle-Hughes - 'Whale Rider'
Diane Keaton - 'Something's Gotta Give'
Samantha Morton - 'In America'
Charlize Theron - 'Monster'
Naomi Watts - '21 Grams'
Who I want to win: CHARLIZE THERON. Charlize's performance is the best I have seen in a really really long time. She is SO unrecognizable. She has her character memorized perfectly, even down to way she flips her hair. The other actresses in this category are ok, but when you compare them with Charlize, you realize how silly it'd be if they won over her. Charlize has to win. Or else. This is definitely the category that I feel most stongly about.
Who I think will win: CHARLIZE THERON. So far she has won just about every credible award show (including the Golden Globe and SAG award).
Actor in a Leading Role
Nominees:
Johnny Depp - 'Pirates of the Caribbean'
Ben Kingsley - 'House of Sand and Fog'
Jude Law - 'Cold Mountain'
Bill Murray - 'Lost in Translation'
Sean Penn - 'Mystic River'
Who I want to Win: BILL MURRAY. I really loved 'Lost in Translation,' and I can't really describe why. It's one of those quirky, feel good movies. And Bill Murray is the king of quirky comedy. He doesn't just provide comic relief in this film though. His character shows vulnerability and warmth. He's the kind of guy I'd want to hang out with if I was lost in some foreign city. While I feel that Jude Law should get an Oscar for his gorgeous face, 'Cold Mountain' was not an impressive (or believable) movie and neither was Jude's character. I will be upset if he wins. I don't think I'll be upset if Johnny Depp wins. While I don't feel that 'Pirates...' is an Oscar-calibur film, Depp is long overdue for recognition. I still want Bill Murray to win though (who is also long overdue for recognition).
Who I think will win: BILL MURRAY. There has been quite a buzz about Murray's chances. I really feel he has a good shot. On the other hand, Sean Penn could very well win. I have never really been a Sean Penn fan, but you can't deny that he's a great actor. He might just go home with the gold tonight. Although, the only thing I think of when I see him is his surfer-dude character in 'Fast Times at Ridgemont High.' Now that was a great performance!
Actress in a Supporting Role
Nominees:
Shohreh Aghdashloo - 'House of Sand and Fog'
Patricia Clarkson - 'Pieces of April'
Marcia Gay Harden - 'Mystic River'
Holly Hunter - 'Thirteen'
Renee Zellweger - 'Cold Mountain'
Who I want to win: RENEE ZELLWEGER. I really don't feel that strongly about this category. No matter who wins, I won't be unhappy. I really don't like Renee Zellweger, and I didn't like the movie 'Cold Mountain.' However, Renee's acting was wonderful. Even though her character was silly and almost out of place, she did a good job. I didn't see 'House of Sand and Fog' or 'Pieces of April,' so my vote could have easily been one of those performances. But between Holly Hunter, Marcia Gay Harden, and Renee, Renee definitely was best. Hunter and Harden, while good, were mostly annoying. They seemed to be somewhat struggling in their roles.
Who I think will win: RENEE ZELLWEGER. I feel that the Academy rewards certain actors who they feel got overlooked previously or who was nominated previously, but didn't win. I feel that is what happened last year with Nicole Kidman. Her performance in 'The Hours' was nothing spectacular, but the Academy had messed up before with failing to give her the golden statue for 'Moulin Rouge.' Also, this has to be the reason why Julia Roberts won for 'Erin Brockovich.' The movie was all right, but not even close to an Oscar movie. Plus, Roberts was up against Ellen Burstyn's performance in 'Requiem For a Dream.' I often wonder if Julia watchs 'Requiem...' and thinks "How the hell did I win?" With 'Chicago' and 'Bridget Jones...' on Zellweger's resume, she just might get the sympathy vote tonight.
Actor in a Supporting Role
Nominees:
Alec Baldwin - 'The Cooler'
Benicio Del Toro - '21 Grams'
Djimon Hounsou - 'In America'
Tim Robbins - 'Mystic River'
Ken Watanabe - 'The Last Samurai'
Who I want to win: TIM ROBBINS. Here is a perfect example of a good actor who has failed to get recognized for his incredible talent. Tim Robbins is one of those actors I feel could do anything. He already acts, directs, producers, and writes. What more can one person in the business do? He deserves to win this award. Benicio already won an Oscar, and his performance in '21 Grams' wasn't extremely outstanding. The other guys nominated are just so-so, but Robbins is amazing.
Who I think will win: TIM ROBBINS. I don't know why, but I feel that the Academy shares my opinion that Robbins is definitely overdue for some recognition. I don't think that Alec Baldwin stands much a chance, even though he's got quite a resume with no nominations to show for it. Robbins was nominated for being the creativity behind 'Dead Man Walking.'
Directing
Nominees:
'City of God'
'The Lord of the Rings: Return on the King'
'Lost in Translation'
'Master and Commander'
'Mystic River'
Who I want to win: LOST IN TRANSLATION. My vote is going to go to Sophia Coppola for her direction for 'Lost in Translation.' However, I will be more than pleased if Peter Jackson wins for 'Lord of the Rings...' I wouldn't even mind if Clint Eastwood won for 'Mystic River.' I haven't seen the other two, but I definitely don't want 'Master and Commander' to win, because it's a Russell Crowe project. He makes me sick. I've heard good things about 'City of God,' so I'm sure it deserves to be nominated. I'll be rooting 60% for Sophia Coppola and 40% for Peter Jackson.
Who I think will win: LORD OF THE RINGS... I really feel that this is going to be the year for 'Lord of the Rings.' I think that this film will sweep every award it is nominated for. The previous two films haven't scored any major awards, so I almost feel the academy is obligated this year. They will regret it if they don't. They'll look back on the trilogy and slap themselves that they let three great movies slide by, getting recognition only through nominations. Nope. LOTR will definitely win big tonight.
Documentary Feature
Who I want to win: FOG OF WAR. I only saw one movie in this category, but it was absolutely amazing. FOG OF WAR is definitely my pick. It is such a great perspective on war and history.
Writing (Original Screenplay)
Who I want to win: FINDING NEMO. I am only including this category, because I LOVED 'Finding Nemo,' especially Ellen DeGeneres's character Dory. While I feel that Ellen bro