01/27/2004
Academy Award Nominations
Well the nominations are out and all over town the overlooked are gnashing their teeth with jealousy and rage. The holiday season has just ended and here in Los Angeles it's begun again. Of course, this holiday season is far holier and even more materialistic to Angelenos than the one that takes place in December.
It always reminds me that I have yet to see so many films. Some thoughts:
Of the "Best Picture" nominees I've seen Lost in Translation and Master and Commander. I loved liked Lost in Translation even though the movie theater I saw it in was nearly 100 degrees because the air conditioning was broken. One too many languorous shots of Scarlett Johanssen looking out her hotel window. The perspective on the otherness of Eastern culture was dead on.
Master and Commander: I never thought I'd like a period ship movie so much. Swarthy, fresh-faced young men and their shipboard relationships: excellent. The pacing was balanced and exciting. Did anybody notice the inclusion of Russell Crowe's two second flirtation with the Brazilian beauty when the ship went in to get supplies? Just so people wouldn't get the wrong idea about his relationship with his naturalist shipmate?
Bill Murray was pure brilliance in Lost in Translation and although I haven't seen any other of the Best Actor performances I have a hard time believing the Academy wouldn't reward Murray with a trophy after his long career.
Best Actress physical transformations: Charlize Theron is the Nicole Kidman of 2003. Naomi Watts won't win, but this nomination and her performance in 21 Grams will catapult her to the upper ranks of wanted actresses. She was amazing in David Lynch's Mulholland Drive and she is finally getting the respect she's entitled to! 21 Grams was perhaps the bleakest film I've ever seen in my life. Benicio del Toro was incredible as well.
I'm really glad to see smaller films like thirteen, 21 Grams, Pieces of April, and Whale Rider getting nominations. It puts some faith in the Academy's process. It's interesting to see that the addition of the "Animated Feature Film" category has kept big-grossing quality films like Finding Nemo out of the "Best Picture" category, which I think was their intent when they added the category. Keeps everybody happy, but the animated category feels like an afterthought at best. Well-reviewed films like The Triplets of Belleville seems like they don't have a chance up against box office leviathans like Nemo.
Am I completely out of it or is the "Original Song" category really wanting this year?
American Splendor was a film that seemed fairly average at the time that I saw it, but has stuck with me throughout the year. I think Hope Davis' performance in that movie was really, really sharp. It's a quirky, oddly moving film with an incredibly original narrative style.
I'm a bit upset that Gus van Sant's Elephant, which won the top prize at Cannes, was completely overlooked. I thought it was one of the most original films of the year.
Posted 1:00 PM EST by Andy Towle in Film & TV | Permalink
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If you want any evidence of Hollywood's political agenda, consider this: NO nominations for T3: Rise of the Machines!
I'm not expecting Best Actor, but perhaps Visual Effects?
Posted by: boifromtroy | Jan 27, 2004 1:50:21 PM
don't know how it happened but this year I have seen all the movies that got nominated for best actor and best actress. without a doubt Charlize Theron should get best actress. Naomi Watts was excellent and in any other year would deserve to get the win....but Charlize Theron's performance in Monster is the best I have seen in years.
As for best actor, I really think Johnny Depp or Sean Penn should get it. Both gave amazing performances.
Posted by: Will | Jan 27, 2004 2:16:34 PM
OK, forget the Oscars, let's talk about how hideous Nicole Kidman looked at the Golden Globes. I think that's why she wasn't nominated for the oscars.
As for predictions:
I think LOTR will win it finally this year. Sofia Coppola might edge out the competition for Best Director, but I think she'll get screenplay, instead.
As for Best Actress, I am going to go with the comedic Dianne Keaton based not on seeing the film but only on the fact that she's the last female to win B.A. for a comedic performance (Annie Hall). Look for her to do it again. Maybe she'll wear something cute for a change.
Bill Murray won't beat Penn, but it would be vindication for them overlooking "What About Bob?"
Best Song: "Kiss At The End Of The Rainbow" from "A Mighty Wind." This category is always lacking in my opinion. "How Do I Live" was totally snubbed for that powerfully-sung but not so lyrically great "My Heart Will Go On", and since then, I think that category sucks. Where was "Die Another Day?" Come on, now!
Posted by: Britt | Jan 27, 2004 4:38:47 PM
For my money, Jude Law should take home the Oscar for best actor. His performance in Cold Mountain was awesome. Apparently, momentum or as they say "buzz" is building for Sean Penn although his no-show at the GG might actually hurt him. I thought his performance was really hammy.
Glad to see that Tom Cruise and that snoozefest The Last Samurai did not get nominated. Perhaps people have finally realized that he is not an actor but rather a movie star and should really stick to stuff like Mission Impossible and Top Gun.
I'm also stunned about the inclusion of Master and Commander over Cold Mountain for Best Picture. M&C was just not that good. Surprised that Cold Mountain did not get nominated beyond Jude and Renee. Harvey must have pissed off somebody
As for the GG's...when did JLo morph into Liz Taylor circa 1970?
Posted by: HoyaBoy | Jan 27, 2004 9:25:47 PM
i concur with your comments about bill murray. i think this man has a depth that we must have somehow not seen before or directors have not plumbed...
Posted by: no milk | Jan 27, 2004 11:48:03 PM