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Friday, February 25, 2005
T he Academy Awards 2005
I was right on the money last year with every single one of my predictions (9 out of 9). Let's see if I can replicate the same feat again. You can check out my list of 2004's top ten best films.
Give me feedback on my picks and predictions. So who's gonna win? Who deserves a win? Let's discuss @ the SHOWER Room comments section.
Here are my picks and my predictions for sunday's oscar ceremonies.
Best Picture:
* The Aviator
* Finding Neverland
* Million Dollar Baby
* Ray
* Sideways
Will win: Million Dollar Baby
Should win: The Aviator
This is a two way race between MDB and TA. Technically, TA is the better film, but MDB delivers a strong emotional impact that pulls in academy voters. Ray's nomination is a win on its' own. Paul Giammati's snub for best actor does not bode well for Sideways' chances of a win.
My sentimental favourite is Finding Neverland. This movie made me cry, but some voters might find the film too manipulative and will deem its nomination as its own reward.
 Best Actor
* Don Cheadle Hotel Rwanda
* Johnny Depp Finding Neverland
* Leonardo DiCaprio The Aviator
* Clint Eastwood Million Dollar Baby
* Jamie Foxx Ray
Will win: Jamie Foxx
Should win: Jamie Foxx
It would be one of the greatest upset in Oscar history if Jamie Foxx does not win. But let's face it, he will. Like the Grammys, here's the Academy's chance to pay tribute to the deceased Ray Charles. Does Foxx deserve it? You betcha. To convey emotions while wearing sunglasses and to channel the exact Charles, is a triumpth just to watch.
Having said that, I wouldn't mind seeing Johnny Depp win. But I know there is an Oscar in his future. Also, I wouldn't mind Leonardo Dicaprio winning. I think he'll give an interesting acceptance speech. But then, he proabably won't appreciate being labled as the one who stole the oscar from Foxx.
 Best Actress
* Annette Bening Being Julia
* Catalina Sandino Moreno Maria Full Of Grace
* Imelda Staunton Vera Drake
* Hilary Swank Million Dollar Baby
* Kate Winslet Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind
will win: Hilary Swank
should win: Hilary Swank or Uma Thurman
Swank all the way! There's talk of Staunton or Bening for an upset. Staunton won't win because the Academy will give the Oscar to an American before they give it to a relatively unknown Brit in North America. As for Bening, coming from a forgettable film does not give her very good chances.
I actually wouldn't mind if Winslet wins this. She played a tricky role, switching back and forth as her character, and as the envisioned woman living in Jim Carrey's head in ESOTSM. Also, huge kudos to the academy for taking note of Moreno in MFoG. But why was Uma Thurman overlooked for her tour-de-force performance in Kill Bill?
 Best Supporting Actor
* Alan Alda The Aviator
* Thomas Haden Church Sideways
* Jamie Foxx Collateral
* Morgan Freeman Million Dollar Baby
* Clive Owen Closer
Will win: Morgan Freeman
Should win: Thomas Haden Church
Even though Freeman has played this role before, this is his baby to win. The academy loves him and will award him accordingly before giving it to the more deserving Church or Owen. Alda was really good in TA, but everyone despised his character. As for Foxx playing a lead character opposite Tom Cruise, chances are he will not be going up that stage twice in one night.
 Best Supporting Actress
* Cate Blanchett The Aviator
* Laura Linney Kinsey
* Virginia Madsen Sideways
* Sophie Okonedo Hotel Rwanda
* Natalie Portman Closer
will win: Cate Blanchett
should win: Virginia Madsen
With Foxx, Swank and Freeman having their Oscar in the bag, I believe this is the only acting category that is undecided. It will be a battle between Blanchett and Madsen. Blanchett has been a consistently good actress. Voters will not forget her loss to Gwenyth Palthrow in 1998. Playing Katharine Hepburn was risky, but she somehow managed to replicate her in glowing success and turn in a touching performance in the process.
But then, how can you forget Madsen's memorable 'wine speech' in Sideways? Her character is the very heart of the film who was able to see goodness in the lowiest of men, Paul Giammatti's character.
I'm a big fan of Linney, but no one saw her film Kinsey. Okenedo's nomination is a win on its own. I believe the dark horse here is Golden Globe winner Portman. She might've been snubbed of a nomination at the SAG Awards, but I wouldn't be surprised if she walks up to that stage. Remember Anna Paquin? Marisa Tomeii?
 Best Director
* Clint Eastwood Million Dollar Baby
* Taylor Hackford Ray
* Mike Leigh Vera Drake
* Alexander Payne Sideways
* Martin Scorsese The Aviator
will win: Martin Scorsese
should win: Martin Scorsese
What took place at the Golden Globes will be reversed at the Oscars. Best Picture will go to MDB instead of TA, and Best Director will finally go to the very deserving Scorsese, as a homage paying tribute to his long impressive carreer.
Best Original Song
* Accidentally In Love Shrek 2 - Adam Duritz, Charles Gillingham, Jim Bogios, David Immergluck, Matthew Malley, David Bryson and Daniel Vickrey
* Al Otro Lado Del Río The Motorcycle Diaries - Jorge Drexler
* Believe The Polar Express - Glen Ballard/Alan Silvestri
* Learn To Be Lonely The Phantom of the Opera Andrew Lloyd Webber/Charles Hart
* Look To Your Path (Vois Sur Ton Chemin) The Chorus (Les Choristes) - Bruno Coulais and Christophe Barratier
Will win: Learn To Be Lonely
Should win: I Don't Care
The year's list of nominees is just boring. I don't even care who wins. The only good thing I foresee is that this year's list isn't as bad as last year's list. The academy is going to give this to Webber. But wouldn't it be nice to see the Counting Crows get on that stage for a win?
 Best Adapted Screenplay
* Before Sunset
* Finding Neverland
* Million Dollar Baby
* The Motorcycle Diaries
* Sideways
Will win: Million Dollar Baby
Should win: Before Sunset
Best Original Screenplay
* The Aviator
* Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
* Hotel Rwanda
* The Incredibles
* Vera Drake
Will win: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Should win: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
*****
What do you think? Comments?
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