Who's your Oscar Horse?

[Easy Mac]

ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Johnny Depp - PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33004.html)
Ben Kingsley - HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33005.html)
Jude Law - COLD MOUNTAIN (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33006.html)
Bill Murray - LOST IN TRANSLATION (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33011.html)
Sean Penn - MYSTIC RIVER (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33120.html)

ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Alec Baldwin - THE COOLER (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33018.html)
Benicio Del Toro - 21 GRAMS (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33019.html)
Djimon Hounsou - IN AMERICA (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33020.html)
Tim Robbins - MYSTIC RIVER (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33021.html)
Ken Watanabe - THE LAST SAMURAI (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33022.html)

ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Keisha Castle-Hughes - WHALE RIDER (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33035.html)
Diane Keaton - SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33023.html)
Samantha Morton - IN AMERICA (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33024.html)
Charlize Theron - MONSTER (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33028.html)
Naomi Watts - 21 GRAMS (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33029.html)

ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Shohreh Aghdashloo - HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33040.html)
Patricia Clarkson - PIECES OF APRIL (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33041.html)
Marcia Gay Harden - MYSTIC RIVER (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33042.html)
Holly Hunter - THIRTEEN (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33043.html)
Renée Zellweger - COLD MOUNTAIN (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33044.html)

ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
BROTHER BEAR (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33055.html)
FINDING NEMO (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33056.html)
THE TRIPLETS OF BELLEVILLE (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33057.html)

ART DIRECTION
GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33061.html)
THE LAST SAMURAI (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33067.html)
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33069.html)
MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33070.html)
SEABISCUIT (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33074.html)

CINEMATOGRAPHY
CITY OF GOD (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33118.html)
COLD MOUNTAIN (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33079.html)
GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33080.html)
MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33081.html)
SEABISCUIT (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33082.html)

COSTUME DESIGN
GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33094.html)
THE LAST SAMURAI (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33095.html)
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33096.html)
MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33097.html)
SEABISCUIT (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33098.html)

DIRECTING
CITY OF GOD (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33119.html)
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33100.html)
LOST IN TRANSLATION (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33101.html)
MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33102.html)
MYSTIC RIVER (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33103.html)

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
BALSEROS (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33104.html)
CAPTURING THE FRIEDMANS (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33105.html)
THE FOG OF WAR (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33106.html)
MY ARCHITECT (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33107.html)
THE WEATHER UNDERGROUND (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33108.html)

DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT
ASYLUM (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33110.html)
CHERNOBYL HEART (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33111.html)
FERRY TALES (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33112.html)

FILM EDITING
CITY OF GOD (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33113.html)
COLD MOUNTAIN (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33007.html)
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33010.html)
MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33008.html)
SEABISCUIT (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33009.html)

FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
THE BARBARIAN INVASIONS (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33014.html)
EVIL (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33013.html)
THE TWILIGHT SAMURAI (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33015.html)
TWIN SISTERS (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33016.html)
ŽELARY (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33017.html)

MAKEUP
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33027.html)
MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33025.html)
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33026.html)

MUSIC (SCORE)
BIG FISH (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33030.html)
COLD MOUNTAIN (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33031.html)
FINDING NEMO (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33032.html)
HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33033.html)
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33034.html)

MUSIC (SONG)
"Into the West" - THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33039.html)
"A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow" - A MIGHTY WIND (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33036.html)
"Scarlet Tide" - COLD MOUNTAIN (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33037.html)
"The Triplets of Belleville" - THE TRIPLETS OF BELLEVILLE (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33115.html)
"You Will Be My Ain True Love" - COLD MOUNTAIN (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33038.html)

BEST PICTURE
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33088.html)
LOST IN TRANSLATION (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33089.html)
MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33090.html)
MYSTIC RIVER (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33091.html)
SEABISCUIT (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33092.html)

SHORT FILM (ANIMATED)
BOUNDIN' (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33045.html)
DESTINO (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33046.html)
GONE NUTTY (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33047.html)
HARVIE KRUMPET (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33048.html)
NIBBLES (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33049.html)

SHORT FILM (LIVE ACTION)
DIE ROTE JACKE (The Red Jacket) (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33051.html)
MOST (The Bridge) (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33052.html)
SQUASH (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33053.html)
(A) TORZIJA ([A] Torsion) (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33050.html)
TWO SOLDIERS (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33054.html)

SOUND
THE LAST SAMURAI (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33065.html)
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33066.html)
MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33062.html)
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33063.html)
SEABISCUIT (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33064.html)

SOUND EDITING
FINDING NEMO (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33058.html)
MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33059.html)
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33060.html)

VISUAL EFFECTS
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33073.html)
MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33071.html)
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33072.html)

WRITING (ADAPTED SCREENPLAY)
AMERICAN SPLENDOR (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33075.html)
CITY OF GOD (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33114.html)
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33078.html)
MYSTIC RIVER (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33076.html)
SEABISCUIT (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33077.html)

WRITING (ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY)
THE BARBARIAN INVASIONS (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33087.html)
DIRTY PRETTY THINGS (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33083.html)
FINDING NEMO (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33084.html)
IN AMERICA (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33085.html)
LOST IN TRANSLATION (http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nom_33086.html)

http://www.oscar.com/images/spacer.gif

[rkmsuf]

I'm going to go out on a limb here and select Finding Nemo in the Animated Feature Film category...

[FBPro]

I think Nemo is the only movie mentioned here that I've seen.

[BishopMVP]

I haven't seen most of these films, but here are my thoughts on a few.

I can't see them actually giving the award for best actor to Depp, but Jack Sparrow is one of the greatest characters I've ever seen. They should have put him in the Supporting Actor Category and he ould have won that. Also, I don't see how Pirates didn't get nominated for score.

Mystic River was good, but it wasn't as good as Unforgiven. I think Tim Robbins is worthy of the Supporting Actor award, but Marcia Gay Harden's terrible accent should disqualify her.

LOTR will probably win Best Picture because it is the 3rd installment and the Academy will reward this one for the trilogy, but the first one was the best and deserved to win.

[cthomer5000]

My only real thoughts are against Seabiscuit for best picture. It's simply not a film of that quality.

[WSUCougar]

I really hope LOTR: Return of the King wins Best Picture and Best Director, and also sweeps a bunch of the technical awards. It is deserving in its own right, but moreso as the conclusion to a truly epic and outstanding trilogy. Mystic River has a lot of support behind it, however. The others should not compete for Best Picture, but the last time I said that Shakespeare in Love beat Saving Private Ryan.

I think it’s Murray or Penn for Best Actor; they’ve got the critical momentum, anyway.

Charlize Theron and Naomi Watts look very strong in the Yummy Category, as well as for Best Actress. Both laid it all out for their roles and have received much critical acclaim. Supporting Actress Renee Zellweger supposedly stole the show in Cold Mountain, but I don’t know the rest of the field.

Can’t speak to the other categories.

[BishopMVP]

My only real thoughts are against Seabiscuit for best picture. It's simply not a film of that quality.Neither were Mystic River, LOTR or Master and Commander, IMO. I mean, they are all movies I liked a lot and fit my style, but with none of the 4 did I walk out of the theater saying "Wow, that was an amazing film, one of the best I've ever seen". Mystic River would probably be the closest, and it might just be that I'm comparing it with Unforgiven that knocks it down a little, but I don't know if it was Oscar-Winning Worthy.

[WSUCougar]

but with none of the 4 did I walk out of the theater saying "Wow, that was amazing".I did indeed say that for Return of the King, but to each his own.

[BishopMVP]

I did indeed say that for Return of the King, but to each his own.
I edited my quote a little there. I thought RotK was great, but there were parts that could have been done a little better, and I still think the 1st movie was the best of the trilogy. Pretty much the whole time Frodo was on for his quest I was waiting to get back to the other characters, but I remember feeling that way when I read the books too, so I don't know if it's really Peter Jackson's fault. Also the scene where Frodo wakes up and Gandalf is sitting there and starts laughing and everyone comes running in was one of the worst I've seen in any film.

[Easy Mac]

Mystic River and M&C were ass. LOTR 3 was ok, though I think #2 was the best of the three. I think it deserves a best picture just because as a whole it was so amazing, but I'm not sure if #3 deserves it. Seabiscuit was a good movie, but I don't think its best picture worthy. I loved Lost in Translation, but it is probably my favorite out of the 5, but by default... I still liked the Matrix better than the others... you can say I'm insane, and thats fine, but thats just the movies I enjoyed the most.

Oh, and could the Extended Editions of the LOTR trilogy have been nominated for awards, since the first two were technically released in theaters this year. I think the Two Towers EE was one of the greatest movies I have ever seen.

[cthomer5000]

Neither were Mystic River, LOTR or Master and Commander, IMO. I mean, they are all movies I liked a lot and fit my style, but with none of the 4 did I walk out of the theater saying "Wow, that was an amazing film, one of the best I've ever seen". Mystic River would probably be the closest, and it might just be that I'm comparing it with Unforgiven that knocks it down a little, but I don't know if it was Oscar-Winning Worthy.
I thought Cold Mountain was a pretty solid movie all-around. I've only seen that and Seabiscuit of the 2 best film nominees. Still, I can't whole-heartedly endorse it for Best Picture.

Also, I'm rooting for Bill Murray.

[Butter]

Lost in Translation even being nominated for Best Picture is wonderful. I think LOTR takes it, and is well deserving considering the cinematic achievement that the trilogy represents.

[panerd]

BishopMVP:
I have seen this mentioned a couple of times so what are the parallels between Unforgiven and Mystic River? Clint Eastwood directed them? Besides that I can't figure out why the two have any relation at all. And why would that disqualify Mystic River from winning the award.


I also don't understand the Master and Commander nomination. When it was nominated for a golden globe, I thought it was because there were 10 spots instead of 5 and the globes usually go with a little more mainstream movies. But now it is one of the five for an Oscar. It was a good movie, but like has been mentioned earlier not anything too special at all about it.

[Subby]

Lost in Translation even being nominated for Best Picture is wonderful. I think LOTR takes it, and is well deserving considering the cinematic achievement that the trilogy represents. I could not agree more about Lost in Translation. That was just a fabulous movie in every way - from the script, to the acting, to the cinematography. My wife and I went into it with no expectations and came out of it in agreement that is was hands down the best film we had seen in a long time.

I loved Return of the King as well - it is a shame that it is nominated at the same time as Translation, because they are both deserving films.

[cthomer5000]

I think LOTR takes it, and is well deserving considering the cinematic achievement that the trilogy represents.
While that may influence some voters... is that fair? I really don't think they should be voting thinking "well, all 3 movies were good." I think they should be viewing each movie on it's own merit.

[Easy Mac]

I don't think the voters viewed the first 2 movies on their own merits, becuase they were each the best moveis of the last 2 years.

[BishopMVP]

Mystic River and M&C were ass. LOTR 3 was ok, though I think #2 was the best of the three. I think it deserves a best picture just because as a whole it was so amazing, but I'm not sure if #3 deserves it. Seabiscuit was a good movie, but I don't think its best picture worthy. I loved Lost in Translation, but it is probably my favorite out of the 5, but by default... I still liked the Matrix better than the others... you can say I'm insane, and thats fine, but thats just the movies I enjoyed the most.
If we're going off favorite movie, then Pirates is number 1 this year for me.

I thought Cold Mountain was a pretty solid movie all-around. I've only seen that and Seabiscuit of the 2 best film nominees. Still, I can't whole-heartedly endorse it for Best Picture.

Also, I'm rooting for Bill Murray.
Cold Mountain isn't nominated for Best Picture.

BishopMVP:
I have seen this mentioned a couple of times so what are the parallels between Unforgiven and Mystic River? Clint Eastwood directed them? Besides that I can't figure out why the two have any relation at all. And why would that disqualify Mystic River from winning the award.
The directing style. The way characters are portrayed, the pacing, the 'feel' of the movie. It shouldn't disqualify it, but it's the same as with RotK - a very good movie, but not as good as the first one, and I always feel that the Best Picture should be some sort of a cinematic achievement. This isn't always possible, and it's not like I usually agree with the Academy, so maybe it will win, but when I can compare a movie to a different one and it comes up short, I feel it isn't groundbreaking. Or maybe Lost in Translation is that kind of a movie.

[Blade6119]

I still think Tom Cruise deserves it for Last Samarui....i thought the movie(no respect), and the acting(only best supporting for the tanabe guy) were the best i saw all year...sad that movies like Master and commander(i wanted to walk out, and i love crowe and these kinds of movies) beat it out

[Aylmar]

If Penn doesn't win Best Actor, it will be for one reason: The Academy not wanting to give an Oscar to someone they're certain will not show up to accept it (and not for what they consider 'good reasons'). Penn was a no show at the Globes...and my guess is that he'll be absent from the Oscars as well.

As far as Best Picture, I really think it comes down to either Mystic River or Lost in Translation. As I said in another thread, my money's on Mystic River. After the Globes, however, who really knows what will happen. LOTR could walk away with the statue. A shame, in my opinion, but it could happen.

[rkmsuf]

If Penn doesn't win Best Actor, it will be for one reason: The Academy not wanting to give an Oscar to someone they're certain will not show up to accept it (and not for what they consider 'good reasons'). Penn was a no show at the Globes...and my guess is that he'll be absent from the Oscars as well.

As far as Best Picture, I really think it comes down to either Mystic River or Lost in Translation. As I said in another thread, my money's on Mystic River. After the Globes, however, who really knows what will happen. LOTR could walk away with the statue. A shame, in my opinion, but it could happen.

completely agree...

[Maple Leafs]

If Penn doesn't win Best Actor, it will be for one reason: The Academy not wanting to give an Oscar to someone they're certain will not show up to accept it (and not for what they consider 'good reasons'). Penn was a no show at the Globes...and my guess is that he'll be absent from the Oscars as well. Doesn't Depp also no-show award shows?

[Butter]

While that may influence some voters... is that fair? I really don't think they should be voting thinking "well, all 3 movies were good." I think they should be viewing each movie on it's own merit.

The whole Oscar process isn't really fair anyway, so I don't really think fairness necessarily has anything to do with it.

I mean, just look at how many "older" actors receive awards that maybe they don't necessarily deserve, based on past reputation.

Anyway, I think Lost in Translation was the Best Picture of '03, but LOTR deserves it more.

[rkmsuf]

[QUOTE=Butter_of_69]The whole Oscar process isn't really fair anyway, so I don't really think fairness necessarily has anything to do with it.

I mean, just look at how many "older" actors receive awards that maybe they don't necessarily deserve, based on past reputation.

QUOTE]


It's just like the Pro Bowl...

[Aylmar]

The whole Oscar process isn't really fair anyway, so I don't really think fairness necessarily has anything to do with it.

I mean, just look at how many "older" actors receive awards that maybe they don't necessarily deserve, based on past reputation.

Examples please?

Anyway, I think Lost in Translation was the Best Picture of '03, but LOTR deserves it more.

If Lost in Translation was the Best Picture of '03, how can LOTR deserve it more? I really dislike the 'look what he did in all three films'. It just doesn't hold water with me. Judge each film on its own merit. If you're judging the trilogy, then wait until the end and nominate the trilogy for Best Picture. Don't nominate all three films along the way and then suddenly say "We should give it to him this time for the entire body of work".

[Aylmar]

Doesn't Depp also no-show award shows?

I think he does, from time to time, but he's not as confrontational about the whole affair as Penn seems to be.

[stevew]

Lost in translation was a pretty good movie, but I wouldnt put it into any "best movie of the year" category. I left the theatre thinking, 'hrm, that was a lot like Before Sunrise.' Murray's perfomance was top notch, but this film wasnt that deep or anything.

Nemo should be up there in the Best Picture category. But Animation always gets slighted.

[Maple Leafs]

I've seen several critics mention that an animated film will never again be nominated for Best Picture now that they have their own category.

As for Bill Murray, apparently he feels he doesn't deserve to be nominated because he's essentially playing himself, and even lobbied aganst his own nomination.

[Butter]

Examples please?

Hmmm... there are a few, but not as many as I thought. Maybe the argument I was trying to make is that it seems like the same people are nominated every year. Or something. I don't know. I got nothin'.

I really dislike the 'look what he did in all three films'. It just doesn't hold water with me. Judge each film on its own merit. If you're judging the trilogy, then wait until the end and nominate the trilogy for Best Picture. Don't nominate all three films along the way and then suddenly say "We should give it to him this time for the entire body of work".

OK, if that's what you say. The Oscars are very subjective, so these sorts of value judgments are naturally going to make their way in. Sure, if part 3 of the trilogy was crap, it shouldn't win best picture on the strength of the other 2. But that is not the case here. I think part 3 was the best picture of the 3. I think it should win.

[Butter]

Lost in translation was a pretty good movie... but this film wasnt that deep or anything.

Define "deep". I think it had a lot to say, but didn't necessarily try to beat you over the head with the message.

Nemo should be up there in the Best Picture category.

I agree.

[Butter]

OK, in an effort to keep this going, what do you think is the worst film that has ever won Best Picture?

I can't claim to have seen them all, but of the ones I have seen, I'd have to say Gladiator.

[QuikSand]

I really loathed Gladiator, and can't think of a Best Picture winner I disliked anywhere nearly as much. I also felt that A Beautiful Mind was awfully manipulative, which I resented.

I don't think I have Russel Crowe "issues," but I might be wrong. He was good in L.A. Confidential and The Insider, as far as I'm concerned. But I really don't think he's much of an actor.

[HornedFrog Purple]

Chicago and Titanic. Blah.

Edit: And if anyone can explain how "How Green Was My Valley" won over "Citizen Kane" in 1941 without mentioning Hollywood's hatred of Orson Welles you win a cookie.

[cthomer5000]

I really loathed Gladiator, and can't think of a Best Picture winner I disliked anywhere nearly as much. I also felt that A Beautiful Mind was awfully manipulative, which I resented.

I don't think I have Russel Crowe "issues," but I might be wrong. He was good in L.A. Confidential and The Insider, as far as I'm concerned. But I really don't think he's much of an actor.
Pretty much sums up my feelings on all of those movies. I thought L.A. Confidential was the best of all those movies, by far.

[WSUCougar]

Could everyone please elaborate a little (heavy on the meaty points, easy on the emotion) about why you despised Gladiator so much?

[Blade6119]

i really liked gladiator, but i hated master and commander...im not really a big crow fan though...

[Butter]

Gladiator seemed like your standard run-of-the-mill action epic, with poor special effects. That Colosseum recreation was horrible.

I had forgotten about Titanic, though... it would be close between that and Gladiator.

[rkmsuf]

Could everyone please elaborate a little (heavy on the meaty points, easy on the emotion) about why you despised Gladiator so much?

Horrific editing, bad photography, quick cuts for one. How the hell can you even follow what is supposed to be the best part of the movie...the battles...

How many shots lasted about a second and were closeups of a hand or chain?

Combine that will extrodinarily dull dialogue and you have a pile of dung...

[yabanci]

Ben Kingsley for Best Actor (House of Sand and Fog) definitely gets my vote. No question.

[ice4277]

Personally, I thought Mystic River was a little overrated, although Penn definitely did a good job and would be deserving of the Best Actor award. I also agree with Blade, I think The Last Samurai should have been nominated for Best Picture. Overall though, I can't see how LOTR doesn't win, especially since for the last two years, 'experts' have been saying that the Academy essentially has been 'waiting' for the final film to hand out the Best Picture award.

[Suicane75]

How the hell Seabiscuit and M&C get best picture nods over Monster I cannot understand. That being said, I have no horse but I'm hoping that both Murray and Lost In Translation win in their respective categories. And I think Theron is as much a lock for Best Actress as there has ever been.

[kcchief19]

If Bill Murray doesn't get his Oscar this year, there is no justice. A pitch-perfect performance that not too many actors could have pulled off.

I can't tell you how sick I am of Sean Penn. I don't believe there is a more overrated actor working today, unless it is Nicholas Cage. If Sean deserves an Oscar for anything, it's the award for Best Agent because this guy's taste in projects has been impeccable -- he doesn't take too many roles that are outside his range. If he ever had the courage to try comedy or or action drama, he'd get his ass kicked.

I have a lot more respect for actors who have demonstrated an ability to go smoothly from comedy to drama and cast themselves against type -- Hanks, Pacino, DeNiro, Nicholson, et al are much better actors than Penn who simply has no guts to play a character that isn't a mentally challenged, a scumbag or both. Yeah, Sean Penn as a scumbag -- there's a stretch.

[Easy Mac]

DeNiro, Pachino and Nichoslon have range? DeNiro always plays a"tough guy" in every movie. Pacino always plays an over the top character. Nicholson always plays a borderline psychotic person in every movie. Yeah, thats range.

[Abe Sargent]

I like RotK for a lot of reasons. But here is my most important:

In ten years, we all know that the LotR movies are going to be listed in the best of Hollywood lists. Top 20 movies, Top 100 movies, etc. I find it shameful that someof the best pictures of all time do not get an academy award. When movies like Citizen Kane lose out to fluff, it's a sad state of affairs. RotK is no Citizen Kane, but I think that we can objectively state that, after time passes, most of the harshest critics will be silenced, movie making will have changed, and LotR will be remembered as one of the best works of art ever to embrace the silver screen. Why not award it?


-Anxiety

[Aylmar]

I can't tell you how sick I am of Sean Penn. I don't believe there is a more overrated actor working today, unless it is Nicholas Cage. If Sean deserves an Oscar for anything, it's the award for Best Agent because this guy's taste in projects has been impeccable -- he doesn't take too many roles that are outside his range. If he ever had the courage to try comedy or or action drama, he'd get his ass kicked.

You mean like Fast Times at Ridgemont High? You're discounting Jeff Spicoli? Mr Hand won't be pleased...

[DanGarion]

Return of the King for Best Picture and many other awards.

Big Fish for Score just because it's about damn time the most talented man in music (Danny Elfman) wins one. The academy needs to get the stick out of their ass that keeps denying him because he's a fine damn artist.

Johnny Depp for Actor would be amazing, HE is that part. He was great in Pirates.

Lost in Translation, although good, wasn't really that great to me, it was slow, and boring 1/2 the time. Although I think Bill Murray did a good job.

I could see Master and Commander win one or two of the lesser ones, it was very good.

[Chief Rum]

I know it seems funny to say this about a film that got 11 noms, but was anyone surprised LOTR didn't get a Cinematography nom? That really surprised me that they were left out of that category, especially with some of the fantastic panoramic shots Jackson likes to do-- the battle scenes, the Gandalf versus the Nazgul, the following the Nazgul, the lighting of the torch, some of the terrific New Zealand landscape shots he incorporated. I can't think of too many shots, both close and far in that film, that weren't very well set up.

CR

[BreizhManu]

BTW all those who are rooting for Nemo, try to watch The triplets of Belleville, truly great movie

[Kodos]

I think of Gladiator as a extremely crappy version of Braveheart.

[Vince]

I personally didn't like Master and Commander very much...not sure how it's up there for Best Picture. That being said, I haven't seen many of the other movies, so I can't comment.

I'm sad that I haven't seen enough to give an educated opinion on the best actor award...Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow was one of the best performances I've seen in a long time. He really made the role, and for the most part, the movie. I hear that Sand and Fog was brilliant, though, and that Ben Kingsley was phenomenal...as well as Bill Murray in Lost in Translation. I haven't seen either, so I can't compare them really.

[ISiddiqui]

I don't think the voters viewed the first 2 movies on their own merits, becuase they were each the best moveis of the last 2 years.

Naw... Chicago was much better than TTT (the worst of the three), and ABM was right there with FOTR, IMO (either could have won).

This year, it should be Mystic River, who will get Sean Penn a Best Actor award.

Anyway, the BIGGEST travesty will be if PJ gets Best Director. The direction in that movie was baaaad... very uneven pacing and drawn out ending. Give me Clint anyday.

[Vinatieri for Prez]

OK, in an effort to keep this going, what do you think is the worst film that has ever won Best Picture?

I can't claim to have seen them all, but of the ones I have seen, I'd have to say Gladiator.


For you oldtimers out there, when Annie Hall beat out Star Wars, the Oscars lost it. I was too young to watch or care about Annie Hall, but I have seen it since, and what a piece of crap. Frankly, I think Woody Allen was/is the most overrated filmmaker of all time.

[stevew]

Dont knock Annie Hall. Thats a really good movie. Just cause its been ripped off for the last 20+ years shouldnt lessen how good it was when it came out.

[ISiddiqui]

Gotta agree... Annie Hall was a GREAT movie. A better 'movie' than Star Wars, but Star Wars was more fun, and part of something bigger.

[Samdari]

I can't tell you how sick I am of Sean Penn. I don't believe there is a more overrated actor working today

I think he walks around hollywood, carrying a sign reading "Will Cry for Oscar Nomination"

[Butter]

I know it seems funny to say this about a film that got 11 noms, but was anyone surprised LOTR didn't get a Cinematography nom? That really surprised me that they were left out of that category, especially with some of the fantastic panoramic shots Jackson likes to do-- the battle scenes, the Gandalf versus the Nazgul, the following the Nazgul, the lighting of the torch, some of the terrific New Zealand landscape shots he incorporated. I can't think of too many shots, both close and far in that film, that weren't very well set up.

The cinematography in that picture probably falls victim to people wondering what shots were real and which were computerized. That's why I think it didn't get a cinematography nom.

[Chief Rum]

The cinematography in that picture probably falls victim to people wondering what shots were real and which were computerized. That's why I think it didn't get a cinematography nom.

You know, Butter, even as I was writing that post, I was wondering if that might be it. I would guess you're right on there.

CR

[Vinatieri for Prez]

Dont knock Annie Hall. Thats a really good movie. Just cause its been ripped off for the last 20+ years shouldnt lessen how good it was when it came out.

As you could tell from my post, I just could never get Woody Allen. One thing I noticed over the last 20 some odd years, was that before only the "artistic" movies would win, but as we moved into the 90s, the academy started going for the more popular movies and "epics."

The problem I had with Star Wars not winning was although the acting, script was lacking, it revolutionized moviemaking and the "art" was in the filmmaking, special effects, etc. That should have played more of a role into what won best picture.

[B & B]

Nemo is an absolute lock. Not that Ive seen it, but I heard they spent a lot of money on it. Still not risking 10k to win a nickel.

[rkmsuf]

Nemo is an absolute lock. Not that Ive seen it, but I heard they spent a lot of money on it. Still not risking 10k to win a nickel.

Thanks for the quote...I'm honored.

[Vinatieri for Prez]

DeNiro, Pachino and Nichoslon have range? DeNiro always plays a"tough guy" in every movie. Pacino always plays an over the top character. Nicholson always plays a borderline psychotic person in every movie. Yeah, thats range.

I completely disagree. While I think De Niro does a lot of the tough guy roles, he does do comedy (Meet the Parents) and some of his early 90s stuff (Awakenings, Guilty by Suspicion, Backdraft) and earlier (Stanley & Iris, King of Comedy, Raging Bull). I am sorry, but he has great range.

Same for Nicholson, roles in A Few Good Men, Chinatown, About Schmidt and so on. Great range.

I will agree that Pacino's more recent stuff is usually over the top, but earlier in his career, movies such as Serpico, Carlito's Way, Glengarry Glenn Ross, Godfather, Donnie Brasco showed great range.

So, I have to disagree with you.

As far as Penn goes, I also disagree that he doesn't take risks. I suggest you watch I am Sam, his performance was a great one in which he took a risk and went way outside his usual performance.

I guess that's the beauty of art. To each his own.

[NoMyths]

To say Nicholson doesn't have range is to admit you haven't seen most of his films...and especially not his best ones.

[QuikSand]

Mrs. Q and I decided to do an oscar-inspired double feature today, and saw both Lost in Translation and Mystic River today.

I was really, deeply impressed by Lost In Translation. Vastly exceeded my pretty high expectations. Unbelievable movie, I really loved it. Maybe the clearest case I can recall of a filmmaker's "vision" coming through in the film itself -- I have no doubt at all that this is Sofia Coppola's film, top to bottom. I'm dumbfounded - I really liked this movie.

I found Mystic River to be predictably overacted, which I think is Eastwood's weakness. Pretty good, but not a movie I'll recall with any particular fondness. For all the buzz about the sophisticated and mature themes, I found the story to be... well... really not all that sosphisticated. (Did anyone else feel shades of Summer of Sam here - a movie that might have engineered a similar ending even more effectively?)

Anyway... I will now have a rooting interest for Oscar night. I have no illusions that LOTR:ROTK will miss the mark, but I'd very much like to see Sofia Coppola or Bill Murray prevail. And Bill Murray versus Sean Penn? Come on... I'm even a fan of Penn generally, but I declare this no contest.

[Mustang]

Judging by some of the comments here, sometimes I wonder if people don't like X or Y movie or actor just because everyone else does...

[QuikSand]

I'd also declare that Scarlett Johannson's underpants ought to win some sort of special Oscar.

[GrantDawg]

I think it is funny how many people loved "Pirates." It was played up so much I was sorely disappointed when I finally saw it. My wife, who is a big Depp and Bloom fan, actually wanted to walk out on the movie after 30 minutes. Eck!

[KWhit]

I thought Mystic River was a very mediocre movie. It was dull, and the directing choices were horrible. Very manipulative, trite shot selection that has been done to death in the CBS Movie of the Week. It was amatuerish compared to the other movies I have seen this year.

[Mustang]

I think it is funny how many people loved "Pirates." It was played up so much I was sorely disappointed when I finally saw it. My wife, who is a big Depp and Bloom fan, actually wanted to walk out on the movie after 30 minutes. Eck!


So, whats your point? People that liked it are idiots?

[Suicane75]

Who's your Oscar Horse

Julia Roberts isn't nominated.

[Butter]

If you haven't seen In America, do yourself a favor and see it tonight.

Might be too maudlin for some tastes, but I have been through some of what the family in the movie has been through, family-wise, and it affected me to the point of tears. Very well done film.

[NoMyths]

I'd also declare that Scarlett Johannson's underpants ought to win some sort of special Oscar.Hear hear!

[Ksyrup]

I was really, deeply impressed by Lost In Translation. Vastly exceeded my pretty high expectations. Unbelievable movie, I really loved it. Maybe the clearest case I can recall of a filmmaker's "vision" coming through in the film itself -- I have no doubt at all that this is Sofia Coppola's film, top to bottom. I'm dumbfounded - I really liked this movie.
I'm not much for movies, but in Jacksonville with no hockey to watch on Saturday night, I watched this one with my father-in-law, who recently bought it but had no clue what it was about (?). I had a very strange reaction to it - I'm not sure I enjoyed it, yet it has stuck with me. I guess it left more of an impression than it actually entertained me. All I know is, I really don't ever want to visit Japan. I'm certain that the Japan Tourism Board is not happy that this movie was made.

What was most impressive about the movie was that on one level, it looks like nothing is going on, yet underneath, the movie touches on a variety of issues without directly dealing with them or resolving them during the course of the movie - which probably accounts for the fact that certain things from the movie have stayed with me.

Oh, and Bill Murray was fantastic.

Anyway, since I'm not a fan of movies in general, that's about as deep as I get into movie analysis, unless it involves Fletch.

[rkmsuf]

And there you have it...is that Ksyrup with a K?

Oh, btw I do hate Tommy LaSorda...

[AENeuman]

The Triplets of Bellville is far better than the fish. It's very very diffrent, like watching an animated City of the Lost Children meets The Bicycle Thief.
As far as giving the oscar as life time achievement awards I can think of Al Pachino in Scent of a Woman beating Washington in Malcom X.
As far as bad best picture winners How the West was Won losing to Tom Jones; Rocky beating Taxi Driver, Ordinary People beating Raging Bull. And Pulp Fiction, Cool Hand Luke, Fargo and 12 Angry Men should have just never lost.

[WSUCougar]

Well...time to put away the crystal ball for another year.

Heh. (<--- glib chuckle)

;)

[GrantDawg]

So, whats your point? People that liked it are idiots?

Yes. :)