And The Winner Is…
The Academy Awards are the crème de la crème of the awards that are handed out to Hollywood each and every year. Some may argue that other awards are better indicators of what are the best films, but this is the one with the highest profile. This year features a tight race in many categories, so let’s take a quick look at who I think should win and who will win.
Jamie Foxx should and will win the award for his amazing performance in Ray. Foxx was a rare example of a performance that I actually thought was better than the film itself. Absolutely incredible in every aspect of his portrayal I will not soon forget this one.
(Also nominated Don Cheadle – Hotel Rwanda, Johnny Depp – Finding Neverland, Leonardo DiCaprio – The Aviator, Clint Eastwood – Million Dollar Baby.)
This award should be another forgone conclusion in my book. Hilary Swank in Million Dollar Baby delivered one of the most complete and in-depth performances of the year. Every moment that she was onscreen I believed I was watching her character, not an actress playing her character. I wouldn’t be disappointed to see Kate Winslet win for Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind either, but really think the academy will go the way of Hilary.
(Also nominated Annette Bening – Being Julia, Catalina Sandino Moreno – Maria Full Of Grace, Imelda Staunton – Vera Drake)
A tough call here and maybe one of the most wide open of the awards. Consensus seems to be building around Cate Blanchett for The Aviator or Virginia Madsen in Sideways. I believe Madsen will win and should win for that matter as she has one of the most complete performances in the category. I wouldn’t be surprised in this one case if any of the 5 fabulous actresses that were nominated wins.
(Also nominated Laura Linney – Kinsey, Sophie Okonedo – Hotel Rwanda, Natalie Portman – Closer.)
Supporting Actor
Another category filled with wonderful performances, this seems to be developing into a two horse race. Morgan Freeman has my vote (though not by much) and he should walk home with the golden prize on the night of the awards. Thomas Haden Church has a career best role in Sideways and if there is anyone who cold sneak this award away from Freeman it would be him. Nothing would surprise me here though, including Alan Alda almost winning a career award himself for The Aviator (and this might happen if it’s an Aviator love fest).
(Also nominated Jamie Foxx – Collateral, Clive Owen – Closer.)
I look at this category with a lot of love and fill it in with the big ones here. It should be a win for The Incredibles, a film that has shown up on many best 10 lists, including my own. Shrek 2 could surprise, but I think this is a great opportunity to honor a truly creative and fun Animated feature.
(Also nominated Shark Tale.)
It’s never easy to pick a winner from among some of the very best doing what they do best. In the director category it boils down to a two horse race between the always a bridesmaid Martin Scorsese for The Aviator and American icon Clint Eastwood for Million Dollar Baby. This year should see a Scorsese win and I hope if finally happens. Funny thing is it’s probably not the best effort of his career, yet in my mind it beats the competition this year.
(Also nominated Taylor Hackford – Ray, Alexander Payne – Sideways, Mike Leigh – Vera Drake.)
I named The Aviator my top choice for this year, and I really believe (despite the Million Dollar Baby groundswell) that it will win. Here’s why…The Aviator is a film the Academy tends to love. It is an epic in nature, by a huge director, about Hollywood and a period piece…put it all together and you have Oscar gold in my mind. I can see Million Dollar Baby winning and it wouldn’t totally disappoint me, but The Aviator is my choice.
(Also nominated – Finding Neverland, Ray, Sideways.)
That’s the big ones as I see it…For some of the other winners I see the following…
Original Screenplay – Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (It’s a crime if it doesn’t win something)
Adapted Screenplay – Million Dollar Baby (though I’d love to see an award for Sideways here)
Art Direction, Cinematography, Costume Design, Sound Mixing – The Aviator (part of The Aviator love fest)
Documentary Feature – Born Into Brothels
Film Editing – Million Dollar Baby
Makeup – Lemony Snicket’s A Series Of Unfortunate Events (though Passion may sneak this one)
Original Score – Passion of the Christ (I think this is the one award that the Academy will give to this brilliant film)
Original Song – Accidentally in Love – Shrek 2
Sound Editing, Visual Effects – Spider-man 2 (The Box-Office star gets some love.)
Tune in as Chris Rock hosts the awards at 8PM ET, 7PM CT. 6PM MT, 5PM PT live on ABC.
That’s it for this year….SAVE ME A SEAT.
© 2005 Paul Hall, All Rights Reserved