Oscar Fun Time
I'm slightly less enthusiastic about the Oscars each subsequent year, but this year is different. The injection of the queer into the proceedings, perhaps by the Gay Mafia, as postulated by rollerboogieboy makes this year one to watch. Which means that I somehow have to take in several films that I actually want to see, have not seen, and now have been nominated. Below is an abridged list of the nominations, complete with my predictions, hopes, fears, and caveats.
BOLD = WILL win
ITALICS = SHOULD win
* = I have not seen this film
** = I do not PLAN to see this film, get off my jock about it!
*/** = I MAY go to see this film.
There will be some editorializing, as well.
Best motion picture of the year:
“Brokeback Mountain” (Focus Features)
A River Road Entertainment Production
Diana Ossana and James Schamus, Producers
“Capote” (UA/Sony Pictures Classics)*
An A-Line Pictures/Cooper’s Town/ Infinity Media Production
Caroline Baron, William Vince and Michael Ohoven, Producers
“Crash” (Lions Gate)*/**
A Bob Yari/DEJ/Blackfriar’s Bridge/ Harris Company/ApolloProscreen GmbH & Co./Bull’s Eye Entertainment Production
Paul Haggis and Cathy Schulman, Producers
“Good Night, and Good Luck.” (Warner Independent Pictures)*
A Good Night Good Luck LLC Production
Grant Heslov, Producer
“Munich” (Universal and DreamWorks)*/**
A Universal Pictures/DreamWorks Pictures Production
Kathleen Kennedy, Steven Spielberg and Barry Mendel, Producers
OK, I haven't even seen Capote, but 1) I am a huge fan of Philip Seymour Hoffman, and 2) I have heard nothing but good things about the film, so I'd be fine if it won, too. If Brokeback Mountain is to win anything, I think its best chances are the Picture and Director nominations.
Performance by an actor in a leading role
Philip Seymour Hoffman in “Capote” (UA/Sony Pictures Classics)*
Terrence Howard in “Hustle & Flow” (Paramount Classics, MTV Films and New Deal Entertainment)**
Heath Ledger in “Brokeback Mountain” (Focus Features)
Joaquin Phoenix in “Walk the Line” (20th Century Fox)
David Strathairn in “Good Night, and Good Luck.” (Warner Independent Pictures)*
I really don't know how this race will turn out. The cynic in me thinks that since Walk the Line was the most commercial film and had the biggest box office, it will get recognition for that. Besides, what made the movie so good were the performances by Phoenix and Reece Witherspoon. I think PSH richly deserves recognition, though, so I'm more for him, but I think that Hollywood might still consider him too much of a character actor to give it to him. I really think Heath Ledger deserves it this year the most, but that's with my strong bias of only having seen 2/5 performances.
Performance by an actor in a supporting role
George Clooney in “Syriana” (Warner Bros.)*
Matt Dillon in “Crash” (Lions Gate)*/**
Paul Giamatti in “Cinderella Man” (Universal and Miramax)**
Jake Gyllenhaal in “Brokeback Mountain” (Focus Features)
William Hurt in “A History of Violence” (New Line)*/**
I haven't seen any of the performances except for Jake's, and I think he's too young and has not received enough notice to be a contender. On the other hand, he's Hollywood's new golden boy, so they may want to give his career a boost with the award, but I think the nomination was enough. I like what George Clooney has done this year, especially politically, so I'm for him. I think Paul Giamatti might get it as consolation for his snub last year.
Performance by an actress in a leading role
Judi Dench in “Mrs. Henderson Presents” (The Weinstein Company)*/**
Felicity Huffman in “Transamerica” (The Weinstein Company and IFC Films)*
Keira Knightley in “Pride & Prejudice” (Focus Features)**
Charlize Theron in “North Country” (Warner Bros.)*/**
Reese Witherspoon in “Walk the Line” (20th Century Fox)
Another race I am woefully unprepared to call, but I think Reece Witherspoon has this in the bag, especially if Walk the Line doesn't win for any of the other big awards. I am rooting for Felicity Huffman despite not having seen the film because of the nature of her role and of the film. BIASED.
Performance by an actress in a supporting role
Amy Adams in “Junebug” (Sony Pictures Classics)**
Catherine Keener in “Capote” (UA/Sony Pictures Classics)*
Frances McDormand in “North Country” (Warner Bros.)*
Rachel Weisz in “The Constant Gardener” (Focus Features)*
Michelle Williams in “Brokeback Mountain” (Focus Features)
This is looking grim. Did I see any movies this year? Too bad Tilda Swinton isn't nominated. Not that I think she ought to be (though She be Praiséd), but at least it would be something I'd be familiar with. I think Catherine Keener, whom I love, will get the Marcia Gay Harden award, but Michelle Williams has come along way since Halloween H20, and turned in a gut-wrenching performance in "Brokeback".
Achievement in directing
“Brokeback Mountain” (Focus Features)
Ang Lee
“Capote” (UA/Sony Pictures Classics)
Bennett Miller
“Crash” (Lions Gate)
Paul Haggis
“Good Night, and Good Luck.” (Warner Independent Pictures)
George Clooney
“Munich” (Universal and DreamWorks)
Steven Spielberg
I honesly just don't see it going to anyone else, but I may be off the mark.
Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song)
“In the Deep” from “Crash” (Lions Gate)*/**
Music by Kathleen “Bird” York and Michael Becker, Lyric by Kathleen “Bird” York
“It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp” from “Hustle & Flow” (Paramount Classics, MTV Films and New Deal Entertainment)**
Music and Lyric by Jordan Houston, Cedric Coleman and Paul Beauregard
“Travelin’ Thru” from “Transamerica” (The Weinstein Company and IFC Films)
Music and Lyric by Dolly Parton
Go, Dolly! I wish Willy Nelson's song for Brokeback Mountain had been nominated. Not only is it a really beautiful, sad song and very fitting for the film, but I'd love to see two country songs written for queer-themed pieces of Americana nominated.
EDIT: This from djeltoro:
"He Was A Friend of Mine" is a traditional song, adapted by Bob Dylan - which is the version Willie performs - and thus was not eligible cuz t'weren't written exclusively for the film.
Adapted screenplay
“Brokeback Mountain” (Focus Features)
Screenplay by Larry McMurtry & Diana Ossana
“Capote” (UA/Sony Pictures Classics)
Screenplay by Dan Futterman
“The Constant Gardener” (Focus Features)*/**
Screenplay by Jeffrey Caine
“A History of Violence” (New Line)*/**
Screenplay by Josh Olson
“Munich” (Universal and DreamWorks)*/**
Screenplay by Tony Kushner and Eric Roth
Just my best guess.
Original screenplay
“Crash” (Lions Gate)*/**
Screenplay by Paul Haggis & Bobby Moresco
Story by Paul Haggis
“Good Night, and Good Luck.” (Warner Independent Pictures)*
Screenplay by George Clooney & Grant Heslov
“Match Point” (DreamWorks)*/**
Written by Woody Allen
“The Squid and the Whale” (Samuel Goldwyn Films and Sony Pictures Releasing)**
Written by Noah Baumbach
“Syriana” (Warner Bros.)*
Written by Stephen Gaghan
Again, just guesses. I think Syriana has a good chance to get recognized, and this is probably the best place for that.
Best animated feature film of the year
“Howl’s Moving Castle” (Buena Vista)
Hayao Miyazaki
“Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride” (Warner Bros.)
Tim Burton and Mike Johnson
“Wallace & Gromit in the Curse of the Were-Rabbit” (DreamWorks Animation SKG)
Nick Park and Steve Box
I can;t wait to see John Stewart as the host this year. But that's what I said about Chris Rock, too.
In other news, hurray for the confirmation for Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito! Next stop: overturning Roe v Wade! End of the line: Selective mandatory breeding!
Forgive my liberal hyperbole.
Also, go to ccdeville to read her wondrous story of the salvation of a rabbit abused by bisexual twin brothers. The rabbit sure is cute, and I'm glad it's now safe.
BOLD = WILL win
ITALICS = SHOULD win
* = I have not seen this film
** = I do not PLAN to see this film, get off my jock about it!
*/** = I MAY go to see this film.
There will be some editorializing, as well.
Best motion picture of the year:
“Brokeback Mountain” (Focus Features)
A River Road Entertainment Production
Diana Ossana and James Schamus, Producers
“Capote” (UA/Sony Pictures Classics)*
An A-Line Pictures/Cooper’s Town/ Infinity Media Production
Caroline Baron, William Vince and Michael Ohoven, Producers
“Crash” (Lions Gate)*/**
A Bob Yari/DEJ/Blackfriar’s Bridge/ Harris Company/ApolloProscreen GmbH & Co./Bull’s Eye Entertainment Production
Paul Haggis and Cathy Schulman, Producers
“Good Night, and Good Luck.” (Warner Independent Pictures)*
A Good Night Good Luck LLC Production
Grant Heslov, Producer
“Munich” (Universal and DreamWorks)*/**
A Universal Pictures/DreamWorks Pictures Production
Kathleen Kennedy, Steven Spielberg and Barry Mendel, Producers
OK, I haven't even seen Capote, but 1) I am a huge fan of Philip Seymour Hoffman, and 2) I have heard nothing but good things about the film, so I'd be fine if it won, too. If Brokeback Mountain is to win anything, I think its best chances are the Picture and Director nominations.
Performance by an actor in a leading role
Philip Seymour Hoffman in “Capote” (UA/Sony Pictures Classics)*
Terrence Howard in “Hustle & Flow” (Paramount Classics, MTV Films and New Deal Entertainment)**
Heath Ledger in “Brokeback Mountain” (Focus Features)
Joaquin Phoenix in “Walk the Line” (20th Century Fox)
David Strathairn in “Good Night, and Good Luck.” (Warner Independent Pictures)*
I really don't know how this race will turn out. The cynic in me thinks that since Walk the Line was the most commercial film and had the biggest box office, it will get recognition for that. Besides, what made the movie so good were the performances by Phoenix and Reece Witherspoon. I think PSH richly deserves recognition, though, so I'm more for him, but I think that Hollywood might still consider him too much of a character actor to give it to him. I really think Heath Ledger deserves it this year the most, but that's with my strong bias of only having seen 2/5 performances.
Performance by an actor in a supporting role
George Clooney in “Syriana” (Warner Bros.)*
Matt Dillon in “Crash” (Lions Gate)*/**
Paul Giamatti in “Cinderella Man” (Universal and Miramax)**
Jake Gyllenhaal in “Brokeback Mountain” (Focus Features)
William Hurt in “A History of Violence” (New Line)*/**
I haven't seen any of the performances except for Jake's, and I think he's too young and has not received enough notice to be a contender. On the other hand, he's Hollywood's new golden boy, so they may want to give his career a boost with the award, but I think the nomination was enough. I like what George Clooney has done this year, especially politically, so I'm for him. I think Paul Giamatti might get it as consolation for his snub last year.
Performance by an actress in a leading role
Judi Dench in “Mrs. Henderson Presents” (The Weinstein Company)*/**
Felicity Huffman in “Transamerica” (The Weinstein Company and IFC Films)*
Keira Knightley in “Pride & Prejudice” (Focus Features)**
Charlize Theron in “North Country” (Warner Bros.)*/**
Reese Witherspoon in “Walk the Line” (20th Century Fox)
Another race I am woefully unprepared to call, but I think Reece Witherspoon has this in the bag, especially if Walk the Line doesn't win for any of the other big awards. I am rooting for Felicity Huffman despite not having seen the film because of the nature of her role and of the film. BIASED.
Performance by an actress in a supporting role
Amy Adams in “Junebug” (Sony Pictures Classics)**
Catherine Keener in “Capote” (UA/Sony Pictures Classics)*
Frances McDormand in “North Country” (Warner Bros.)*
Rachel Weisz in “The Constant Gardener” (Focus Features)*
Michelle Williams in “Brokeback Mountain” (Focus Features)
This is looking grim. Did I see any movies this year? Too bad Tilda Swinton isn't nominated. Not that I think she ought to be (though She be Praiséd), but at least it would be something I'd be familiar with. I think Catherine Keener, whom I love, will get the Marcia Gay Harden award, but Michelle Williams has come along way since Halloween H20, and turned in a gut-wrenching performance in "Brokeback".
Achievement in directing
“Brokeback Mountain” (Focus Features)
Ang Lee
“Capote” (UA/Sony Pictures Classics)
Bennett Miller
“Crash” (Lions Gate)
Paul Haggis
“Good Night, and Good Luck.” (Warner Independent Pictures)
George Clooney
“Munich” (Universal and DreamWorks)
Steven Spielberg
I honesly just don't see it going to anyone else, but I may be off the mark.
Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song)
“In the Deep” from “Crash” (Lions Gate)*/**
Music by Kathleen “Bird” York and Michael Becker, Lyric by Kathleen “Bird” York
“It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp” from “Hustle & Flow” (Paramount Classics, MTV Films and New Deal Entertainment)**
Music and Lyric by Jordan Houston, Cedric Coleman and Paul Beauregard
“Travelin’ Thru” from “Transamerica” (The Weinstein Company and IFC Films)
Music and Lyric by Dolly Parton
Go, Dolly! I wish Willy Nelson's song for Brokeback Mountain had been nominated. Not only is it a really beautiful, sad song and very fitting for the film, but I'd love to see two country songs written for queer-themed pieces of Americana nominated.
EDIT: This from djeltoro:
"He Was A Friend of Mine" is a traditional song, adapted by Bob Dylan - which is the version Willie performs - and thus was not eligible cuz t'weren't written exclusively for the film.
Adapted screenplay
“Brokeback Mountain” (Focus Features)
Screenplay by Larry McMurtry & Diana Ossana
“Capote” (UA/Sony Pictures Classics)
Screenplay by Dan Futterman
“The Constant Gardener” (Focus Features)*/**
Screenplay by Jeffrey Caine
“A History of Violence” (New Line)*/**
Screenplay by Josh Olson
“Munich” (Universal and DreamWorks)*/**
Screenplay by Tony Kushner and Eric Roth
Just my best guess.
Original screenplay
“Crash” (Lions Gate)*/**
Screenplay by Paul Haggis & Bobby Moresco
Story by Paul Haggis
“Good Night, and Good Luck.” (Warner Independent Pictures)*
Screenplay by George Clooney & Grant Heslov
“Match Point” (DreamWorks)*/**
Written by Woody Allen
“The Squid and the Whale” (Samuel Goldwyn Films and Sony Pictures Releasing)**
Written by Noah Baumbach
“Syriana” (Warner Bros.)*
Written by Stephen Gaghan
Again, just guesses. I think Syriana has a good chance to get recognized, and this is probably the best place for that.
Best animated feature film of the year
“Howl’s Moving Castle” (Buena Vista)
Hayao Miyazaki
“Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride” (Warner Bros.)
Tim Burton and Mike Johnson
“Wallace & Gromit in the Curse of the Were-Rabbit” (DreamWorks Animation SKG)
Nick Park and Steve Box
I can;t wait to see John Stewart as the host this year. But that's what I said about Chris Rock, too.
In other news, hurray for the confirmation for Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito! Next stop: overturning Roe v Wade! End of the line: Selective mandatory breeding!
Forgive my liberal hyperbole.
Also, go to ccdeville to read her wondrous story of the salvation of a rabbit abused by bisexual twin brothers. The rabbit sure is cute, and I'm glad it's now safe.