The Inglorious Bastards' Media Reviewal Thingy
1.27.2004
The Oscars
This year may be the single best list of worthwhile nominees in recent memory. ALso, for some strange reason I have now managed to see most of these movies. Lost in Translation is on the slab for rental soon. As is American Splendor.
As others have given their views, so shall I. I do however agree with Nick Harvey, these awards are just awards. However, they are just a little more than that. These awards are for Hollywood the pinacle of the year. Now, I dont necessarily agree totally with the branding of "Best of.." however I think it is a good gage of the quality of pictures put out each year. I think that 2003 was probably one of the best years for film since 1999. The only thing that could make me happier would have been a Pearl Jam nod for Best Original Song. Sting? I mean... dude that song was okay, but... oh well. I don't need Pearl Jam to get a nod for me to realise its a really good song.
I shall now comment and give predictions. The full list can be seen here. Also, I am just going to comment on the ones that I know anything about.
Best Picture
Who I want: Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. All geekiness asside, this deserves to win. This is single handely the best Trilogy of its kind EVER. And I don't just mean Fantasy. These films transend Genres. Peter Jackson and co. have crafted a visual world that crackles and sparkles on screen. To not give this the Best Picture award is a Travesty!
Who will win: While the odds on favorite is LotR, no fantasy film has ever won this award to my knowledge, also its failry uncommon for a film to win Best Picture when none of its actors were nominated. So, I think Mystic River has a good shot. Look out for dark horse Lost in Translation. and Master and Commander wouldnt surprise me all to much if it won. Its the kind of epic that Hollywood love, and its not a fantasy which Hollywood tends to hate.
Best Actor
Who I want: So now that Ive seen all of these movies, with LiT being an exception, all I can say is... Five way tie??? I just really enjoyed all the said performances. I however suspect Ben Kingsley to walk away with this award. Suffice it to say, whoever wins I will be happy. Just like last year.
Who will Win: Look for Bill Murray to be the surprise winner here. Ben Kingsley already has this award for Ghandi. Jude Law is currently a Hollywood darling, and this is not his first nomination for a statue. This very well plays into his favor. Johnny Depp? Hollywood hates awarding this to comedic performances. Thusly, Johnny Depp equals snowballs chance in Equador. Sean Penn also has a decent chance. This is not his first nod, but keeping with Hollywood tradition Hollywood hates nontraditionalists. Sean has a habit of PERPOSEFULLY skipping award shows. This is not something that Hollywood like.
Best Actress
Who I want: Oh boy. Again. Fine perfomrances all around. So... you know go girls! But.. I will go with Naomi Watts. Because I love her and she was the pants in 21 Grams.
Who will win: My pick is Charlize Theron. Mostly because she won the Golden Globe. Mostly because she was totally transformed for this part (a la 'Raging Bull' De Niro) and 100% believable. However, Diane Keaton is a Hollywood favorite. So a win from her wouldn't be entirely too unexpected.
Supporting Actor
Who I want: While Tim Robbins was very very good in Mystic River, Ken Watanabe was the heart and soul of Last Samurai. As I am a bias pig toward a samurai picture, Ken is my pick. Go Ken Watanabe!!
Who will win: Odds are looking in Tim Robbins' favor. He is a greatly repected actor and this role almost seems tailor made for him. Look for Robbins to walk away with this one.
Supporting Actress
Who I want: I have to go with Renee Zellweger. I used to have a total benign opinion of her. That is, I wouldn't make a judgement on seing a movie based on her involvement. However, after viewing Chicago, and Nurse Betty and Cold Mountain, Ms. Zellweger has won me over.
Who Will Win: Honestly, I see Renee Zellweger totally walking away with this award. Hopefully it won't be the "Career Killer" that its reported as. Holly Hunter wouldn't surprise me, nor would Marcia Gay Harden. However, both have statues from previous years. This could play against them. Shohreh Aghdashloo is my dark horse pick. She could come out of nowhere and win this.
Best Director
Who I want: I mean come ON. Peter Jackson. Its as simple as that. If nothing else LotR ought to walk away with this award. Ask yourself this, could anyone else have done these movies as wonderfully as he did? or with as much passion? I think not.
Who will win: Honestly, Sofia Coppola has an extremely good chance. So does Clint Eastwood. Peter Wier has been snubbed before. So, he also stands a good chance. The Dark Horse (and the most surprising nod of the year): Fernando Meirelles for Cidade de Deus. I mean, this movie totally blew me away. And to see it honored with as many Nominations as it has recieved is shocking.
Original Screeplay
Who I want: Finding Nemo. or In America. Im torn. (flips coin) Pixar wins.
Who will win: Many times the Original Screenplay is a "Second Best" award. It was viewed as such for Pulp Fiction, and Good Will Hunting. I dont expect this year to be any different. So I will go with Sofia Coppola. I think this is HER award. Mostly cause Hollywood has a tendancy to spread the wealth around. This may be the "Consolation Prize" for Coppola. Also, her father has several awards for Sreenplay, and this plays well into Sofia's hands. Look for her to walk away with this one.
Adapted Screenplay
Who I want: Honestly, I want City of God to walk away with this one, but Id be remiss if I didnt again mention the worth of LotR. Just adapting that whole lot so well deserves some recognition. So...
Who Will Win: LotR has been stiffed the last few years. I think its due a win in this catagory. I fully expect to see it walk with this one. But, Mystic River and American Splendor also have as good a chance. So dont be surprised to see either film walk with this award.
Cinematography
Who I want: City of God. No contest
Who will win: um... pick one.
Editing
Who I want: City of God. Again, youd have to have seen it to understand.
Who will win: LotR. Totally wouldn't surprise me.
Original Score
Who I want: Danny Elfman! Isn't about time?
Who will win: James Horner, and Howard Shore have another oportunity to waltz away with another statue. But this might actually play into Elfman's favor. However, Thomas Newman is an excellent composer. This is really a hard award to pick. Its really anyones game here.
Animate Feature
Who I want: Finding Nemo. Its just brilliant.
Who will win: I think Pixar is gonna walk with this one. However, the Triplets of Belleville was freaking awesome. So a win there wouldn't upset me too much either. Brother Bear?? Yeah. Right.
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Anyway thats it for me.
Yay for Oscars!
My view on the Oscars is kinda like watching Adam's adorable puppy hump the shit out of his doll. It's like, "Aww, it's doing it again, how cute." And then I go back to whatever I was doing beforehand, before I have to see him rolls onto his back to proudly display his little doggy boner. Hollywood is way too proud of its little doggy boner.
Nonetheless, I have to stay true to my geek heritage, and hope that Lord of the Rings wins everything. EVERYTHING. I also agree wholeheartedly with Alison's statement about Seabiscuit; it's about the most blatant "gimme an Oscar, gawdemmit" movie since Sean Penn's performance in "I Am Retarded."
