Fred's No Clue Movie Review Special
FRED’S OSCAR PICKS 2004
I still don’t have any business picking the winners for Hollywood’s big night out, but why should that stop me. I’m an avid moviegoer who has seen almost all of the nominated flicks. I offer you my picks on who’s gonna win the big prizes on Feb. 29th. And this year, a little commentary on some of the other nominated flicks that I’ve seen.
Let me know what you think. Email me your thoughts, comments or stupid movie jokes at no.clue@indenation.com
For what it’s worth here they are.
BEST PICTURE:
LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING
Let’s face it. Jackson has crafted a wonderful epic with this trilogy and in a lackluster moviemaking year is definitely a giant among men. I think Jackson will be crowned King and get to take home his precious Oscar. All of the other nominated flicks are very well done and highly entertaining, but this award won’t just be a reward for “Return” but for the entire trilogy.
BEST DIRECTOR:
PETER JACKSON
Same reasons as above. Although, Clint Eastwood also did a bang up job with a highly talented cast in “Mystic River”. But my money’s on Jackson for the win.
BEST ACTOR: BILL MURRAY
Murray’s understated, funny and moving performance in “Lost in Translation”, gets my vote as the Academy’s choice. Don’t count out Sean Penn, who delivered amazing performances in both “Mystic River” and “21 Grams” this year. Johnny Depp’s performance is much too comical, but he stole the show and made “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl” highly entertaining. But it’s purely comical, which doesn’t do as well at the Oscars as it does at the box office. Jude Law was great in “Cold Mountain” but I don’t think he’s got a great shot since the film didn’t sweep the nominations.
BEST ACTRESS: CHARLIZE THERON
Hands down the best female performance of the year. Theron transformed herself both physically and emotionally into serial killer Aileen Wuornos for the indie flick “Monster”. I was impressed, repulsed and the film gave me chills. The movie and Theron deserve the nod. Naomi Watts was wonderful in the trippy “21 Grams” and Keisha Castle-Hughes was terrific in “Whale Rider”, but no one comes close to Charlize’s raw emotional presence in this film.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: TIM ROBBINS
Here’s one award that “Mystic River” should win hands down. Robbins was part of a stellar cast and shines in the role of the leading murder suspect with the creepy past experiences. He plays both crazy, puzzling and sympathetic.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: RENEE ZELLWEGER
She’s been nominated before, but this time she wins. Her turn as the brash Ruby in “Cold Mountain” seems like a lock to me. Patricia Clarkson was terrific in “Pieces of April” and Holly Hunter was riveting in “Thirteen”. Marcia Gay Harden delivered an emotionally draining performance in “Mystic River” as the doubting wife of Robbins’ character but I think Renee definitely will take this one home.
BEST SCREENPLAY (ORIGINAL): LOST IN TRANSLATION
I think Sofia Coppola takes this one home for her wonderful and quiet film. Well thought out and complex characters are featured throughout with some nice language to boot. Finding Nemo was the only other movie in this category that I saw, but although wonderful this isn’t the category that it will shine in.
BEST SCREENPLAY (ADAPTATION): MYSTIC RIVER
This film features highly complex, riveting characters in extreme situations. It faces tough competition from “Return of the King” and “Seabiscuit”, but I think that Brian Helgeland’s script wins the prize. My sentimental favorite in this category is “American Splendor”. A freewheeling inventive flick that’s kind of documentary and kind of fictional. I’d love to see that one win, but it’d be a big surprise.
BEST ART DIRECTION: LORD OF THE RINGS
C’mon it’s got this one all the way.
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS: LORD OF THE RINGS
Did somebody say “Gollum”?
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE: HOWARD SHORE
“Lord of the Rings: Return of the King” doesn’t have a shot at the acting awards, but should still be a big dog overall winner.
BEST ORIGINAL SONG: “INTO THE WEST”
This Annie Lennox song from “Lord of the Rings” should continue the Rings fest. Although, both “Cold Mountain” songs are fantastic, “The Triplets of Bellville” is definitely catchy and the song from “A Mighty Wind” is freaking hilarious.
BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM: DESTINO
My pick is for the collaboration from Disney and Salvador Dali that was just recently finished. Pixar’s “Boundin” was the only one of these that I’ve seen, but they’ve won here plenty of times before.
BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM: TWO SOLDIERS
But who knows.
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE: FINDING NEMO
This Pixar flick not only did huge box office numbers, but it’s a cute, intelligent family film. “The Triplets of Bellville” was fantastic, but doesn’t have a shot against this little fish.
BEST COSTUME DESIGN: LORD OF THE RINGS
Either this or “Master and Commander” but I’m going for a Rings bonanza.
BEST MAKEUP: LORD OF THE RINGS
I don’t think Johnny Depp’s eyeliner has a shot against the Orcs.
BEST SOUND: LORD OF THE RINGS
Again the big competition here is “Master and Commander” but I bet on the king.
BEST SOUND EDITING:
MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD
This one it should take, unless the “Pirates of the Caribbean” hijack this gold.
BEST
CINEMATOGRAPHY:
MASTER AND COMMANDER
I think the seafaring epic has got this one, but don’t count out the beauty of
“Cold Mountain” or the horse racing of “Seabiscuit”.
BEST
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE:
THE FOG OF WAR
I think Errol Morris will finally win
his Oscar.
BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT: CHERNOBYL HEART
C’mon it’s about Chernobyl. Historical death always wins here.
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM: THE BARBARIAN INVASIONS
Simply, because it’s the only one I’ve ever heard of.
BEST EDITING: LORD OF THE RINGS
I think Jackson & Co. will take this one too. But my other choice would be “Seabiscuit”. I think most of the others in this category could’ve used a little more trimming.
For more information on Hollywood’s big party or for your own Oscar ballot log on to www.oscar.com
Got comments?
Suggestions? I’d love to hear them.
email me at no.clue@indenation.com