Wednesday, February 16, 2005

Academy Awards Nominations: my predictions

Right then; in advance of the award ceremony on 27th February, here are my predictions for the Oscars (and some notes on expectations/preferences).

Actor in a Leading Role
Don Cheadle - Hotel Rwanda, Johnny Depp - Finding Neverland, Leonardo DiCaprio - The Aviator, Clint Eastwood - Million Dollar Baby, Jamie Foxx - Ray
I think Foxx will get this, though there may be a split vote with the excellent Don Cheadle. Final choice: Foxx

Actor in a Supporting Role
Alan Alda - The Aviator, Thomas Haden Church - Sideways, Jamie Foxx - Collateral, Morgan Freeman - Million Dollar Baby, Clive Owen - Closer
Clive Owen is the British favourite and Jamie Foxx could lose out on having his own vote split across two roles. Final choice: Owen

Actress in a Leading Role
Annette Bening - Being Julia, Catalina Sandino Moreno - Maria Full Of Grace, Imelda Staunton - Vera Drake, Hilary Swank - Million Dollar Baby, Kate Winslet - Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind
I think this is between Swank and Staunton: interestingly the two films have a lot in common and I take this as one of the closest categories. Final choice: Staunton

Actress in a Supporting Role
Cate Blanchett - The Aviator, Laura Linney - Kinsey, Virginia Madsen - Sideways, Sophie Okonedo - Hotel Rwanda, Natalie Portman - Closer
I'd love to see Sophie Okonedo get this, but suspect that the memory of Katherine H. may win out. Final choice: Cate Blachett

Animated Feature Film
The Incredibles, Shark Tale, Shrek 2
No competition in my mind. Final choice: The Incredibles

Art Direction
The Aviator, Finding Neverland , Lemony Snicket's A Series Of Unfortunate Events , The Phantom Of The Opera, A Very Long Engagement
Lots if similarly period-driven pieces here. Personally I would say Lemony Snicket. Final choice: The Aviator

Cinematography
The Aviator, House Of Flying Daggers, The Passion Of The Christ, The Phantom Of The Opera, A Very Long Engagement
I think The Aviator could do a sweep of several major awards, partly because others may not pick up favour (what does it say to award Passion with cinematography...?). Final choice: The Aviator

Costume Design
The Aviator, Finding Neverland, Lemony Snicket's A Series Of Unfortunate Events, Ray, Troy
Again, part of the sweep of sentiment for Scorcese. Final choice: The Aviator

Directing
The Aviator, Million Dollar Baby, Ray, Sideways, Vera Drake
I stand by my original prediction for the BAFTAs here: sentiment may finally win out for Scorcese. Final choice: The Aviator

Documentary Feature
Born Into Brothels, The Story Of The Weeping Camel, Super Size Me, Tupac: Resurrection, Twist Of Faith
Personal choice would be Super Size Me. But would they do two in a row for opinionated documentary making? Final Choice: The Story of the Weeping Camel

Documentary Short Subject
Autism Is A World, The Children Of Leningradsky, Hardwood, Mighty Times: The Children's March, Sister Rose's Passion
Purely from my standpoint in terms of my work... Final choice: Autism is a World

Film Editing
The Aviator, Collateral, Finding Neverland, Million Dollar Baby, Ray
As my choice for the BAFTAs isn't here, I'm going on a limb for Michael Mann's always wonderfully visually constructed world. Final choice: Collateral

Foreign Language Film
As It Is In Heaven, The Chorus, Downfall, The Sea Inside, Yesterday
Final choice: The Chorus

Makeup
Lemony Snicket's A Series Of Unfortunate Events, The Passion Of The Christ, The Sea Inside
Again, will the Academy be happy voting for make-up work on this topic? It seems odd to think of something as 'frivolous' as Lemony Snicket sitting alongside these choices. Final choice: Lemony Snicket

Music (Score)
Finding Neverland, Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban, Lemony Snicket's A Series Of Unfortunate Events, The Passion Of The Christ, The Village
I'm sticking with my original choice for the BAFTAs here. Final choice: Finding Neverland

Music (Song)
"Accidentally In Love" - Shrek 2, "Al Otro Lado Del Río" - The Motorcycle Diaries, "Believe" - The Polar Express, "Learn To Be Lonely" - The Phantom Of The Opera, "Look To Your Path (Vois Sur Ton Chemin)" - The Chorus
Inspired by the BAFTA win, however... Final choice: The Motorcycle Diaries

Best Picture
The Aviator, Finding Neverland, Million Dollar Baby, Ray, Sideways
I think this is between The Aviator and Million Dollar Baby. So knowing me it will probably be Ray... Final choice: The Aviator

Short Film (Animated)
Birthday Boy, Gopher Broke, Guard Dog, Lorenzo, Ryan
Sticking with a good bet. Final choice: Birthday Boy

Short Film (Live Action)
Everything In This Country Must, Little Terrorist, 7:35 In The Morning, Two Cars, One Night, Wasp
Final choice: Little Terrorist

Sound Editing
The Incredibles, The Polar Express, Spider-Man 2 Final choice: The Incredibles

Sound Mixing
The Aviator, The Incredibles, The Polar Express, Ray, Spider-Man 2 Final choice: Ray

Visual Effects
Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban, I, Robot, Spider-Man 2 By all accounts, it was nonsense but... Final choice: I, Robot

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
Before Sunset, Finding Neverland, Million Dollar Baby, The Motorcycle Diaries, Sideways
Though I am baffled by the placing of my personal favourite Before Sunset in this category (it reminds me of the nomination of the other Kauffman for Adaptation!) I think this will be between Sideways - a minor piece, even though I thoroughly enjoyed it - and Million Dollar Baby. Final choice: Million Dollar Baby

Writing (Original Screenplay)
The Aviator, Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind, Hotel Rwanda, The Incredibles, Vera Drake
I think they Vera Drake will get this, even though Eternal Sunshine would be my personal choice. Final choice: Vera Drake (even though the collective creation of a screenplay through rehersal and improvisation would really challenge the usual conceptions of the award).

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