Academy Award nominations
Well it Oscar nomination time again, and for the most part it’s the same old story again. There are rarely any REAL surprises when it comes to nomination time, as you can usually guess the nominations months in advance, just based on the press clipping and reviews. And this year isn’t any different.
Here are some thoughts on a few of the categories.
Best Picture
“Brokeback Mountain,” “Capote,” “Crash,” “Good Night, and Good Luck,” “Munich.”
Nothing surprising here. I’m getting a little tired of Crash and Steven Spielberg is working it to try and get Munich recognized here, but I think the award goes to Brokeback Mountain with Capote as a slight longshot. I think Good Night, and Good Luck gets lost in jockeying.
Actor
Philip Seymour Hoffman, “Capote”; Terrence Howard, “Hustle & Flow”; Heath Ledger, “Brokeback Mountain”; Joaquin Phoenix, “Walk the Line”; David Strathairn, “Good Night, and Good Luck.”
I don’t think biopic magic is going to work 2 years in a row, sorry Joaquin. My money is on Hoffman for Capote who was brilliant in his portrayal. Don’t forget about Terrence Howard though. The way so many people talk about his performance in Hustle and Flow, he could take this award.
Actress
Judi Dench, “Mrs. Henderson Presents”; Felicity Huffman, “Transamerica”; Keira Knightley, “Pride & Prejudice”; Charlize Theron, “North Country”; Reese Witherspoon, “Walk the Line.”
This is a three horse race between Dench, Huffman and Knightly. Sorry Charlize and Reese. Personally I thought Keira Knightly was fabulous in Pride and Prejudice but I don’t think the Academy is ready to give her an award. I fully expect this to go to Judi Dench, despite the buss for Huffman. I think she suffers from a movie that no one has seen.
Supporting Actor
George Clooney, “Syriana”; Matt Dillon, “Crash”; Paul Giamatti, “Cinderella Man”; Jake Gyllenhaal, “Brokeback Mountain”; William Hurt, “A History of Violence.”
As usual, the supporting categories are where all the best work is done and this year I think it goes to Clooney. He won’t win Best Director so I think they will reward him with the Oscar here. Nice to see William Hurt here, who was great, in a part that I think suffers from being too small.
Supporting Actress
Amy Adams, “Junebug”; Catherine Keener, “Capote”; Frances McDormand, “North Country”; Rachel Weisz, “The Constant Gardener”; Michelle Williams, “Brokeback Mountain.”
If Hoffman gets Best Actor, than Keener will get best Supporting Actress. If not I give this to Rachel Weisz for the largely ignored Constant Gardener.
Director
Ang Lee, “Brokeback Mountain”; Bennett Miller, “Capote”; Paul Haggis, “Crash”; George Clooney, “Good Night, and Good Luck”; Steven Spielberg, “Munich.”
If I am picking Brokeback Mountain, then I have to go with Ang Lee.
I think I’ll stop here and maybe revisit some of the smaller categories at a later time. The awards this year are somewhat blasé, but could still prove interesting.
If I had to pick any surprises, it would be that Capote will come out of nowhere and sweep the night. That wouldn’t completely disappoint me either.
