Top Box Office Movies - The Predictions for Oscar Gold (Part III)

Frank Ochieng out in the Forefront:
The Predictions for Oscar Gold (Part III)

E-MAIL FRANK OCHIENG

Photo: Official Ceremony Poster

Are folks ready for the arrival of the 77th Annual Academy Awards? Well, hopefully movie maniacs will be looking forward to the hype as Hollywood gets ready to recognize its best representation of impeccable cinema. On January 25, 2005, the nominees were announced for potential Oscar glory. As always, some may be delighted by the results while others will continue to marvel over what they consider some major oversights. But again, it wouldn’t be the Academy Award experience if we didn’t act incredulous as to what was spotlighted or in some cases ignored, correct? It’s all part of the familiar game that’s routinely played.

The 77th Annual Academy Awards will showcase its star-studded spectacle on Sunday, February 27, 2005 on ABC-TV (which coincidentally is the same date that the glitzy ceremony aired on last year as well). The heavy-viewed program promises to be exciting particularly with a whole new outlook when clever and acerbically observational comedian/actor Chris Rock oversees the event as he hosts the proceedings for the first time.

As I did with the previous 76th Annual Academy Awards last year, I will devise a collection of predictions as to what I think a.) what the Academy will bestow on its chosen choices and b.) what and who I would like to see cop the golden statuette. Thus, I will first list the 77th Annual Academy Award nominees so you can see who is in consideration for the prestigious award in filmmaking. Secondly, readers will be treated to my personal breakdown as to what TheWorldJournal.com film critic has to comment on concerning the mentioned Oscar-nominated selections. So please enjoy!

And now, the nominees for the 77th Annual Academy Awards:

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

ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Alan Alda - THE AVIATOR
Thomas Haden Church - SIDEWAYS
Jamie Foxx - COLLATERAL
Morgan Freeman - MILLION DOLLAR BABY
Clive Owen - CLOSER

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

ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Cate Blanchett - THE AVIATOR
Laura Linney - KINSEY
Virginia Madsen - SIDEWAYS
Sophie Okonedo - HOTEL RWANDA
Natalie Portman – CLOSER

ANIMATED FEATURE FILM

THE INCREDIBLES
SHARK TALE
SHREK 2

ART DIRECTION

THE AVIATOR
FINDING NEVERLAND
LEMONY SNICKET'S A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
A VERY LONG ENGAGEMENT

CINEMATOGRAPHY

THE AVIATOR
HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS
THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
A VERY LONG ENGAGEMENT

COSTUME DESIGN

THE AVIATOR
FINDING NEVERLAND
LEMONY SNICKET'S A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS
RAY
TROY

DIRECTING

THE AVIATOR
MILLION DOLLAR BABY
RAY
SIDEWAYS
VERA DRAKE

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

BORN INTO BROTHELS
THE STORY OF THE WEEPING CAMEL
SUPER SIZE ME
TUPAC: RESURRECTION
TWIST OF FAITH

DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT

AUTISM IS A WORLD
THE CHILDREN OF LENINGRADSKY
HARDWOOD
MIGHTY TIMES: THE CHILDREN'S MARCH
SISTER ROSE'S PASSION

FILM EDITING

THE AVIATOR
COLLATERAL
FINDING NEVERLAND
MILLION DOLLAR BABY
RAY

FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

AS IT IS IN HEAVEN
THE CHORUS
DOWNFALL
THE SEA INSIDE
YESTERDAY

MAKEUP

LEMONY SNICKET'S A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS
THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST
THE SEA INSIDE

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

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

BEST PICTURE

THE AVIATOR
FINDING NEVERLAND
MILLION DOLLAR BABY
RAY
SIDEWAYS

SHORT FILM (ANIMATED)

BIRTHDAY BOY
GOPHER BROKE
GUARD DOG
LORENZO
RYAN

SHORT FILM (LIVE ACTION)

EVERYTHING IN THIS COUNTRY MUST
LITTLE TERRORIST
7:35 IN THE MORNING
TWO CARS, ONE NIGHT
WASP

SOUND EDITING

THE INCREDIBLES
THE POLAR EXPRESS
SPIDER-MAN 2

SOUND MIXING

THE AVIATOR
THE INCREDIBLES
THE POLAR EXPRESS
RAY
SPIDER-MAN 2

VISUAL EFFECTS

HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN
I, ROBOT
SPIDER-MAN 2

WRITING (ADAPTED SCREENPLAY)

BEFORE SUNSET
FINDING NEVERLAND
MILLION DOLLAR BABY
THE MOTORCYCLE DIARIES
SIDEWAYS

WRITING (ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY)

THE AVIATOR
ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND
HOTEL RWANDA
THE INCREDIBLES
VERA DRAKE

And now here’s TheWorldJournal.com film critic Frank Ochieng’s Oscar predictions for the 77th Annual Academy Awards:

I. BEST FILM

THE AVIATOR
FINDING NEVERLAND
MILLION DOLLAR BABY
RAY
SIDEWAYS

The Academy’s pick: The Aviator
Frank’s pick: Million Dollar Baby

Explanation: In terms of its opulent scope of filmmaking with the masterful film director Martin Scorsese behind the camera, it’s hard to bet against the radiant biopic The Aviator. This lavish look at Hollywood brilliant but oddball Howard Hughes was simply lavish in its disciplined presentation. Hollywood usually pines for films that are grand and old-fashion in nature. And it certainly doesn’t hurt that The Aviator picked up a Golden Globe as best motion picture drama at this year’s 62nd Annual Golden Globes ceremony. Finding Neverland is too whimsical and sophisticated for Oscar’s taste. Both Ray and Sideways were saddled with all kinds of critical praise and miscellaneous critics’ awards and the like. However, this won’t phase the Academy into thinking that these sentimental favorites will make the ultimate cut into the winner’s circle. Personally, I would like to see Clint Eastwood’s redemptive boxing saga Million Dollar Baby make the leap into Oscar’s glorious heart. It’s atmospheric, gritty and adds a refreshing spin to the familiar portrait of angst regarding incomplete souls looking to patch up their discontentment through a competitive bond.

II. BEST ACTOR

Don Cheadle, HOTEL RWANDA
Johnny Depp, FINDING NEVERLAND
Leonardo DiCaprio, THE AVIATOR
Clint Eastwood, MILLION DOLLAR BABY
Jamie Foxx, RAY

The Academy’s pick: Clint Eastwood for Million Dollar Baby
Frank’s pick: Don Cheadle for Hotel Rwanda

Explanation: In an interesting turn of events, I believe that frontrunners and overwhelming favorites Jamie Foxx (Ray) and Golden Globe-winner Leonardo DiCaprio (The Aviator) will be upstaged by seasoned veteran Clint Eastwood for his tremendous work as a crusty and disillusioned boxing trainer in the punchy piece Million Dollar Baby. Eastwood, who has won an Oscar previously for his directing efforts in the Academy Award-winning Unforgiven, simply gives one of his strongest vulnerable and heartfelt performances in Baby. Eastwood has been nominated as best actor before but he may very well be rewarded for the golden statuette for this square-circled moody melodrama. Eastwood does everything in front and back of the camera so diligently that one can’t help but to bestow the award on him for other endeavors that helps his Baby gel as a riveting drama of promising hope and spirit. It’s an honor for Depp’s peers to recognize him a second year in the row for his incredible acting chops in Finding Neverland after taking the wild imagination by storm with his colorful PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL characterization. But his Finding Neverland role might be considered lightweight in comparison to the other contenders. As much as I was in awe of Foxx’s uncanny portrayal of the late and great singer Ray Charles, I can’t stop but thinking about Cheadle’s inspirational and understated role as an African hotel manager that shelters hoards of people from governmental slaughter in the captivating biopic Hotel Rwanda. Cheadle has always been an exceptional on-screen talent in the way he consumes his characters with poignancy and intensity. Although it’s quite understandable for practically everyone to get caught up in Foxx’s flashy and feisty role as brother Ray Charles, I would cast my vote for Cheadle’s silently heroic Paul Rusesabagina.

III. BEST ACTRESS

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

The Academy’s pick: Annette Bening for Being Julia
Frank’s pick: Hilary Swank for Million Dollar Baby

Explanation: A handful of years ago, there was a strange Oscar race showdown between leading contenders Hilary Swank and Annette Bening. Of course Swank bested Bening by winning the best actress Academy Award for her riveting portrayal of a female-posing-as-a-male guise in the tense drama Boys Don’t Cry. However, this is a new set of Oscar-related circumstances involving Swank and Bening and it is Bening that will come out victorious. Fresh from her Golden Globe winning turn weeks ago, look for Bening to emerge supremely for her costume comedy-drama gig as an aging 30’s stage actress embroiled in an off-kilter affair with her young lover’s other girlfriend. Showing a slight zest for zany elegance, Bening will prevail and add other Oscar trophy in the Beatty household. Still, I believe that the all-around best performance comes from Swank’s fine turn as a determined female boxer looking to escape her hostile existence in Million Dollar Baby. Physically and emotionally, Swank is all over the map and does it skillfully with awestruck concentration. But her previous win for the aforementioned Boys Don’t Cry might be considered too soon to award her another Oscar as the Academy want might to share the wealth and acknowledge the lovely veteran Bening instead. Kate Winslet was tremendously inspired as the offbeat object of affection in the mind-bending romantic romp Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Imelda Staunton’s performance in the abortion drama Vera Drake was courageous and Catalina Sandino Moreno’s take in Maria Full of Grace was provocatively involving. But Bening should be the gracious recipient of Oscar’s fortune.

IV. BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Alan Alda, THE AVIATOR
Thomas Haden Church, SIDEWAYS
Jamie Foxx, COLLATERAL
Morgan Freeman, MILLION DOLLAR BABY
Clive Owen, CLOSER

The Academy’s pick: Clive Owen for Closer
Frank’s pick: Morgan Freeman for Million Dollar Baby

Explanation: What a great selection of talented names in a category that should prove to be quite competitive. Jamie Foxx has a better chance in the best actor arena for his giddy performance in Ray so you can eliminate him for winning in this group. It’s refreshing to see Emmy-winning actor Alan Alda finally get an Oscar nod for his appearance as an inquisitive senator in The Aviator. Unfortunately, The Aviator will be rewarded in other capacities that won’t include Alda’s contribution. Thomas Haden Church is the heralded one who captured our quirky hearts as the roguish soon-to-be married ex actor who takes a frivolous field trip through wine country in the charmingly wacky Sideways. Church, known to television audiences for his 90’s sitcoms Wings and Ned and Stacey, certainly makes a case for obscure boob tube performers elevating themselves to greener pastures. This leaves Golden Globe winner Clive Owen (Closer) and the respected and resilient veteran actor Morgan Freeman (Million Dollar Baby). Only because he’s a new and exciting face and fresh from his coveted win at the Golden Globes, Owen may turn this string of luck into Oscar triumph. My pick would go to the always durable and engaging Freeman as the wise and worldly former boxer Eddie “Scrap-Iron” Dupris in Baby. Freeman has paid his dues in Hollywood and has been consistently steady in his treasured cinematic work throughout his cherished career. It’s almost criminal to realize that the solid performer Freeman doesn’t have Oscar gold to show for his sturdy competence as one of America’s finest cinema actors.

V. BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Cate Blanchett, THE AVIATOR
Laura Linney, KINSEY
Virginia Madsen, SIDEWAYS
Sophie Okonedo, HOTEL RWANDA
Natalie Portman, CLOSER

The Academy’s pick: Cate Blanchett for The Aviator
Frank’s pick: Sophie Okonedo for Hotel Rwanda

Explanation: Simply put, Cate Blanchett’s knockout interpretation of Kate Hepburn in The Aviator will turn heads as her uncanny mannerisms and stylistic tics impeccably captured the late revered actress. Much can be said about Blanchett’s spirited and nuanced performance and how it takes it up a notch in reference to The Aviator’s entertaining aura. I like the subtle strength and undaunted turn of Sophie Okonedo as the perished Tutsi wife Tatiana in the absorbing genocide drama Hotel Rwanda. Surprisingly, Laura Linney’s stint as sexologist Alfred Kinsey’s suffering wife in Kinsey won’t get the spotlight treatment as in Sideways starlet Virgina Madsen’s quirky and curvaceous wine-loving waitress Maya or Natalie Portman’s suggestive take as a spellbinding pixie prostitute in the roller-coaster relationship melodrama Closer. In actuality, look for Blanchett and the Golden Globe-winning Portman to make this a two-way struggle to bid for Oscar’s undivided attention. Overall, these actresses provide the various means for exciting and exceptional escapist examples of well-rounded personas at the movies.

VI. BEST DIRECTOR

Clint Eastwood, MILLION DOLLAR BABY
Taylor Hackford, RAY
Mike Leigh, VERA DRAKE
Alexander Payne, SIDEWAYS
Martin Scorsese, THE AVIATOR

The Academy’s pick: Martin Scorsese for The Aviator
Frank’s pick: Alexander Payne for Sideways

Explanation: Last year, everybody and their grandmother knew that The Lord of the Rings helmer Peter Jackson would seize Oscar gold with his stunning big screen achievement knocking everything else out of the way. This year, we have an impressive assortment of filmmakers that can easily claim Oscar for their remarkable cinematic achievements. Since there is no five-way tie, someone must be marked for greatness. Finally, look for the unfairly overlooked Martin Scorsese to grab Oscar accolades for his boisterous biopic The Aviator. Because The Aviator has the decent chance for Academy Award recognition as best film look for the legendary moviemaker Scorsese to be singled out for his crafty work behind the scenes. Scorsese flirted with cinema gold a couple of years ago with the compelling but uneven periodic piece Gangs of New York. Now he’ll be able to make good ole Oscar his all-time favorite leading man. I can’t help but to personally endorse Alexander Payne as my choice for best director for the fabulous wine-tasting tale Sideways. Payne seems to have his finicky fingers on the pulse every time he magically conjured up character studies that weave traces of cynicism, isolation, redemption and flawed frivolity into his challenging expositions. With celebrated offerings such as Citizen Ruth, Election, About Schmidt and now Sideways, who can blame me for hitching my Oscar-driven wagon to the likes of the perceptive movie-monger Payne? Eastwood certain deserves some serious consideration for winning his second Oscar for his disciplined direction in Million Dollar Baby. Taylor Hackford literally brought the late entertainer back to life in his rousing biopic Ray and got a memorable Oscar-nominated performance out of former TV’s In Living Color cast member Jamie Foxx. Mike Leigh’s somber Vera Drake is moving and suitably topical in its moralistic fiber. But when all is said and done, it’ll be a justified sight to see Scorsese cop Oscar gold after such an artistically pronounced career as a moviemaking maverick of contemporary cinema.

And now, Frank will list his picks (and the Academy’s picks) for the remaining Oscar nominees. Frank’s choices will be denoted by “FO” next to the selection; the Academy Award choices will feature “AA” next to the selection as well.

Best Original Screenplay
THE AVIATOR (Miramax) [AA]
ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND (Focus Features)
HOTEL RWANDA (United Artists) [FO]
THE INCREDIBLES (Disney/Pixar)
VERA DRAKE (Fine Line Features)

Best Adapted Screenplay
BEFORE SUNSET (Warner Independent Pictures)
FINDING NEVERLAND (Miramax)
MILLION DOLLAR BABY (Warner Bros.)
THE MOTORCYCLE DIARIES (Focus Features)
SIDEWAYS (Fox Searchlight) [AA] [FO]

Best Foreign-Language Film
AS IT IS IN HEAVEN – Sweden
THE CHORUS-France
DOWNFALL – Germany
THE SEA INSIDE – Spain [AA] [FO]
YESTERDAY - South Africa

Best Animated Feature Film
THE INCREDIBLES (Disney/Pixar) [AA] [FO]
SHARK TALE (Dreamworks SKG)
SHREK 2 (Dreamworks SKG)

Achievement in Art Direction
THE AVIATOR (Miramax)
FINDING NEVERLAND (Miramax)
LEMONY SNICKET'S A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS (Paramount Pictures) [FO]
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (Warner Bros.) [AA]
A VERY LONG ENGAGEMENT (Warner Independent Pictures)

Achievement in Cinematography
THE AVIATOR (Miramax) [AA]
HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS (Sony Pictures Classics) [FO]
THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST (Newmarket Film Group)
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (Warner Bros.)
A VERY LONG ENGAGEMENT (Warner Independent Pictures)

Achievement in Costume Design
THE AVIATOR (Miramax)
FINDING NEVERLAND (Miramax) [AA]
LEMONY SNICKET'S A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS (Paramount Pictures)
RAY (Universal Pictures)
TROY (Warner Bros.) [FO]

Best Documentary Feature
BORN INTO BROTHELS (ThinkFilm)
THE STORY OF THE WEEPING CAMEL (ThinkFilm)
SUPER SIZE ME (Roadside Attractions / Samuel Goldwyn Films) [FO]
TUPAC: RESURRECTION (Paramount Pictures)
TWIST OF FAITH [AA]

Best Film Editing
THE AVIATOR (Miramax) [AA]
COLLATERAL
FINDING NEVERLAND (Miramax)
MILLION DOLLAR BABY (Warner Bros.) [FO]
RAY (Universal Pictures)

Achievement in Makeup
LEMONY SNICKET'S A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS (Paramount Pictures)
THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST (Newmarket Film Group) [AA] [FO]
THE SEA INSIDE (Fine Line Features)

Best Original Score
FINDING NEVERLAND (Miramax) [AA]
HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN
LEMONY SNICKET'S A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS (Paramount Pictures)
THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST (Newmarket Film Group) [FO]
THE VILLAGE (Touchstone Pictures)

Original Song
"Accidentally In Love" - SHREK 2 (Dreamworks SKG) [FO]
"Al Otro Lado Del Río" - THE MOTORCYCLE DIARIES (Focus Features)
"Believe" - THE POLAR EXPRESS (Warner Bros.) [AA]
"Learn To Be Lonely" - THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (Warner Bros.)
"Look To Your Path (Vois Sur Ton Chemin)" - THE CHORUS (Miramax)

Achievement in Sound Mixing
THE AVIATOR (Miramax) [AA]
THE INCREDIBLES (Disney/Pixar)
THE POLAR EXPRESS (Warner Bros.)
RAY (Universal Pictures) [FO]
SPIDER-MAN 2 (Columbia Pictures)

Achievement in Sound Editing
THE INCREDIBLES (Disney/Pixar) [AA]
THE POLAR EXPRESS (Warner Bros.)
SPIDER-MAN 2 (Columbia Pictures) [FO]

Best Visual Effects
HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN (Warner Bros)
I, ROBOT (20th Century Fox) [AA] [FO]
SPIDER-MAN 2 (Columbia Pictures)

Best Documentary Short
AUTISM IS A WORLD [AA]
THE CHILDREN OF LENINGRADSKY
HARDWOOD
MIGHTY TIMES: THE CHILDREN'S MARCH
SISTER ROSE'S PASSION [FO]

Best Animated Short Film
BIRTHDAY BOY [FO]
GOPHER BROKE
GUARD DOG [AA]
LORENZO
RYAN

Best Live-Action Short Film
EVERYTHING IN THIS COUNTRY MUST [FO]
LITTLE TERRORIST [AA]
7:35 IN THE MORNING
TWO CARS, ONE NIGHT
WASP

Click here to comment on this article or post your own thoughts.

Frank Ochieng
© TheWorldJournal.com

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