Edward Champion's Return of the Reluctant

My Oscar Predictions: Who Will Win

BEST PICTURE: Return of the King

It boils down to Return of the King and Lost in Translation. And Peter Jackson is going to be getting some serious stroking, largely because Coppola is too young and has only two films under her belt.

BEST ACTOR: Bill Murray, Lost in Translation

Kingsley's already won, Depp's nomination was more of a bizarre nod, Law doesn't quite have Oscar on his face. This leaves Penn and Murray. Penn, however, will remain the Susan Lucci. Murray has the comic actor doing an dramatic turn working in his favor. The Academy likes that sort of thing. (Remember Robin Williams' win for Good Will Hunting.)

BEST ACTRESS: Charlize Theron, Monster

The easiest race to pick. Makeover, baby.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Tim Robbins, Mystic River

Tim Robbins is one of the quietly respected actors in Hollywood. (Quiet, because of his politics.) I'd say he's got this one in the bag.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Holly Hunter, Thirteen

A lot of people are going with Zellweger. But that's too easy. We have to remember that the supporting actor winners are often outright batty. And since Tim Robbins has the lock on the supporting actor category, it's here that we'll see craziness. And I think the Academy will go for the trusted indie here. (Plus, Hunter's performance in Thirteen was extraordinary.)

BEST DIRECTOR: Peter Jackson, Return of the King.

This was a toss-up between Jackson and Coppola. But the Lord of the Rings has made a lot of people very rich. Plus, I think the Academy wants to celebrate technical razzle-dazzle over a quiet study of individuals. (Coppola will win the consolation prize: Best Original Screenplay.)

OTHER PREDICTIONS:

Original Screenplay: Lost in Translation
Adapted Screenplay: Mystic River
Best Animated Feature: Finding Nemo
Art Direction: Return of the King
Cinematography: Girl with a Pearl Earring
Costume Design: Girl with a Pearl Earring
Documentary Feature: Capturing the Friedmans
Documentary Short: Chernobyl Heart
Film Editing: Cold Mountain
Foreign Language Film: The Barbarian Invasions
Makeup: Return of the King
Original Score: Return of the King
Original Song: "A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow," A Mighty Wind
Short Film -- Animated: Destino
Short Film -- Live Action: Two Soldiers
Sound Editing: Master and Commander
Sound Mixing: Return of the King
Visual Effects: Return of the King

Posted by DrMabuse at February 27, 2004 04:32 PM | TrackBack