Oscar Nominees!

[Lissa]

For anyone who cares, they've been announced. A few that made my eyes bug out, and I'm annoyed about Big Fish not getting ANY nominations, but....


ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Johnny Depp - PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL Bit of a surprise, no? I mean, I know he was nominated for a Golden Globe, but I'm surprised he made it to the Oscars!
Ben Kingsley - HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG
Jude Law - COLD MOUNTAIN
Bill Murray - LOST IN TRANSLATION
Sean Penn - MYSTIC RIVER My pick, by a margin. Not normally a Sean Penn fan, which should tip the scales to Bill Murray, but I really hated LIT.

ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Alec Baldwin - THE COOLER
Benicio Del Toro - 21 GRAMS
Djimon Hounsou - IN AMERICA
Tim Robbins - MYSTIC RIVER I'm guessing he'll get it
Ken Watanabe - THE LAST SAMURAI But I told you he'd be nominated!

ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Keisha Castle-Hughes - WHALE RIDER
Diane Keaton - SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE
Samantha Morton - IN AMERICA
Charlize Theron - MONSTER I haven't seen any of these, but I'd guess it'll be Charlize
Naomi Watts - 21 GRAMS

ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Shohreh Aghdashloo - HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG
Patricia Clarkson - PIECES OF APRIL
Marcia Gay Harden - MYSTIC RIVER
Holly Hunter - THIRTEEN
Renée Zellweger - COLD MOUNTAIN Can we say "shoe-in?"

ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
BROTHER BEAR
FINDING NEMO See above note
THE TRIPLETS OF BELLEVILLE

ART DIRECTION
GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING
THE LAST SAMURAI
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING
MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD
SEABISCUIT

CINEMATOGRAPHY
CITY OF GOD
COLD MOUNTAIN
GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING
MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD
SEABISCUIT

COSTUME DESIGN
GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING
THE LAST SAMURAI
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING
MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD
SEABISCUIT

Are we seeing a trend here?

DIRECTING
CITY OF GOD
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING
LOST IN TRANSLATION
MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD
MYSTIC RIVER
Tim Burton, BIG FISH

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
BALSEROS
CAPTURING THE FRIEDMANS
THE FOG OF WAR
MY ARCHITECT
THE WEATHER UNDERGROUND

DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT
ASYLUM
CHERNOBYL HEART
FERRY TALES

FILM EDITING
CITY OF GOD
COLD MOUNTAIN
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING
MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD
SEABISCUIT

FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
THE BARBARIAN INVASIONS
EVIL
THE TWILIGHT SAMURAI
TWIN SISTERS
ŽELARY

MAKEUP
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING
MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL

MUSIC (SCORE)
BIG FISH My bad, there's ONE
COLD MOUNTAIN
FINDING NEMO
HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING

MUSIC (SONG)
"Into the West" - THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING
"A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow" - A MIGHTY WIND
"Scarlet Tide" - COLD MOUNTAIN
"The Triplets of Belleville" - THE TRIPLETS OF BELLEVILLE
"You Will Be My Ain True Love" - COLD MOUNTAIN

BEST PICTURE
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING
LOST IN TRANSLATION
MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD
MYSTIC RIVER
SEABISCUIT
Big Fish, but as long as it's not Lost In Translation I'll live

SHORT FILM (ANIMATED)
BOUNDIN'
DESTINO
GONE NUTTY
HARVIE KRUMPET
NIBBLES

SHORT FILM (LIVE ACTION)
DIE ROTE JACKE (The Red Jacket)
MOST (The Bridge)
SQUASH
(A) TORZIJA ( Torsion)
TWO SOLDIERS

SOUND
THE LAST SAMURAI
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING
MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL
SEABISCUIT

SOUND EDITING
FINDING NEMO
MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL

VISUAL EFFECTS
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING
MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL

WRITING (ADAPTED SCREENPLAY)
AMERICAN SPLENDOR
CITY OF GOD
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING
MYSTIC RIVER
SEABISCUIT

WRITING (ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY)
THE BARBARIAN INVASIONS
DIRTY PRETTY THINGS
FINDING NEMO
IN AMERICA
LOST IN TRANSLATION NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

[deusdragonexx]

Lissa said:

ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Keisha Castle-Hughes - WHALE RIDERShe better win. I'll truly cry if she doesn't.
Diane Keaton - SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE
Samantha Morton - IN AMERICA
Charlize Theron - MONSTER I haven't seen any of these, but I'd guess it'll be Charlize
Naomi Watts - 21 GRAMS

I'm really pulling for Keisha Castle-Hughes to win that one. In fact, I may even watch this award show (which one is it again?) for the first time in my life, just to see if she wins.

[Magill]

I'm also surprised (pleasantly) at Keisha Castle-Hughes's nomination. Not to shabby for her first movie role ever.

I bet ROTK will get the best picture nod. So many are going to see it as a reward for all 3 films (best director could work the same way).

[HeyCreepy]

I'm glad Benicio is up for his role in 21 grams (he was snubbed by the Globes). I think he had the best performance I saw last year (I haven't seen Mystic River yet). I, too, am very upset by the lack of love for Big Fish. I thought it should have been up for Best Picture. If the academy knows what's good for them, they will give the best supporting actress award to Shohreh Aghdashloo. Astounding performance.

[Lissa]

They won't though, I'm betting. Renee Zellweger has been nominated for lead actress the last two years, and from what I understand really did do a good job in Cold Mountain. I'd be willing to put money on her getting the little naked dude.

[HeyCreepy]

Lissa said:

They won't though, I'm betting. Renee Zellweger has been nominated for lead actress the last two years, and from what I understand really did do a good job in Cold Mountain.

I know...but I like getting my hopes up. Sometimes (though not often) the academy throws in a surprise here or there. Nothing against Renée Zellweger (I'm a huge fan) but Shohreh Aghdashloo's performance was just so powerful.

Lissa said:

I'd be willing to put money on her getting the little naked dude.

Funny! ... I think they should rename the Oscars - "The Little Naked Dude." ;D

[BDC]

Y'know, I really hope Seabiscuit wins SOMETHING. I've gotten to be a fan of Tobey's and quite frankly, I enjoyed so much it scared me.

[dajaymann]

Has anyone seen Whale Rider yet? I know the general plotline from watching commercials for it on TV, but apparently that girl is the youngest actress ever nominated for the best actress nod (correct me if I'm wrong). I was going to rent this eventually anyway, but now my interest is really stirred and I'm probably going to get it on Friday for date night. I have a feeling my wife will really enjoy this film. Anyone have any opinion on this film? I'm somewhat surprised that anything hasn't been said on this movie...ever...on the forums (if I recall correctly).

[mutantclare]

Everyone I know who's seen Whale Rider says it's fricking amazing. And they're particularly stoked that she got nominated.

[Lissa]

I've heard it compared to Bend It Like Beckham in that it's a coming of age thing, and sort of "good for the whole family." Not necessarily a family flick- just a good, positive movie you could watch with your 8 year old kid brother or your 80 year old grandmother. Not too many like that!

I'm going to have to rent it soon too.

[Magill]

I have seen it, and I even listed in in your recommendations thread. I said Castle-Hughes was awesome. No one commented on that. But oh, some academy goes and nominates her for an award, and now that's all that you will talk about!

;D

[dajaymann]

Magill said:

I said Castle-Hughes was awesome. No one commented on that. But oh, some academy goes and nominates her for an award, and now that's all that you will talk about!

;D

That is because I am a tool. Forgiven?

[Jade]

Has Ewan McGregor ever been nominated for anything? And just to re-open some old wounds... seems like I remember Moulin Rouge getting seriously snubbed two years ago. Does the academy not like Aussies' (Baz Luhrman, Peter Jackson) or Mr. McGregor?

-Jade

(still bitter about Chicago getting praised to the roof and Moulin Rouge getting virtually ignored.)

[Lissa]

Here here Jade!

Mr. McGregor, I believe, has made a few rather not-so-complimentary comments about the Academy. Although I think he's an amazing actor, I think he's never got a shot just because he refuses to play the games. Which is too bad. But heck with being nominated, Baz should have won best director for Moulin Rouge. And how A Beautiful Mind beat it for picture is beyond me.

Although, I have to admit, looking at the lead actors this year, I'm not shocked he wasn't nominated. Bill Murray and Sean Penn both deserve the Oscar, I think. Jude Law's in an Oscar vehicle, Ben Kingsley is just one of the best out there, and Johnny Depp turned a movie that everyone thought would suck into a blockbuster. I thought Ewan McGregor was great in Big Fish, but I didn't think it was as much an Oscar role as Christian was. (Grumbles about Tim Burton not being nominated though.)

And Russell Crowe and Nicole Kidman are Aussies, and the Academy LOVES them. So I think it's more a matter of willing to play it right than where you come from.

[AJWARPED]

I wasn't really to surprised with any of the nominations. The other night I brought home Lost in Translation and didn't think it was that bad but not really the best picture. Murray was really good as usual though.

I also watched American Splendor the same night and that was so amazing. I think that it should have been nominated for best picture. go check it out.