Sunday, February 27, 2005
Oscar picks
As perhaps America's only straight man who likes to watch the Oscars, I have to weigh in with my predictions for major awards. Unlike most years, I have not seen many of the nominated performances this year. With a 19-month old, if it isn't on DVD, I have not seen it,so I am a little bit of a disadvantage.
Supporting Actress: It is hard to believe that neither Cate Blanchett nor Laura Linney has won an Oscar previously, and Natalie Portman probably has one in her future, but I have a hunch it will be Virginia Madsen. She gets credit for being in the consensus #1 film of the year and for evolving from a B-movie actress.
Supporting Actor: Morgan Freeman wins tonight, not only for Million Dollar Baby, but for an amazing body of work. Think Paul Newman in The Color of Money, Sean Connery in The Untouchables, or Al Pacino in Scent of a Woman. Same deal.
Lead Actor: Jamie Foxx gets the nod. Similar to Virginia Madsen, he has evolved from comic to actor. Bonus points for actually playing the piano in Ray, plus sentimental points for Ray Charles' passing.
Lead Actress: Hilary Swank wins again for her performance in Million Dollar Baby. Dark horse is Kate Winslet, who stole the show in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
Directing: Tough category that is between Clint Eastwood and Martin Scorsese. Clint is perhaps the director most actors want to work with, and he should have won this award last year. Scorsese has a great body of work and has not won this award. I give the nod to Clint.
Picture: This probably comes down to Million Dollar Baby and The Aviator. I give the nod to Baby, but we could see a split vote between the directing and picture awards.
Supporting Actress: It is hard to believe that neither Cate Blanchett nor Laura Linney has won an Oscar previously, and Natalie Portman probably has one in her future, but I have a hunch it will be Virginia Madsen. She gets credit for being in the consensus #1 film of the year and for evolving from a B-movie actress.
Supporting Actor: Morgan Freeman wins tonight, not only for Million Dollar Baby, but for an amazing body of work. Think Paul Newman in The Color of Money, Sean Connery in The Untouchables, or Al Pacino in Scent of a Woman. Same deal.
Lead Actor: Jamie Foxx gets the nod. Similar to Virginia Madsen, he has evolved from comic to actor. Bonus points for actually playing the piano in Ray, plus sentimental points for Ray Charles' passing.
Lead Actress: Hilary Swank wins again for her performance in Million Dollar Baby. Dark horse is Kate Winslet, who stole the show in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
Directing: Tough category that is between Clint Eastwood and Martin Scorsese. Clint is perhaps the director most actors want to work with, and he should have won this award last year. Scorsese has a great body of work and has not won this award. I give the nod to Clint.
Picture: This probably comes down to Million Dollar Baby and The Aviator. I give the nod to Baby, but we could see a split vote between the directing and picture awards.
