The movies have been viewed and reviewed, the best chosen and, occasionally, forgotten, and finally the time has come - time for the “best” of the year to take their spots, complete with a small statue of a golden guy.
The Academy Awards are once again here, complete with plenty of controversy, Joan Rivers criticizing clothing, and some bad musical numbers. Chances are, nobody will completely agree with the final decisions, and like it or not, everyone’s got an opinion.
Best Picture
No movie this year has had its “for your consideration” packets to the press followed with more naysaying than “A Beautiful Mind,” the film detailing the life of John Nash Jr. A beautiful movie, but claims of whitewashing over dirty details may have ruined its chances.
Also high in the running is the fantasy epic “Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring,” although no fairy tale epic has ever taken the picture trophy.
Rounding out the category is class tale “Gosford Park,” the new-era musical “Moulin Rouge” and the revenge story “In the Bedroom.”
Directing
Peter Jackson may be up for three years of excitement or disappointment at the Oscars, depending on how this one ends up. His mammoth undertaking of filming all three installments of “Lord of the Rings” still has two finished products yet to come, and this year finds his work with 13 total nominations already, the most for the year.
Ron Howard also has a chance here, with his helming of “Beautiful Mind” a strong candidate, but Robert Altman’s work on “Gosford Park” could help the academy award a man previously ignored. Longshots include David Lynch, with “Mulholland Drive,” and Ridley Scott for “Black Hawk Down.”
Actor in a Leading Role
No nominations have more news going on than the acting awards - specifically because of race. For the first time ever, three black actors are up for possible awards, two of them for best actor - Denzel Washington for “Training Day” and Will Smith for “Ali.” Washington is a favorite against Russell Crowe (“A Beautiful Mind”), who is out for his second-in-a-row victory in the ceremony.
Other contenders are Sean Penn for playing a mentally disabled father in “I Am Sam”and Tom Wilkinson for his role as a bereaved father in “In the Bedroom.”
“Sean Penn was too “Rain Man”-ish,” said hospitality and business sophomore Jenny Prechowski. “Russell Crowe - they like him.”
Actress in a Leading Role
Halle Berry enters this category as a likely possibility; her work in “Monster’s Ball” has had critics and moviegoers talking. But she’s up against some tough competition - Sissy Spacek as the mother in “In the Bedroom.”
Nicole Kidman also has a shot for her work in “Moulin Rouge.” Slim but possible is Judi Dench for “Iris,” the biggest movie this year that no one saw, and Renee Zellweger for “Bridget Jones’s Diary.”
Best Supporting Actor
Jon Voight only was in “Ali” as Howard Cosell for a little more than 10 minutes - he may spend longer at the awards ceremony than he did shooting the film. Jim Broadbent also is due some recognition for “Iris,” not to mention cameos in “Moulin Rouge” and “Briget Jones’s Diary.”
But Ian McKellen’s turn as Gandalf in “Lord of the Rings” likely may turn out to be the best bet.
“The old guy,” criminal justice sophomore Jessica Johnson said, when given all the choices. “The “Lord of the Rings” guy.”
Ben Kingsley also will be out for his second acting trophy for his performance as a gangster in “Sexy Beast,” a nomination many watching will wonder, “what was that movie about?” Ethan Hawke will also be in attendance with a chance to win for his rookie cop role in “Training Day.”
Best Supporting Actress
With most of the nominees in this category appearing in lower-budget films, Jennifer Connelly’s big spot in “A Beautiful Mind” is high on the list.
Possibilities include Helen Mirren and Maggie Smith in “Gosford Park,” Kate Winslet in “Iris” and Marisa Tomei, back again in the category after winning for “My Cousin Vinny,” for “In the Bedroom.”
“I want Jennifer Connelly,” pre-veterinary sophomore Kelly Grossman said. “She got rid of the big eyebrows.”
Animated Feature Film
Another highlight of the night will be the newest category, giving animated films a chance to win. “Beauty and the Beast” is the only animated film ever nominated for Best Picture. This year has commercial powerhouses “Shrek” and “Monsters, Inc.” competing against “Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius.”
Of course, with the ceremony planned for more than three hours, there are plenty of other categories to choose and bet on. And that may be more fun than watching the show itself - or at least the arguing part.
