Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: My Oscar predictions

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Posted by Erika Hellgren (Member # 22) on 02-15-2000, 09:34 AM:

Hello, my name is Erika and I’m an Academy Awards addict.

“Hi, Erika!”

Well, it’s that time of year again, and I thought I would post my predictions for this year’s Oscar winners. Please feel free to post your agreements, disagreements, people who should have been nominated but weren’t, people who were nominated who shouldn’t have been, personal disgust for the Academy and its politics, funny stories about Arthur Hiller getting plastered, ect. Hey, that’s what award shows are all about

BEST PICTURE: American Beauty
This year, nothing really screamed out “Best Picture” to me (except maybe one or two films that were not nominated), but I think American Beauty combined all it’s elements to make a good film.
THE OTHER NOMINEES: -Cider House Rules: Good to see this make the list.
-The Green Mile: Gotta have that resident Tom Hanks drama included in the list.
-The Insider: Yeah, it was a good film, but can you say “editing”?
-The Sixth Sense: Glad they had the brains to nominated this one ... I wish it would win.

BEST DIRECTOR: Sam Mendes for American Beauty
It takes a very weird, unexplainable phenomenon to split Picture and Director into two movies (like last year ... what the Hell?!), and I don’t think it will happen this year.
THE OTHER NOMINEES: -Lasse Halstrom for The Cider House Rules: Who’s cruel enough to name their kid Lasse?
-Spike Jones for Being John Malkovich
-Michael Mann for The Insider
-M. Night Shyamalan for The Sixth Sense

BEST ACTOR: Denzel Washington in The Hurricane
I’m torn between Denzel and Richard, but Denzel “is my final answer”. It’s Hollywood; they could stiff the poor guy till he’s dead, but hopefully this is his year. Does the Academy have something against Jim Carrey, or do they just love teasing him?
THE OTHER NOMINEES: -Russell Crowe in The Insider
-Richard Farnsworth in The Straight Story: Awesome performance!
-Sean Penn in Sweet and Lowdown: He won’t be at the ceremony anyway.
-Kevin Spacey in American Beauty

BEST ACTRESS: Hilary Swank in Boys Don’t Cry
If they don’t give it to her ... I’ll ... do ... something! (and it’ll be bad)
THE OTHER NOMINEES: -Annette Bening for American Beauty
-Janet McTeer for Tumbleweeds: She’s the only real competition Hilary has, although I didn’t see the movie.
-Juliane Moore in The End of the Affair
-Meryl Streep in Music of the Heart: Some day she’ll retire, and she’ll STILL be getting nominations!

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Tom Cruise in Magnolia
I think too many people in Hollywood got a kick out of Tom playing a sexist.
THE OTHER NOMINEES: -Michael Caine in Cider House Rules: His accent got on my nerves.
-Michael Clarke Duncan in The Green Mile: I wish he’d win.
-Jude Law in The Talented Mr. Ripley: Him too.
-Haley Joel Osment in The Sixth Sense: Wouldn’t it be a hoot if they gave it to the kid?

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Catherine Keener in Being John Malkovich
This is a tough one.
THE OTHER NOMINEES: -Toni Collette in The Sixth Sense: I would love it if she won.
-Angelina Jolie in Girl, Interrupted: I think she has a chance, too. We’ll see.
-Samantha Morton in Sweet and Lowdown: Haven’t seen the film.
-Chloe Sevigny in Boys Don’t Cry: She deserves it, too. This is a tough category this year!

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: Being John Malkovich
Sometimes they give movies the Screenplay Oscar when they can’t give it Best Picture.
THE OTHER NOMINEES: -Magnolia: Also a possibility.
-American Beauty
-Topsy-Turvy
-The Sixth Sense

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: The Cider House Rules
I doubt any voting members read The Talented Mr. Ripley.
THE OTHER NOMINEES: -The Green Mile
-Election
-The Insider
-The Talented Mr. Ripley: This should win, but it probably won’t. *sigh*

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM: All About My Mother
OK, I admit I haven’t seen any of the nominees in this category this year, but All About My Mother has been playing in the same theatre in my town for about six months, so there must be something to it
THE OTHER NOMINEES: -Caravan
-East-West
-Solomon and Geenor
-Under the Sun

BEST ORIGINAL SONG: “You’ll Be in My Heart” from Tarzan
Seems like it’s been a while since Disney won in this category, I figure it’s time to kiss their ass again.
THE OTHER NOMINEES: -“Blame Canada” from South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut: I’m surprised (and delighted) that they had the balls to nominated a song from this movie. While they were at it, why not nominated “Uncle Fucker”?
-“Music of the Heart” from “Music of the Heart”
-“Save Me” from Magnolia
-“When She Loved Me” from Toy Story 2

BEST DRAMATIC SCORE: The Red Violin
Just a hunch.
THE OTHER NOMINEES: -American Beauty: The score was played too much in this film.
-Angela’s Ashes
-The Cider House Rules
-The Talented Mr. Ripley: I loved the music in this film. Very original.

BEST FILM EDITING: American Beauty
I don’t think anybody ever thinks about it real hard when they vote in this category.
THE OTHER NOMINEES: -The Cider House Rules
-The Insider
-The Matrix: I was really hoping this would make the list
-The Sixth Sense

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: American Beauty
All very deserving nominees this year. I’d love to see Sleepy Hollow get it, but I think those voting remember the roses coming out of that girl’s breasts in AB, so ...
THE OTHER NOMINEES: -The End of the Affair
-The Insider
-Sleepy Hollow
-Snow Falling on Cedars: Should have been nominated for Editing, too.

BEST ART DIRECTION/SET DECORATION: Topsy-Turvy
This is usually a no-brainer, but I think Sleepy Hollow is a real possibility, too. We’ll see.
THE OTHER NOMINEES: -Anna and the King
-The Cider House Rules
-Sleepy Hollow
-The Talented Mr. Ripley

BEST COSTUME DESIGN: Titus
Very imaginative and larger than life! Films like Titus are the reason Costume Design is a category at these awards.
THE OTHER NOMINEES: -Anna and the King
-Sleepy Hollow
-The Talented Mr. Ripley
-Topsy-Turvy

BEST MAKE-UP: Life
God, they just loooove actors in rubber suits!
THE OTHER NOMINEES: -Austin Powers 2: The Spy Who Shagged Me: Fat Bastard rules!
-Bicentennial Man: Yuck! I wanted to throw up when I saw the make-up job in this movie! Another case of the Academy nominating their friends. Ug!
-Topsy-Turvy

BEST SOUND DESIGN: Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
I hate to say this, but I think this one is going to steal it away from The Matrix, because The Matrix is going to steal Visual Effects from Star Wars. (I hope) In any case, it’s Gary Rydstrom ... he rocks! (Where’s Toy Story 2 - it belongs here!)
THE OTHER NOMINEES: -The Green Mile
-The Insider: whatever
-The Mummy: Hello!!!!!!! Loud and ear-splittingly harsh does not mean good! Get a clue!
-The Matrix

BEST SOUND EFFECTS EDITING: The Matrix
Cause I said so.
THE OTHER NOMINEES: -Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace: I thought animated films weren’t allowed to be nominated in this category. What? Star Wars was live action? Could have fooled me!
-Fight Club

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS: The Matrix
If Jar Jar Binks wins this, I will gouge my eyes out!
THE OTHER NOMINEES: -Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
-Stuart Little: whatever

BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT SUBJECT: Don’t have a clue
I never get a chance to see the short films until well after the awards are over. How come Run Lola Run isn’t nominated?
THE NOMINEES: -Bror, Min Bror
-Killing Joe
-Kleingold
-Major and Minor Miracles
-My Mother Dreams the Satan Disciples in New York

BEST ANIMATED SHORT SUBJECT: Again, no clue.
No Wallace and Gromit this year, so it’s anybody’s game.
THE NOMINEES: -Humdrum
-My Grandmother Ironed the King’s Shirts
-The Old Man and the Sea
-3 Misses
-When the Day Breaks

BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT: The Wildest Show in the South: The Angola Prison Rodeo
I haven’t seen any documentaries this year either (I know, shame on me, I’m so uncultured), so this is just a guess.
THE OTHER NOMINEES: -Eye Witness
-King Gimp

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE: On the Ropes
Well, whoever wins, you can be assured that they will give a political speech and possibly be drowned out by music.
THE OTHER NOMINEES: -Buena Vista Social Club
-Genghis Blues
-One Day in September
-Speaking in Strings

Posted by Greg Mueller (Member # 17) on 02-15-2000, 09:59 AM:

Yeah Matrix!

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 02-15-2000, 11:26 AM:

Wow! They actually nominated a song from Southpark. I'm amazed. I understand they're not going to do their time-wasting dance numbers this year, but I would've loved to have seen how they would handle a song like "Uncle Fucker". Perhaps the academy has something against Canadians? Then again, maybe they felt "Blame Canada" was the most tame song in the film. Regardless, I'm still shocked.

I was very disappointed to see The Mummy got nominated for "best sound design". Erika is sooooo right. That had the worst track I've heard in years! And yes, where's Toy Story 2???

The best editing always kills me too. The Matrix should win this. Quick cutting is actually very difficult to do while still being able to tell what the hell is going on. (Everyone remember the horrible editing in the action scenes from End of Days?) Shame on the academy for not putting Detroit Rock City in for editing.

Other than that, it looks like another typical Academy year to me. Maybe since they're cutting out the dance numbers, there'll be time to actually let the winners talk for more than 30 seconds.

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 02-15-2000, 11:51 AM:

Grr. The academy awards just tend to get me upset more than anything else, mostly because of the tendency not to even nominate many good films that didn't get a wide release.

So, for lack of a better place to post this, here's my list of overlooked, should-have-at-least-been-nominated titles: American Movie (great documentary, funny as hell), Go (I didn't see this until well after its initial release; it was surprisingly intelligent), Keepers of the Frame (good docco on film restoration/preservation; released only in 16mm, mostly to festivals; was this even eligible?), Limbo (John Sayles' latest...good, solid film), Lock Stock/2 Smoking Barrels (deserves a shot at best cinematography; not sure on eligibility), October Sky (one of the best "mainstream" pictures of 1999), Run Lola Run (one of the film "landmarks" of last year), SLC Punk (lasted about a week in most major markets, sadly), and the War Zone (one of the best of the year; deserving of a best cinematography nomination, at least).

Was I the only one who was unimpressed with Matrix?

Posted by Ian Price (Member # 14) on 02-15-2000, 01:54 PM:

Hi my name is Ian, and I too am an Academy Awards Junky.

“Hi Ian”

If I haven’t found a place to live by the Oscars, I will drag the TV out of storage and set it up in the box office. I hope I can get reception in this backwards little town. Here are my predictions with my hopes and a few caustic comments thrown in to make it fun. My thanks to Erika! For posting the list and to Microsoft for the cut and paste feature.

BEST PICTURE: American Beauty
-The Sixth Sense: Glad they had the brains to nominated this one.
Being John Malkavich should have been in this category as The Straight Story.

BEST DIRECTOR: Sam Mendes for American Beauty
-Spike Jones for Being John Malkavich: is whom I want to win!

BEST ACTOR: -Richard Farnsworth in The Straight Story: Awesome performance!
THE OTHER NOMINEE: -Russell Crowe in The Insider is my protection bet.

BEST ACTRESS: Hilary Swank in Boys Don’t Cry: Don't worry Erika! If She doesn't win there will be a huge protest.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: -Michael Clarke Duncan in The Green Mile: This is the newcomer award.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: -Angelina Jolie in Girl, Interrupted:

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: Being John Malkavich

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: -The Insider

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM: All About My Mother (We are currently playing this film to good houses. I wish we could have played them all. We will definitely play the winner if it isn't Pedro's film.)

BEST ORIGINAL SONG: This category never works. It is either a bad song or it gets played to death on the radio. I only enjoy this catagory when someone who shouldn't be there, gets to play. It will be interesting how they do the South Park song.

BEST DRAMATIC SCORE: Nothing stuck in my mind this year. What about All About My Mother?

BEST FILM EDITING: -The Matrix:

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: -Snow Falling on Cedars
Where's The Straight Story?

BEST COSTUME DESIGN: Titus (We open it next month.)

BEST MAKE-UP: -Austin Powers 2: The Spy Who Shagged Me: Fat Bastard rules!

BEST SOUND DESIGN: -The Matrix

BEST SOUND EFFECTS EDITING: The Matrix

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS: The Matrix

BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT SUBJECT: The Academy should now put these shorts in a program and release them.

BEST ANIMATED SHORT SUBJECT: The Academy should now put these shorts in a program and release them.

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE: -Buena Vista Social Club
-Genghis Blues (I wish would win)

Posted by Greg Mueller (Member # 17) on 02-15-2000, 04:40 PM:

What used to hack me off about the Oscars (well two things) was that they usually make it a rule (it seems) to totally ignore SciFi and when they presented awards for some categories like special effects some old guy who could barely get up on the stage would go up and grab the statue. Now you know that since the guy can barely see and hardly walk that he didn't really do zip and is taking the credit for the guys who really did. Guess there's just no justice.

Posted by Erika Hellgren (Member # 22) on 02-15-2000, 04:59 PM:

Brad, it has been my experience that when they get rid of one boring part of the show, they always replace it with another. That means if they aren't doing the dance numbers for the songs, they'll do something really terrible like Lord of the Dance or a fashion show. Oh, and you know they just got rid of it cause they didn't want to offend people with a "Blame Canada" dance. Just imagine what Trey Parker and Matt Stone would have come up with! Ooo, then imagine what Debbie Allen would do with it. LOL!

Scott reminded me of a couple more missing nominations ... where the hell is Philip Seymore Hoffman for Flawless? Sorry, Hollywood, but ignoring drag queens won't make them go away! Also, I thought Kate Winslet did a phenomanal job in Holy Smoke! And Ian mentioned that Straight Story was missing from Cinematography.

Oh, Ian, I think you may be right about Michael Clarke Duncan getting S. Actor - that's my back up prediction. I just got this weird feeling that it's Tom Cruise's year.

Posted by Ian Price (Member # 14) on 02-15-2000, 06:47 PM:

Erika!

One more post! One more post!

And she be an Expert!

Let me be the first to say, Congradulations and welcome.

Posted by Ky Boyd (Member # 23) on 02-15-2000, 08:28 PM:

The Straight Story!!!! What was the academy thinking. It should be nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Cinematography and Best Editing. Did this movie direct it self - absolutely not. It is an amazing directorial job by David Lynch because his hand as the director is invisible. The editing is so perfect it isn't even noticeable. And it is one of the most beautifully shot films I've seen in the last several years.

Also sadly overlooked:

Chris Cooper for Best Supporting Actor for American Beauty. What a performance.

October Sky - again beautifully shot, directed and edited. Also a great screenplay adapted from a book.

And whats with the 6th sense. A routine hollywood picture...not a great screenplay nor a great directing job. I don't get it!

Gotta love the fact that Cider House Rules was no where in anyone's pre-nomination annoucement predictions. Never underestimate the marketing power of Miramax.

Enough ranting for now.

Posted by George Roher (Member # 91) on 02-16-2000, 12:07 AM:

I can never predict these things. But here's who I want to win:

Best Picture: American Beauty

Best Actor: Sean Penn or Kevin Spacey.

Best Actress: Annette Bening

Supporting Actress: Samantha Morton

Director: Spike Jones

Original Screenplay: Being John Malkovich

I can't believe Run Lola Run has been overlooked. It's one of the most creative
films I've seen in a long time. It should have been nominated for best editing and best foreign film. I also think Sweet & Lowdown should have gotten a best picture nomination.

Posted by Tyler Skinner (Member # 229) on 02-16-2000, 12:35 AM:

Erika, I think I'm falling in love with you.

I'm so glad people here recognized the Straight Story, I am an avid David Lynch fan and this such a great film. It should have definately gotten nominated for Best Cinematography, director and best picture. I'm surprised Disney didn't push this film more like they did with Shakespeare in Love last year.

Also what the hell is up with Kubrick not being nominated for best Director?

and yes Erika, I will gouge my eyes out too if Jar Jar wins anything.

:-)

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 02-16-2000, 01:43 AM:

I also agree about The Straight Story. I can't figure out why Disney didn't release it wide. It is Disney, after all. But then again look at Fantasia 2000. The only difference is that Straight Story is a GOOD movie!

It was great seeing Richard Farnesworth and David Lynch in person introducing their movie before I started it for them at the Telluride Film Festival.

Posted by Erika Hellgren (Member # 22) on 02-16-2000, 02:56 AM:

OK, I guess I should submit this fortuitous post so that I'm finally an expert. It's about time, Jeez!

Oh, a note of interest ... after today's announcements of the nominees, Jim Carrey was placed on suicide watch. Just kidding

Posted by Chad Souder (Member # 343) on 02-16-2000, 11:06 AM:

There is a few obvious clues that the Oscars are politics. How can you deny Jim Carrey's portrayal of Andy Kaufman? He epitomized the character, and isn't that what acting is? All the other actors did a good job, don't get me wrong, but Denzel Washington did not adapt himself to become Hurricane like Carrey did to become Kaufman.
The other obvious clue is no Kubrick for best director. The guy's beyond genious. Apparently its not important if the potential nominees are dead. And for that matter, where is any recognition at all for "Eyes Wide Shut". It was full of great acting (hello, Tom and Nicole???) and costumes, and at the very least, credit has to be given for all the beautiful, naked women.
Right?

------------------
"All right, brain. You don't like me and I don't like you, but let's just do this and I can get back to killing you with beer." - Homer Simpson

Posted by Dave Williams (Member # 299) on 02-16-2000, 02:07 PM:

Well I can predict the future but refuse to, but If I could have my way, Matrix would win in every category even if it wasn't nominated. However JarJar is going to win best actor because lets face it, the academy is full of pompous pretentious old farts that wouldnt know a good movie if it bit em in the ass!

And on that subject, what about movies of the past that never got thier just rewards? Lets have a call here on some movies or performances overlooked that you think should have gotten at least a nod:

Christopher Plummer as General Chang in Star Trek 6, the undiscovered country. I mean come on here, you have a klingon commander quoting shakespear while kicking the crap out of kirk and his buddies. His performance was outstanding but alas, it was a SCIFI film and they so rarely ever get any real recognition.

------------------
"If it's not worth doing, I have allready been there and done it"

Posted by Tom Ferreira (Member # 70) on 02-16-2000, 04:41 PM:

The reason that "Blame Canada" was nominated, is because it's the song that Trey Parker submitted for consideration. I guess he felt that the rest of the score was a little too much for conservative Academy voters. The unfortunate part is that Mary Kay Bergman who virtually performed every female voice on the show, and thus this entire song, tragically committed suicide last year, so there's no way the song could be performed live.
The most glaring omission in my eyes(besides Jim Carrey, who was terrific in MOTM), is the lack of nominations for Election, a film just as good as American Beauty(which I did like). I do believe it is nominated for screenplay, but it should be among the elite five.
I've been imagining this scenerio all year-Jim Carrey wins the Oscar for Best Actor and is accompanied to the stage by Tony Clifton, who turns out to be----Andy Kaufman! Guess I just watch too much wrestling; speaking of which, Beyond The Mat was not nominated for Best Documentary-word it that it's outstanding.

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 02-16-2000, 11:46 PM:

As far as Best Documentary goes, the only one I've seen is Buena Vista Social Club. We just got through playing it this evening.

I can't say I hated it. The music was good and all of the people were interesting. (An old Cuban woman walking down the street smoking a BIG, FAT STOGIE!)

It was a pretty "tedious" movie to watch. We had about 1/2 doz. walkouts. (Out of a house of 225) Most of them were students.

I guess it would have been better if you were interested in the subject matter.... There was this older gentleman who just raved about it.

I'd give it a "**"

My scale:
**** = GREAT!
*** = I'd pay to watch it even though I can see movies for free.
** = I'd watch it for free
* = Waste of film
0 = I could eat a can of Kodak and PUKE a better movie!

Posted by Bryan Redemske (Member # 354) on 02-17-2000, 03:11 PM:

chad's still on the Kubrick thing i see...

but i think i'm one of the only ones who thought Tom Hanks kicked ass in The Green Mile, as did everyone else for that matter. come on, the guy made taking a leak look pretty good - you remember the expression on his face....

so, the Green Mile for best picture would be nice. I don't see the big deal about Amercian Beauty; no, i really don't. yeah, it was a little weird but i don't know if it should win everything like everyone thinks its going to. it was good, yes. the best? don't think so.

and i'm still bitter about Saving Private Ryan being screwed so i might boycott the show this year. maybe.

Posted by Martin Frandsen (Member # 74) on 02-17-2000, 03:24 PM:

As i am a very big film-lover i always see the Oscars live on a big screen with a video projector, i never get any sleep that night as i am in europe and the oscars start at 2 am my time and ends in the morning

As for my oscar predictions, well as living in europe, many of the films have not hit the theaters over here yet, so i'll wait with that.

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 02-18-2000, 05:35 AM:

The Academy Awards are on here about 1pm our time, but are not telecast until 8.30pm that night so it's a right royal pain in the ass trying to avoid each and every news bulletin that says who has just won as the afternoon progresses. I actually don't bother anymore since Gump beat out Pulp (c'mon guys!).

Once I managed to avoid all the news broadcasts until the show was on at night and set myself up in my lounge room with some popcorn and a couple of thirst quenching ales then summarily fell asleep before they announced best actor and picture.

Damn! Those shows go on longer than a double feature of Gone With The Wind and Lawrence of Arabia.

Best Pic: American Beauty
Best Actor: Denzel
Best Director: Sam Mendes

Posted by Martin Frandsen (Member # 74) on 03-17-2000, 12:13 PM:

Looks like oscar night will not be the same this year someone stole the oscar statues

the news has reached europe. Hope the police finds them, and hopefully the academy did not put any names on the oscars yet! what a fine mess that could be!

Posted by Greg Anderson (Member # 235) on 03-17-2000, 01:35 PM:

Not to worry, I guess. The names were not yet engraved on those Oscars and the company which makes them promises to have replacements before Oscar night. Expect the excitement to evaporate by the 26th and Oscar night will be as boring as ever.

Posted by Martin Frandsen (Member # 74) on 03-17-2000, 03:21 PM:

I hope the Oscars wont be to boring as i plan to stay up all night and wacth it live. I just found out that a total of 55 Oscars are missing! i guess the theif will be the only person to receive so many Oscars at once

Posted by Aaron Sisemore (Member # 145) on 03-17-2000, 04:16 PM:

At least Billy Crystal will be hosting again this year, making it a much classier show than the sleazefest that Ms. Goldberg turned it into last year! Whoopi plain *SUCKED* and was an embarrassment to the entire industry, IMO...

my $.02

Aaron

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 03-18-2000, 12:45 AM:

Aw... no Da---vid---Letterman? Bummer! He was soooooooo good!

Posted by Martin Frandsen (Member # 74) on 03-18-2000, 04:32 AM:

I like Billy Crystal as the Oscar presenter, but i dont like him as an actor ( city slickers

) but as Oscar presenter no one else does it better, in other words he is born for that role. Any idea which film will take most Oscars? American beauty? or The green mile? others...

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 03-18-2000, 04:47 AM:

The Green Mile hasn't got a chance. If Mr DuBont had utilized a pair of scissors and cut out all the meaningless dribble in it and ended up at a taught 150 min picture, it would win without a doubt.

As it is, however, no way in the wide, wide world will it win. As it says in the last line of the movie..."Sometimes the green mile seems awfully long". I couldn't have said it better myself. I know the academy is famous for giving the nod to longer films, but normally only to longer films which actually keep you awake during the screening.

It's gonna be American Beauty all the way.

Posted by Michael Barry (Member # 237) on 03-18-2000, 09:43 AM:

Forget the actual nominations! Here's my list:

Best Picture: Election and Magnolia (it's a tie; Sweet and Lowdown isn't here yet )

Best Picture To Have Its Box Office Thunder Stolen By A Lamer Picture Using Similar Concepts: A Stir Of Echoes (Sixth Sense). Runner up: eXistenZ (The Matrix)

Best Mockumentary: Drop Dead Gorgeous

Most Ignored Picture By A Monumental Director: Eyes Wide Shut

Best Foreign Film: The Dreamlife of Angels and Autumn Tale (a bit late, but we got them late.)

Best Writer/Directorial Debut: Boiler Room

Best Feel-Good Movie: Blast From The Past

Best Technical Achievement: Brad Miller (FilmGuard)

Posted by Dave Williams (Member # 299) on 03-18-2000, 01:34 PM:

You know I say exitenZ and Stir of Echoes, the matrix, but missed sixth sense... Im sorry but coming from a purely directorial picture here, stir of echoes missed the mark.. had such great potential but never became what it was meant to be.. as for extistenZ... i agree from the story and plotline it is superior to the matrix, however i have to disagree as it bieng a superior film. Matrix had money to spend... the other one didn't... money can erase bad actors and thin story lines... just keep the masses busy with loud music and special effects and they just keep buying popcorn..... slap that fat down billy jack!!!

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"If it's not worth doing, I have allready been there and done it"

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 03-18-2000, 11:45 PM:

Having now seen Denzel Washington's performance as Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter, I'd like to update my original prediction and say Kevin Spacey will win the Best Actor oscar. Denzel is snoozing through most of "Hurricane". I also think it's not the movie it could have been and that fact didn't help him too much either.

...And another thing...
Why, oh why do producers have to employ foreign actors to play Americans (Scottish actor John Hannah gets a go at being an American in The Hurricane). A thick Scottish accent is not capable of being transformed into an American accent. If they hire him for the job, why not leave him with his real accent? I don't think it was that critical to the story that he be American, was it? They took enough poetic licence with the rest of the film, even if the character he plays wasn't REALLY Scottish why not let him be who he is? He just ended up sounding stupid.

On the other hand, if he HAD to be American (or Canadian) why not hire someone from those countries. I'm sure there must be someone out there who could have done the job equally well and we wouldn't be sitting there getting annoyed by this stupid accent.

Phew...that's better.

To recap...

Best Picture: American Beauty
Best Director: Sam Mendes - American Beauty
Best Actor: Kevin Spacey - American Beauty

Posted by Martin Frandsen (Member # 74) on 03-19-2000, 05:44 AM:

I never did like Denzel Washington that much he just doesen't fit the big screen he belongs to the 'video store films only' his best job as an actor was in 'Crimson Tide' im sure Kevin Spacey gets the best actor this year, and according to this long thread it looks like 'American Beauty' will be this years 'Titanic'

John, what's wrong with the Scottish accent? i find it very charming

Posted by Richard Quesnelle (Member # 391) on 03-19-2000, 11:18 PM:

I love movies and anything movie related. My thoughts on the Oscars is that it has become a serious joke. The whole ceremony with all the stupid dance routines. Who really gives a shit about all this sugar coated junk. The Oscars have become a popularity contest where the "best" will win. I am not being prejudicial because guys like Norman Jewison and Jim Carrey didn't get a nomination because they're countrymen, its that they deserve to be nominated because their work was excellent.

American Beauty will win big but Being John Malkovich should or even better Magnolia; it was by far the best movie this year.

Reg

Posted by Martin Frandsen (Member # 74) on 03-20-2000, 10:25 AM:

The real party begins after the Oscar show as all the guests are invited to 'GOVERNORS BALL' thats the big after-party. The man behind the menu is chef Wolfgang Puck, among the delicacies on the menu is:

Tempura shrimp with Wasabi glaze, spicy tuna tartare in a sesame seed cone, grilled beef and chicken satay with Thai peanut sauce, and, of course, Puck's famous Spago pizzas.

When guests arrive at their tables, they will be treated to three appetizer platters brimming with marinated lobster salad, asparagus with orange mustard, Parmesan breadsticks wrapped with prosciutto, and smoked salmon on Oscar matzo. According to the culinary genius, cutting the salmon in the shape of the Oscar is quite a challenge.

The main course will consist of roasted free-range chicken breast with wild mushroom- sweet pea risottoall covered with black truffles. Pastry Chef Sherry Yard's to-die-for dessert platter will include weinerwaffel filled with homemade raspberry jam, rhubarb rugalach, and gingerbread macarons.

Posted by Greg Anderson (Member # 235) on 03-20-2000, 01:48 PM:

Billy Crystal ought to bring out the guy who found all those Oscars in a dumpster and allow the Hollywood elite to give HIM a standing ovation. THAT would be a great moment in the history of television (and a symbolic way for Hollywood to thank the regular folks who have collectively made our celebrities rich and powerful).

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 03-20-2000, 04:54 PM:

The side of the oscars that every one misses is the untelivised technical achievment awards for advancements in the technology for the industry
Maybe we should lobby to get Brad a tech oscar for the development of film guard
If they gave one to jack cashin of USL for the jax light they should give brad one
lets start the petition

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 03-20-2000, 06:26 PM:

The JaxLight got an award?

Guess that just goes to show you that the tech awards SHOULD be televised. If I had the contacts, knowhow and permission, I'd broadcast them through this site.

The 1999 Tech Award listings can be found here.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 03-20-2000, 06:31 PM:

Web video. Eeewwww.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 03-20-2000, 07:24 PM:

Perhaps you have a better suggestion, Joe? Could we invite all the members to a private live video feed at your theater?

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 03-20-2000, 11:42 PM:

I do indeed have a better idea. Film-Tech flies every member to the actual ceremony.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 03-21-2000, 12:11 AM:

Good idea, Joe. Just let me add about 50 banner ads here real quick...

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 03-22-2000, 04:58 PM:

quote:
John, what's wrong with the Scottish accent? i find it very charming
[/B]

There is nothing wrong with the Scottish accent. My point was why use a Scottish actor and then make him do a bad Canadian accent.

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 03-22-2000, 05:20 PM:

These are the odds 5 days out from the big night.

BEST PICTURE

Las Vegas bookmaker Lenny Del Genio: American Beauty and The Cider House Rules, both even money.

Australian bookmaker Centrebet: American Beauty, 5/1 on.

BEST DIRECTOR

Vegas: Michael Mann, The Insider and Sam Mendes, American Beauty, both evens.

Centrebet: Not fielding.

BEST ACTOR

Vegas: Kevin Spacey, American Beauty, evens.

Centrebet: Kevin Spacey, American Beauty, 2/1 on.

BEST ACTRESS

Vegas: Hilary Swank, Boys Don't Cry and Annette Bening, American Beauty, both evens.

Centrebet: Annette Bening, American Beauty, 3/1 on.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Vegas: Michael Caine, The Cider House Rules and Tom Cruise, Magnolia, both evens.

Centrebet: Michael Caine, The Cider House Rules, 10/9 on.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Vegas: Angelina Jolie, Girl, Interrupted and Catherine Keener, Being John Malkovich, both evens.

Centrebet: Angelina Jolie, Girl, Interrupted 3/1 on.

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 03-22-2000, 09:04 PM:

I think they should give the award to the guy who found the bloody statues

Posted by Joseph Pandolfi (Member # 223) on 03-22-2000, 10:49 PM:

OK HERE IS MY PREDICTIONS:

BEST PICTURE: The Cider House Rules

BEST ACTOR: Kevin Spacey (American Beauty)

BEST ACTRESS: Meryl Streep (Music Of The Heart)

SUPPORTING ACTOR: Micheal Clark Duncan (The Green Mile)

SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Angelina Jolie (Girl, Interrupted)

BEST DIRECTOR: Sam Mendes (American Beauty)

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: Emmanuel Lubezki (Sleepy Hollow)

ORIGINAL SCORE: Rachel Portman (Cider House)

SCREENPLAY ADAPTATION: Frank Darabont (Green Mile)

FILM EDITING: Zach Staenberg (The Matrix)

ORIGINAL SONG: You'll Be In My Heart (Tarzan)

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: Paul Thomas Anderson (Magnolia)

Posted by Martin Frandsen (Member # 74) on 03-26-2000, 04:25 AM:

Just setup my video projector ready for tonight, and my popcorn machine as well. Now im ready for the big show of the year

anyone else???

Posted by Erika Hellgren (Member # 22) on 03-26-2000, 11:27 PM:

Well, another big [long] show has come and gone. A very diverse year, I felt. No one film dominated all categories, although The Matrix did win all four awards that it was nominated for ... way to go! Overall, I found the ceremony to be very boring - was it just me?

I did fairly well with my predictions, I got ten right. They are:
Best Picture: American Beauty
Best Director: Sam Mendes
Best Actress: Hilary Swank (my favorite part of the evening)
Best Adapted Screenplay: The Cider House Rules
Foreign Film: All About My Mother
Original Song: You'll Be in my Heart (how cool, by the way, was the performance of Blame Canada )
Original Score: Red Violin
Cinematography: American Beauty
Sound Effects Editing: The Matrix
Visual Effects: The Matrix

Every year there is always one film that I didn't see that, if I had, my predictions would have been better. This year I should have seen Topsy Turvy. Oh well. What did everybody else think of tonight's events?

Posted by Michael Barry (Member # 237) on 03-27-2000, 08:31 AM:

Well, I was working, and I tuned in late to the very fuzzy picture that we currently get in the bio box.

I should throw in that while the awards were on, I was showing 'Romance' on one screen (6000' spools) and a double feature on the other screen, which consisted of 'Battleship Potemkin' and 'Solaris' which were both run on 2000' spools. (Here's lookin' at you, Steve Guttag!).

The significant thing about the above, for me, is that we got over 100 people in for a double feature consisting of a 1925 Russian silent movie and a nearly three-hour philosophical sci-fi film, which is beautiful but very deliberately paced. Boy, is it fun going from academy to scope in a double bill! However...the upshot of this is that all these people obviously couldn't give a toss about the academy awards because they're too busy watching soviet classics. Hilary Swank did say something about diversity, did she not? I love it

Now, this brings me to what I thought of the awards...when I tuned in, Phil Collins was accepting his award...but I was really rooting for Aimee Mann. Magnolia's other two nominations were then lost to 'Cider House Rules' (supporting actor) and 'American Beauty' (screenplay). Good fortune to the winners, I say, but I really wanted 'Magnolia' to win something.

Then my other favourite, 'Election', did not succeed in winning its award and 'best adapted screenplay' went to 'Cider House Rules'.

FWIW, I read the Hilary Swank speech on the net when I got home. But I agree, Erika, the ceremony was a little dull, and that was watching it while changing over!

In conclusion, I hope that Paul Thomas Anderson finally brings home the statue sometime soon (although he's no slouch - 2 noms by the age of 29!) and that Jim Taylor and Alexander Payne keep collaborating on more brilliant, lascerating projects like 'Citizen Ruth' and 'Election', and that they too will grace us with an amazing acceptance speech...