2003 (76th) Oscar Nominations Thoughts

Originally Written the week of Jan. 28th/04

I find myself being disappointed all too often when year after year I get up in the morning to hear the Oscar Nominations. Undeserving nominations, deserving people not being nominated, and the obvious politics included - which has the smaller, more independent, and often better films, never being nominated. Politics seems to be the name of the game.

This year seems to be different though. We have the usual crop of the big budget epics getting nominated (i.e. “The Lord of the Rings”, “Master and Commander”), but this year seems to be the year of the underdogs. Besides the Best Picture and Best Director categories - which feature the usual heavyweights the categories are made up of the smaller or unexpected pictures and the more unexpected actors. Aside from Sean Penn, the Best Actor category is made up of Jude Law, Bill Murray, and in a much unexpected nomination Johnny Depp. In fact “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl” might be the most surprising film this year with its 5 nominations. It is a big moment for the more independent crowd this year as well, since Sophia Coppola’s second feature; film “Lost In Translation” garnered four nominations, including Best Director and Best Picture.

“The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King” could prove to be the “Titanic” of 2004 with 11 nominations, the most of any other film this year. There are predictions that the film could go on to be the second highest or even the highest grossing picture of all time. It has already raked in $877,600,000 worldwide – making it the sixth highest grossing film. However, with all the Oscar buzz, and especially if it takes home the Best Picture award, the numbers will surely grow even farther.

I have my predictions, as anyone does. I predict this will be the year for “The Lord Of The Rings” as well as for Peter Jackson. After disappointing ratios of wins to nominations for the first two films, and no Best Director or Best Picture awards being given to the Tolkien masterpiece, I believe they will save the best for last. I can see “Return Of The King” taking the Best Picture this year, as well as Jackson taking home his Best Director award.

There is little doubt that Charlize Theron will not take home the statue for her portrayal of real life serial killer Aileen Wuornos, a Daytona Beach prostitute who became a serial killer in “Monster”. I could also see Tim Robbins taking home the Best Supporting Actor award for “Mystic River”, as well as Renée Zellweger getting hers in the Best Supporting Actress category for “Cold Mountain”. This is her third nomination after all. Maybe third time will be the charm.

The Best Actor category seems to be the hardest to decide. I could see Bill Murray taking it because he seems to be the favorite this year, but this could also be the year for Sean Penn at last after three previous losses. As a personal favorite, I would love to see Johnny Depp sneak in and take it.

Who knows? It actually seems to be a real race this year instead of being able to look at the list of nominees and pick out the winners without a second glance. There are always a few Oscar surprises though. After all, who would have ever expected Eminem to win an Academy Award?!