Here are my predictions for u to gander at

PICTURE

Return of the King
Cold Mountain
Mystic River
Big Fish
House of Sand and Fog

Runner Up: Lost in Translation

DIRECTOR

Return of the King- Peter Jackson
Mystic River- Clint Eastwood
Cold Mountain- Anthony Minghella
Big Fish- Tim Burton
Lost in Translation- Sophia Coppolla

Runner Up: Master and Commander:The Far Side of the World- Peter Weir

ACTOR

Mystic River- Sean Penn
House of Sand and Fog- Ben Kingsley
Cold Mountain- Jude Law
Lost in Translation- Bill Murray
The Statement- Michael Caine

Runner Up: Big Fish- Ewan Macgregor

ACTRESS

House of Sand and Fog- Jennifer Connelly
The Missing OR Veronica Guerrin- Cate Blanchett
Cold Mountain- Nicole Kidman
21 Grams- Naomi Watts
Sylvia- Gwyneth Paltrow

Runner Up: In the Cut- Meg Ryan

SUPPORTING ACTOR

Big Fish- Albert Finney
21 Grams- Benicio DeL Toro
Seabiscuit- Jeff Bridges
Mystic River- Tim Robbins
In America- Djimoun Honsou

Runner Up: Return of the King- Viggo Mortensen

SUPPORTING ACTRESS

In America- Samantha Morton
Mystic River- Marcia Gay Harden
Big Fish- Jessica Lange
Lost in Translation- Scarlett Johannsen
Thirteen- Holly Hunter

Runner Up: Cold Mountain- Renee Zellweger

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

Finding Nemo
In America
21 Grams
Lost in Translation
Love Actually

Runner Up: Kill Bill

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

Mystic River
Cold Mountain
House of Sand and Fog
Big Fish
Return of the King

Runner Up: The Missing

Looks like a good list. I agree that Love Actually will get a nomination. I'll update my list at the end of the year, as my predictions will change.

Interesting, but "Open Range" isn't getting anything. Nobody even noticed it came out. And why do you have Scarlett Johannsen in the Supporting Actress category? That was a lead performance if I've ever seen one. Here's mine (* indicates predicted winner):


BEST PICTURE

"Cold Mountain"
"House of Sand and Fog"
"The Missing"
"Mystic River"
"Return of the King"*


BEST DIRECTOR

Sofia Coppola, "Lost in Translation"
Clint Eastwood, "Mystic River"
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, "21 Grams"
Peter Jackson, "Return of the King"
Anthony Minghella, "Cold Mountain"


BEST ACTOR

Johnny Depp, "Pirates of the Caribbean"
Ben Kingsley, "House of Sand and Fog"
Jude Law, "Cold Mountain"
Bill Murray, "Lost in Translation"*
Sean Penn, "21 Grams"


BEST ACTRESS

Cate Blanchett, "The Missing"
Jennifer Connelly, "House of Sand and Fog"
Gwyneth Paltrow, "Sylvia"
Uma Thurman, "Kill Bill" (oh yeah! I said it!)
Naomi Watts, "21 Grams"*


BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Jeff Bridges, "Seabiscuit"
Benicio Del Toro, "21 Grams"
Albert Finney, "Big Fish"
Ian McKellen, "Return of the King"
Tim Robbins, "Mystic River"*


BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Ellen DeGeneres, "Finding Nemo" (that's right!)
Marcia Gay Harden, "Mystic River"
Holly Hunter, "Thirteen"
Laura Linney, "Mystic River"
Renee Zellweger, "Cold Mountain"*


BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

"Finding Nemo"*
"In America"
"Kill Bill"
"Lost in Translation"
"21 Grams"


BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

"Cold Mountain"
"House of Sand and Fog"
"The Missing"
"Mystic River"
"Return of the King"*

all I want is the LORD OF THE RINGS:THE RETURN OF THE KING.
i YELL "I LOVE THIS MOVIE"
DEFINITELY TAKE MOST NUMBER OF OSCARS.
BRAVO"ROTK"

YAH THE ANONYMOUS IS RIGHT
THE LORD OF THE RINGS WILL GRAB MOST NUMBER OF OSCARS;
Including:
1.original song :performed by Annie Lennox
2.visual effects
3.make up
4.adapted screenplay
5.sound
6.art direction
7.sound editing
8.and most of all"BEST PICTURE"

But as the ROTK DISQUALIFIED on their score due to the used of the score to the
previous part 1 and part 2, but clearly they have 100% best original score and soundtrack are the best of all time.

I think that the movie Thirteen should get some nominations, preferably for Best Original Screenplay (Nikki Reed) and Best Actress (Evan Rachel Wood).

Picture
"Mystic River" (Oscar) (My pick)
"21 Grams"
"Cold Mountain"
"House of Sand & Fog"
"LOTR: The Return of The King"

Director
Clint Eastwood "Mystic River"
Alejandro Gonzalez "21 Grams" (My pick)
Jim Sheridan "In America"
Tim Burton "Big Fish"
"LOTR: The Return of The King" (Oscar)

Actor
Sean Penn "Mystic River" (Oscar)(My pick)
Tom Cruise "The Last Samurai"
Jude Law "Cold Mountain"
Russell Crowe "Master & Commander"
Bill Murray "Lost In Translation"

Actress
Uma Thurman "Kill Bill: Vol 1"
Nicole Kidman "Cold Mountain"
Naomi Watts "21 Grams" (My pick)
Jennifer Connelly "House of Sand & Fog" (Oscar)
Samantha Morton "In America"

Supp Actor
Jeff Bridges "Seabiscuit"
Tim Robins "Mystic River"
Benicio Del Toro "21 Grams" (My pick)
Albert Finney "Big Fish" (Oscar)
Viggo Mortenson "Return of The King"

Supp Actress
Marcia Gay Harden "Mystic River"
Laura Linney "Mystic River"
Jessica Lange "Big Fish"
Renee Zellweger "Cold Mountain" (Oscar) (My pick)
Julia Roberts "Mona Lisa Smile" (def not my pick, but Oscar falls for her phony-bologne antics.)

Orig. Screenplay
"Matchstick Men" (My pick)
"21 Grams" (Oscar)
"Finding Nemo"
"Lost In Translation"
"In America"

Adapted Screenplay
"Mystic River" (My pick)
"Cold Mountain" (Oscar)
"House of Sand & Fog"
"LOTR: Return of The King"
"Big Fish"

I'm surprised no one remembers "Blue Car" which should get a nomination for its original screenplay (Karen Moncrieff) and lead actress (Agnes Bruckner).

I am surprised that alot of you are picking against LOTR for best picture. This movie is already garnering huge critical aclaim, and in my opinion has a very high chance of surpassing "Titanic"'s box office record of 600 million US dollars. With that said, here are my predictions for the oscars.

BEST PICTURE

Lost in Translation
Mystic River
The Last Samurai
Open Range
LOTR: Return of the King(my pick) (oscar)

BEST ACTOR

Bill Murrary (Lost in Translation)
Russell Crowe (Master and Commander)
Sean Pean (Mystic River)(oscar)
Tom Cruise (Last Samurai)
Viggo Mortenson (Return of the King)(my pick)

BEST ACTRESS
Uma Thurman (Kill Bill) (my pick)
Jennifer Connelly (House of sand and Fog)
Cate Blanchett (The Missing)(oscar)
Naomi Watts (21 Grams)

BEST SUPPORTTING ACTOR

Tim Robbins (Mystic River)
Ian Mckellen (Return of the King)(my pick) (oscar)
Ed Harris (Radio)
Jeff Bridges (Seabiscuit)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Marcia Gay Harden (Mystic River)(my pick)
Julia Roberts (Mona Lisa Smile) (oscar)
Laura Linney (Mystic River)

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

Finding Nemo (my pick)
Lost in Translation(oscar)
21 Grams

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

Mystic River
Cold Mountain
LOTR: Return of the King (my pick) (oscar)

BEST ANIMATED MOVIE

Finding Nemo(my pick) (oscar)
Sinbad
Brother Bear

With the tremendous effort put forth into all movies it should be a great race. One word of caution to Acadamy Board Members however. If Return of the King, the best of the books, and according to many people who worked on the film, the best of the three films. If this movie does not win best picture, after the last two movies got shafted out of it (A Beautiful Mind....really?), I can guarentee there will be mass rioting in the streets. No board member will be safe. These movies are the single best thing to come out of the movie industry the last three years. They have garnered mass praise from critics and movie-goers alike. The last two films have grossed a combined 1.6 billion dollars. Give the trilogy its just due. It, and exspecially Peter Jackson have earned it.

as a proud australian i just want to say what an amazing year it's been for aussie actors and filmmakers. you all seem to be predicting nominations for aussies and this shows how talented they are.
Personally I'd like to see Nicole Kidman, Naomi Watts and Cate Blanchett all nominated for best actress and russell crowe nominated for master and commander. Peter weir also deserves a best director nomination. I also hope that the Matrix 2 and 3 get credit for their awsome production designs and special effects. i haven't seen Cold Mountain, however, I have read the book and am in love with it. if the film is even half as good as the book than it deserves the best film oscar.

I see most of you are prediciting that Lord of the Rings: Return of the King will win or sweep the Oscars in february of 2004. Although, these films have generated tons of money and high praises, and they are good films, not the best ever but good nonetheless (They are a good example of what movies are meant to do: entertain). However, i feel that the return of the King will not win best picture. I feel this way not because i dont want it to win, but because it is just up against too many good movies. For example, Big Fish, Cold mountain, Lost in Translation and the film that will win Best Picture, Mystic River. Even though The LOTR: ROTK is long, epic and huge in scope, that is not necessacry ground for Best Picture. The two best actos in the film series are Ian McKellen and Christopher Lee and maybe Viggo Mortenson, i just cant stand Elijah Wood and think he is just plain awful, and Peter Jackson is an excellent director, following his days as a horrr director and he has always been very visual. I dont think Lord of the Rings will win Best Picture simply because it is just up agsint extremmely tough competition. A FILM DOES NOT NEED TO WIN THE ACADEMY AWARD IN ORDER TO MAKE IT GREAT. Is it nice to see it win it ? Sure. But as long as people respect it, love it, watch it again and again, they will know in their hearts that it is their best picture. An award is just a statue, but a classic is a film that has to be earned and respected by the viewing public. The movie that wins best Picture this year might not necessarily be a classic, but most people know that the Lord of the Rings trilogy will have its place in movie history. I still think that the Indiana Jones Trilogy is the best, but thats my opinion and i am not going to say why it is better than others. Lawrnece of Arabia is still my favorite epic and is a bit longer than LOTR...i think Lawrnece of Arabia is 3 hours and 45 min. LOTR: ROTK is 3 hrs and 25 min. But for all of you who think LOTR will win, this is my opinion as to why it wont. But dont let an award show tell you what the best movie is, your entitled to your own choice and thats all that matters in the end.

These are my predictions for the 2003 Oscars:

BEST PICTURE:
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King*
Master and Commander
Cold Mountain
Mystic River
The Missing


BEST DIRECTOR:
Clint Eastwood(Mystic River)
Ron Howard(The Missing)
Peter Jackson(Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King)*
Master and Commander
The Last Samurai

BEST ACTOR:
Tom Cruise(The Last Samurai)
Russell Crowe(Master and Commander)*
Viggo Mortensen(Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King)
Sean Penn(Mystic River)

BEST ACTRESS:
Nicole Kidman(Cold Mountain)*
Cate Blanchet(Veronica Geruin)
Cate Blanchet(The Missing)
Gweneth Paltrow(Silvia)
Naomi Watts(21 Grams)

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS:
The Matrix Reloaded
The Matrix Revolutions
Master and Commander
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King*

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR:
Ian McKellan(The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King)
Tim Robbins(Mystic River)*
Sean Astin(The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King)
Jeff Bridges(Seabiscuit)

BEST SOUND:
Master and Commander
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King*
The Last Samurai
The Matrix Revolutions

BEST SOUND EDITING:
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King*
Master and Commander

BEST ORRIGINAL SONG:
"Into the West"(The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King)*

BEST SCORE:
The Last Samurai*
Master and Commander
Cold Mountain

BEST SCREENPLAY(Adaptation):
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King*

BEST MAKE-UP:
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King*
Cold Mountain

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE:
Finding Nemo*
Brother Bear

BEST CINIMATOGRAPHY:
Master and Commander*
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
The Last Samurai
Open Range

BEST ART DIRECTION:
Master and Commander
The Last Samurai
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King*

Overall, Return of the Kings cleans house(Peter Jackson really deserves Best Director nods), but look out for Master and Commander and Mystic River.

I can't believe you guys didn't even think about Holly Hunter for her role in Thirteen. I am pretty sure she will get nominated for best supporting actress and will have a good chance to win. Also you guys are forgeting Ken Watanabe from the Last Samurai, sure the film wasn't the greatest nor was Tom Cruise's performance (though both were not bad, they just don't deserve awards), but Watanabe's performance as Katsumoto was flawless. If he does not recieve a best supporting actor nod then I will be surprised.

I realize that there are only 5 nominations every year, but I'm gonna go and give 6 just to play it safe, since it might be a little too early to have definites in your head

BEST PICTURE
Cold Mountain
LOTR: ROTK
Mystic River
House of Sand and Fog
In America
Something's Gotta Give

BEST ACTOR
Sean Penn...Mystic River
Jude Law...Cold Mountain
Ben Kingsley...House of Sand and Fog
Tommy Lee Jones...THe Missing
Jack Nicholson...Something's Gotta Give
Russell Crowe...Master and Commander

BEST ACTRESS
Diane Keaton...SOmething's Gotta Give
Nicole Kidman...Cold Mountain
Julia Roberts...Mona Lisa Smile
Jennifer Connelly...House of Sand and Fog
Naomi Watts...21 Grams
Cate Blanchett...The Missing

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Tim Robbins...Mystic River
Jeff Bridges...Seabiscuit
Albert Finney...Big Fish
Ed Harris...Radio OR Human Stain
Viggo Mortensen...LOTR: ROTK

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Renee Zellwegger...Cold Mountain
Marcia Gay Harden...Mystic River
Jessica Lange...Big Fish
Samantha Morton...In America
Laura Linney...Mystic River

Final Oscar Predictions:
(unless there's a miracle)

Best Picture:
Big Fish
Cold Mountain
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
The Missing
Mystic River

RUNNERS UP:
21 Grams
House of Sand and Fog
In America
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Seabiscuit

Best Director:
Tim Burton, Big Fish
Clint Eastwood, Mystic River
Ron Howard, The Missing
Peter Jackson, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Anthony Minghella, Cold Mountain

RUNNERS UP:
Alejandro Gonzales, 21 Grams
Vladim Perelman, House of Sand and Fog
Gary Ross, Seabiscuit
Jim Sheridan, In America
Peter Weir, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World

Best Actor:
Johnny Depp, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Tommy Lee Jones, The Missing
Jude Law, Cold Mountain
Bill Murray, Lost in Translation
Sean Penn, Mystic River

RUNNERS UP:
Michael Caine, The Statement
Russell Crowe, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Ben Kingsley, House of Sand and Fog
Viggo Mortensen, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Sean Penn, 21 Grams

Best Actress:
Cate Blanchett, The Missing
Jennifer Connelly, House of Sand and Fog
Nicole Kidman, Cold Mountain
Charlize Theron, Monster
Naomi Watts, 21 Grams

RUNNERS UP:
Diane Keaton, Something's Gotta Give
Gwyneth Paltrow, Sylvia
Julia Roberts, Mona Lisa Smile
Uma Thurman, Kill Bill
Evan Rachel Wood, Thirteen

Best Supporting Actor:
Sean Astin, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Albert Finney, Big Fish
Viggo Mortensen, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Tim Robbins, Mystic River
Benicio Del Toro, 21 Grams

RUNNERS UP:
Sean Bean, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Ed Harris, The Human Stain
Ewan McGregor, Big Fish
Ian McKellen, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Geoffrey Rush, The Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

(Alec Baldwin, The Cooler)
(Paul Bettany, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World)

Best Supporting Actress:
Kirsten Dunst, Mona Lisa Smile
Marcia Gay Harden, Mystic River
Scarlett Johansson, Lost in Translation
Jessica Lange, Big Fish
Renee Zelwegger, Cold Mountain

RUNNERS UP:
Holly Hunter, Thirteen
Melissa Leo, 21 Grams
Samantha Morton, In America
Miranda Otto, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Christina Ricci, Monster

Best Original Screenplay:
21 Grams
Bend it Like Beckham
Finding Nemo
Lost in Translation
Something's Gotta Give

RUNNERS UP:
In America
Kill Bill
Mona Lisa Smile
School of Rock
Thirteen

Best Adapted Screenplay:
Cold Mountain
House of Sand and Fog
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
The Missing
Mystic River

RUNNERS UP:
American Splendor
Big Fish
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Seabiscuit
The Statement

I was right last year when I predicted that Brody,Kidman,Cooper and Jones would win.So here I go again.....

Picture..."Mystic River"
Actor......Sean Penn "Mystic River"
Actress....Naomi Watts "21 Grams"
Supp. Actor....Tim Robbins "Mystic River"
Supp. Actress..Renee Zellwegger "Cold Mountain"
Direction......Peter Jackson "LOTR"
Org. Script...."Lost in Translation"
Adpt.Script...."Mystic River"

hi i have no friends so could you guys email me my address is syracusefreak2003@yahoo.com

BEST PICTURE
Big Fish
Cold Mountain
In America
Mystic River
Return of the King *

BEST DIRECTOR
Tim Burton, Big Fish
Clint Eastwood, Mystic River
Peter Jackson, ROTK *
Anthony Minghella, Cold Mountain
Edward Zwick, Last Samurai

BEST ACTOR
Tom Cruise, Last Samurai
Ben Kingsley, House of Sand and Fog
Jude Law, Cold Mountain
Ewan McGregor, Big Fish
Sean Penn, Mystic River *

BEST ACTRESS
Jennifer Connelly, House of Sand and Fog
Nicole Kidman, Cold Mountain
Samantha Morton, In America
Gwenyth Paltrow, Sylvia
Naomi Watts, 21 Grams *

all i want is for kill bill to win a fucking oscar!! i mean it should either win for best original screenplay or best movie or best actress

I want to put out notices for Johnny Depp, Tommy Lee Jones and "The Missing" overall. People know it's all about "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" this year. I'd sure say so too, I mean come on, one of the best trilogies ever! (cough, cough, Sean Bean's back) Anyhow. I liked "The Missing", Tommy and Cate were great. I want more oscar buzz towards Tommy, Cate already has a great chance for a nod. I also want more attention out to the next:
Johnny Depp. "Pirates": good for popcorn, action, Depp and Rush. Geoffrey Rush's name may get him a little attention, but not a nod (mostlikely). Depp deserves a nod.

Devin

i think that big fish should win best picture, best supporting actor, best adapted screenplay, and of course, best director. burton=genius i know its not supposed to be about previous films, but it always actually is that way, and burton is so awesome...BURTONBURTONBURTON

just so everyone knows movies that come out after december can not win oscars which really blows

Alec Baldwin (The Cooler) Best Supporting Actor and RETURN OF THE KING for most Oscars.

rotk was DISQUALIFIED on their score due to the use of the score to the
previous part 1 and part 2??? that's BULL! they deserve to best picture and director even though i'm not 100% sure because of the number of more "dramatic" films competing it such as cold mountain, big fish, mystic river...

they definately deserve it after what 5 years? yea...

Hey, I happened upon your list when I clicked on Yahoo to find Oscar predictions...I was looking for film critics, but I like your lists....

I'm not sure what WILL win, but I do know the films and performances I've loved....here they are.

Top Ten Films So Far
1. Kill Bill:Volume 1
2. Lost in Translation
3. The Station Agent
4. American Splendor
5. 21 Grams
6. A Mighty Wind
7. Identity
8. Dirty Pretty Things
9. Winged Migration
10. Pirates of the Carribean

Actor
1. Sean Penn, 21 Grams
2. Johnny Depp, Pirates of the Carribean
3. Peter Dinklage, The Station Agent
4. Bill Murray, Lost in Translation
5. Paul Giamatti, American Splendor

Actress
1. Uma Thurman, Kill Bill
2. Naomi Watts, 21 Grams
3. Audrey Tatou, Dirty Pretty Things
4. Scarlett Johansson, Lost in Translation
5. Patricia Clarkson, The Station Agent

Director
1. Quentin Tarantino, Kill Bill
2. Sophia Coppola, Lost in Translation
3. Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, 21 Grams
4. Stephen Frears, Dirty Pretty Things
5. Gore Verbinski, Pirates of the Caribbean

I doubt a lot of the picks will hold up after Cold Mountain, of course Lord of the RIngs, and Big Fish come out....but for now these are my picks. Anyone else have a top 10 list they want to throw out there......

Best Picture RETURN OF THE KING

Best Director RETURN OF THE KING



I think we owe it to the biggest gamble in film history and what these movies have done for the world!

jave u have tha best list out of all these guys keep on rockin brother

I like alot of those picks, but no one is mentioning Ken Watanabe for The Last Samurai (Unless I missed the post). I thought his performance was unbelievable in that film.

Don't forget about Nicholas Cage and Sam Rockwell in Matchstick Men. They gave some of the best performances I've seen all year. Ridley Scott should be considered for a Best Director nod and I'm convinced Rockwell will get a nomination for Best Supporting Actor, although I doubt he'll beat Albert Finney in Big Fish.

I have to just add that the only two I feel strongly about are:

Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean and also Paul Bettany in Master and Commander (his was a much more versatile role than Russell's.)

No comments for American Splendor?

Charlize Theron will be nominated for best actress for the movie Monster. I am sure of this.

Best Picture: The Lord of the Rings - Return of the King

Best Director: Peter Jackson (TLOTR - Return of the King)

Best Actor: Tom Cruise (The Last Samurai)
Runner Up: Johnny Depp (Pirates of the Carribean)

Best Actress: Jennifer Connelly (House of Sand and Fog)

Best Supporting Actress: Uma Thurman (Kill Bill Vol. 1) also has the same chance as Jennifer Connelly

i would just like to say that i would love for johnny depp to at least get a nod this year for potc. he is long past due for such performances as ed wood and edward scissorhands and was also excellent as cpt. jack sparrow. i know there are no oscars for popcorn flicks but he still deserves at least a nod. i just hope tom cruise doesnt win. the guy seems to play the same person in every role, unlike mr. depp. tom's role may have been more straightforward and geared only towards winning oscars, but johnny is so incredibly versatile and really brings his character to life. of course sean peen will most likely win for either 21 granms or mystic river, both of which were also wonderful performances, but in a more oscar-geared way.

So many people comment on Depp and I respect them for that. I think, as many do, that Depp really is overdue. So is Murray, but I hope Depp wins. People, please keep writing Johnny closer and closer to that nod he deserves.

Here are my predictions. Unfortunately, I think LOTR isn't going to have an important number of nominations, and if it does, it's gonna be beaten by Mystic River, anyway. The noms with the * mean the runners up.

BEST PICTURE:
House of Sand and Fog
21 grams
Mystic River
Cold Mountain
LOTR: The Return of the King *
Big Fish *
Lost in Translation *

BEST DIRECTOR
Clint Eastwood, Mystic River
Peter Jackson, LOTR: The Return of the King
Anthony Minghella, Cold Mountain
Alejandro Gonzalez Iņarritu, 21 grams
Tim Burton, Big Fish *
Sofia Coppola, Lost in Translation *

BEST ACTOR:
Sean Penn, Mystic River
Tom Cruise, The Last Samurai
Ben Kingsley, The House of Sand and Fog
Jude Law, Cold Mountain
Cuba Gooding Jr, Radio *
Bill Murray, Lost in Translation *

BEST ACTRESS:
Cate Blanchett, Veronica Guerin
Nicole Kidman, Cold Mountain
Jennifer Connely, House of Sand and Fog
Naomi Watts, 21 Grams
Scarlett Johanssen, Lost in Translation
Gwyneth Paltrow, Sylvia *

these are the official
5 OSCAR NOMINEES for:

BEST PICTURE

top/in order
1.LOTR:THE RETURN OF THE KING
2 MYSTIC RIVER
3 BIG FISH
4 COLD MOUNTAIN
5.HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG

these are the
5 other warmers:

lost in translation
last samurai
in america
seabiscuit
master and commander

HELLO, I THINK THIS YEAR IS GOING TO BE A VERY HARD ONE, BECUASE OF ALL THE GREAT MOVIES RESENTLY OPENED.
MY PREDICTIONS ARE ONLY BASED ON THE PERFORMANCE AND MY OWN OPINION ON THE ACTOR PER SAY:

BEST PICTURE:
Lord of the Rings (My pick)
Mystic River (OSCAR)
Finding Nemo ( I KNOW IT SOUNDS WEIRD BUT COME ON I KNOW YOU LOVED IT AS MUCH AS I DID)
21 Grams
Cold Mountain

BEST ACTOR:
Sean Penn
Jude Law
Jonnhy Depp (My pick)
Bill Murray
Tom Cruise (OSCAR)

BEST ACTRESS:
Nicole Kidman
Uma Thurman
Naomi Watts (My Pick)(OSCAR)
Jennifer Connelly
Meg Ryan

SUPPORTING ACTOR:
Ian McKellen (My Pick)
Viggo Mortensen
Elijah Woods
Tim Robbins (OSCAR)
Benitcio del Toro

SUPPORTING ACTRESS:
Renne Zelweger (OSCAR)
Julia Roberts
Julia Stiles
Holly Hunter
Marcia Gay Harden (My Pick)

DIRECTOR:
Peter Jackson (My Pick)
Clint Eastwood (OSCAR)
Sofia Coppola
Tim Burton
Anthony Minghella

ANIMATED PICTURE:
Finding Nemo (My Pick) (OSCAR)
Brother Bear

I KNOW MY PICKS MAY SOUND DUMB BUT THIS IS HOW A THINK IT IS GOING TO TURN OUT..WILL SEE.
I KNOW MOST OF YOU DISAGREE WITH MY JONNHY DEPP PICK, BUT I JUST THOUGHT HE WAS SO GOOD AND CONVINING IT MADE ME FALL IN LOVE WITH HIM! I DO NOT THINK HE IS GOING TO WIN OR BE NOMINATED BUT I WOULD JUST LOVE IF HE WAS.

here are my predictions:
PICTURE: LOTR III
Cold Mountain
Mystic River
Big Fish
Lost in Translation
CHANCE: In America
21 Grams
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World

BEST ACTRESS: Naomi Watts, 21 Grams
Nicole Kidman, Cold Mountain
Cate Blanchett, The Missing
Charlize Theron, Monster
Diane Keaton, Something's Gotta Give
CHANCE:Jennifer Connelly, House of Sand and Fog
Evan Rachel Wood, Thirteen
Samantha Morton, In America

BEST ACTOR: Sean Penn, Mystic River
Bill Murray, Lost in Translation
Ben Kingsley, House of Sand and Fog
Jude Law, Cold Mountain
Johnny Depp, Pirates of the Caribbean
CHANCE: Russell Crowe, Master and Commander...
Tom Cruise, The Last Samurai
Ewan MacGregor, Big Fish

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Renee Zelwegger, Cold Mountain
Marcia Gay Harden, Mystic River
Holly Hunter, Thirteen
Scarlet Johansson, Lost in Translation
Laura Linney, Mystic River
CHANCE: Jessica Lange, Big Fish
Kirsten Dunst, Mona Lisa Smile
Melissa Leo, 21 Grams

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Albert Finney, Big Fish
Tim Robbins, Mystic River
Benicio Del Toro, 21 Grams
Jeff Bridges, Seabiscuit
Paul Bettany, Master and Commander...
CHANCE: Dijmon Honsou, In America
Ken Watanabe, The Last Samurai
Sean Astin, LOTR III

BEST DIRECTOR: Peter Jackson, LOTR III
Clint Eastwood, Mystic River
Anthony Minghella, Cold Mountain
Tim Burton, Big Fish
Sofia Copolla, Lost in Translation
CHANCE: Jim Sheridan, In America
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, 21 Grams
Peter Weir, Master and Commander...

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: Lost in Translation
21 Grams
Finding Nemo
Something's Gotta Give
Thirteen
CHANCE: In America
Love, Actually
The Last Samurai

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: Cold Mountain
Mystic River
Big Fish
LOTR III
Hoiuse of Sand and Fog
CHANCE: American Splendor
Seabiscuit
Master and Commander...


I desperately wanted to include Kill Bill... Oh, well

here are my predictions:
PICTURE: LOTR III
Cold Mountain
Mystic River
Big Fish
Lost in Translation
CHANCE: In America
21 Grams
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World

BEST ACTRESS: Naomi Watts, 21 Grams
Nicole Kidman, Cold Mountain
Cate Blanchett, The Missing
Charlize Theron, Monster
Diane Keaton, Something's Gotta Give
CHANCE:Jennifer Connelly, House of Sand and Fog
Evan Rachel Wood, Thirteen
Samantha Morton, In America

BEST ACTOR: Sean Penn, Mystic River
Bill Murray, Lost in Translation
Ben Kingsley, House of Sand and Fog
Jude Law, Cold Mountain
Johnny Depp, Pirates of the Caribbean
CHANCE: Russell Crowe, Master and Commander...
Tom Cruise, The Last Samurai
Ewan MacGregor, Big Fish

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Renee Zelwegger, Cold Mountain
Marcia Gay Harden, Mystic River
Holly Hunter, Thirteen
Scarlet Johansson, Lost in Translation
Laura Linney, Mystic River
CHANCE: Jessica Lange, Big Fish
Kirsten Dunst, Mona Lisa Smile
Melissa Leo, 21 Grams

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Albert Finney, Big Fish
Tim Robbins, Mystic River
Benicio Del Toro, 21 Grams
Jeff Bridges, Seabiscuit
Paul Bettany, Master and Commander...
CHANCE: Dijmon Honsou, In America
Ken Watanabe, The Last Samurai
Sean Astin, LOTR III

BEST DIRECTOR: Peter Jackson, LOTR III
Clint Eastwood, Mystic River
Anthony Minghella, Cold Mountain
Tim Burton, Big Fish
Sofia Copolla, Lost in Translation
CHANCE: Jim Sheridan, In America
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, 21 Grams
Peter Weir, Master and Commander...

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: Lost in Translation
21 Grams
Finding Nemo
Something's Gotta Give
Thirteen
CHANCE: In America
Love, Actually
The Last Samurai

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: Cold Mountain
Mystic River
Big Fish
LOTR III
House of Sand and Fog
CHANCE: American Splendor
Seabiscuit
Master and Commander...


I desperately wanted to include Kill Bill... Oh, well

I don't blame you for wanting to include Kill Bill, but with all the other incredible movies that have been released recently, it shouldn't get anything more than a Screenplay Nomination and maybe a win. But don't forget about Kill Bill Vol. II, opening early next year.

Well, I just have to say that it's time the costume designers of the best trilogy ever (if you've read the posts thus far, or have lived in the world as we know it,you know what I'm talking about...my apology to die hard Indiana Jones' and Star Wars fans) got a statue for their amazing work! I also want to add Miranda Otto to the Supporting actress noms... as well as Billy Boyd for supporting actor. Oh, and though I must admit I used to think Elijah Wood's acting was kinda overdone...he should definitely get a nod for rotk. He has completely changed my mind. Best Actor: PLEASE NOT TOM CRUISE!! That's all I can say. I agree w/ whoever said that Johnny Depp in PotC should @ least get a nod. I think he brought back acting at it's finest to the screen, even if it was a popcorn flick (One that I loved). Seriously, if only drama's merit Best Actor Oscar's...that's sad. I can't wait to hear the official nominations!!

I just saw return of the king today and just wanted to say that if sean astin doesn't get a best supporting actor nomination it would be a tragedy.

Here are my picks:(*is my choice as winner)

Best Picture:
LOTR: Return of the King *
Cold Mountain
Big Fish
Mystic River
Lost in Translation
Seabiscuit

Best Director:
Peter Jackson, LOTR: Return of the KIng*
Clint Eastwood, Mystic River
Anthony Minghella, Cold Mountain
Tim Burton, Big Fish
Peter Weir, MAster and Comandeer

Best Actor:
Sean Penn, Mystic River*
Bill Murray, Lost in Trans.
Ben Kingsly, House of Sand/fog
Johnny Depp, Pirates of the Caribean
Ewan Mcgregor, Big Fish

Best Actress:
Naomi Watts, 21 Grams*
NIcole Kidman, Cold Mountain
Jennifer Connely, House of Sand/fog
Cate Blanchet,The Missing

Best Supp Actor:
Sean Astin, LOTR: Return of the King*
Tim Robbins, Mystic River
Albert Finney, Big Fish
Jeff Bridges Seabiscuit
Viggo Mortenson, Lotr: Return of the King

Best Supp Actress:
Renee Zellweger, Cold Mountain*
Marcia Gay Harden, Mystic River
Scarlett Johanson, Lost in Translation
Laura Linney, Mystic River
Holly Hunter, Thirteen

Best Adapted Screenplay:
LOTR: Return of the King*
Cold Mountain
Seabiscuit
Master and COmandeer
Mystic River

First of, My apologies to the Aussies (and Kiwies Since he was born there) for the following coment.
Please Lord not Russell Crowe!!
The man plays the same guy weather he's weilding a sword, loosing his mind or captaining a ship.
He got his... (somehow)

Same for Tom.
Fly a plane and look cool.
Drive Real fast and look cool.
Be a Samurai and look cool.
Thank God he has "Eyes wide shut"

Thats all for now folks.
Great site, Thanks for having me.
Go ROTK
P@

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King was the best movie of the year, maybe ever. Every here and there Jackson made something a little overdone, but the film was so long, it had enough room to fit it. But I would like to note this: Sean Astin, Billy Boyd, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Miranda Otto, Andy Serkis, and Elijah Wood all ruled. Wow. If it doesn't win Picture, Director, Screenplay, like, all of the Technicals, an acting and once again BEST PICTURE!

Cate Blanchett Oscar 2004

I haven't made predictions yet cause I haven't seen enough of this year's best movies. I have seen Return of the King and thought it was the best movie I have ever seen...but I haven't seen most of this years most likley to be nominated movies......and a comment to a couple people who think Return of the King can't be nominated for Original Score...well it can.....a lot of movies are nominated for original score that have used parts of it in previous movies....GODFATHER PART 2 is a perfect example....it won Best Original Score and don't anyone tell me it didn't use similar music from the first movie...plus most of you probably just think that since Best Original Score wasn't nodded to Two Towers...there were a lot of movies last year that the Academy thought had better scores thats all.....and plus look at today's Golden Globe Nominations....Return of the King is nominated....and it wasn't last year.....so there ya go...

I do believe that this will be a LOTR: ROTK year (especially for Best Director Peter Jackson),but the Golden Globe noms. did come out yesterday and Cold Mountain lead the pack with 8 noms. Usually the Globes are pretty good indicators of what oscar season will be. Cold Mountain is a typical oscar drama and I think it will probably do well (Renee will probably get Supporting after narrowly losing last year to Nicole).

i am pretty dissapointed with the ignorance of seabiscuit as the strongest contender to lotr. the amzing characters by all the actors especially this awesome jeff bridges and chris cooper should not be denied, they got their chances either. i dont think kidman will grab the award again since she got so many better contender, of course naomi watts has seen her bright journey as the best.Guyz, the last samurai is brilliant and cruise deserves that credit. but lotr should emerge as the big winner( mostly technical awards). just wait the eve patiently ok.

This Is my sincere predictions to the upcoming oscar nominations, and being I have viewed all these films other than cold mountain which looks rather good; I would say I have a good outlook on this years movies. Koolaide


Picture: Big fish
Cold mountain *
Mystic River
Lord of the rings: ROTK
Human Stain

Actor: JOhnny Depp (Pirates)*
Anthony Hopkins (Human stain)
Sean Penn (Mystic River)
Ben Kingsley (HOuse of sand)
Jude Law (Cold MOuntain)

Actress: Nicole Kidman (Cold Mountain)*
Jennifer Connley (House of sand)
Naomi Watts (21 grams)
(there are no other important canidates for this bracet because Nicole Kidman can not be nominated twice (Human Stain) all though she diserves it.

Supporting actor: Ed harris (Human Stain)*
Tim robbins (Mystic River)
Albert fienny (Big FIsh)
(Harris had the performance of his life in "Human stain" which will probably be overlooked because of the early release date of the film.

Supporting Actress: Nicole Kidman (Human Stain) (would have been best bet)
Jessica Lange (big fish)*

This List is of what should be the oscar nominations and winners this year. * means the winner. As you can see the board thus far has pretty much overlooked the years best film because of its early release and among other things the: (Anthony Hopkins dont look black thing.) If those of you on here that watched the film actually observed it other than just watched, then you would know "The Human Stain" was about a man who was so believable as white that no one knew he was black not even to death. (this is why like Roger ebert, I say those who watch beyond a character that never changes and has flaws like real people will realize this movie was brillance, and real.) Also "Johnny Depp" I fill might be Overlooked just because of who he is but if he some how wins the Golden Globe I believe he will get the bid for actor at the oscars and walk home with a Academy Award. So basically it's Anthony Hopkins (Greatest Actor to ever live, and should be; as an unbias critc I quote this.) Johnny Depp, Powerful performance, and other than Hopkins destroys the performances of all other nominees. NIcole Kidman, 2 Powerful roles, 2 deserving Performances. (Cold Mountain-Human Stain)
Ed harris, Radio was good and will not get nominated, but The Human Stain even with the early release and stupid casting comments should earn him his Oscar.

Respond If you like! KOoladie88

I'll respond you did not give one acting nomination to one of the greatest cast ensembles of all time. LOTR: Return of the King, if you've seen it has in my mind 4 canidates for best supporting actor, Sean Astin being first, Ian Mckellan being 2nd, Billy Boyd being 3rd, and Andy Serkis being 4th. Also not to mention whoever was the actress of Eowyn for best supporting actress. This movie is not only the best of this year but the best of all time. It's battle scenes were the most amazing thing that i have ever seen in a motion picture but what Sean Astin did in his acting of Sam was even more amazing the bs scene in that movie was when Sean Astin picked up Frodo and began to carry him.

I would like to root Astin back into the top 5. Although he missed a Golden Globe nod, he's won Seattle and McKellen wasn't nominated at the Globes for "Fellowship", which everyone thought should have one. Don't underestimate Astin. I would also like to make tyhe point of other great performances: Billy Boyd, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Miranda Otto and Elijah Wood.

Elijah Wood is up for Best actor, not Supporting. I would like to let people see that when they make their predictions.

Since I made my predictions efore i saw Return of the King I must change a few things. This is deffinattly the best movie of the year, the decade and maybe even ever. The strong emotion, the performances and the jaw-dropping special effects make it a complete package.
Winner indicated by #1.

Best Picture:
1. LOTR: Return of the King
2. Cold Mountain
3. Seabiscuit
4. Mystic River
5. Big Fish

Director:
1. Peter Jackson, LOTR:ROTK
2. Clint Eastwood, Mystic River
3. Tim Burton, Big Fish
4. Anthony Minghella, Cold Mountain
5. Peter Weir, Master and Comandeer

Best Actor:
1. Bill Murray, Lost in Translation
2. Sean Penn, Mystic River
3. Johnny Depp, Pirates of the Caribean
4. Ewan Mcgregor, Big Fish
5. Ben Kingsly, House of Sand/fog

Best Actress:
1. Naomi Watts, 21 Grams
2. Nicole Kidman, Cold Mountain
3. Cate Blanchett, The Missing
4. Jennifer Connely, House of Sand/Fog
5. Charlize Theron, Monster

Best supp Actor:
1. Sean Astin, LOTR:ROTK
2. Tim Robbins, Mystic River
3. Ian Mckellan, LOTR:ROTK
4. Billy Boyd, LOTR:ROTK
5. Albert Finney, Big Fish

Best supp Actress:
1. Renee Zellweger, Cold Mountain
2. Mirranda Otto, LOTR:ROTK
3. Marcia Gay Harden, Mystic River
4. Scarlett Johanson, Lost in Translation
5. Laura Linney, Mystic River

LOTR: The Return of the King will also win Cinematography (Spelling?), Adapted Screenplay, Visual Effects, Sound, Art Direction, Costume Design, Make-up, and Original Song (Into the West).

Bulldogyank29 is a genius, I agree with the person almost 100%. I am glad other people are noticing Billy Boyd's performance. My other changes on their's is Laura Linney for Holly Hunter and Ewan McGregor (although he still rocks) for Jude Law.

depp deserve a nomination

Why thank you Anonymous I tried my best.

Depp for Best Actor. Astin for Best Supporting Actor.

2003 Oscar Nominations:

Best Picture:

Cold Mountain
Lost In Translation
Mystic River
Seabiscuit
Under The Tuscan Sun*

Best Actor:

Russell Crowe, Master & Commander
Bill Murray, Lost in Translation*
Jack Nicholson, Something's Got to Give
Sean Penn, Mystic River
Billy Bob Thorton, Bad Santa

Best Actress:

Cate Blanchet, Veronica Guerin
Nicole Kidman, Cold Mountain
Diane Lane, Under The Tuscan Sun*
Julia Roberts, Mona Lisa Smiles
Meg Ryan, In the Cut


Best Supporting Actor:

Alec Baldwin, The Cooler
Jeff Bridges, Seabiscuit*
Albert Finney, Big Fish
William H. Macy, Seabiscuit
Tim Robbins, Mystic River

Best Supporting Actress:

Maria Bello, The Cooler
Hope Davis, American Splendor
Holly Hunter, Thirteen
Scarlett Johansson, Lost in Translation
Renee Zellweger, Cold Mountain*

Best Director:

Sofia Coppola, Lost in Translation
Clint Eastwood, Mystic River
Anthony Minghella, Cold Mountain
Peter Weir, Master & Commander
Audrey Wells, Under the Tuscan Sun*


* Winner

I couldn't believe that Naomi Watts was snubbed for a Golden Globe nomination. He performance in 21 Grams was utterly compelling and there's not much at all that she could have done better. I hope that this doesn't mean that she'll be snubbed for an oscar nomination. She's a talented but grossly underrated actress who deserved more credit for the gutsy roles that she takes on. I'm sure you'll agree.

If Sean Penn does not win best actor for Mystic River there is something completly wrong with the academy awards. It was one of the best performances ive seen in the last 25 years.

Predictions
Best Movie: Mystic River
Best Actor: Sean Penn (Mystic River)
Best Actress: Naomi Watts ( 21 grams)
Best Director: Peter Jackson ( LOTR)
Best Supporting Actor: Tim Robbins ( MR)
Best Supporting Actress: ?

Less we forget, Uma Thurman recieved a nomination for Best Dramatic Actress for the Golden Globes. And people are always saying that the Golden Globes sometimes mirror the Academy Awards...interesting....

With regard to previous :-

Best Film : Should be LORD OF THE RINGS but will probably go to either MYSTIC RIVER or COLD MOUNTAIN

Director : PETER JACKSON

Actor : SEAN PENN or BILL MURRAY ( who is
getting a lot of critics awards)

Actress : CHARLIZE THERON

Supp Actor : ALEC BALDWIN

Supp Actress : MARIA BELLO

My 2004 Predictions

* - winner
# - who/what I would like to see win

Best Picture:

1. LOTR: ROTK #
2. Lost in Translation
3. Cold Mountain
4. Mystic River*
5. American Splendor

Best Actor:

1. Sean Penn: Mystic River*
2. Ben Kingsley: The House of Sand and Fog
3. Russell Crowe: Master and Commander
4. Bill Murray: Lost in Translation #
5. Jude Law: Cold Mountain

Best Actress:

1. Nicole Kidman: Cold Mountain
2. Charlize Theron: Monster*
3. Jennifer Connelly: The House of Sand and Fog
4. Naomi Watts: 21 Grams
5. Evan Rachel Wood: Thirteen #

Best Supporting Actor:

1. Tim Robbins: Mystic River*
2. Sean Astin: LOTR: ROTK #
3. Ken Watanabe: The Last Samurai
4. Albert Finney: Big Fish
5. Alec Baldwin: The Cooler

Best Supporting Actress:

1. Holly Hunter: Thirteen
2. Renee Zellweger: Cold Mountain
3. Hope Davis: American Splendor*#
4. Patricia Clarkson: Pieces of April
5. Marcia Gay Harden: Mystic River

Best Director:

1. Peter Jackson: LOTR: ROTK*#
2. Sophia Coppola: Lost in Translation
3. Anthony Minghella: Cold Mountain
4. Clint Eastwood: Mystic River
5. Alejandro Gonzalez Inniaritu: 21 Grams

Best Animated Movie

1. Finding Nemo*
2. Triplets of Belleville#
3. Brother Bear

Best Original Screenplay

1. Lost in Translation*
2. In America #
3. Thirteen
4. Love Actually
5. 21 Grams

Best Adapted Screenplay

1. Mystic River*
2. Cold Mountain
3. House of Sand and Fog
4. Master and Commander
5. American Splendor #

Here are my picks for the Oscar nominations of 2004. This is purely based on buzz along with a little pinch of my own opinion.
** will win
* should win

Best Picture:
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King */**
Cold Mountain
Lost in Translation
Mystic River
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World

Runner ups:
In America, Big Fish, American Splendor, and Finding Nemo
(LOTR is surely the film to beat and its critical acclaim and massive appeal is definitely going to earn them the Oscar)

Best Actor:
Johnny Depp- Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl *
Bill Murray- Lost in Translation **
Sean Penn- Mystic River
Ben Kingsley- House of Sand and Fog
Jude Law- Cold MOuntain

Runners up: Russell Crowe (I just think Crowe should just rest for a while and give others a chance...he's a superb actor don't get me wrong), Tom Cruise (Please no!), Paul Giamatti, and Paddy Considine (I heard he was wonderful and charming)
(I have to say that Johnny Depp blew me away in POTC and he should get recognized with an Oscar win, but his role isn't very Oscar-ish and is the dark horse in the race this year. Although he's highly overdue. Bill Murray just might take home the award although Sean Penn is the pure favorite of the year. It's just that Murray is sweeping the critics awards and Penn only won in the NBR.)

Best Actress:
Charlize Theron- MOnster*/**
Naomi Watts- 21 Grams
Jennifer Connelly- HOuse of Sand and Fog
Diane Keaton- SOmething's Gotta Give
Evan Rachel Wood- Thirteen

Runners up: Samantha Morton, Scarlett Johansson (I think she's more likely to be in supporting), Patricia Clarkson (her too), Cate Blanchett (losing buzz), Hope Davis (in a great film), and Uma Thurman
(Charlize is going to win fair and square delivering a knock-out and brave performance. Evan Rachel Wood should get nominated with her GOlden GLobe nomination)

Best Director:Peter Jackson- LOTR (amazing year, amazing film)
Runner ups: Peter Weir, Clint Eastwood (Jackson's biggest competitor), Sofia Coppola (you go girl!), and Alejandro Gonzales Inarritu (cool name! lol)

Best Supp Actor: Ken Watanabe (heard such good things about him)
Runners up: Alec Baldwin, Paul Bettany, Benicio Del Toro, and Tim Robbins

Best Supp Actress: Renee Zellweger (heard she stole the show)
Runners up: Scarlett Johansson (probably splitting votes with LIT and GWTPE), Patricia Clarkson (heard she was awesome), Shohreh Aghadashloo (better be nominated), and Holly Hunter (if Wood is nominated, so is Hunter)
**Enjoy**

All I have to say is that I'm sick of them ignoring Lord of the Rings. They never pick it because it got soo much money and they probably think it's overated. They always like to pick the movies that were not hailed by most people "the underdogs" as they put it. But Lord of the Rings was a "underdog" no one ever thought they could pull it off. Well, Peter Jackson did pull it off and it's the best movie made ever. So I predict that it should and will win Best Picture, hopefully.

You know, Seabiscuit DID come out this year..

Ok, now these predictions are a bit far fetched. LotR will not win best picture - so don't be too sad. It will not rack up a lot of noms, either, if the Golden Globes are any indication. Cold Mountain will be the big winner and nominee, I have a suspiscion - the Golden Globes have created a big window for Mountain, and it'll ride the nomination wave all the way to 13, 14 nominations at the oscars, and a plethora of wins [though i suspect mostly in tech catergories] so here comes my predix: [IN ORDER]

BEST PICTURE
1. COLD MOUNTAIN **WINNER**
2. LOST IN TRANSLATION
3. MYSTIC RIVER
4. LotR: RotK
5. MASTER AND COMMANDER[unsure of this prediction, but the other I know will make it - even lost in trans *NOTE the golden globes speak for themselves]

BEST DIRECTOR
1. SOFIA COPPOLA, Lost in Trans [I HOPE, bout time a woman wins, but i think my number two will win...]
2. ANTHONY MINGHELLA, Cold Mountain
3. CLINT EASTWOOD, Mystic River
4. PETER JACKSON, LotR:RotK
5. PETER WEIR, Master and Commander

BEST ACTOR
1. BILL MURRAY, Lost in Translation
2. SEAN PENN, Mystiv river [MAY win..]
3. JUDE LAW, Cold Mountain
4. BEN KINGSLEY, House/Fog
5. RUSSELL CROWE, Master

BEST ACTRESS
1. CHARLIZE THERON, Monster
2. DIANE KEATON, Something's/Give
3. NICOLE KIDMAN, Cold Mountain
4. JENNIFER CONNELLY, House/Fog
5. NAOMI WATTS, 21 Grams

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
1. TIM ROBBINS, Mystic
2. ALBERT FINNEY, Big Fish
3. KEN WATANABE, Last Samurai
4. ALEC BALDWIN, The Cooler
5. BENICIO DEL TORO, 21 Grams

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
1. RENEE ZELLWEGER, Cold Mountain
2. SCARLETT JOHANSSON, Lost
3. MARCIA GAY HARDEN, Mystic
4. HOLLY HUNTER, Thirteen
5. PATRICIA CLARKSON, Pieces of April

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY:
1. LOST IN TRANSLATION
2. IN AMERICA
3. CALENDER GIRLS
4. LOVE, ACTUALLY
5. FINDING NEMO

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY:
1. COLD MOUNTAIN
2. MYSTIC RIVER
3. LotR:RotK
4. SEABISCUIT
5. MASTER AND COMMANDER

These are my bold predictions...ya. I'm pretty sure I am at least 3/4 right. LotR will lose big, not win big, and COLD MOUNTAIN will sweep, like Renee Zellweger movies know how to do - and this time SHE herself will walk away with a little golden man. Unfortunately, Uma Thurman won't make the shortlist and that's sad, I loved KILL BILL. I think my screenplay predix are kinda jostled, but the rest I feel are accurate...except MASTER AND COMMANDER best pic nominee, BIG FISH might just creep up behind it! Always a chance! And no predictions are ever wholly accurate, are they? Until next time...

NO, NO, NO! The person, Carolyn, above me is wrong, Depp for actor, Astin for Supporting and LOTR for picture! Still an opinion, but I believe so none the less.

My Oscar Predictions
$$$ = will win
*** = should win
BEST PICTURE:
Cold Mountain
LOTR: ROTK *** $$$
Lost in Translation
Master and Commander
Mystic River
BEST ACTOR:
Russell Crowe...M & C
Johnny Depp...Pirates of the C.
Ben Kingsley...House of S & F
Bill Murray...Lost in Trans.
Sean Penn...Mystic River***$$$
BEST ACTRESS:
Jennifer Connelly...H of S & F
Diane Keaton...Something's G.G.
Nicole Kidman...Cold Mountain
Charlize Theron...Monster***$$$
Naomi Watts...21 Grams ***(tie)
BEST SUP. ACTOR:
Sean Astin...LOTR 3 ***
Alec Baldwin...The Cooler
Benicio Del Toro...21 Grams
Albert Finney...Big Fish
Tim Robbins...Mystic River $$$
BEST SUP. ACTRESS:
Marcia Gay Harden...M. River***
Holly Hunter...Thirteen
Scarlett Johannsen...Lost in T.
Laura Linney...Mystic River
Renee Zellweger...Cold M.$$$
Best Director:
Sofia Copolla...Lost in Trans.
Clint Eastwood...Mystic River
Peter Jackson...LOTR 3 ***$$$
Anthony Minghella...Cold Mount.
Peter Weir...Master & Commander
Best Original Screenplay:
21 Grams
Finding Nemo ***
In America $$$
Lost in Translation
Thirteen
Best Adapted Screenplay:
Cold Mountain $$$
House of Sand and Fog
LOTR: ROTK ***
Master and Commander
Mystic River

What do you think? Am I crazy? Brilliant?......

WILL is smart. My only comments are: Depp should win best actor, Burton should be nominated director.

Devin

be that as it may, people...it's not going to happen...the competition is too strong in BETTER more dramatic films - that's what the academy goes for. Best Actor: Bill Murray, Sean Penn, and Ben Kingsley are the frontrunners.

Best Actres: Charlize Theron, Diane Keaton, and Nicole Kidman are the frontrunners, I don't think Connelly and Watts can pull through after their lack of Globe noms...

Best supporting actor: No Sean Astin. I'm sorry, but won't happen. LotR is good on action and entertaining effect, but the dramatics in the film are not quite up to par. Tim Robbins, Albert Finney are the frontrunners, one of them two will win.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Renee all the way, she'll win the Globe, then the SAG, then the Oscar - this ones in the bag.

the screenplays: I think my predix up there are pretty darn accurate..

So there ya have it, Cold Mountain will high step (like CHICAGO last year [also with 8 Globe noms] and LotR will prolly get 6 or 7 noms, nothing big, and I am just throwing around those noms since, well, it is the final installment and people may feel pitiful for it. LotR is a decent film, but certainly NOT oscar friendly. This film will not win big.

Carolyn-
You are very right- Sean Astin will not get nominated. However I think he SHOULD be, he just doesn't have enough support from Critics Associations' Awards and Golden Globes. (He did win for the Seattle Critics, but no others, and no nod from the Globes).
Interesting you said more dramatic films are better. I think this perfectly displays how the Academy is stuck on big-budget drama/romance movies. A fantasy has NEVER won best picture, and I think that's going to change. Return of the King is the movie that is topping the most critics rankings and awards, a LOT more than Cold Mountain. And don't let the Globes steer you wrong, they have no technical awards, LOTR's strength. The Academy is likely to vote for ROTK as a salute to the entire trilogy. And there is NO doubt in my mind that Peter Jackson will win Best Director; They owe it to him for the nomination snub last year.

WILL and Carolyn-
You two have your opinions about Astin, and WILL, he wasn't nominated at the globe. But neither was McKellen for "Fellowship". COnsider that, I think he should have won in 2001.

WILL and Carolyn-
You two have your opinions about Astin, and WILL, he wasn't nominated at the globe. But neither was McKellen for "Fellowship". COnsider that, I think he should have won in 2001. Yes LOTR for Best Picture!

Whoa, double-post! Sweeeeet.

Ok, from now on i am going to be honest. After watching COLD MOUNTAIN, I was disappointed. For a movie that is recieving such an enormous amount of hype the movie fails. I am not saying it is bad, but it is just not great. It's actors lack chemistry (mainly between Kidman and Law). Neither one of them are deserving of awards. Now for Zellweger, I can understand why you think she did such a good job, but in all actuallty she overacted her part. In no way am I saying she is a bad actress because really she is one of my favorites. It just seems to me that she is really desperate to win an oscar so she trys steal every scene that she is in when really her character should be more mellow. I hate the fact that COLD MOUNTAIN will recieve a lot of nominations and probably when most of them while other smaller films deserve recognition. I think the academy should give recognition to some of the better performances such as Paddy Considine and Samantha Morton's performances in IN AMERICA, and also in a year of great performances from young actresses like Evan Rachel Wood in THIRTEEN and Keisha Castle Hughes in WHALE RIDER I believe Sarah Bolger should be considered for her role in IN AMERICA. Though these actors and actresses are deserving of nominations and in some cases oscars they will be overshadowed by "Big Hollywood" which is a shame.

My top 10 movies of the year:
10. 21 GRAMS
9. MONSTER
8. LOST IN TRANSLATION
7. THE HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG
6. MYSTIC RIVER
5. THIRTEEN
4. WHALE RIDER
3. AMERICAN SPLENDOR
2. LORD OF THE RINGS: RETURN OF THE KING
1. IN AMERICA

I agree with carolyn in the fact that Cold Mountain and LOTR: ROTK will be the two films to beat with probably 12-14 noms a piece. Unlike carolyn I dont think that LOTR will get snubbed, on the contrary I think LOTR will walk away with a lot of tech. awards and maybe one or two of the top 8 awards (Chicago last year, won BP and BestSuppActress, and 4 other tech awards). I think that Cold Mountain will get Best Adpt. Scrnply. and BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS RENEE ZELLWEGER. This will be her 3rd time and after narrowly losing last year this has to be her time. Best Actress and Actor will probably go to smaller films like HoSaF or MR and someone like Watts will probably get Actress (Look back to Halle Berry). Jackson should get Director and I really cant say what Best Picture will go to, either the two previously stated or possibly Mystic River. Side Note: Master and Commander will be this year's Gangs of New York(Tons of Noms,10, and zero wins).

i agree with ST for Gangs of NY theory w. master. i agree wholly. and i KNOW LotR will walk away with smaller tech awards, prolly about 4 or 5, but i have my doubt bout best pic and director. I think Sofia Coppola and Lost and Translation SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED. I kno that original screenplay is in the bag, but id like to see her be the first female director awarded. but i dont kno, i dont think lotr will be a big winner - a big nominee, perhaps - but not a big winner.

Trust me, Carolyn. Return of the King will be a big winner. THE big winner. Miramax will not have its way like last year's Chicago. And The academy will give a salute to the trilogy, even if it will mean the first fantasy movie to ever win the big award. Many critics are not even putting Cold Mountain on their top ten list. On big comparison charts of results from about 100 critics lists, Cold Mountain ranked somewhere in the twenties (with 32 lists), while Return of the King ranked second (with eighty-something lists), with the most #1 ranks of all (25). Cold Mountain only had 2 #1's.

I agree with you JC. In a year with many great movies it is easy for many of the smaller better movies to get over shadowed by the big hollywood movies. And about the Zellweger comment, I agree with you only because I have saw here do better, and there is a more deserving actress in that category, Hope Davis. She made American Splendor what it was, sweet and irresistable while capturing the true spirit of Joyce Brabner, but she probably wont win because the academy awards are more of a popularity contest than they are a way to truely honor great performances. Since Zellweger has been nominated twice before they feel like they owe it to her not just for her performance in Cold Mountain, but also for her near miss in Chicago, and for Bridget Jones's Diary which is a shame.

who/what will win is anyone's guess.

whats certain is two things.

best director...wont be peter jackson

best picture... wont be lord of the rings return of the king.

don't get me wrong i think peter and the film should win hands down but its a fact that the golden globes/oscars don't consider scifi/fantasy films to be real film makeing.
in the history of both they have flat out refused to award and serious awards to them.

the golden globes was supose to be different but it so currupted now.

whats funny to me is the last time i looked all films were fiction to some degree or another.

I'm 99% confident Peter Jackson will take home an oscar. He was not even nominated last year, and the academy knows he should've. I'm 85% sure ROTK will win the Best Picture, too, because it's more like an award for the entire trilogy. Plus, it was, without question, the best movie of the year when everything is taken in to effect: Acting, Writing, Directing, Visual/Sound effects, etc.

maybe it IS a good movie, but it's not in the style of the academy to pick lotr to win - i mean ::cough:: IT IS A BIG-BUDGET EPIC DRAMA! it has romance, it has battle sequences, if it doesn't win its not because its a "FANTASY" [the academy seems to b breaking them roles i.e. "CHICAGO"] it's because there's better films out there. and who cares how many top ten lists its made? critics have no say in the oscar race. i, for one, love COLD MOUNTAIN, and Renee Zellweger should win for this role because she was terrific. fullsteam, MOUNTAIN!

Return of the King all the way! Peter Jackson deserves this for the entire 3 films. Call me crazy but I think Sean Astin deserves a nomination for Supporting Actor. He was so great...I cried right along with him!

Yes, TL! I agree with you completely!

If LOTR does not get best picture and Peter Jackson Best Director - I swear off the Oscars for good

Enough is enough!

now that's silly - there ARE more deserving films out there...

now THAT's just silly. There aren't more deserving films out there. ROTK is undeniably the best picture of the year. Cold Mountain will be this year's Gangs of New York: nominated in many categories, wins none. Oh wait, it will win Best Supporting Actress (even though Renee's part was very over-acted).

i think she was brilliant in the film. academy members don't like LotR as much as the critics, its apparent in the lack of acting nods, and the lack of wins. It won't break the fantasy boundaries of the Oscars, it may break records at the box office, but it will not come Oscar time.

Some of these are good, some of these are bad, but I really think Anonymous's predictions in November are the best. Here are mine. I can't tell the winners.

BEST PICTURE

Cold Mountain
Mystic River
Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
House of Sand and Fog
Big Fish

BEST DIRECTOR

Clint Eastwood "Mystic River"
Sofia Cappola "Lost in Translation"
Peter Jackson "Lord of the Rings: Return of the King"
Anthony Minghella "Cold Mountain"
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu "21 Grams"


BEST ACTOR

Sean Penn "Mystic River"
Jude Law "Cold Mountain"
Ben Kingsley "House of Sand and Fog"
Nicolas Cage "Matchstick Men"
Tom Cruise "The Last Samurai"

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Benicio Del Toro "21 Grams"
Tim Robbins "Mystic River"
Albert Finney "Big Fish"
Jeff Bridges "Seabiscuit"
Sean Astin "Lord of the Rings: Return of the King"

BEST ACTRESS

Naomi Watts "21 Grams"
Nicole Kidman "Cold Mountain"
Jennifer Connolly "House of Sand and Fog"
Cate Blanchett "Veronica Guerin"
Charlize Theron "Monster"

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Marcia Gay Harden "Mystic River"
Renne Zelwegger "Cold Mountain"
Holly Hunter "Thirteen"
Scarlet Johansson "Lost in Translation"
Hope Davis "American Splendor"

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

Brian Helgeland "Mystic River"
Anthony Minghella "Cold Mountain"
John August "Big Fish"
Gary Ross "Seabiscuit"
Nicholas Griffin "Matchstick Men"

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

Guillermo Arriaga "21 Grams"
Sofia Cappola "Lost in Translation"
Richard Curtis "Love Actually"
Quentin Tarantino "Kill Bill: Vol. 1"
Nancy Meyers "Something's Gotta Give"

BEST CINEMATROGRAPHY

Tom Stern "Mystic River"
Roger Deakins "House of Sand and Fog"
John Schwartzman "Seabiscuit"
Andrew Lesnie "Lord of the Rings: Return of the King"
John Seale "Cold Mountain"

What should win:

Best Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (duh)

Best Director: Peter Jackson, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (duh, look at the last two films)

Best Actor: Johnny Depp, Prates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (deserving, wishful thinking)

Best Actress: Charlize Theron, Monster (enough critical love)

Best Supporting Actor: Sean Astin, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (dserving, just awaiting the nominations)

Best Supporting Actress: Renee Zelwegger, Cold Mountain (payment for the last couple years)

Best Original Screenplay: Lost in Translation (almost locked)

Best Adapted Screenplay: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Best Animated Feature: Finding Nemo (duh)

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King:
(possible nominations)

Best Actor:
Elijah Wood (campaigned here), Viggo Mortensen (more supporting, still, his more likely chance lies here)

Best Supporting Actor:
Billy Boyd, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, John Nobel, Andy Serkis, Elijah Wood

Best Supporting Actress:
Miranda Otto (doubtful: Liv Tyler- not enough creentime or acting opportunities)

^ yeah right

carolyn, you are so right. LOTR probably wont get any acting noms. it only got one the first year for McKellen and that was it.....So many more deserving actors this year.......GO COLD MOUNTAIN!!!

o ST! you really know how to make a girl feel welcomed to the 2004 Oscar predictions Bloggerman!

Did anyone see Cold Mountain? I mean, after reading the book? Law and Kidman rule, but Renee is starting to bug me. Aside from being beautiful, Portman can't act that great. Renne will undoubtedly win this year, but come on... It's all about LOTR!

well...i bet the cold mountain is gonna win the Oscar~

good call ~~~~ - LotR will get, pardon my french, shit and maybe a few technical sprinkles

I wish I knew the anti-LOTR predictors. I would bet all the money I have. I bet this: ROTK will take Best Picture, Director, Visual Effects, Film Editing, Art/Set Decoration, Sound, Sound Editing, Original Song

and win be nominated for (maybe winning): Adapted Screenplay, Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress, Cinematography, Makeup, Costumes

doubtful: Actor

who/what I WOULD nominate:
**** indicates winner
BEST PICTURE:
28 Days Later
Finding Nemo
Lost in Translation
LOTR: ROTK ****
Mystic River
(betcha didn't expect that, huh?)

BEST ACTOR:
Johnny Depp...Pirates of the C.
Paul Giamatti...American Splendor
Ben Kingsley...House of S. and F.
Bill Murray...Lost in Translation
Sean Penn...Mystic River ****
(the buzz is right!...so far)

Best ACTRESS:
Angelay Bettis...May
Jennifer Connelly...H. of S. and F.
Charlize Theron...Monster ****
Naomi Watts...21 Grams **** (tie)
Evan Rachael Wood...Thirteen
(May is a small, creepy film but she is great! see May, on DVD now)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR:
Sean Astin...LOTR: ROTK ****
Benicio Del Toro...21 Grams
Brenden Gleeson...28 Days Later
Tim Robbins...Mystic River
Ken Watanabe...The Last Samurai
(I would LOVE to nominate Andy Serkis (Gollum, LOTR), but his CGI final product disqualifies him, even though he did the voice AND actions...urgh...)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS:
Marcia Gay Harden...Mystic River
Naomie Harris...28 Days Later ****
Scarlett Johannson...Lost in Trans.
Miranda Otto...LOTR: ROTK
Renee Zellweger...Cold Mountain
(Naomie Harris was GREAT, and very underrated. She's gonna be big...)

BEST DIRECTOR:
Danny Boyle...28 Days Later
Sofia Coppola...Lost in Translation
Clint Eastwood...Mystic River
Peter Jackson...LOTR: ROTK ****
Anthony Minghella...Cold Mountain

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY:
28 Days Later
Finding Nemo ***
Lost in Translation
Love, Actually
Thirteen


BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY:
American Splendor
Big Fish
Cold Mountain
LOTR: ROTK
Mystic River ***

Thoughts? Agreements? Arguments?

Forgot to put name on it.
The choices above me are by WILL

Oh and DEVIN!
I agree with you to a certain point. Miranda Otto, although i'd like to see her nominated, as you can see frommy choices above, probably won't be nominated, because lack of screentime, lack of buzz, not too well known, strong competition.

WILL-
I see you're point, but I feel the oscar will have a few open "Supporting Actress" spots. Mona Lisa Smile's buzz is basically gone, 21 Grams is ignore and house of Sand and Fog, well, where did it go?

Devin

I see what you mean, Devin. We can only hope for the best...

Will-

28 Days Later will not be nominated. I doubt Finding Nemo but I could be wrong. Lost in Translation I don't think will be up for best picture, you're forgetting, Cold Mountain, House of Sand and Fog. 21 Grams for stuff too. Johnny Depp? Paul Giatmatti? As much as I like Paul Giamatti and American Splendor, he won't be nominated. You need to see Cold Mountain, Jude Law might take the Oscar. Also don't forget about Big Fish, Albert Finney, Brandon Gleeson? No. Tim Robbins is my bet. What is with you and 28 Days Later, it's not gonna win anything. Not gonna be nominated for anything. Not picture, not director, not actor, not screenplay, I think you need to see most of these movies before posting predictions. See Cold Mountain, House of Sand and Fog, Big Fish, 21 Grams.

right, chris - agreed

MOUNTAIN was sensational, BIG FISH was sensational, HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG was sensational too...see them before passing judgment...

Here is my list for nominees.* indicates Winner and ** for who i hope wins. MR=Mystic River and CM=cold Mountain

Best Picture

Mystic River**
Lord of the rings:Return of the King*
House of sand and fog
lost in translation
Cold Mountain

Best Director

Clint Eastwood-MR**
Peter Jackson-LORD:ROTK*
Alejandro Gonzalez-21 grams
Anthony Minghella-CM
Sofia Coppola-Lost in Translation

Best Actor

Sean Penn-MR*and**
Ben Kingsley-House of sand and fog
Nicholas Cage-Matchstick men** He's Great
Tom Cruise-Last Samurai
Bill Murray-Lost in Translation

Best Supporting Actor

Tim Robbins-MR*and**
Benicio Del Toro-21 grams
Jeff Bridges-Seabiscuit** i like them both
?
?

Best Actress

Naomi Watts-21 grams
Nicole-CM* I hate Nicole
Jennifer Connolly-House of sand and fog**
cate blanchett-Veronica Guerin
Charlize Theron-Monster

Best Supporting Actress

Marcia Gay Harden-MR**
Renee Zelwegger-CM*
Holly Hunter-13
Scarlet Johansson-Lost in Translation
Hope Davis- American Splandor

im just gana tell the winners for these.

Best Adapted Screen Play
Brian Helgeland-MR*

Best Origanl Screenplay
Sofia Coppola-Lost in Translation*
i hope Quentin Tarantino wins though

Best Cinematrography

Andrew Lenslie-LOTR:ROTK

Thank you Carolyn. I do want to change a couple of my nominations though. American Splendor for Best Original Screenplay replacing, Something's Gotta Give. Also, Bill Murray replacing Tom Cruise for Best Actor.

Chris-
I know 28 Days Later won't be nominated, and neither will Finding Nemo. If you read the very beginning of my post, it said who I would nominate, not who the Academy would nominate. I loved 28 Days Later, so artistic, so smart, but not a lot of people caught thats it's more than just a zombie movie. I'M NOT STTUPID! I KNOW IT'S NOT GETTING ANY NODS! IT'S WHAT MY PICKS ARE! I SAW COLD MOUNTAIN AND I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS IN MY TOP FIVE! NEITHER WAS JUDE LAW!

This may be a completely biased opinion, simply because no other movie has been on my mind for the past three years, but I think that Return of the King should definitely win Best Picture. I agree that it's up against some pretty good movies, but for the past two years Lord of the Rings has been overlooked in lieu of other pictures which were good- but not quite as. I think the Academy needs to recognize the magnitude of work put into these movies, and the devotion of the fans. It would do Tolkien justice if the last film got best picture. The Academy seems to shirk fantasy movies to go for the more real stories, but I think this year there's no overlooking Return of the King- if it doesn't win Best Picture, it'll be because the Academy will be rooting for the underdog, because Return of the King is without a doubt the biggest movie this year has seen.

Carolyn-
I did see all those movies. Isn't it possible that I just to love them as much as you do? Try to be a little more open-minded. Of course, I need to do that too...

Carolyn-
Whoa, screwed up a sentence there, lol. Let's try that again. Isn't it possible that I just don't love them as much as you do?
There, that's better.

you're right! but i would hardly call me closed minded.

Oh and Chris, one more thing.

I took a look at your predictions and I'd like to pick them apart...
First of all, Matchstick Men isn't getting anything...nods, wins, nothing. Not even acting.
Second, I love your pick for Sean Astin as A best Supporting Actor nod. I completely agree.
However, Jeff Bridges will not be nominated, because he is campaigning as a lead Actor, which he won't come close to a nod for.
I have a hard time believing Cate Blanchett will get a nod, but she just might slip onto the ballot because she's "due," but don't be surprised if she's not.
I have to tell you, I liked Kill Bill, but I don't think it's getting anything, not even a screenplay nod. Something's Gotta Give is probably gone from the screenplay nod too. It will probably be Finding Nemo and In America. The Back-up for those is Thirteen. But S.G.G. might still have a small chance...
You'd be surprised to find that I agree with about 85% of your predictions. We're not so far off as you thought. 28 Days Later WON'T get nominated, ypu're right. But what did you think of the movie? I think it should, but not a lot of people got past the Zombie Movie stero-type, which it's far from....

wow. i do not think sean astin will geta nod.

I am amazed at how many people have contributed to this forum, and in light of all the good movies that came out this year i have decided to comprise a list of what i think were the best movies of the year. I know i have already listed my top 10 list, but there have been so many more movies worth mentioning. This is my list:

In America
21 Grams
LOTR: ROTK
Shattered Glass
Thirteen
Lost in Translation
Fog of War
Goodbye Lenin!
Monster
Swimming Pool
Pieces of April
American Splendor
The House of Sand and Fog
Mystic River
Whale Rider
Big Fish (I expected more, but still good)
Master and Commander
28 Days Later (Thanks Will for reminding me about this one)
The Station Agent
Cold Mountain (I am only listing because the book was good, but as for the movie...tsk...tsk)

If you guys can think of some I am missing please feel free to add them because I know I have to be missing a few.

It's great to watch "Fight Club" and come to my computer and look over the sewven convesations at once that i missed.
...and Carolyn, Sean Astin deserves the nod as much as the win, not that Watanabe, Baldwin, Robbins, Finney and Macy dont deserve a nod too.

seven*

Hey guys,
I have a few things to say . I really liked Lord of The Rings don't get me wrong, however I feel as if all of you who seem to think it will win all these awards need to see the other films first and then make your desicion. I saw messages posted weeks ago saying that Lord of the RIngs was by far the best film of the year. I don't feel you have the right to say that without even awknolodging that Cold Mountain had yet to be released (in my opinion the best flim of the year). I enjoyed Johnny Depp in Pirates, however you guys should open you eyes a bit more to the fact that Oscar voters are propably not as fond as his permormance as you are. A few last things. I saw that someone predicted Under the Tuscan Sun to win best picture... sorry ain't gonna happen. And I personally do not think Kill Bill will win or even get nominated for best screenplay. There were more punches thrown in that movie then words spoken And please everyone remember to see Cold Mountain it deserves more recognition from all of you.

well put, e

COLD MOUNTAIN is truly one of the best of the year.

Will-

Horror is not my type of movie however, I did see 28 Days Later because I enjoyed Danny Boyle's other films like Trainspotting. But 28 Days Later was a little strange but the cinematography was actually quite good. My friend is in love with the movie. He can't stop talking about it. Anyway, I do agree somewhat with your remarks. I don't expect Nicolas Cage to be nominated but I think he should for his performance as someone with obsessive compulsive disorder with all those ticks. I think he should get more nods for that movie, it's very underrated. I replaced Something's Gotta Give with American Splendor which won at Sundance. I put in Kill Bill because Tarantino has experience and there hasn't been too many good original screenplays. Also, Jude Law was fantastic. But what I hear, Bill Murray is supposed to steal the show but my top 3 picks for Best Actor are Sean Penn, Ben Kingsley, and Jude Law but now it seems I have to add in Bill Murray. I hope Sean Penn wins because this will be the 4th time he hasn't won. But I have a feeling Bill will win this year. But I guess we agree with out arguements.

Ok, whoever E is-

I don't get why you're assuming that people who think LOTR: ROTK will do well haven't seen other movies, such as Cold Mountain. Isn't it possible that we just don't like Cold Mountian like you do? I think ROTK was the best film of the year by far, and I DID see Cold Mountain. It was pretty good, but not my top five. Probably somewhere around number 8 or 9 for me. I just didn't see what was so great besides its huge budget. In my opinion, Kidman and Law weren't nod worthy, and Zellweger was but not Oscar-worthy (again), she seemed to over-act it and stole many scenes, when she could've been more mellow and still done fantastic.
But the point is, I think ROTK should and will win Best Picture, among many other awards, and I DID see Cold Mountain.
Did you see Return of the King before you decided that it wasn't as good as Cold Mountain?

Most of the buzz surrounding Cold Mountain is not comming from oscar voters its comming from Miramax who is trying to follow up there best picture win from last year, Chicago. What I see happening (and I think it has already been said on this forum) is that Cold Mountain will turn out to be like Miramax's other big film from last year Gangs of New York, it will score a lot of nominations but no wins.

Yo dudes what a minute you guys are forgeting 2 Fast 2 Furious. It should take home all the technical awards as well as best actor and best supporting actor. And some other movies you guys don't need to forget:

League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
Honey
Love Don't Cost A Thing
Cold Mountain
Grind
Gigli
SWAT
The Cat in the Hat
Timeline
& last but not least
Paycheck (Damn, Ben Affleck was in two great movies this year)

ok Really smart person is really dumb. None of those movies were any good except Cold Mountain, and that's not even on my top five. Ben Affleck is a HORRIBLE actor.

o
m
g
really smart person.
really stupid predix.

I think that Cold Mountain will surprise many people and win most oscars. I think Pirates of the Carribean will do good in the minor areas as well as actor due to Deeps outstanding performance. Surprise nods in Best Picture for Finading Nemo and Actress for Jamie Lee Curtis. Renee wins her first oscar for Cold Mountain. Big Fish, LotR, Last Samurai, and Seabiscuit pull many nods but no or few wins.

finding nemo will not get a best picture nod. that is why there is the BEST ANIMATED FILM award...

Carolyn, I disagree with your views on LOTR, but you're right about the Animated Feature Award. But everyone who reads this and agree's, please post something telling me Finding Nemo deserves a Best Picture nod although it wont get it for sure.

i liked NEMO [btw did u kno nemo means NOBODY in latin, thus it is FINDING NOBODY] haha - i kno, im a dork...

ok guys this is my first post
i really really really really really want Big Fish to be nominated for best picture and Tim Burton for best directer,
to brian, Ellen DeGeneres for "Finding Nemo" won't be nominated because it is an animated role. sorry, and if Shrek wasn't nominated neigther will Finding Nemo. i think that LOTR: return of the king will win to award the trology same with Peter Jackson. i want Tim Burton should be nominated because he is such a great directer. the acadamy always overlooks great directers like Bas Lurmann for Moulin Rouge. i think that Kill Bill should be nominated but it won't be because the movie isn't the kind of movie that the acadamy likessame with quintin tarentino. and i'm sorry for any of my bad spelling,

Personally, I think that both of the ends of the great trilogies this year (LOTR and MATRIX) were sort of let downs after seeing the second movies. I dont understand why ROTK deserves so many kudos except for director Peter Jackson (Already stated by me earlier) who shot all 3 movies back to back.By the way did any one notice how shitty the ending to ROTK was editted and how anti- climatic it was, it was like as if they had made the film and wanted to squeeze all the important stuff into the last 5-10 mins of the movie, spending a min or two on a scene and moving to the next.

These are my predictions for the 2004 Oscar Awards

Picture/ The Return of the king
Actress/ Naomi Watts/ 21 Grams
Actor/ Sean Penn/ Mystic River
Director/ Peter Jackson/ LOTR:ROTK
Adapted Screenplay/ Mystic River
Original Screenplay/ 21 Grams
Foreign language film/ In the killer's mind/from Mexico
Supporting Actor/ Benicio del Toro/ 21 Grams
Supporting Actress/ Renee Zellwegner

I Can't believe the the Golden Globes didn't nominate Naomi Watts
Her performance was excellent

These are my top 10 films of the year

1.The Return of the king
2.21 grams
3.Mystic River
4.Lost in translation
5.Finding Nemo
6.In America
7.Big Fish
8.Cold Mountain
9.House of Sand and Fog
10.Once Upon a Time In Mexico

21 Grams will defenitely take the oscar for best picture of the year

I have to disagree with you, ST. I think ROTK was not a letdown, but it was the best of the three, and the best film of the year. That's the first time I heard someone complain the ending should have been longer. Most people, including myself, think the ending was dragged on a bit much, but you still needed to know what happened, so it was great anyway. I agree, Tim Burton could make a good director nod (he's sixth on my list...), but you're alo right that the academy overlooks him, and I think this year will be no exception.

Ok, whoever anonyme is (two posts above me) confused me. They predicted that ROTK will take Best Picture at the top, but the last thing they said was "21 Grams will defenitely take the oscar for best picture of the year." What gives?

Hey Will ,
I just wanted to point out that if COld Mountain was your eight favorite film of the year you must have liked something other then the "big budget" which bye the way was less then ROTK, The Last Samurai, and Master and Commander. I would also like to know what your problems with Cold Mountain were other then the performances which I though to be very good. Thanks a lot .

Well, two days ago I posted what I thought should be nominated, only based on my judgements, and I gave nominations to Zellweger, The director, and the screenplay. It's not that I have a huge problem with it, it's just that I didn't LOVE it like you and Carolyn do, and I kind of thought that Jude Law and Nicole Kidman weren't that good. Top ten for their respective categories, but not top five. And when I said the thing about the big budget, I didn't mean that's bad, I meant that's the onlt "great" thing they have. They will get nominated for a few technical awards, and director (probably) and acting for kidman ansd zellweger (and maybe Law, but looks doubtful), and best picture. But I predict they will walk away with one win only: Best Supporting Actress. She will get the award because she did well enough for top five and she lost an Oscar two years in a row.
Does this answer your question? If not I'd by happy to elaborate.

I loved the book "Cold Mountain". The movie was good. The acting was great in some spots, weak in others. I don't think the film was made for much else than the oscar. It will slip in with a lot of nods just from the names: Minghella, KIDMAN (last years winner), Law, Zellweger (two straight nods). I agree with the_latejc316 and who ever else said it that it will get nods allacross the board but no or few wins.

On some level though, I see what the "Cold Mountain"/anti-LOTR people are seeing. In a way it would be insulting to the other films and directors if it too Best Picture and Director: Picture because they were made at the same time and the others didnt win. Director because they were made at the same time and Jackson never won before let alone being nominated for TTT. But still, I feel ROTK and the other films (FOTR and TTT) deserve what thy lost. I still see you're point.

In reply to Dylan_B's post, I agree that Tim Burton should get nominated for Best Director as he will, but it doesn't happen all the time. There where many great movies this year that would have been average if it wasn't for their director. A director has a certain way of pulling out great performances from his actors and an amazing sense of tempo, and Tim Burton has those qualities though he is the only one to show them this year. Many people are forgeting Gus Van Sant's Elephant, and I can understand why with its current box office gross of 1.1 million, but what they don't understand is that this movie is just as deserving for a nomination as any of the others mentioned on this board. He won Best Director at Cannes isn't that enough for him to beat Minghella for a nod. Probably not because it never picked up much buzz. It is an example of a smaller movie getting trampled by a big budget movie which is unfortunate. at least there were some small movie successes this year with Lost in Translation, In America, Big Fish, Thirteen, and American Splendor (Everyone go see this movie and then tell me again why Zellweger deserves the Best Supporting Actress award over Hope Davis).

Will, I do agree that the end of the film dragged on, but the film time would have been so much better spent on taking the time to end the great series in one brilliant ending and cut off some of the battle scene (Had already seen that in TTT @ Battle of Helm's Deep).

Really Smart Person-

Whoa. Your picks are absolutely horrible. 2 Fast 2 Furious is a pitty excuse for a movie. The title is screwed up, Paul Walker is a horrible actor, the first one was terrible as well, Vin Diesel? Terrible actor. SWAT? I thought wasn't that good. They tried to put together a good cast but it didn't help because the director sucks. It's a movie where everything blows up. Movies like that, Fast and the Furious, Biker Boyz, Torque, XXX, SWAT, all these movies are the same style. They're horrible. No awards for these flicks. Even James Bond is starting to become like this. Die Another Day was sad. I didn't like it and either did any of my friends. Honey? Love Don't Cost a Thing? Timeline? Grind? They all suck. If I were Michael Chrichton, I would be embarassed. Grind is just dumb. Not funny, and most skateboarding movies are terrible. There are just too many bad comments I have for the next two so I won't say anything. But you have probalby never seen a good movie. So I suggest you go out and see the classics and then see the ones many people have on their lists.

is that really scary "really smart guy" gone now? god he frightened me.

Hey guys it was a joke. I am just poking fun at all the crappy movies that came out this year because someone thought it was a good idea. By no means were those legitimate predictions for the Oscar race, and they would never win awards unless it was for worst picture of the year. What I can't believe is that some people went and saw those movies and thought they were good. I guess that is the punchline

I guess what I was really trying to say is that I am tired of all this Hollywood bullshit that they try to sell us when they should be focusing on making movies that will be remembered. All the movies I listed were very bad and only made because some big Hollywood studio executive knew they could make a quick profit on them. I just wish people would realize this and not give there money to this bullshit. I want people to spend their money on movies that count like American Splendor, Thirteen, Whale Rider, Pieces of April, and In America, but I doubt that will change. Come January 16th, idiots will be lining up outside of movie theaters to watch Torque, a fast and the Furious type of movie with motorcycles, talking about how much they love their cars using words like "pimp" and "crunk" as they sell themselves to the whole hip-hop lifestyle and buy in to what Hollywood says is "cool". These people make me sick, and I think its time for a change.

I completely agree, Really smart person. Wow, you turned out to be really smart. LOL.

What I THINK will be nominated. If these predix are right *= will win, **= should win

Best Picture:
Cold Mountain
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King*/**
Lost in Translation
Mystic River
Seabiscuit

Best Director:
Tim Burton, Big Fish
Sofia Coppola, Lost in Translation
Clint Eastwood, Mystic River
Peter Jackson, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King*/**
Anthony Minghella, Cold Mountain

Best Actor:
Johnny Depp, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl**
Ben Kingsley, House of Sand and Fog
Jude Law, Cold Mountain
Bill Murray, Lost in Translation**
Sean Penn, Mystic River*

Best Actress:
(all are worthy)
Cate Blanchett, The Missing**
Diane Keaton, Something's Gotta Give**
Nicole Kidman, Cold Mountain**
Charlize Theron, Monster*/**
Evan Rachel Wood, Thirteen**

Best Supporting Actor:
Sean Astin, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King*/**
Benicio Del Toro, 21 Grams
Albert Finney, Big Fish
William H. Macy, Seabiscuit
Tim Robbins, Mystic River

Best Supporting Actress:
Marcia Gay Harden, Mystic River
Holly Hunter, Thirteen
Scarlett Johansson, Lost in Translation**
Miranda Otto, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King**
Renee Zelwegger, Cold Mountain*

This is an equal mix between my picks and what I think will get nominated. I'm pretty certain on Best Picture, but the rest are more of personal preferences than actual predictions. What do you think?


Best Picture:
The Matrix Revolutions
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Lost in Translation
Mystic River
Seabiscuit

Best Director:
Tim Burton, Big Fish
Sofia Coppola, Lost in Translation
Clint Eastwood, Mystic River
Peter Jackson, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Danny Boyle, 28 Days Later

Best Actor:
Russel Crowe, Master and Commander
Ben Kingsley, House of Sand and Fog
John Cusack, Identity
Bill Murray, Lost in Translation
Cillian Murphy, 28 Days Later

Best Actress:
Cate Blanchett, The Missing
Diane Keaton, Something's Gotta Give
Nicole Kidman, Cold Mountain
Keisha Castle-Hughes, Whale Rider

Best Supporting Actor:
Sean Astin, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Ken Watanabe, The Last Samurai
Hugo Weaving, The Matrix Revolutions (hell yeah, but won't happen)
William H. Macy, Seabiscuit
Max Pirkis, Master and Commander

Best Supporting Actress:
Marcia Gay Harden, Mystic River
Holly Hunter, Thirteen
Scarlett Johansson, Lost in Translation
Naomie Harris, 28 Days Later
Renee Zelwegger, Cold Mountain

Best Original Screenply:
not even worth debating, because I have no other predictions besides 28 Days Later, which should be nominated as it is such a great, intelligent film.

Andrew Alvarez-
Okay, if the ones you listed for Best Picture are the ones you think WILL be nominated, you are very wrong about the Matrix sequel. Very disappointing, Bad acting, confusing screenplay, etc.
Your personal preferences, I LOVE that you picked people from 28 Days Later, I love that movie too, and Naomie Harris was oscar-worthy. But you and I both have to accept the fact that the Academy will obviously ignore 28 Days Later :-(. About Best Supporting Actor, yes! Sean Astin! I think he should win, even though he'll be lucky to get nominated. However, if anyone was to be nominated for Master and Commander, it would be Paul Bettany, NOT Max Perkis. I like most of your choices, though.

Andrew Alvarez,

hmm.....interesting choices...geez I am surprised you didn't list Keanu Reeves for best actor after all I felt so moved after the train scene in Revolutions.

No Matrix, yes Astin, sorry, no 28 Days Later. no Hugo, that bites, no Perkis (now if you had said Serkis), yes, Macy should be able to pull off a nod.

NO, Macy won't get a nod. He's not good enough in that role and he lost his buzz. I HOPE ASTIN WILL BE NOMINATED!!!!! PLEASE, OSCAR GOD?!?!?!? lol

ok, I just want to make it perfectly clear that the following films WILL NOT get nominations for anything!

Open Range
Sylvia
The Statement
Radio
The Human Stain
Mona Lisa Smile
A Mighty Wind
The Missing
The Life of David Gale
Matchstick Men
(Doesn't bother me one bit either)
(28 Days Later won't get anything either, but that DOES bother me, quite a lot actually)
AND PROBABLY NO NODS:
Kill Bill (MAYBE, TINY chance for Actress, screenplay, though looks NEAR IMPOSSIBLE!)

Will the only movie on your list above that coud possibly pull off a nomination would be A Mighty Wind. It would be for sup. actor for Eugene Levy he is the underdog in this race, but I still don't see it happening

Really Smart Person-

You scared me. I totally agree.

Will-

I think you forgot The Matrix Revolutions on your list unless you see it winning one of the technical awards.

Andrew Alveraz-

I hope you're kidding. Those predictions suck.

I read an article just recently about the list of movies up for some of the technical awards, but oddly enough neither one of the Matrix sequels were listed. I thought they would at least be up for consideration, but it looks like they got snubbed. Hmm...but The Hulk could still get a nod.

PS. Stay in doors, the flu sucks.

Chris, you're so right!
How could I forget to bash the Matrix sequels? SOOOOO disappointing! They will be nominated for nothing, not even techs. There are a few more that people have predicted that won't be nominated, but I can't think of them. If anyone has any extras, please list them. But don't be stupid and say something like ROTK or even Cold Mountain. Those are obviously getting several. (Along with Mystic River, Lost in Translation, etc.)

I just want to say something, nothing to do with this years oscars. I was watching "Almost Famous" (one of the best 5 movies ever, with LOTR and Pulp Fiction) Billy Crudup was robbed of a nod that year, so was McDormand, Kate should have won because she was great and because she's so damn beautiful.

Wait, not McDormand, I meant Patrick Fugit, maybe.

The one person I REALLY thinks deserves a nod (and probably won't get one) is Sean Astin. What a performance!!!

As for the ending of ROTK, it did drag a bit, but it was also the kind of movie where you had to have an epilogue. It wasn't enough to end it with the final fight scene, you had spent so much time with these characters, that you wanted to know what happened to them. I'm glad that we got to see that at least.

I agree totally with you, Will. They won't get any nominations, but you can't deny that some of them were good movies.

Gooooooooooo Sean Astin!!!
And Really Smart Person, I for one knew you were kidding from the start. I thought it was obvious, too. I mean...Gigli?? Come now.

Sean Astin for Supporting Actor and Best Live-Action Short. Sean Astin for Supporting Actor and Best Live-Action Short. Sean Astin for Supporting Actor and Best Live-Action Short. Sean Astin for Supporting Actor and Best Live-Action Short. Sean Astin for Supporting Actor and Best Live-Action Short.

whoa:
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.

lol devin, the Shining was AWESOME! That was yet another movie that was snubbed! Best Actor for Jack Nicholson, Best supporting Actor (Danny OR that Black guy, lol cant remember his name), Best Actress or Supporting Actress (not sure which) for Shelly Duvall, even though the behind the scenes footage on the DVD showed she was a bitch to work with, she was great in the part, plus best adapted screenplay, best picture! all those deserved nods, and got nothing! (were the categories the same as they are now?)

Oh and KillBill, yes some of those movies were good ones, like Kill Bill, A Mighty Wind, and Matchstick Men in particular, but none were oscar worthy to me, except maybe did A Mighty Wind have an original song? That category is usually open for nods (Blame Canada wasn't nod worthy, even though I LOVE South Park)

hey does anyone know when SAG nominees are announced. Astin's oscar nod is depending on a Screen Actor's Guild nod, or he won't have enough support, sadly. You can rarely miss Globes and SAG's and still get an Oscar nod. PLEASE, SAG's, GIVE ASTIN A NOMINATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

hey does anyone know when SAG nominees are announced. Astin's oscar nod is depending on a Screen Actor's Guild nod, or he won't have enough support, sadly. You can rarely miss Globes and SAG's and still get an Oscar nod. PLEASE, SAG's, GIVE ASTIN A NOMINATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Astin does fully deserve an Oscar nod and maybe even a win...it could happen.

I didn't see any predictions for The Station Agent. Peter Dinklage and Patricia Clarkson are definite threats in the leading actor/actress categories. If you haven't seen the movie check it out...all performances are very very good.

There was some talk earlier about Finding Nemo not getting an Oscar nomination just because it's animated. Didn't Beauty and the Beast pull that off though? I think Finding Nemo has a good shot at it. I would definitely put it in my top five for the year.

National Board of Review has Mystic River winning Best Picture and Sean Penn winning Best Actor. Alec Baldwin winning for Best Supporting Actor for The Cooler. Best Director to Edward Zwick for The Last Samurai. Best Adapted Screenplay to Anthony Minghella for Cold Mountain. Charlize Theron is really starting to get some nods for Monster although I would like to see Naiomi Watts win for 21 Grams, if you saw 21 Grams I think you know that she should get it although I haven't seen Monster so I really can't make any assumptions.

National Board of Review has Mystic River winning Best Picture and Sean Penn winning Best Actor. Alec Baldwin winning for Best Supporting Actor for The Cooler. Best Director to Edward Zwick for The Last Samurai. Best Adapted Screenplay to Anthony Minghella for Cold Mountain. Charlize Theron is really starting to get some nods for Monster although I would like to see Naiomi Watts win for 21 Grams, if you saw 21 Grams I think you know that she should get it although I haven't seen Monster so I really can't make any assumptions.

Yes Will,

This year was a bad year for so many good movies to come out. Matchstick Men was one of the best I've seen all year. Kill Bill was equally as awesome and I just saw A Mighty Wind, solidifying Christopher Guest as one of my favorite directors. They should have at least been considered, but with movies like Cold Mountain and House of Sand and Fog coming out so late in the year, it knocked them right off the chart.

And, if I'm not mistaken, The Life of David Gale (besides being the worst movie Kevin Spacey did, next to K-Pax) came out two years ago, and can't really be nominated for anything.

lets look at the past awards...everyone thought lord of the rings 2 was gonna win best pic..it didn't..lord of the rings 3 won't either...you are all forgetting some key performances..that have a great chance of winning...
Ben Kingsley-house of sand and fog
Shohreh aghdashloo-house of sand and fog
In America

anyway...heres my list

Best picture-Cold Mountain
Best Director-Clint Eastwood
Best Actor-Sean Penn/Mystic River
Best Actress-Charlize Theron/Monster
Best Supporting actor-Tim Robbins/mystic river
Best Supporting actress-Renee Zellweger/shohreh aghdashloo
LORD OF THE RINGS WILL SHINE IN TECHNICAL AWARDS....DEFINETLY NOT ARTISTIC AWARDS

KillBill-

I agree with Matchstick Men. I thought it was one of my favorite movies of the year. Nicolas Cage should get a nomination here as well as the screenplay. Even Ebert says Nicolas Cage should be nominated but he's not getting any nods about his performance which I thought was fantastic doing all those ticks.

Ariya-

Okay for one, I didn't think Two Towers would win, I knew Chicago would sweep. That's not what I wanted, but I knew it was going to happen. But you're forgetting that this is the end of the trilogy, the best of the three, and the Academy is dying to reward them for their efforts in making all 3 movies, especially Peter Jackson after last year's director's oscar nod snub. I would almost bet my life that Return of the King WILL win Best Picture and Best Director.
Cold Mountain will be this year's Gangs of New York, except Zellweger will score, only because they supposedly owe her after losing twice. After all, there were a few supporting actresses I could name that many people thought were better....starting with Scarlett Johannson, Marcia Gay Harden, Shohreh Aghdashloo, etc.

Okay, here's the deal with LotR. I have a hard time listening to people minimize it to a "big-budget epic". The deal is, no one thought PJ could do it and he did. As a matter of fact, he not only did it...but he put amazing tech quality in w/ great acting, screen chemistry, costumes, and score. He made fantasy seem real. Oh, and I'm sure few will agree w/ me but I just saw Cold Mountain and thought it was a waste of my money. I do think it should at least get nods for cinematography, best actress and supporting actress (Kidman and Zellweger were fantastic...and Law didn't do so bad), however...I don't like movies that put me in a bad mood. Filmwise, Cold Mountain works...plot-wise, it was not all it has been cracked up to be. Those are more of my thoughts.

i dont think itll win because it had the chance to win two years in a row - it all got the same box office, same critical acclaim, but never won. i think it will score big in the tech awards - but NOT in the major awards.

ME - CAROLYN posted that one above here, it was directed towards will regarding LOTR - sorry about that

lol Carolyn you scared me.

I think you missed what I said. Yes it had the chance to win twice now, but it didn't because the Academy knew there was a third one. They are going to vote for ROTK as a tribute to the effort in the entire trilogy. Quote me on this: ROTK WILL WIN BEST PICTURE!

i dont know - i still have my doubts...i'll wait n see after the globes to cast my final noms predictions...

Carolyn-

Shouldn't you wait until after the SAG's to fully predict too? Golden globes do not accurately show what the Oscars will. For one thing, Golden Globes don't have technical awards, which means ROTK won't be as popular there as it is at the Academy. Second, about 80 people vote for the Globes, and several thousand for the Oscars. SAG's are just as important as the Globes, so if you're going to wait for one, wait for both.

well considering the oscar noms come out before the sag noms are announced, im going to predict the oscar noms first.

no carlolyn they don't.

SAG noms come out January 15th.
Oscar noms are the 26th, or somewhere around there. Why would SAG's be after the oscars? Nobody would care by then!

o thats right! [btw, OSCAR NOMS COME OUT JAN 27!!]

Give me some feed back these are my final predictions. (order determines winner)

Best Picture
1. LOTR: Return of the King
2. Mystic River
3. Lost in Translation
4. Cold Mountain
5. Big Fish

Best Director
1. Peter Jackson... LOTR: ROTK
2. Sofia Coppola?... Lost in Translation
3. Tim Burton... Big Fish
4. Clint Eastwood... Mystic River
5. Anthony Minghella... Cold Mountain

Best Actor
1. Bill Murray, Lost in Tanslation
2. Sean Penn, Mystic River
3. Johnny Depp, Pirates of the...
4. Ewan Mcgregor, Big Fish
5. Jude Law, Cold Mountain

Best Actress
1. Charlize Theron, Monster
2. Naomi Watts, 21 grams
3. Nicole Kidman, Cold Mountain
4. Diane Keaton, Something's Gotta Give
5. Evan Rachel Wood, Thirteen

Best Supp Actor
1. Sean Astin, LOTR: ROTK
2. Albert Finney, Big Fish
3. Tim RObbins, Mystic River
4. Benicio del Toro, 21 Grams
5. Ken Watanabe, The Last Samurai

Best Supp Actress
1. Renee Zelweger, Cold MOuntain
2. Renee Zelweger, Cold Mountain
3. Renee Zelweger, Cold Mountain
4. Renee Zelweger, Cold Mountain
5. Renee Zelweger, Cold Mountain
(She's gonna win so why list the others)

Best Original Screenplay
1. Lost in translation
2. Finding Nemo

Best Adapted Screenplay
1. Big Fish
2. LOTR: ROTK
3. Mystic River
4. Master and Comandeer
5. Cold Mountain

Original Score
1. LOTR: ROTK

Original Song
1. Into the West, LOTR: ROTK

ALL Technical categories go to LOTR: ROTK

big fish won't win anything, and it will be nommed for few if none awards

Bulldogyank29-

I'm just gonna say what I think of each of your categories...
BEST PICTURE:
It sounds like a very good prediction, except I doubt Big Fish will get one here. It's possible, but there are several movies that are buzzing a little better, Master and Commander is probably the last nom, even though it's overrated.
DIRECTOR:
Sounds good. There's usually four directors whose films get a best picture nod too, and one that doesn't. So if Master and Commander is in best picture, you could have a solid prediction if the academy gets past the mixed reviews of Big Fish.
BEST ACTOR:
Okay for the first three. Sean Penn has the edge with a better performance but you never know, especially after his Academy-bashing. Ewan McGregor has absolutely no chance here, sorry. I wouldn't be surprised if Jude Law wasn't nominated. He's sort of on the fence, Renee and Nicole getting much more attention. But I wouldn't be surprised if he did pull off a nod either. Some people who might take positions 4 and 5 instead are Ben Kingsley, who is almost a lock, Russell Crowe, who might take a break from being nominated for once, and Tom Cruise, whose not great performance might be nommed because of his 0 for 3 record. And you never know, Paddy Considine might sneak on to the ballot if In America is a big hit with the Academy.
ACTRESS:
Solid. Connelly might take it from Wood, as well as Blanchett or Thurman. I'd give Connelly the last nod, just before Wood, though I'd like to see them both. It'll probably be Connelly, though.
SUPPORTING ACTOR:
I'd love for Astin to win, but I think the Academy will vote him fourth or so at best. Perhaps a Screen Actors Guild nomination will give him some momentum. Finney will probably take the oscar, right behind Robbins, though both have bad history with the Academy, so you never know. The final five are perfect, but I wouldn't be surprised if Baldwin, Sarsgaard, or Bettany took Del Toro or even (sadly) Astin's spot. Hounsou is out of the race.
SUPPORTING ACTRESS:
You're almost definitely right, but I've heard a few people predict that Shohreh Aghdashloo will pull a "Marcia Gay Harden, Pollock" this year, just barely making the ballot, but then getting the oscar. Sure, Renee lost two years in a row, but there are many actors and actresses who have been nominated six or seven times never to win. If you look at TV, Susan Lucci was nominated for an Emmy every year for nineteen years, and didn't win until #20, or somewhere around there. Besides Renee, others could be Holly Hunter, Marcia Gay Harden, Scarlett Johannson, and Shohreh Aghdashloo, with Hope Davis and Patricia Clarkson slightly behind in the race.
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY:
looks probable, but don't forget, there will be three other nominees, probably including In America, 21 Grams, and Love, Actually.
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY:
Nominees look good, although Seabiscuit might take the place of Big Fish. Winner will likely be Mystic River, closely followed by ROTK and Cold Mountain.
ORIGINAL SCORE:
I'd love it to win, too, but it's not that likely. It has some competition from Big Fish, Cold Mountain, Finding Nemo, House of Sand and Fog, and The Last Samurai.
ORIGINAL SONG:
Yes, it will probably win, but it will beat "Man of the Hour" from Big Fish in a photo finish.
TECH:
Yes, that is almost definitely what will happen. GO ROTK!

Overall, you have some solid predictions, with just minor differences to what is probably going to happen. But nobody knows, you could be 100% correct, it just doesn't sound that way now.

People I am going to say this now because I am getting a strong feeling about this. I think Renee is going to loose out again this year, but this time it is going to be to Hope Davis.
Err...well I hope so.

Will-

Thanks for the feed back. The only reason why Big Fish is their is because i saw MAster and Comandeer and I saw Big Fish and I felt that Master and COmandeer was a huge disapointment. Also i read the book big fish and the movie is a great adaptation of it. I can understand where your coming from on the actor and actresses side and maybe Astin won't get it but I sure hope he does.

My predictions are as follow:

Who should and Will Win.


Best Picture:

--Mystic RIver (too depressing)
--The Lord of the Rings: ROTK (should and will win)
--Lost In Translation (it's a comedy)
--Cold Mountain (runner up)
--In America (too Small)

Best director.
why bother--PETER JACKSON SHOULD and WILL WIN!

Best Actor.
--Sean Penn (Will)
--Bill Murray (should)
--Ben Kingsley
--Tom Cruise (it should get an Oscar, but not for this)
--Jude Law (the nomination is his win)

Best Actress--
Nicole Kidman (i won already...i don't need another one two years in a row)
Jenniffer Connelly (i won as well...i don't think i'll get it again)
Cate Blanchet (should win)
Charlize Theron (Will win)
Diane Keaton (runner up)

NOTE: CATE BLANCHET Handled two films which were not well recieved by critics and pull them the best way she knows how. Academy at times does not get it right. VERONICA GUERIN and THE MISSING were worth seeing because of cate blanchet. She was ROBBED the oscar for ELIZABETH--just a brilliant performance. Don't you think is her time? She's one, if not, the best actress of her generation. SHe's been compare to Maryl Streep so many times...and they got it so right.

Best Supporting actress:

Well...renne will get it whether we like it or not...period.
Miranda Otto (runner-up) Best female performance from the greatest film of the year.

Best supporting actor:

--Sean Austin (should) Stole a lot of scenes...best performance from LOTR
--Tim Robbins (will) brillian...but too depressing.
--Albert Finney (he's won before...not again please)
--Ken Watanabe (this will put his name on the map)
--Ian Mckellan (can't be nominated for the same film twice...althought that would be great)
--Viggo Mortensen (Sean Austin gets more dramatic scenes)
--Paul Bennaty (onother new name on the acting map)

Best animated film:

Finding Nemo


Best Foreign Film:

CITY OF GOD or THE TRIPETS of Vell

Lord of the Rings for best picture!

Also Sean Penn for best actor. Depp fans are
silly! Depp either mumbles his way through
roles or REALLY over plays it. He's really
no actor...just a scene stealer.

Tarintino for director

Nicolle for Actress!

rique24-

no, it's still not Blanchett's time. Just because she deserved it and lost for Elizabeth does not mean she will get nominated for such bad movies. Her time will come within the decade.....

By the way, Albert Finney has been nominated five times for an oscar, but he NEVER won. But I still agree with you that he doesn't deserve to anyway. ASTIN ALL THE WAY!!!!!!

blanchett's time will come next year [best supporting actress] for THE AVIATOR...

next year, the best actress race belongs to RENEE ZELLWEGER for CINDERELLA MAN ;-)

sherrie west-

how can you say Tarintino will win best directer have you seen what peter jackson has done. HE has done what was said to be impossible, bring lord of the ings to life.
....

Any way I am very disapointed that Big Fish is not going to get the nominations it deserves because of the Academies biased opinion about fantasies. Tim Burton better get nominated. Ewan Mcregor was snubbed for Moulin Rouge and he once again will get snubbed for Big Fish. Also Sean Astin deserves the oscar he should get the oscar and every fan and critic has said that, now why did the golden globes nominate William H. Macy for Seabiscuit instead? I see Cold Mountain as a Gangs of New York of last year, a disapointment sure the acting is their but all the hype about the movie was not lived up by the jumbled plot.

Respond please.

yes, Astin should win

rique24-

I have to agree, Return of the King was phenominal but I don't think it's going to win that many awards. I think it'll definatley be nominated for Best Picture but I don't know winning. It'll be in the top 3. Also, Miranda Otto? She won't win. You're forgetting about Renne Zelwegger. Academy members are already calling on how to spell her name for the ballot, true fact. Also Mystic River too depressing? It might be a little depressing but not too depressing for it not to win Best Picture. That won't get in the way. Also, don't forget about Naiomi Watts who was fantastic in her role in 21 Grams. 21 Grams should also be up for Best Original Screenplay. I do agree Sean Astin should get a nomination possibility as I thought he was very good but I'm not too sure about it. Then again, all of our predictions could be way off. I never suspected Chicago to win Best Picture last year and neither did many critics. I do have Return of the King winning some tech awards and nominations for some art awards.

My new list. Asteriks on the winner.

BEST PICTURE

Cold Mountain *
Mystic River (Should win)
Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
House of Sand and Fog
Big Fish

BEST DIRECTOR

Clint Eastwood "Mystic River"
Sofia Cappola "Lost in Translation" (Might win)
Peter Jackson "Lord of the Rings: Return of the King" *
Anthony Minghella "Cold Mountain"
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu "21 Grams"

BEST ACTOR

(This one's tough, Academy hates Mr. Penn so Bill might win but if he's good enough, they'll take him. I also want to say that Nicolas Cage should be on this ballot but Matchstick Men didn't do anything in the Box Office)

Sean Penn "Mystic River" * (Definatley deserves it)
Jude Law "Cold Mountain"
Ben Kingsley "House of Sand and Fog"
Bill Murray "Lost in Translation"
Tom Cruise "The Last Samurai"

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Benicio Del Toro "21 Grams"
Tim Robbins "Mystic River" * (Deserves it)
Albert Finney "Big Fish"
Alec Baldwin "The Cooler"
Sean Astin "Lord of the Rings: Return of the King"

BEST ACTRESS

Naomi Watts "21 Grams" * (Excellent)
Nicole Kidman "Cold Mountain"
Jennifer Connolly "House of Sand and Fog"
Cate Blanchett "Veronica Guerin"
Charlize Theron "Monster"

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Marcia Gay Harden "Mystic River"
Renne Zelwegger "Cold Mountain" *
Holly Hunter "Thirteen"
Scarlet Johansson "Lost in Translation"
Hope Davis "American Splendor"

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

Brian Helgeland "Mystic River" (Should get it)
Anthony Minghella "Cold Mountain" * (Good script)
John August "Big Fish"
Gary Ross "Seabiscuit"
Nicholas Griffin "Matchstick Men"

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

Guillermo Arriaga "21 Grams" * (Might not win)
Sofia Cappola "Lost in Translation"
Richard Curtis "Love Actually"
Harvey Pekar "American Splendor"
Nancy Meyers "Something's Gotta Give"

BEST CINEMATROGRAPHY

Tom Stern "Mystic River"
Roger Deakins "House of Sand and Fog" * (Mystic River and Seabiscuit could win)
John Schwartzman "Seabiscuit"
Andrew Lesnie "Lord of the Rings: Return of the King"
John Seale "Cold Mountain"

Chris-

Here's what I thought of your predix:
BEST PICTURE:
First three are locks, but I'm not sure about the win for Cold Mountain. But it could definitely happen. The second two are a different story. I could see one or the other sneaking in, but House of Sand and Fog AND Big Fish won't both get nominated. I would think the last two spots go to Lost in Translation and Master and Commander. One of yours COULD make it, but not both.
BEST DIRECTOR:
I could easily see that happening. Inarritu and Minghella are not safe, being pretty much level with Weir for Master and Commander and even Tim Burton for Big Fish. But what you have would not be a huge surprise.
BEST ACTOR:
Another solid prediction, with three locks (Penn, Kingsley, and Murray) and two on the fence (Law and Cruise who are competing for the last two spots with Russell Crowe, Johnny Depp, and Paddy Considine). Definitely looks like it might happen your way.
BEST SUP. ACTOR:
Great predix. Baldwin should watch out for Sarsgaard, and Asin and Del Toro will be threatened by Bettany, but I like the way you put it. I think Astin deserves it, but thats just a matter of personal opinion.
BEST ACTRESS:
Blanchett out, Keaton in. I REALLY doubt Blanchett will make it this year. Keaton is basically a lock, so if Blanchett is taking anyone out, it will probably end up being Connelly. Wood could take her out too, so Blanchett is going to have to get some luck, perhaps a SAG nod or Globe win would secure it. But as of now, she's not destined for final five.
BEST SUP. ACTRESS:
Good predictions again, but Shohreh Aghdashloo pull a "Marcia Gay Harden in Pollock," clinching the fifth spot ahead of Hope Davis, then pulling off a surprise win. That's what I'd like to see, too.
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY:
Matchstick Men out, LOTR: ROTK in. Sorry, but Matchstick Men isn't getting anything, not one nod. I'm not so sure CM will pull off a win here, or basically anywhere except for Zellweger.
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY:
American Splendor and Something's Gotta Give out, In America and Finding Nemo in. They just have way more buzz, and better scripts too. Love, Actually might be snubbed for Splendor to get a nod, though.
CINEMATOGRAPHY:
Good, but also having big chances are Master and Commander and The Last Samurai.

Overall, good predictions. Kudos!

after the recent dga noms, cm will not win best picture, sadly but truly. i believe it will go to mystic river or lost in translation - i do not think lotr will win best picture, still. maybe im just being silly, but i think it was never really an oscar film.

sherrie west--

I have to disagree about your view on Johnny Depp's acting. He has surely created a new, fresh, and creative character that will surely be remembered as one of the greatest movie tricksters in cinema history. Also, Depp is a BRILLIANT actor!! I guess you prefer the classic method acting mumbo jumbo. Depp uses creativity and courage to bring such an inventive performance to the screen. I mean think about it! Also, watch his other movies! This guy is WAY overdue and is one of the greatest actors of this generation. Definitely the most creative character actor of his time.

Will-

Yeah, now that I look at it, I do have to go with some of your suggestions.

Carolyn-

I think you may be right. Recently there's been a lot of buzz about those two films for Best Picture. Especially in Variety.

Hi Anonymous!
Not to continue this pretty dull arguement,
but i have seen a couple of Depp"s other
movies and that's how i formed my opinion
of him. He either mumbles or freaks out. His
roles lack subtlety and lack edge. He is ,
however, a perfect pairing for Tim Burton,
whose movies are usually all style and no
substance. And yes..I HAVE seen Ed
Scissorhands, Ed Wood, Blah Blah Blah.
Although, Martin Landeau was GREAT in ED
Wood. No one can dispute that.

Well, Carolyn, I agree with you. You are just being silly. You can't possibly believe that ROTK will be the Academy's fourth choice? It has won the most critics awards for Best Picture, and it has won the most total awards too. Yes, I know, critics aren't part of the academy, but they still influence the academy. Come Oscar time, ROTK will walk home with at least 5 awards, including Best Picture. I'd bet on it.

Will's right... ROTK will win best picture. I realize in my post above, I predicted Mystic River... but those predictions are now old, and a lot has happened since then.

Ok.. I have updated the article above.

You can now see my updated predictions. I didn't include any of the technical awards.. but they will all go to LOTR. =)

Charlize Theron seems to be getting forgotten by alot. She has the most buzz.

If only the Oscars would recognize the talents of Uma, like so many of you have said and of Kill Bill. Lets hope it gets noms for orig. screenplay, cinematography and art direction.
Oscar Predictions
(1-5.. best chance to least chance)
*=fave
--Best Picture--
1.LOTR:The Return Of The King*
2.Lost In Translation
3.Master & Commander
4.Cold Mountain
5.Mystic River
Alt's: Big Fish, Seabiscuit (hope not)

'LOTR3' & Translation will most likely win their best picture categories at the Globes and will battle it out.
Contrary to what some think, Weir & Crowe together in 'M&C' was great and the film was total Oscar material.
Unfortunately Miramax will get 'Cold' a nom. easily too. I found this movie alright, I just hate the advertisement attack that will sway the votes (like they did with Chicago last time).
Fifth spot is the open one. Mystic River & Big Fish will probably battle it out, but 'River' will prob. win. Seabiscuit was ruined when the cast Tobey Maguire as the main character.BAFTA is good indication too.
--Best Director--
1.Peter Jackson (LOTR)*
2.Peter Weir (M&C)
3.Sofia Coppola (Lost In Translation)
4.Clint Eastwood (Mystic River)
5.Antony Minghella (Cold Mountain)
Alt's: Zwick (The Last Samurai)
Burton (Big Fish)
Innaritu (21 Grams)
I think their are alot of locks here too. The main competition should be between the two Peter's and Sofia. Minghella & Eastwood will get noms too, but hopefully not another win.
Jackson really deserves this, really. If biased behaviour was ever to surface from the voters, it will be if he loses to Minghella. We should be able to tell if Jackson wins the BAFTA (they gave it to Polanski last year and him for LOTR1 before that)- he then should win the Oscar.
--Best Actor--
1.Sean Penn (Mystic River)
=2.Russell Crowe (M&C)
=2.Bill Murray (Lost In Translation)*
4.Ben Kingsley (House Of Sand & Fog)
5.Jude Law (Cold Mountain)
Alt's: Cruise (The Last Samurai)
Depp (Pirates)
Nicholson (Something's Gotta Give)

I think Penn will only be battling out with Crowe(easily gets a nod) & Murray. All three perf.'s were outstanding but Penn has the edge, only just. Ben Kingsley posed a threat,but its wearing off and Jude Law will be lucky just to get nominated. Tom Cruise could steal his thunder. I doubt either would win anyway.
Depp will most likely miss out (it sucks this way) because the Academy is usually into just ONE comic role a year (Murray).
--Best Actress--
1.Charlize Theron (Monster)
=2.Naomi Watts (21 Grams)*
=2.Cate Blanchett (either Guerin or Missing)*
=2.Nicole Kidman (ColdMountain)
=2.Diane Keaton (Somethings Gotta GIve)
Alt's: Connolley (House of Sand)
Toni Collette (Japanese Story)
Uma Thurman (Kill Bill)
Scarlett Johansson (depends if supp. or not)

At the moment Charlize Theron has a tinytiny edge over the three Aussie girls and that could soon change. Diane Keaton is most likely to get the nomination for the comedy actress. I would love to see Collette nominated for Jap. Story. It is a LONG shot but would be great. Watts could easily win, while Kidman wont- but will defn get nominated. As for Cate.. she is the one of the best actresses in cinema history, whether she wins for one of two movies which both flopped will be solely because SHE is brilliant in anything she does and EVERYBODY secretly knows that too. I think she is gonna win one for something better one year soon anyhow.
--Best Supp Actor--
1.Albert Finney (Big Fish)
2.Tim Robbins (Mystic River)*
3.Alec Baldwin (The Cooler)
4.Ken Watanabe (The Last Samurai)
5.Benecio Del Toro (21 Grams)
Alt's: Bettany (M&C)
Bacon (Mystic River)
A LOTR boy (Mortensen, McKellan)
Finney is the talk of the town, with the supp. Oscar looking like a payment Oscar. The only competition is Robbins in 'River', who was brilliant. Baldwin will probably get nominated and may come close. Del Toro will probably get a nod too. Bettany should get a nod for M&C, but probably won't (the hype is on Russ more as usual. A LOTR male may get nominated, but that is a long shot. Ken Watanabe may get nominated if Cruise does or doesnt. I AGREE ABOUT MAX PIRKIS, he was brilliant and should get one of those special 'young people Shirley Temple' awards. He was great.
--Best Supporting Actress--
1.Renee Zellwegger (Cold Mountain)
2.Scarlett Johansson (Lost In Translation)
3.Marcia Gay Harden (Mystic River)*
4.Holly Hunter (thirteen)
5.Hope Davis (American Splendour)
Alt's:Patricia Clarkson (The Station Agent)
Laura Linney (Mystic River)
Miranda Otto (LOTR3)
Like Mr. finney, Renee will probably get a payment Oscar this year. The Academy may start to get sick of her. Scarlett has the best performance out of the girls overall, but probably wont win, due to category confusion which is a shame for her. Gay Harden was the other great perf. which deserves a nomination at least (stupid HFPA:). Davis, Hunter & Clarkson should fight out the remaining spots. Otto's buttkicking role was very Oscarish from LOTR and could see her nominated, but it aint likely. Linney's role in 'River' was too much near the end.
-Best Cinematography-
1.LOTR:The Return Of The King*
2.Kill Bill Vol 1.
3.Master & Commander
4.Cold Mountain
5.Big Fish
Alt's: Lost In Translation, Mystic River, 21 Grams and The Last Samurai
I guess Kill Bill probably wont get nom'd but should. LOTR deserves this and prob will get it, M&C is in with strong chance. 21 Grams & Samurai could get a nod too. Cold Mountain had good work on it, but not better than the higher three.
--Original Screenplay--
1.Lost In Translation*
2.Mystic River
3.In America
4.21 Grams
5.Kill Bill
Alts: Love Actually & Big Fish?

Overall i agree that because LOTR3 may clean up, Weir's M&C will come in second in every category and miss out completely (its too bad)
I would love to see Cold Mountain lose out too. Another Miramax winner, would really suck.
In America is the film that may build momentum and get heeps of nods, coz the Academy loves their country's name in the movie (Chicago, Gangs Of New York, American Beauty to name a few). I'd love to see a movie called 'Beruit Beauty' win an Oscar (fat chance).
GO THE TWO PETER's AND SOFIA.
The Matrix was the worst & most confused movie series EVER. They got lost, badly.
Nemo will win Animated easy... might as well as given it to Pixar for Xmas.

Thanks for your input, s8u8k. Your predictions are all very possible.

I just want to see if anyone agrees with me.

Number one, Cold Mountain was a disapointment, acting yes plotline no. They put to much hype on it kinda of like Gangs of New York last year and Chicago.

Number two, Am I the only one who thought Mystic river was too predictable. I don't think it was as great as the critics said.

Number three, Master and Comandeer I don't know why people like so much I thought it was also disapointing.

So that said if I got to do the noms for best Picture they would be like this.

1. LOTR: ROTK
2. Lost in Translation
3. Seabiscuit
4. Big Fish
5. Mystic River

But with the academy...

1. LOTR: ROTK
2. MYstic River
3. Cold Mountain
4. Lost in Translation
5. Master and Comandeer

s8u8k-

All I want to say is that Mystic River was not original, it was a book so it wouldn't be up for Best Original Screenplay. I don't think Return of the King will win Best Cinematography nor some of the other awards. But Best Picture it'll be running up against Cold Mountain and Mystic River who will be frontrunners.

bulldogyank29-

I don't agree with you. Cold Mountain was an excellent movie but now from reading Variety and reading everyone's picks, I'm having doubts about it winning Best Picture. I do think it'll be in the top 3. Also I loved Mystic River, it was probalby one of my favorite movies. With the beautiful acting, script, and direction, I think it definatley has a chance at winning.

s8u8k-

You have some solid predictions. But one thing that bugged me is that you said a LOTR boy and mentioned Viggo Mortensen and Ian McKellen, when the only one who has a chance is Sean Astin, who by the way, has a pretty good chance. The lack of a Golden Globe nod hurt a little, but it didn't hurt Ian McKellen for FOTR when he was nominated for the oscar. And his performance wasn't near as good as Astin's in ROTK. A SAG nod would really seal the deal for Astin, and I think it's coming. Otherwise you have some good picks.

bulldogyank29-

Number one, I agree with you on Cold Mountain. And the acting wasn't even that great either. Of all the performances I saw this year, the only one in that movie who deserves a nod is Zellweger, and I think my personal rank for her is 4 or 5. She was good, but she was such a scene-stealer that sometimes her character seemed overacted.

Number two, I didn't think Mystic River was predictable. I didn't see the ending coming at all. Well, at least not who the actual killer was. But I knew it wouldn't be the main suspect (I'm not mentioning a name just in case someone who reads this hasn't seen it, which I doubt). But I really liked Mystic River. 2 or 3 on my list.....after ROTK and maybe after 28 Days Later, one of the most brilliant, underrated movies of all time.....way more than just a zombie movie.

Number 3, I didn't think Master and Commander was too bad, but it wasn't great like ROTK was. On the fence on whether its worthy of a Best Picture nod (probably 5 or 6 on my list this year.....)

Chris-

I did not say they were bad movies I just said that Cold MOuntain was not what hype put it up for ( besides acting) and Mystic River great acting sure but it was just to predictable they are both excellent movies I just feel Seabiscuit and Big Fish were better. I also think it is sad that summer movies do not get the proper itention. Victims of Road to Perdition last year and probally Seabiscuit this year.

Will-

Same thing that I said to Chris, I guess I seemed a little harsh in my reply above. I am glad you agree with me on cold Mountain. And Mystic River was a great movie but I just can't stand people trying to put them ahead of ROTK. ROTK is in a whole other league. As for Master and Comandeer it was really only disappointing to me because of its length. IT seemed spread thin. What were your thoughts on Seabiscuit?

Top ten of year

1. Lotr: RoTK
2. Lost in Translation
3. Seabiscuit
4. Mystic River
5. Big Fish
6. 28 Days Later
7. Finding Nemo
8. 21 Grams
9. In America
10. Cold Mountain

Best Supporting Actor:

Astin is my pick. Reason: Just watch the movie, oh my God.

Robbins is great, an amazing actor, just I doubt "Mystic River" will win much. Don't get me wrong, the flick was great.

Watanabe. I hated "The Last Samurai"

Sarsgaard. Sooooooooo much love, he could pull it off.

Baldwin. Doubtful at this point.

Macy. Amazing performance. Top of his game. Problem: screen time.

McKellen. Wishful.

Finney: A nom lock.

del Toro: Deserving, in my top 5 to 6. But 21 Grams is flailing, it doesn't look good, plus: he just won.

Rush. Loved by the oscars, cannot live up to Depp's role

Mortensen/Boyd/Nobel/Serkis/Hill. Great performances
but Astin is the only likely, McKellen possible, Mortensen, not enough to act with, hence: fading

Wood. Campaigned as lead.

Best Supporting Actor:

Astin is my pick. Reason: Just watch the movie, oh my God.

Robbins is great, an amazing actor, just I doubt "Mystic River" will win much. Don't get me wrong, the flick was great.

Watanabe. I hated "The Last Samurai".

Sarsgaard. Sooooooooo much love, he could pull it off.

Baldwin. Doubtful at this point.

Macy. Amazing performance. Top of his game. Problem: screen time.

McKellen. Wishful.

Finney: A nom lock.

del Toro: Deserving, in my top 5 to 6. But 21 Grams is flailing, it doesn't look good, plus: he just won.

Rush. Loved by the oscars, cannot live up to Depp's role

Mortensen/Boyd/Nobel/Serkis/Hill. Great performances
but Astin is the only likely, McKellen possible, Mortensen, not enough to act with, hence: fading

Wood. Campaigned as lead.

bulldogyank29-

oh dont get me wrong, I completely agree, ROTK is way better than Mystic River :-)

Seabiscuit...um....it was better than Cold Mountain....I think it's somewhere between 8 and 12 on my list....It wasnt great, and I think Mystic River was better, but it was still pretty good. Macy is overrated, though.

I changed my mine cold mountain was the best movie of the year and should win best picture.... I saw it again and boy was it great...

I changed my mine cold mountain was the best movie of the year and should win best picture.... I saw it again and boy was it great...

I DID NOT WRITE THAT! WHAT THE HELL?!?!?!?? COLD MOUNTAIN IS NOT MY FAVORITE!

As an Oscar buff, who sits in anticipation all day on that glorious Oscar Sunday...I believe the Academy Awards will surprise you as they always do(watch the supporting actor catergories, they are always the tricky ones). Here are my picks...

Best Picture

LOTR*
Mystic River
Master and Commander
Lost in Translation
Cold Mountain

Best Actor

Russell Crowe
Sean Penn
Bill Murray*
Tom Cruise
Ben Kingley

Best Actress

Nicole Kidman (does NOT deserve)
Charlize Theron*
Diane Keaton
Cate Blanchett
Scarlett Johansson

Best Sup. Actor

Tim Robbins*
Albert Finney
Sean Astin (deserves it more)
Peter Sarsgaard
Alec Baldwin

Best Sup. Actress

Renee Zellweger*
Marcia Gay Harden
Patricia Clarkson
Hope Davis
Holly Hunter

Best Director

Peter Jackson*
Sofia Coppola
Clint Eastwood
Peter Weir
Tim Burton (will take the spot of Anthony Minghella--Minghella was overlooked by the Directors guild and Academy voters will do the same).

Shan-

Yaaaay! another ROTK/Sean Astin supporter! Rock on!

But in the Best actress cetegory, I think you need room for Naomi Watts in 21 Grams. Rave reviews, several major critics' awards, and the academy feels bad for the snub of a nomination from Mullholland Drive. The lack of a Globe nod hurt her a bit, but when SAG noms come out she'll be right back on top along with Theron and Keaton. Kidman will get a nod, it's a lock, but she won't win (yay!)

I am so sick of Nicole Kidman..it's frustrating. Boo hoo--she played happy wife to Tom Cruise and was "devestated" (just ask Lenny Kravitz) when it ended...give that girl the Oscar. Last year, she robbed my favorite actress Renee Zellweger who is actually so ditzy and flaky in real life that her playing someone as rounded as Bridget Jones or even Roxie Hart is beyond great. She will probably win for best sup. actress this year (barf)...but the academy will hopefully be smart and hold off until another year when a great best actress performance is turned out.
The reason I left out Naomi Watts is because I never saw 21 grams..I will hopefully get to before February 29th!

i think bad santa or kill bill should win

What awards do you think Mystic River will win? Anybody.

Maxx is a fool

I'm guessing from most of the lists I see here that most of you have not seen Charlize Theron's performance in MONSTER. If you had, there would absolutely be no question about it. Ms Theron will be walking away with the statue this year. It's one of the greatest performances in cinematic history...I have spoken.

This year was a lousy year for great films. LOST IN TRANSLATION was an overrated BORE with Mr. Murray delivering without a doubt his weakest performance on film. COLD MOUNTAIN was a laughable joke with Miss Kidman searching desperately for a Southern Accent. MYSTIC RIVER was another bore with ridiculous overwrought performances and another set of hideous accents. Tim Robbins is ATROCIOUS doing a lame 'tard' impersonation. Of course I'm sure all of the above will win oscars. Here are my picks.

Best Picture: LOTR
Best Director: LOTR
Best ACtor: George Clooney
Best Actress: Evan Rachel Wood
Best Supporting Actor: Jonathan Hadary
Best Supporting Actress: Patricia Clarkson

You predictions, Justin ROTK winn win pic and director, Rachel Wood I hope wins, but Clooney, Hadary, Clarkson, please, if anyone there has a chance, it's Clarkson, but Clooney and Hadary are out.

Hey Justin wat is yur problem Tim Robbins is Brilliant and wat movie is George Clooney gana win for its just foolish

Mystic River was amazing...except for Sean Penn--I thought he wasn't acting..he was just being Sean Penn

in response to Chris's question, I think Mystic River will have nods for picture, director, screenplay, actor, sup actor, and sup actress, and possibly score, and it will take home oscars for actor and probably screenplay.

Chris-
LOL! Your right, i screwed up my screenplays. Sorry.
I know the difference between adapted & original, but i often forget. I actually saw the book of Mystic River at a store just the other day.
But as for LOTR3 and cinematography, they aren't necessarily the frontrunners there, but will most likely get nominated in all categories at least. Last year's winner "road 2 perdition" was the most deserving in quite sum time.
Can anybody tell me whether or not "Personal Velocity" (which starred Parker Posey, Fairuza Balk & Kyra S.)is worthy for Oscar time this year.. or was that the previous Oscars(75th)?
I think i should also defend nicole kidman. She isn't a bad actor at all. "The Hours" performance she gave was good. So was J.Moore in FarFromHeaven too, but either way - deserving.
The only reason some are sick of Nic, is because she has had alot of work out lately and it might be "too much of a good thing". If at all Kidman's best performance was in 'The Others'. In 'Cold', i did struggle with her accent, i dont think it was up to scratch, but it wasnt awful nor Oscar worthy.
About Sean Penn, i kinda understand Shan's point, im not really sure whether it's Sean Penn or a performance. Either way he is a nomination lock.
Can I ask any predictions on the GLOBES? Just for ideas. (MARCIA GAY HARDEN BETTER GET A NOMINATION COME OSCARS , AND N.WATTS!!!)

chris-
i did mean Sean Astin too, i thought he was incredible in LOTR3, i just mentioned two others. HE has the best chance your right. Maybe the Oscars should have a "best cast ensemble" award. LOTR3 & Mystic River would be worthy contenders.
AND Minghella is gonna struggle to get a nomination now that he missed out on the Dir. Guild Nomination's(GOOD!)
Too bad for Scarlett Johansson. Her great role in "LOST" will probably be overlooked due to category confusion. Thats gunna hurt.

Globes Predictions

Taken from the list of nominees at www.thegoldenglobes.com

And the winners are...

Lord of the Rings
Finding Nemo
Sean Penn
Bill Murray
Charlize Theron
Scarlett Johansson
Tim Robbins
Patricia Clarkson
Peter Jackson
Mystic River--Brian Helgeland
Big Fish--Danny Elfman
Big Fish--"Man of the Hour"--Eddie Vedder
The Barbarian Invasions
Six Feet Under
Arrested Development
Angels in America (run out and see this)
Anthony LaPaglia--Without a Trace
Matt LeBlanc--Friends (please)
Al Pacino--Angels In America
Amber Tamblyn--Joan Of Arcadia (they gave it to Keri Russell in her first year of Felicity)
Debra Messing--Will & Grace
Jessica Lange--Normal
Ben Shenkman--Angels In America
Kristin Davis--Sex and the City

Those are my thoughts anyways..

Something Random:

Tom Hanks should have at least five oscars.

Big (sadly, Dustin Hoffman was the competition for Rain Man)
Philadelphia and Forrest Gump (duh?)
That Thing You Do! (best original screenplay, director or supporting actor)
Saving Private Ryan (What were they thinking?)
Cast Away (Gladiator? dear God)
Catch Me if You Can and Road to Perdition (he deserved at least a nod last year)

All who agree, can I get and Amen?

Amen... but don't foget Apollo 13 and The Green Mile.

Ok... does anyone have some top 10 lists this year based on your opinion not on what you think the academy will nominate?
Show please...

1. lost in translation
2. cold mountain
3. mystic river
4. capturing the friedmans
5. american splendor
6. house of sand and fog
7. pieces of april
8. 21 grams
9. kill bill
10. finding nemo

honrable mention: the station agent, something's gotta give, freaky friday, big fish, and the cooler

1.LOTR: ROTK
2.28 Days Later
3.Mystic River
4.Lost in Translation
5.Finding Nemo
6.21 Grams
7.The Last Samurai
8.American Splendor
9.Master and Commander
10.Cold Mountain

1. LOTR: ROTK
2. Lost in Translation
3. Mystic River
4. Finding Nemo
5. 21 Grams
6. Cold Mountain
7. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
8. Once Upon A Time in Mexico
9. Big Fish
10.The Missing

1. Lotr: RoTK
2. Lost in Translation
3. Seabiscuit
4. Mystic River
5. Big Fish
6. 28 Days Later
7. Finding Nemo
8. 21 Grams
9. In America
10. Cold Mountain

Carolyn-
YOu have a top ten list and Lotr is not on it!

You all have such great lists! It seems that everyone agrees that LOTR: ROTK is the best! (minus Carolyn)

Finney or Baldwin? Who do you think has better chances to be nominated?

Finney has better chances. Bigger movie, older veteran, with the smpathy vote towards him for his 0 for 5 record with Oscar. I haven't seen the Cooler yet, so I don't know who actually does a better job....my guess is Baldwin.....
They could both get on the final ballot pretty easily, but Baldwin will almost definitely not get it if Sarsgaard does. I don't think those can both make it. They are too similar (small movies, racking up critics awards, Sarsgaard getting more important critics awards, but Baldwin is more well known, so the race is even between the two, I think). Wow that was very off topic, lol.

bulldog...i am aware...

...and definately finney

1. In America
2. American Splendor
3. LOTR: ROTK
4. Fog of War
5. 21 Grams
6. Lost in Translation
7. Thirteen
8. Whale Rider
9. City of God
10. House of Sand and Fog
11. Mystic River
12. Better Luck Tomorrow
13. The Cooler
14. Owning Mahowny
15. Big Fish
16. The Barbarian Invasions
17. Master and Commander
18. Monster
19. Elephant
20. Shattered Glass
21. The Last Samurai
22. Love Actually
23. Kill Bill
24. Pieces of April
25. Seabiscuit
26. 28 Days Later
27. Finding Nemo
28. The Station Agent
29. The Man on the Train
30. Cold Mountain

Man it is hard to just list my ten favorite movies of the year so I listed 30.

Please everyone go see In America because there are not to many times that a great movie comes along that will touch you and move you in such a way that the movie will always be with you and never forgotten.
In America is by far the best movie of the year, and is the most inspiring since Forrest Gump.

These are the most realistic and probable predictions of nominations on this site. Most of you are half-wits with no sense what so ever.

Best Picture
*Cold Mountain
*Lord Of The Rings: Return of the King
*Lost In Translation
*Mystic River
*Seabiscuit

Best Actor
*Tom Cruise: The Last Samurai
*Russell Crowe: Master and Commander
*Ben Kingsley: House of Sand and Fog
*Bill Murray: Lost In Translation
*Sean Penn: Mystic River or 21 Grams

Best Actress
*Jennifer Connelly: House of Fog and Sand
*Diane Keaton: Something's Gotta Give
*Nicole Kidman: Cold Mountain
*Charlize Theron: Monster
*Naomi Watts: 21 Grams

Best Supporting Actor
*Sean Astin: Lord of the Rings; Return of the King
*Alec Baldwin: The Cooler
*Benicio Del Toro: 21 Grams
*Tim Robbins: Mystic River
*Ken Watanabe: The Last Samurai

Best Supporting Actress
*Shohreh Aghdashloo: House of Fog and Sand
*Patricia Clarkson: Pieces of April or the Station Agent
*Hope Davis: American Splendor
*Scarlet Johansson: Lost In Translation or Girl With a Pearl Earring
*Renée Zellweger: Cold Mountain

Best Director
*Sofia Coppola: Lost in Translation
*Clint Eastwood: Mystic River
*Peter Jackson: Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
*Peter Weir: Master and Commander
*Edward Zwick: The Last Samurai

Best Adapted Screenplay
*Big Fish
*Cold Mountain
*Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
*Mystic River
*Seabiscuit

Best Original Screenplay
*Finding Nemo
*In America
*Lost In Translation
*Love Actually
*21 Grams

Jude Titan-

What are you talking about, "no sense" and "half-wits", most of our predictions are on your list. This isn't a pissing contest, were just supporting our opinions.

My Bold textfavortie movies of the year.

1. Mystic River
2. Cold Mountain
3. 21 Grams
4. Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
5. Big Fish
6. House of Sand and Fog
7. American Splendor
8. Matchstick Men
9. Lost in Translation
10. Seabiscuit

My favorite movies of the year.

1. Mystic River
2. Cold Mountain
3. 21 Grams
4. Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
5. Big Fish
6. House of Sand and Fog
7. American Splendor
8. Matchstick Men
9. Lost in Translation
10. Seabiscuit

Sorry about that.

I can't understand why anyone on this board might not have Charlize Theron on their best actress list - I can say she has a decent chance of being defeated, but I took a train into NYC just to watch that movie, dammit - and though the plot was a little fuzzy, her performance was powerful. It was almost painful to watch her because she was THAT passionate and believeable. It's one of the best performances I've ever seen as an "evil" character. And not many really bad people win oscars.

I think Charlize may win, other possibilities: Keaton, Wood.

Charlize will win. I agree that her performance is one of the best I have ever saw in any movie to date.

What about Naiomi Watts? I think some people may have forgotten about her. She was phenominal in 21 Grams. I'm not doubting Charlize Theron winning, I just think Naiomi Watts should get more nods for that role.

i cannot wait until charlize wins. god, it's so well-deserved too. her role in MONSTER was truly spine-tingling, the best i have ever seen.

I hate to say it, but I think I finally agree with something carolyn said. I agree that Charlize is more deserving of the oscar, and will probably walk away with it though I am not forgeting about Naomi Watts in 21 Grams. It was Naomi's best role ever and she did a hell of a job with it, but its Charlize's role that I will remember years from now. There haven't been many movies about serial killers in which the acter/actress makes me feel sympathy towards the character they are portraying while also feeling disgusted by what they are doing. Charlize did more than just act her role she became Aileen Wuornos.

agreed - it was haunting: her transformation was utterly haunting. no other winner in recent memory deserves the oscar more than charlize does this year.

2005 OSCAR PREDICTIONS:

Now it's QUITE a ways into the future, but here goes...PLEASE comment at will!

BEST PICTURE
Cinderella Man **WINNER**
The Manchurian Candidate
The Alamo
Dogville
The Aviator

BEST ACTOR
Jim Carrey, ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND **WINNER**
Johnny Depp, NEVERLAND
Tom Hanks, TERMINAL
Denzel Washington, THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE
Russell Crowe, CINDERELLA MAN

BEST ACTRESS
Renee Zellweger, CINDERELLA MAN **WINNER**
Nicole Kidman, DOGVILLE
Kate Winslet, NEVERLAND
Cate Blanchet, THE AVIATOR
Claire Danes, FLORA PLUM

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Paul Bettany, DOGVILLE
Tom Wilkinson, ETERNAL SUNSHINE
OF THE SPOTLESS MIND **WINNER**
Danny Huston, BIRTH
Billy Bob Thorton, THE ALAMO
Leiv Schrieber, THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS:
Meryl Streep, THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE **WINNER**
Kate Winslet, ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND
Kirsten Dunst, ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND
Lauren Bacall, DOGVILLE
Catherine Zeta-Jones, THE TERMINAL

what?!?!?!? you havent seen any of those movies yet!!!! they could all be flops! seabiscuit was orignally predicted to have a big sweep, now it will be lucky to be nominated for screenplay alone! you can't predict those yet! lol sorry i'm not mad, just confused....

but i do hope you are right about jim carrey, WAY underrated, he just needs a good movie to work with that will get him an oscar... yay jim!

thats just what i think now. uhhh h YA these predix are gonna change when the movies actually come out. that's just my opinion of the synopses of the movies now.

Yes, I hope Jim Carrey will win. He SHOULD have won for the Truman Show... but the Academy snubbed him because he had once talked out of his ass (Ace Ventura style) at an awards show.

i'd love to see carrey win too - and maybe winslet take home an oscar for ETERNAL SUNSHINE too!

Don't forget that Alexander and Troy come out this year, not to mentions two other Hanks flicks.

Shohreh Aghadashloo- from house of sand and fog. how come no one has mentioned her?

did you see the cast if TROY and ALEXANDER? hardly the acting toast of h-town. it'll be great box office, not good with the awards, though.

i don't think nicole kidman will get a nod next year

i don't think nicole kidman will get a nod next year

Watching Charlize theoron reminded me of Hilary Swank in "boys don't cry." It's impossible to forget a performance like that. She loses herself in that character. It's not so much the make-up that makes it wonderful, but the inner hatred that she portrays in her eyes without saying a damn word. I've never loved a serial killer so much as she made me love her.

I've never thought of charlize as an actress. Other then the beautiful woman that she is. This film changed my mind completely. I hadn't cried watching a movie since Boys don't cry--well...i am a boy and i did cry.

I voted for Cate blanchet for a nomiation on my list above...but Charlize deserves the oscar hands down. One of the best performances i have ever seen.

I now have someone I hate, its Frodo, that little prick from Lord of the Rings. He has to be the most annoying thing I have ever seen I was cheering for Smeagle to throw the little bug eyed pantywaste into the lake of fire. I cheered for Sam to throw him down the mountain after his sandwich. I felt my day would be made if an Orc chewed his head off. I feel better that I have finally blurted it out, does this make me a bad person.

Frodo will not win!!!

my predictions BEST ACTRESS 2005

My Predictions:
Jennifer Lopez- An Unfinished Life
Julianne Moore- Without Apparent Motive
Gwyneth Paltrow- Proof
Meryl Streep- The Manchurian Candidate
Reese Witherspoon- Vanity Fair
Nicole Kidman - Bird

my predictions BEST ACTRESS 2005, i'LL STAR WITH THIS LIST:


Jennifer Lopez- An Unfinished Life
Julianne Moore- Without Apparent Motive
Renee Zellweger, CINDERELLA MAN
Meryl Streep- The Manchurian Candidate
Reese Witherspoon- Vanity Fair
Nicole Kidman - Birth or Dogville
Kate Winslet, NEVERLAND
Cate Blanchet, THE AVIATOR or Miss Potter
Gyneth paltrow - Proof
Kirsten Dunst- Wimbledon

Really I Think is going to be:

Julianne Moore and Nicole Kidman (tie)

if u dont think nicole kidman will get a nod next year for either of her two BRILLIANT films [birth or dogville] then you are on hasheesh.

Okay, Orlando Bloom sucks, but Troy has Pitt, who they like (so-so), Peter O'Toole (love), Sean Bean (amazing actor) and Brian Cox. They don't seem to like Wolfgang, but the like Oliver Stone (Alexander)

it will not be an oscar film, i dont think.

you may be right, but I want Sean Bean to get a nod

I dont really think Jennifer Lopez can be nominated for anything! She's just an average actor....and a lousy singer.....i know, life's unfair.....

for this year......

Picture: ROTK
DIrector: Peter JAckson
Actor: Sean Penn
Actress: Charlize/Naomi
SUp ACtor: Tim Robbins
Sup ACtress: Renee Zellweger
Original Screenplay: Lost in Translation
Adapted Screenplay: Mystic River

anything is possible, this year:

PICTURE: ROTK
DIRECTOR: PETER JACKSON
ACTOR: SEAN PENN OR BILL M
ACTRESS: CHARLIZE
SUP ACTOR: TIM R
SUP ACTRESS: RENNE Z

TEN MOST UNDERRATED FILMS OF THE PAST FEW YEARS!!!!!!!!!
In Alphabetical order....
28 DAYS LATER
A brilliant film, deserving oscar nods for picture, director, s. actor, s. actress, screenplay, sound, makeup, cinematography. You must get past the "zombie movie" part and get the theme the movie is trying to make. Give it a chance!
CATCH ME IF YOU CAN
Wasn't as underrated as other movies, but still deserved more than it got. Great film.
ELECTION:
Another very entertaining film that wasn't underrated that much, but still deserved more, like maybe an oscar nod for Reese.
THE MATRIX:
Ok, so the sequels were absolutely horrible, but the whole concept of the movie was very brilliant when it first came out, and I thought the acting wasn't great but it wasn't as bad as some people said.
MEMENTO:
Underrated, indeed. Needed an oscar nod for that woman, her name escapes me right now, but she was excellent. Writing was great too.
ONE HOUR PHOTO:
Very dark film, and very good too. IMO, Robin Williams deserved an oscar for it, but he couldn't get enough buzz for a nod.
PLEASANTVILLE:
It made a lot of top ten lists but got squat at the Oscars, which I think was a big mistake. The should've been a nod for Best Supporting Actress for sure, maybe Sup. Actor for Jeff Daniels too.
THE RING:
I thought it was very entertaining, and it certainly had some good visual effects. I thought Naomi Watts was as good here as she was in Mullholland Drive, and that The Ring should have had a few nods, visual effects, actress, maybe adapted screenplay.
THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY:
It was nominated for several oscars, but I still think it should have been a little more successful. This is probably last of the list rank-wise.
THE TRUMAN SHOW:
Again, it was nominated for a few oscars, but a few more should've been there (like Jim Carrey's snub....grr.....)

What do you think? Disagree? Agree? Post your lists, too!

I completely agree with Juim Carrey, not a win, I think 1998 gold belonged to Hanks, which by the should, should have been his fifth. The Talented Mr. Ripley was good, but Law was thebest part, or Blanchett. Memento, agree, Catch me if you Can:
I think that deserved nods everywhere, Picture, Director, Supp. Actor (Hanks), Walken got a nod, Cinematography, all the other tech's and every DiCaprio for Actor. Another nominated, but underlooked film was Road to Perdition.

Hy what you think about the sag awards:
I think that maybe Sean Astin can get a nod......

Sea Astin will likely get a nod and a win, SAG and oscars. I really want him to, but it's not just being nias. Look at this, the Academy and actors will love him: younger actor, amazing performance, oscar-winning nother, already has a nom, but not for acting. It's perfect. Although Robbins still has the edge.

Sean Astin will likely get a nod and a win, SAG and oscars. I really want him to, but it's not just being nias. Look at this, the Academy and actors will love him: younger actor, amazing performance, oscar-winning nother, already has a nom, but not for acting. It's perfect. Although Robbins still has the edge.

sorry about that

i am 100% confident that Sean Astin will get a SAG nod (thank God). The SAG's love the trilogy (McKellen won it for FOTR), and Astin's mother, Patty Duke, is former SAG president, which defintely helps him there. A win is likely for him, and an oscar nod is likely too. I'm not sure if he can win the Oscar, as Robbins is leading the pack, you never know. He could be an upset. (Well, a surprise, but I certainly wouldn't be upset, I'd be elated!) ASTIN FOR OSCAR 2004!

yes!

Picture
"Mystic River"
"Seabiscuit"
"Cold Mountain"
"Lost in Translation"
"LOTR: The Return of The King" (Oscar) (My pick)

Director
Clint Eastwood "Mystic River"
Anthony Minghella "Cold Mountain"
Peter Weir "Master and Commander"
Sofia Coppola "Lost In Translation"
Peter Jackson "LOTR: The Return of The King" (Oscar)(My pick)

Actor
Sean Penn "Mystic River" (Oscar)(My pick)
Ben Kingsley "House of Sand and Fog"
Johnny Depp "Pirates of the Caribbean"
Russell Crowe "Master & Commander"
Bill Murray "Lost In Translation"

Actress
Charlize Theron – Monster (Oscar) (My Pick)
Diane Keaton – Something’s Gotta Give
Naomi Watts – 21 Grams
Jennifer Connelly – House of Sand and Fog
Evan Rachel Wood – thirteen

Supp Actor
Tim Robbins – Mystic River (Oscar)
Albert Finney – Big Fish
Alec Baldwin – The Cooler
Sean Astin – The Return of the King (My Pick)
Paul Bettany – Master and Commander…

Supp Actress
Renee Zellweger – Cold Mountain (Oscar)
Holly Hunter – thirteen
Shohreh Aghdashloo – House of Sand and Fog
Patricia Clarkson – Pieces of April
Marcia Gay Harden – Mystic River (My Pick)

here are my oscar predix: THE NIGHT BEFORE SAG NODS

BEST PICTURE
LOTR:ROTK ::WILL WIN::
MYSTIC RIVER
COLD MOUNTAIN ::SHOULD WIN::
LOST IN TRANSLATION
SEABISCUIT

BEST DIRECTOR
Peter Jackson, LOTR:ROTK ::WILL WIN::
Sofia Coppola, LOST IN TRANSLATION ::SHOULD WIN::
Anthony Minghella, COLD MOUNTAIN
Peter Weir, MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD
Clint Eastwood, MYSTIC RIVER

BEST ACTOR
Jude Law, COLD MOUNTAIN
Bill Murray, LOST IN TRANSLATION ::SHOULD WIN::
Sean Penn, MYSTIC RIVER ::WILL WIN::
Ben Kingsley, HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG
Russell Crowe, MASTER AND COMMANDER

BEST ACTRESS
Nicole Kidman, COLD MOUNTAIN
Charlize Theron, MONSTER ::WILL WIN:: ::SHOULD WIN::
Diane Keaton, SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE
Jennifer Connelly, HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG
Naomi Watts, 21 GRAMS

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Benicio Del Toro, 21 GRAMS
Albert Finney, BIG FISH
Tim Robbins, MYSTIC RIVER ::WILL WIN:: ::SHOULD WIN::
Ken Watanabe, THE LAST SAMURAI
Alec Baldwin, THE COOLER

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Marcia Gay Harden, MYSTIC RIVER
Renee Zellweger, COLD MOUNTA ::WILL WIN:: ::SHOULD WIN::
Holly Hunter, THIRTEEN
Scarlett Johansson, LOST IN TRANSLATION
Patricia Clarkson, PIECES OF APRIL

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
FINDING NEMO
IN AMERICA
LOST IN TRANSLATION ::WILL WIN:: ::SHOULD WIN::
21 GRAMS
LOVE ACTUALLY

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
LOTR:ROTK
MYSTIC RIVER
COLD MOUNTAIN ::WILL WIN::
SEABISCUIT
AMERICAN SPLENDOR ::SHOULD WIN::

SAG Predictions:

Best Ensemble:
Cold Mountain
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Love Actually
Mystic River
Seabiscuit

Alt. Big Fish, House of Sand and Fog, 21 Grams


Best Actor:
Johnny Depp, Pirates of the Caribbean
Ben Kingsley, House of Sand and Fog
Bill Murray, Lost in Translation
Sean Penn, Mystic River
Elijah Wood or Viggo Mortensen, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (yeah thats right, I have a weird, really weird feeling they'll like one of them)

Alt. Jude Law, Cold Mountain; Crusie or Crowe (sadly), William H. Macy, The Cooler


Best Actress:
Jennifer Connely, House of Sand and Fog
Diane Keaton, Something's Gotta Give
Nicole Kidman, Cold Mountain
Charlize Theron, Monster
Naomi Watts, 21 Grams

Alt. Uma Thurman, Kill Bill Volume 1, Evan Rachel Wood, Thirteen


Best Supporting Actor:
Sean Astin, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Alec Baldwin, The Cooler
Benicio Del Toro, 21 Grams
William H. Macy, Seabiscuit
Tim Robbins, Mystic River

Alt. Ken Watanabe, The Last Samurai, Ian McKellen, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King


Best Supporting Actress:
Shohreh Aghdashloo, House of Sand and Fog
Patricia Clarkson, Pieces of April
Holly Hunter, Thirteen
Scarlett Johansson, Lost in Translation
Renee Zellweger, Cold Mountain
Alt. Natalie Portman, Cold Mountain

SAG Predictions:

Best Ensemble:
Cold Mountain
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Love Actually
Mystic River
Seabiscuit

Alt. Big Fish, House of Sand and Fog, 21 Grams


Best Actor:
Johnny Depp, Pirates of the Caribbean
Ben Kingsley, House of Sand and Fog
Bill Murray, Lost in Translation
Sean Penn, Mystic River
Elijah Wood or Viggo Mortensen, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (yeah thats right, I have a weird, really weird feeling they'll like one of them)

Alt. Jude Law, Cold Mountain; Crusie or Crowe (sadly), William H. Macy, The Cooler


Best Actress:
Jennifer Connely, House of Sand and Fog
Diane Keaton, Something's Gotta Give
Nicole Kidman, Cold Mountain
Charlize Theron, Monster
Naomi Watts, 21 Grams

Alt. Uma Thurman, Kill Bill Volume 1, Evan Rachel Wood, Thirteen


Best Supporting Actor:
Sean Astin, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Alec Baldwin, The Cooler
Benicio Del Toro, 21 Grams
William H. Macy, Seabiscuit
Tim Robbins, Mystic River

Alt. Ken Watanabe, The Last Samurai, Ian McKellen, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King


Best Supporting Actress:
Shohreh Aghdashloo, House of Sand and Fog
Patricia Clarkson, Pieces of April
Holly Hunter, Thirteen
Scarlett Johansson, Lost in Translation
Renee Zellweger, Cold Mountain
Alt. Natalie Portman, Cold Mountain

SAG Predictions:

Best Ensemble:
Cold Mountain
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Love Actually
Mystic River
Seabiscuit

Alt. Big Fish, House of Sand and Fog, 21 Grams


Best Actor:
Johnny Depp, Pirates of the Caribbean
Ben Kingsley, House of Sand and Fog
Bill Murray, Lost in Translation
Sean Penn, Mystic River
Elijah Wood or Viggo Mortensen, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (yeah thats right, I have a weird, really weird feeling they'll like one of them)

Alt. Jude Law, Cold Mountain, Crusie or Crowe (sadly), William H. Macy, The Cooler


Best Actress:
Jennifer Connely, House of Sand and Fog
Diane Keaton, Something's Gotta Give
Nicole Kidman, Cold Mountain
Charlize Theron, Monster
Naomi Watts, 21 Grams

Alt. Uma Thurman, Kill Bill Volume 1, Evan Rachel Wood, Thirteen


Best Supporting Actor:
Sean Astin, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Alec Baldwin, The Cooler
Benicio Del Toro, 21 Grams
William H. Macy, Seabiscuit
Tim Robbins, Mystic River

Alt. Ken Watanabe, The Last Samurai, Ian McKellen, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King


Best Supporting Actress:
Shohreh Aghdashloo, House of Sand and Fog
Patricia Clarkson, Pieces of April
Holly Hunter, Thirteen
Scarlett Johansson, Lost in Translation
Renee Zellweger, Cold Mountain
Alt. Natalie Portman, Cold Mountain, Marcia Gay Harden, Mystic River

Damnit, not again!

will,
the producers of election prduced cold mountain,and a producer of mr ripley did cold mountain

your point being...............?

FOUR MORE MOVIES THAT COULD EASILY BE ON MY LIST OF UNDERRATED FILMS!!!!! (they slipped my mind when I originally posted that list)

AUSTIN POWERS: INTERNATIONAL MAN OF MYSTERY:
This was hilarious, you have to admit. As the sequels come out, the "not as good" they become, but the original one was a great comedy, very clever.
FOCUS: Great acting by William H. Macy and Luara Dern, great writing too.
MAN ON THE MOON:
Great performances, overall very entertaining. Bravo Jim Carrey, once again.
PUNCH-DRUNK LOVE:
I never knew Adam Sandler had this in him. IMO, he deserved an oscar nomination. Great, entertaining movie.

(The original 10 being:
28 Days Later
Catch Me If You Can
Election
The Matrix
Memento
One Hour Photo
Pleasantville
The Ring
The Talented Mr. Ripley
The Truman Show)

I'm confused again, with the sag nod Naomi Watts, is sure to get the oscar nod, Evan Rachel Wood has more possibilities, but i don't think she can get the Oscar nod, Now there's 3 sure actress: Charlize, Naomi, Diane, the dilemma now is the other 2 actress, At the first of the month i tought that the 3 actress sure to get the oscar nod were: Nicole, Charlize, and Diane, but now i don't know, Evan can steal the Nicole's nod, Cate Blachett has no more chances, and Jennifer Conelly either. i'm confused this is my list:

BEST ACTRESS:

NICOLE KIDMAN - COLD MOUNTAIN (I DON'T THINK SHE CAN GET THE NOD, BUT I HAVE A LITTLE HOPE)
CHARLIZE THERON - MONSTER (SHE WILL WIN)
DIANE KEATON
NAOMI WATTS (I BELIEVED SHE WAS GOIN TO LOSE THE BUZZ, BUT WITH THE SAG NOD, SHE'S IN)
EVAN RACHEL WOOD (SHE WILL BE IN)

Why wasn't Sean Astin nominated for a SAG? I'll never know. And Chris Cooper, I mean, he's a great actor, but he didn't really have to act for The Biscuit. Well, at least Astin will sneak in with an oscar nod. And probably get the little golden guy too.

if Sean didn't get a sag nod, he've no more chances to get a oscar nod, is kind of impossible, i'm indignated because he didn't get the nod, and what happend, Where the hell did they let Nicole?, she must have got a nod, Patricia Clarkson best actress, no why she? she really only deserved the nod for Pieces of April.
Tell me what u think about the sag unfair nominations

I'm with the rest of you guys--where in hell is Sean Austin SAG Nomination? I have no idea. I hope the academy takes him more seriously and finnally give him that nomination he deserves. I have seen most of the other performers in the supporting role category, and to be quite honest, they just don't do it for me.

The academy can be pretty tricky, and i hope they take this performance into consideration.
What do you guys think?

I'M AT A LOSS FOR WORDS! THEY NOMINATED CHRIS FUCKING COOPER OVER SEAN ASTIN?!?!?!?!? I THOUGHTHE WAS A SHOE-IN FOR THE SAG's! well, maybe the academy will still nominate him, but it's doubtful. URGH I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!!! You never know, he might have missed out by just a few votes, and he might just make the oscar nod....but i dont know.....urgh!

i agree with all the noms. i'm happy with them. look for MYSTIC RIVER to take best ensemble.

MY POST-SAG OSCAR NOMS PREDIX:

BEST PICTURE
LOTR:ROTK
COLD MOUNTAIN
MYSTIC RIVER [WILL WIN](doubt it, probably LOTR - but one can hope)
LOST IN TRANSLATION [SHOULD WIN]
SEABISCUIT

BEST DIRECTOR
Peter Jackson, LOTR [WILL WIN]
Anthony Minghella, COLD MOUNTAIN
Clint Eastwood, MYSTIC RIVER
Sofia Coppola, LOST IN TRANSLATION [SHOULD WIN]
Peter Weir, MASTER AND COMMANDER

BEST ACTOR
Ben Kinglsey, HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG
Jude Law, COLD MOUNTAIN
Bill Murray, LOST IN TRANSLATION [SHOULD WIN]
Sean Penn, MYSTIC RIVER [WILL WIN]
Johnny Depp, PIRATES OF THE CARRIBEAN [i have my doubts with this one...but crowe is a razor close 6th]

BEST ACTRESS
Charlize Theron, MONSTER [will win][should win]
Diane Keaton, SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE
Naomi Watts, 21 GRAMS
Nicole Kidman, COLD MOUNTAIN
Evan Rachel Wood, THIRTEEN [a globe nom AND a sag nom? i have a feeling about this girl - she is going all the way to a nod, not a win!!]

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Alec Baldwin, THE COOLER
Tim Robbins, MYSTIC RIVER [will win][should win]
Benicio Del Toro, 21 GRAMS
Ken Watanabe, THE LAST SAMURAI
Peter Sarsgaard, SHATTERED GLASS [this is my wild card...i really don't know!!! albert finney is right behind him]

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Renee Zellweger, COLD MOUNTAIN [will win] [should win]
Holly Hunter, THIRTEEN
Maria Bello, THE COOLER [one can only imagine...this is doubtful]
Patricia Clarkson, PIECES OF APRIL
Scarlett Johansson, LOST IN TRANSLATION

I ABSOLUTELY HATE to leave Marcia Gay Harden out in the COLD! i love her to death, but she could easily take maria's place because that is, in no way, a lock. PULL THRU MARCIA! your perf. in MYSTIC was MASTERFUL!

Charlize Theron already has best actress sown up. They won't give Nicole Kidman another right now. Best actor comes down to Sean Penn and Bill Murray. Best Picture LOTR will beat out Mystic River. Director I'm not sure. Jackson has to be the favorite. Supporting Actress will be Renne Zelwegger (mostly because she's due, no other reason. Supporting actor should be Johnny Depp but Tim Robbins will win. (even though Depp should be in the lead actor category but if he was he wouldn't win it.)

depp wouldnt win if he were in supporting either.

I think I know why Cooper was nodded. He lost last year to Walken (I agree that Walken was better) at the SAG's, the bastards probobly feel guilty so they have to nominate him for The Biscuit. But still, My God, WHY?????????

Anyway, to me:
2003 Best Supporting Actor goes to Sean Astin for The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. Amen.

astins performance in lotr was less than mediocre. there are more deserving candidates.

ha ha ha, nice joke

I agree. Chris Cooper and Johnny Depp was a surprise. I didn't think Johnny Deep was good enough to be nominated but luckily, he won't win. Chris Cooper I have no idea. I didn't think he was that great. Then again, there weren't too many good supporting actors but definatley not Chris Cooper, maybe Albert Finney or Sean Astin, there, happy? Anyway, I did disagree and was surprised at some of their picks.

What are your top ten favorite movies of all time? Respond.

Okay, Carolyn -

Your opinion on Astin's performance is, well, your OPINION.
It's not the same as almost everyone else's opinion. I just don't see how you can dislike his performance so much. I have a feeling you are automatically shooting it down because you're not a big fan of the series, probably either because you don't like fantasy in general or you never liked the movies because you couldn't follow the plot and its made up words and names. If you get past what the movie is about and JUST look at Astin's performance, it's pretty obvious he is nod-worthy, no question.

Here's mine. Just to let you know, this was really hard to do.

1. Star Wars
2. Mystic River
3. The Godfather
4. Wonder Boys
5. Narc
6. Adaptation
7. Goodfellas
8. Dumb and Dumber
9. Lord of the Rings
10. Phone Booth

Here's mine. Just to let you know, this was really hard to do.

1. Star Wars
2. Mystic River
3. The Godfather
4. Wonder Boys
5. Narc
6. Adaptation
7. Goodfellas
8. Dumb and Dumber
9. Lord of the Rings
10. Phone Booth

top ten?!?!?!? aaah! that's hard, and there's the fact that I haven't really been into movies for very long.....Ummm....Yeah REALLY hard....I'll try it though.....

1. The Lord of the Rings (All Three As a Whole)
2. Pulp Fiction
3. The Silence of the Lambs
4. This is Spinal Tap
5. The Exorcist
6. The Wizard or Oz
7. Ond Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
8. Fatal Attraction
9. The Game
10.28 Days Later
With the following runner up's, in ABC order:
12 Angry Men
The Breakfast Club
Drop Dead Gorgeous
Dumb and Dumber
E.T.
Fargo
Misery
Psycho
The Shining
The Sixth Sense
Wayne's World
Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

There's probably more, but this is a pretty solid list for now.

Top 10 Films of All Time:
1. The Lord of the Rings (complete trilogy)
2. Almost Famous
3. Forrest Gump
4. Pulp Fiction
5. Fight Club
6. The Shawshank Redemption
7.
8. Catch Me if You Can
9. Benny and Joon
10. Saving Private Ryan

Top 10 Performances of All Time:
1. Tom Hanks,Forrest Gump
2. Sean Astin, LOTR: ROTK
3. Ian McKellen, LOTR: FOTR
4. Johnny Depp, Pirates of the Caribbean
5. Tom Hanks, Cast Away/S.P.R./Philedlphia/That Thing You Do!/Big/(basically whole career)
6. Sean Bean, LOTR: ROTK
7. Kate Hudson/Frances McDormand, Almost Famous
8. Samuel L. Jackson, Pulp Fiction
9. Al Pacino, Scent of a Woman
10. Christopher Walken, The Deer Hunter

Top 10 Films of All Time:
1. The Lord of the Rings (complete trilogy)
2. Almost Famous
3. Forrest Gump
4. Pulp Fiction
5. Fight Club
6. The Shawshank Redemption
7. Ed Wood
8. Catch Me if You Can
9. Benny and Joon
10. Saving Private Ryan

Top 10 Performances of All Time:
1. Tom Hanks,Forrest Gump
2. Sean Astin, LOTR: ROTK
3. Ian McKellen, LOTR: FOTR
4. Johnny Depp, Pirates of the Caribbean
5. Tom Hanks, Cast Away/S.P.R./Philedlphia/That Thing You Do!/Big/(basically whole career)
6. Sean Bean, LOTR: ROTK
7. Kate Hudson/Frances McDormand, Almost Famous
8. Samuel L. Jackson, Pulp Fiction
9. Al Pacino, Scent of a Woman
10. Christopher Walken, The Deer Hunter

the top ten performances isn't final, niether is Ed Wood, just throwing around anoter one of my fave movies

I actually posted mine last month. You can see the list here.

I also decided to make top 20 performances in movies.
also hard, but I've got nothing to do, lol.

1.Tom Hanks, Philidalphia/Forrest Gump
2.Kathy Bates, Misery
3.Glenn Close, Fatal Attraction
4.Sean Astin, LOTR: ROTK
5.Robin Williams, One Hour Photo
6.Sean Penn, Mystic River/The Game
7.Jack Nicholson, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest/The Shining
8.Carrie-Anne Moss, Memento
9.Samuel L. Jackson, Pulp Fiction
10.Julianne Moore, Boogie Nights/Far From Heaven
11.Naomie Harris, 28 Days Later
12.Linda Blair, The Exorcist
13.Haley Joel Osment, The Sixth Sense
14.Andy Serkis, LOTR: TTT
15.William H. Macy, Fargo/Focus
16.Michael Douglas, Fatal Attraction/The Game
17.Joan Allen, Pleasantville
18.Shelly Duvall, The Shining
19.Jim Carrey, The Truman Show
20.Reese Witherspoon, Election

Don't worry, I KNOW there are some that deserve to be up here, but I did this in about 15 minutes, and I think it's pretty decent. Post your Favorite movies and Performances, too!

TONI COLLETTE'S STANDOUT PERFORMANCE

For me, the absolute standout performance this year by an actress has been Toni Collette in Japanese Story. Regrettably, its very limited US release (to date) means that few Americans have seen it and I suspect both the film and Collette's dazzling star turn will be entirely overlooked by the Academy's voters. If she does somehow get a nomination, it'll be a miracle. If she doesn't, yet another travesty of justice by the Academy.

I actually like wills list too

Wow, I am pleased with the SAG nominations this year. I am glad to see a lot of the young actresses which I talked about earlier got nominated. Evan Rachel Wood and Keisha Castle Hughes were both amazing in there roles. I am also happy to see The Station Agent win a few acting nods, and In America for ensemble. Man I know this will probably upset most of the diehard LOTR fans, but I think the cast of In America is more deserving than the cast of LOTR for best ensemble.

Choosing a top ten list of my all-time favorite movies is difficult. I have enjoyed so many great movies through out my life and making this list is difficult, but here I go.

1. Braveheart
2. Goodfellas / Godfather trilogy
3. Forrest Gump
4. LOTR trilogy / Star Wars trilogy
5. Threads / Dr. Strangelove
6. Whats Eating Gilbert Grape
7. Y Tu Mama Tambien / City of God / Seven Samurai
8. ET / In America
9. Pulp Fiction / Reservoir Dogs
10. Hoop Dreams / Bowling for Colombine

Man the problem with making a list of my favorite 10 movies is that I know that there are so many great movies out there and it is hard to choose which one is better, but I think I did a decent job.

I am shocked that Love Actually did not get a SAG nod for ensemble.

My top ten list...

1. LOTR Trilogy
2. The Godfather
3. Schindler's List (The most emotionally moving movie I have ever seen)
4. Braveheart
5. Forrest Gump/ Philidelphia/ Saving Private Ryan/ The Green Mile
6. Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
7. Glory
8. Ocean's 11
9. The Shawshank Redemption
10. Chinatown

Did Sean astin get a SAG Nomination??? (sorry I've been away)

Bulldogyank29-

No, Astin didn't get a nomination, much to my surprise. And they nominated Chris Cooper for Shitbiscuit. CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT????? This is the hugest surprise of this season, In my opinion. The thing is, most oscar nomination ballots were sent in by the time the SAG nods came out (theyre due tomorrow, noms for SAG came out yesterday), so they probably will have little influence, if any, on the oscars.

the Sag commitee din't like Cold Mouatain, but i'm 100% sure that the academy will nominate it, they have no more good options, really cold mountain haven't been good enough like the English Patient, so i don't think Anthony will get a nod for best Director, In America has rise again first best screeplay at the BFCAs and now best ensamble at the sags, it mens it will get a nod for best picture or best Director i'm sure , the movie was great i liked it, I'm sure that the only award that Cold Mounatin will get is going to be Best supporting Actres, by Renee Zelleweger her role was terrific she stole the show putting Nicole behind, even the sag awards made her lose buzz putting her out of the 3 locks for the oscar, now Noime is sure to get the nod (i love Nicole but she wasn't good enough as I was wating), Jude Law lost his buzz when he didn't get the BFCA and the sags nods... What happened with the SAG ?, why the Station Agent, i didn't like the film, the one thing that was amazing was the role of Patricia Clarkson, Cold Mounatin must have gotten the nod for Best ensamble. and why they forgot Nicole Kidman, the usually do it , theY put her out in 2001 with Molin Rouge, I just hope the Academy to nominate her, i'm sure that if she loses the Oscar nod this year , the next year she'll win again with Dogville or Birth, or unless they'll give her a nod, but they'll give her the award for Bewitched in 2005.


WHAT YOU THINK?????

jonathan,

I am equally as surprised as you probably were to here all of the nominations for The Station Agent. I know it wasn't the best movie of this year and it definately is not the most memorable, but I do think it was the most original. I believe that is why it was nominated so many times, but the one nod it did not recieve which I felt it did deserve was for Bobby Cannavale for best supporting actor. I could go on all night by saying that this movie broke a lot of gorund and pushed the limits on how we view people, but no one likes to hear that. The only truely amazing part about that movie was that it broke the common stereotypes hollywood uses to portray characters. I believe it was either Ebert or Roeper that best explained the importance of this movie and how it deals with the characters it portrays. I remember setting around and talking to my girlfriend's mom after watching this movie and we both came to the conclusion that this movie was more or less friendship and the way even the oddest of people share a connection. The movie was good, but I don't think it is worthy of all the nominations it recieved. I feel that if there is one small film that people should support it should be In America which in my opinion (and I know I have said it over and over again) is the best movie of this year and of all time. Everyone do yourself a favor and find a way to see this movie you will not regret it. On another note, I am surprised Love Actually didn't get a nod for best ensemble.

Will-

Thats horrible, I heard they didn't nominate Albert Finney either?? Cooper!!!!!!!! What is with it and Award shows surprising us with supp actor noms from seabiscuit... Golden Globes William H. Macy and now the Sags with Cooper!!

Bulldogyank29-

I know! It baffles me as well! In My opinion, none of the actors of Seabiscuit did anything great in their performances, and the movie is very overrated. No Albert Finney is correct, which came as a surprise to me.

what's going on here, is sean astin going to be able to pull off an oscar nom? chris cooper coming out of nowhere with the sag nom probably suprised all of us. also, do you guys think johnny depp is going to get an oscar nom now?

Yes on Depp, he should win, but he most likely wont. He'll probably win the SAG. Astin also deserves the oscar nom and win.

depp will not get a nod. astin will not get a nod. the sooner you accept that the easier it will be for you come Jan. 27!

jHONNY is going to get a nod, i'm sure , but he's not going to win , is kinda impossible, i'm praying Astin to get a nod, he deserves it.
I hope that the Academy not forget Nicole Kidman as the Sag did

Anyone know a site where the predictions for the 2005 Oscar have begun

yes, Niel Young's Film Lounge, Ultimate Oscar and Oscar Igloo

neil*

i've visited neil, anyplace else?, i've been serching in google , but nothing

Carolyn and the oscars get on my nerves. I will only watch them this year to see if they give LOTR a chance against these boring, lower budget films. If they do not, I am sure I won't be alone is saying "screw the oscars"...and never waist my time on that shit again. They might as well not show them on television anymore if that happens.

Agreed. I just saw Cold Mountain. Great film, but LOTR... no one can deny them of Best Picture honestly.

Attention: Crowe and Cruise will not be nominated. The final five will be Depp, Kingsley, Law, Murray, Penn.

I am sorry I must disagree even though I do think the oscars are political. Most of these small budget "boring" films as you call them are just as deserving if not more than LOTR. Don't get me wrong I loved LOTR, but I also loved American Splendor, In America, Thirteen, Lost in Translation, 21 Grams, Monster, Pieces of April, The Cooler, Whale Rider, Girl with a Pearl Earing, Shattered Glass, The Station Agent, and Man on the Train.

exactly. these smaller budget pics just show the true class of acting minus a 100+million dollar budget. they make the best of what they got and they know how to put on a good show. for their lack of funds, i'd say all of these movies deserve more attention than LOTR.

Just keep in mind that it wasn't the millions of dollars that made LOTR such a great movie... it was the directing, acting, cinematography, etc.

Remember that Waterworld spent $175 million dollars, and we all know how bad that was...

When it comes to me, I'm the HARDEST to please with movies. In fact, I've been in this rut where I don't even feel like watching anything new because I think that everything looks really stupid lately. So, I don't have much of an opinion, but as an observer of Johnny Depp's career, I have to say that his character in Pirates of the Caribbean gave me a whole new glimpse of him and his acting skills. Usually the Oscars go to the craptacular actors who have been in the business too long (Jack Nicholson - what's so great about him again?), but I REALLY REALLY hope Johnny wins. And it's too bad, but I though Geoffrey Rush was awesome!

Top 5 favorite movies (Because I can't think of 10)

1. Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks!!! Need I say more??)
2. Tombstone (I've seen this movie 100 million times)
3. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (I fell in love with it immediately)
4. Apollo 13 (Seriously underappreciated)
5. What's Eating Gilbert Grape (This movie was so incredibly deep and Leo was actually good!)

I disagree. If anything the oscars tend to go to young actors/actresses whose career is just taking off or they go to actors/actresses who are in the prime of their career, not some "craptacular" actor who has been in the business too long. How can you put a life span on a great actor's career? Jack Nicholson is a living legend who gets better with age, and it would be a sad day for the industry if he left just because somebody thinks that he has been in the business for too long. I do understand where you are coming from though. You are a huge Depp fan, good choice, but you don't need to be so one-sided when it comes to actors. There are a lot of great older actors that are still a benevolent force in the acting community, and it is more apparent today with movies such as Something's Got to Give, Calendar Girls, and Love Actually. Do yourself a favor and go see these movies and it will moake you appreciate aging Hollywood.

thelatejc-

I think you have a very good point, but seeing Something's Gotta Give, Calendar Girls, and Love, Actually will not prove it. These just aren't Oscar-worthy performances (with the exception of a nod for Diane Keaton, but no wins for any of those). As Good As It Gets. About Schmidt. THOSE will prove your point, at least concerning Jack Nicholson.

Understood, but I was trying to give movies that came out in 2003 as examples.

It is time for the Bulldog Awards! Unlike the Academy Awards this up for changing so give me some feed back. * indicates who won

Best Picture:
LOTR: ROTK*
Mystic River
Seabiscuit
Big Fish (Does not get any credit)
In America

Honorable Mentions go to: 28 Days LAter and Finding Nemo

Best Director:
Peter Jackson, LOTR ROTK*
Tim Burton, Big Fish
Sofia Coppola, Lost in Translation
Clint Eastwood, Mystic RIver
Jim Sheridon?, In America

Best Actor:
Bill Murray, Lost in Translation
Sean Penn, Mystic Rive(it wasn't acting he just acted like himself)
Johnny Depp, Pirates...*
Ewan Mcgregor, Big Fish ( gets snubbed every year -Moulin Rougue-)
Jude Law, Cold MOuntain

Best Actress:
Naomi Watts, 21 Grams*
Chalize Theron, Monster
Cate Blancete, The Missing/ Veronica Guerin
Nicole Kidman, Cold MOuntain
That girl from Thirteen

Best Supp Actor:
Sean Astin, Lotr Rotk*
Albert Finney,Big Fish(a close second)
TIm RObbins, Mystic River (close secon)
Ken Watenbe, The LAst Samurai (close Second)
Ian Mckellan, LOTR ROTK (Maybe not a close second)

BEst Supp Actress:
The bulldog goes to Renee Zellweger from Cold Mountain

Best Adapted Screenplay:
LOTR ROTK*
BIg Fish
Master and COmandeer(the hardest book to bring to film this year)
Cold MOuntain
Mystic River

Best ORiginal Screenplay:
THe bulldog goes to the creative minds at Disney for bringing us Finding Nemo!

i dont get it. whats a bulldog?
are these your oscar predix or what?

Every who hasn't, check out the BAFTA's @ www.oscarwatch.com, there are many suprises. (think McKellen over Astin)

Devin

cold mountain - thirteen noms - that's how many it'll get at the oscars too.

First of all Carolyn those are just the awards I would give if it were my decision. Hence bulldog would mean the oscar goes to.

Devin-
YOur right that is very interesting, it also put Big Fish ahead of Seabiscuit. which is another surprise. I feel that could be one final push for Big Fish to get some more nominations, maybe not best picture at the Academy awards but directing which it deserves, screenplay, cinematography, song and score. Mckellan over Astin I think is just because it is the European voters. but it would have been nice for Astin to get a little momentum goig into the Academy Awards which he has none.

Carolyn-

LOTR: ROTK will lead the nomination count with 14 that is if Sean Astin gets the Nomination he deserves if not 13. Cold mountain will get around 10-12.

lotr will not get 14 noms.
i predict about ten.
it'll get nodded in:

BEST PICTURE
BEST DIRECTOR
BEST SONG
BEST EDITING
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
BEST ART DIRECTION
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
BEST SOUND
BEST SOUND EDITING

COLD MOUNTAIN will get:

BEST PICTURE
BEST DIRECTOR
BEST SCORE
BEST SONG
BEST ACTOR
BEST ACTRESS
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
BEST SOUND
BEST ART DIRECTION
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
BEST EDITING
BEST COSTUME

as of right now it looks like LOTR will win:
PICTURE
DIRECTOR
SONG
VISUAL EFFECTS
SOUND EDITING

COLD MOUNTAIN, as of right now, appears to have:
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
BEST SCORE
BEST ART DIRECTION
BEST EDITING
BEST COSTUME
BEST SOUND

carolyn-

Some (most) of that is just wishful thinking. Cold Mountain is NOT the frontrunner for ANYTHING except for Supporting Actress, which will likely be its only win. Screenplay is looking towards Mystic River, Sound, Art Direction, and Editing are looking towards ROTK, score and Costume are really anyone's game. But don't expect Cold Mountain to win more than three oscars, 'cause it aint happening.

i think that's just wishful thinking on your behalf.

P.S. - the editing in LOTR was terrible.

Carolyn-
I am on will's side on this one.

Will-
Did you see the BAFTA awards (the eurpoean guys who vote for the oscars)?? THey have Big Fish as a nominee in their Best Picture category. DO you think that this could serve as a final push for Big Fish to get some nominations? (maybe not picture but others)Have you seen In America that is a excellant film which deserves a Best picture nom. There are really 10 movies the academies looking at for best picture and this is how i feel.

LOTR ROTk- deserves a nom... deserves a win
Cold Mountain- doesn't deserve a nom... is gonna get one
Mystic River- deserves a nom
Lost in Translation-deserves a nom in a Best Comedy movie category
Seabiscuit- deserves a nom
Master and COmander- doesn't deserve one
Last Samurai- doesn't deserve one
Big Fish- deserves one... but wont get one
In America- deserves one... might get one
Finding Nemo- deserves one... wait it already has a best Animated category which it will win

*what did you think about my award show*

P.S. LOTR will get a nom for:

Picture
Director
Sound Editing
Visual Effects
Art Direction
Film Editing
Original Song
Sound
Cinematography
Adapted Screenplay
Original Score
Supporting Actor - Sean Astin
Makeup
*That's 14*
Cold MOuntain...

Supporting Actress - Renee Zellweger

Original Score
Art Direction
Cinematography
Adapted Screenplay
Film Editing
Costume Design
Picture
Original Song
Sound
Costume Design

*That's 10 and it could be 11 or 12 depending on wether Nicole or Jude gets a nom.

Sorry that's 11 for cold mountain and 12 or 13 depending on the acting noms. but it doesn't matter because lord of the rings will come away with 8-10 wins where Cold mountain as Will said will be lucky with 3 wins

Carolyn do you remember Gangs of New York last year? Highly anticipated Christmas release, tons of pre-release buzz on oscar predictions, well I feel cold mountain will if not the same have similar succes. Cold mountain will get a lot of nominations like Gangs of New York's 8 and win few if not none. Last year everyone thought Daniel Day lewis was gona win, I know i did. So maybe his snub will be a snub for Renee Zelweger who I think is the only positve out of that whole movie.

Supporting Actress should be and might be:
Holly Hunter, thirteen
Scarlett Johansson, Lost in Translation
Miranda Otto, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Natalie Portman, Cold Mountain
Renee Zelwegger, Cold Mountain
not going to happen, but should: Ellen Degeneris

but it is more likely it will be:
instead of Otto and Portman, Gay Harden and Clarkson

Bulldogyank29-

I read the BAFTA nominations online, and I was pretty baffled by some of their choices (Linney over Gay Harden, McKellen over Astin, etc.) Big Fish was a slight surprise, but I think that these nominations (also SAG's) are too late to make any huge impact on oscar nominees, so Big Fish, IMO, is a loooooooooong shot for a Best Picture nod. Big Fish isn't a lock for anything, but it's possible that it can get a nod in Supporting Actor, Original Song, and Musical Score, and is a big long shot for director, screenplay, and picture. But I predict it will get song/score, and I'm on the fence about Supporting Actor. It won't get anything else, sorry.
Also, I didn't get a chance to see In America yet, I want to, though. I've heard nothing but great things about it.

Cold Mountain will be this years Gangs of New York. Best Supporting actress, Cinematography maybe and thats it.

bulldog:

do not hold your breath on makeup, score, supporting actor
(n P.S. - you only listed 13)

bulldog:

cold mountain will get nods for jude and nicole, and you also forgot best director.

Posted by bulldogyank29 on January 19th, 2004 at 11:02 pm AST [email]

Carolyn do you remember Gangs of New York last year? Highly anticipated Christmas release, tons of pre-release buzz on oscar predictions, well I feel cold mountain will if not the same have similar succes. Cold mountain will get a lot of nominations like Gangs of New York's 8 and win few if not none. Last year everyone thought Daniel Day lewis was gona win, I know i did. So maybe his snub will be a snub for Renee Zelweger who I think is the only positve out of that whole movie.





gangs got 10 nods. and believe me, it's not the same thing.

Every year since 1995, in my country Ecuador, the Ecuadorian Critics Asosiation choose the best of the year, the winners wERE annunced Today in the morning (10am) this are the nominations and winners:
(the Assosiation is composed by 48 critics)

TOP 10 MOVIES 2003 (CHOOSEN BY PEOPLE)

1 THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING
2 FINDING NEMO
3 COLD MOUNTAIN
4 MYSTIC RIVER
5 21 GRAMS
6 BIG FISH
7 PIRATES OF THE CARRIBEAN: THE COURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL
8 THIRTEEN
9 LOST IN TRANSLATION
10 KILL BILL VOL 1

ECA AWARDS NOMINATIONS 2003

BEST MOVIE:
FINDING NEMO (2votes)
** THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING***WINNER******* (28votes)
COLD MOUNTAIN (2votes)
MYSTIC RIVER (8votes)
LOST IN TRANSLATION (2votes)
BIG FISH (1vote)
MASTER & COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD (o votes)
THE LAST SAMURAI (o votes)
SEABISCUIT (1vote)
IN AMERICA (4votes)


BEST ACTOR

JHONNY DEEP: PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN(17votes)****(WINNER)****tie
SEAN PENN: MYSTIC RIVER (17votes)*****************(WINNER)****tie
JUDE LAW: COLD MOUNTAIN (3votes)
BEN KIGNSLEY: HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG (4votes)
BILL MURRAY: LOST IN TRANSLATION (7votes)

BEST ACTRESS

NICOLE KIDMAN: COLD MOUNTAIN (3votes)
EVAN RACHEL WOOD: THIRTEEN (4votes)
DIANE KEATON: SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE (7votes)
****CHARLIZE THERON: MONSTER (21votes)*****(WINNER)
CATE BLANCHETT: VERONICA GUERIN (1vote)
NAOMI WATTS: 21 GRAMS (12votes)


BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR:

BENICIO DEL TORO: 21 GRAMS (6votes)
****SEAN ASTIN: LOTR: THE RETURN OF THE KING (13votes)****(WINNER)
TIM ROBBINS: MYSTIC RIVER (12votes)
ALEC BALDWIN: THE COOLER (8votes)
KATE WATANABE: THE LAST SAMURAI (9votes)


BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS:

PATRICIA CLARKSON: PIECES OF APRIL (8votes)
HOLLY HUNTER: THERTEEN (7votes)
MARCIA GAY HARDEN: MYSTIC RIVER (5votes)
****RENNE ZELLEWEGER: COLD MOUNATIN (13votes)*****(WINNER)
MIRANDA OTTO: THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING (4votes)
SCARLETT JOHANSON: LOST IN TRANSLATION (11votes)

BEST DIRECTOR:

SOFIA COPPOLA: LOST IN TRANSLATION (7votes)
CLINT EASTWOOD: MYSTIC RIVER (3votes)
*****PETER JACKSON: LOTR: THE RETURN OF THE KING (35votes)****(WINNER)
ANTONHY MINGHELLA: COLD MOUNTAIN (1vote)
JIM SHERIDAN: IN AMERICA (2votes)

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENLAY.

THIRTEEN
IN AMERICA
LOST IN TRANSLATION
FINDING NEMO (WINNER)
21 GRAMS

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING (WINNER)
COLD MOUNTAIN
MYSTIC RIVER
SEABISCUIT
AMAERICAN SPLENDOR

BEST ANIMATED FILM

BROTHER BEAR
FINDING NEMO (WINNER)
THE TRIPLETS OF BELLEVILLE

BEST FOREING FILM

OSAMA
1 HOMBRE & 1RIO
THE BARBARIAN INVASIONS
GOODBY LENNIN
SWIMMING POOL (WINNER)

BEST ORIGINAL SONG

INTO THE WEST (WINNER)
GREAT SPIRITS
THE HEART OF EVERY GIRL
YOU WILL BE MY AIN TRUE LOVE
SIENTE MI AMOR

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD
MATRIX RELOADED
COLD MOUNTAIN
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING (WINNER)
X MEN 2

Harry-

Although I love the ECA's nominations (go otto!) and winners (go astin!), I have a hard time believing that an Ecuadorian Critcs group wouldn't include any films from Ecuador. And wouldn't all the American films be considered "foreign" for them? This doesn't add up to me. Nevertheless, whoever you are, great picks!

these are my presictions for the oscars 2004!!!*=is gonna winl.o.l

best picture
lost in translation
mystic river
seabiscuit
21 gramms
lotr:rotk*

best actor
elijah wood
viggo mortensen
johnny depp*
tom cruise
sean penn

best actress
nicole kidman
cate blanchette
charlize theron*
uma thurman
naomi watts

best supporting actor
sean astin*
ian mckellen
jeff bridges
tim robbins
ed harris

best supporting actress
rene zellweger*
scarlet johanson
julia roberts
laura linney
miranda otto

original screenplay
bend it like bekham
love actually
big fish
finding nemo*
pirates of the caribbean

best adapted screenplay
mystic river
lotr:rotk*
cold mountain

best animated movie
brother bear
finding nemo*

anyways ppl
we all no that peter jackson will win for best director he will win cuz of the trilogy!!u no!!
and the oscar nominations are coming out january 27 and if u guys go on oscars.com on january 27 u can get the list!
I CAN'T WAIT!!!and to watch the osars of course
l.o.l

does anyone follow www.hsx.com? according to their nominoptions, crowe and cruise seem to be losing a lot of momentum and it could be a toss up between del toro and astin...what do you guys think?

Will

the film making in Ecuador is really slow!!, so the critics take all the American Productions, (incluiding just Spanish & English), so that's why they aren't considerated foreing, are foreing films that are not in English or Spanish.
My country just realeases just one movie at the year, so this year the one was "24 de Mayo", (May 24th), about a ecuadorian war, but it was so awful and poor that the critics didn't take it this year, but we have a hope that the next year film called"El mounstro de los Andes" (the Andes' Monster), has better reviews, so we have to wait...

Carolyn we obviously have totally different opinions. But last year I was fronting for Gangs of New York to sweep the awards but it didn't Scorcesse and Daniel; Day Lewis were locks weren't they but no, and with last year I have learned to not only look at my own opinion but the academies opinion aswell if i was smart i would have known that the academy would have fallen for that horrible movie Chicago but i wasn't. But this year is LOTR's year in my opinion and also it would seem in the academies. Cold MOuntain is a good movie but not a great one. THe acting is good also but the only great performance is out of Renee. Also on directing don't be to sure that it will get one, Minigeela or whatever his name is got one for a similar movie THE ENGLISH PATIENT. Also normally one of the 5 best picture directors gets left out.

Will Get Nominated but shouldn't: "Cold Mountain." Anthony Minghella's deeply flawed epic isn't any more accomplished than the overly somber "Seabiscuit" or the lumbering "The Last Samurai," but it will make the cut simply because of Miramax's relentless campaigning.


That is a quote from azcentral.com's section on movies that will get nnominated for best picture but shouldn't, in which i totally agree.

That was me i forgot to put my name in.

Frodo_Rocks--

Ok, I love LOTR, and I think it's one of the best films ever made, butyour Oscar predictions are way off! I mean, Miranda Otto and Ian McKellen don't have any buzz or hope. It is agreed by almost everyone, including myself, that Elijah Wood and Viggo Mortensen do NOT deserve Oscar nods. Even if you thought they were good enough, those would be picks, not predictions. You can't possibly think all five of those actors will make the cut! It's absurd!

that was WILL, by the way. The post above me.

Wood does, but won't, Viggo didn't have any really "acting" scenes.

I am getting tired of people believing that LOTR will get acting nods because I don't see it happening. Sure I was moved by Astin's performance, but this is just not his time. But what I really don't understand is why Miranda Otto's name keeps getting brought up on most of your predictions. I could understand if she is who you would pick if you had the power to choose, but if you really believe that she will get nominated I think you need to get out and see more movies. Also, my dear carolyn, I am sorry but I just don't see Jude Law getting a nod this year, and I don't see Cold Mountain winning anything except supporting actress, and yes it pains me to say that Renee will probably win. And as for this war over who will win the most awards, I think LOTR will walk away with the majority of them, but none will be for acting. Of course, I believe they will win most if not all the technical awards, but I don't think they will win for makeup (Monster), costume design (Last Samurai), editing (21 Grams), or art direction (Big Fish). This years Oscar race is tight in almost all of the categories and really we wont know the winners until that night comes, but I am glad we have so many different peoples input as it makes for an interesting conversation.

Well here's who SHOULD and who WILL win...

BEST FILM
WILL- ROTK, Mystic River
SHOULD- Cold Mountain

BEST ACTOR
WILL- Sean Penn- Mystic River
SHOULD- Jude Law- Cold Mountain (however I wouldn't mind if Penn won. He is very deserving)

BEST ACTRESS
WILL- Charlize Theron- Monster
SHOULD- Naomi Watts- 21 Grams (SOOOOOO DESERVING but prob won't win cos of all the Charlize hype)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
WILL- Tim Robbins- Mystic River
SHOULD- Tim Robbins- Mystic River

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
WILL- Renee Zellwegger- Cold Mountain
SHOULD- Renee Zellwegger- Cold Mountain (There's something wrong with the world if she doesn't win)

BEST DIRECTOR
WILL- Peter Jackson
SHOULD- Anthony Mingella- Cold Mountain
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu- 21 Grams

Best Sound
WILL- ROTK, Master and Commander
SHOULD- The Matrix Revolutions

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
WILL- Lost in Translation
SHOULD- 21 GramS

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
WILL- Mystic River or Cold Mountain
SHOULD- Cold Mountain (The best book ever)

VISUAL EFFECTS
WILL- ROTK
SHOULD- The Matrix Revolutions

COSTUMES
WILL- ROTK, Pitates of the Carribeain
SHOULD- Cold Mountain, The Matrix Revolutions

SET DESIGN
WILL- ROTK, Pirates of the Carabeain
SHOULD- The Matrix Revolutions

BEST SONG
WILL- You will be my ain true love- Cold Mountain (Sting)
SHOULD- You will be my ain true love- Cold Mountain (Sting)

I don't mean to offened anyone but what's whith all the ROTK talk??? What about other films??? There are some films on your lists which sound really good but i haven't included them on mine because i haven't seen them and don't want to make assumptions. Also, has anyone read the book version of Cold Mountain??? I love the book and I love the film adaptation, however I feel as though Jude Law and Renee Zellwegger captured the characters of Inman and Ruby effectively but Nicole Kidman (who is my favourite actress) lacked something but I don't know what. I feel bad and my best friend is going to kill me for saying this but I know she is capable of a better performance. Ada in the book had much more character and emotional depth. (Having said that I would not protest at all if she is nominated for best actress) Jude Law's performance is greatly underrated and for that reason I feel that he will miss out on a well deserved best actor gong. Any thoughts???

K -

I have a feeling you want all those Tech. Awards to go to The Matrix only becuase you want ROTK to win less awards.....just a hunch....

Thelatejc-

I agree with you....mostly. I agree Jude Law is not a lock for a nod, and I would be PLEASED if he was not nominated. And Cold Mountain will only win Best Supporting Actress, you've got it there. And Miranda Otto will not make the cut. I never had her in my predix, only my picks. But I think Astin is fighting over that fifth slot with a few people, and I wouldn't be surprised if he made it. He has had a huge campaign just in time for Oscar ballots (not for SAG's), and his mother has won an Oscar before, so that helps his vote. It's an outside chance, but I wouldn't be too surprised if Astin was nominated. No others from ROTK, for sure.

will-
interesting observation... i having nothing personal aganist ROTK. I haven't seen it it be honest. However there is so much hype surrounding it and i've seen clips which look pretty amazing. That's why I think it will win. But I was blown away by the effects and sound in the Matrix sequels and think that they are grossly underrated!!! Can't really comment on the LOTR actors but it'd be cool if Miranda Otto was nominated 'cos she's an Aussie and I'm an Aussie.... best of luck to the rest of 'em.
I just REALLY, REALLY hope that Cold Mountain wins best picture!!!!!!!!!!

The Matrix will get no nods not even for technical stuff. It already has been snubbed from an earlier list of possible candidates for the tech awards. Sorry it's just not going to happen.

what?!!
why the hell does everybody think that scarlett johansson is a supporting actress in lost in translation?!!
i mean...come on!

lost in translation is NOT a story about bill murray finding a woman...
it's about two people metting EACH OTHER!!!

oh my god.
i hope that won't happen...

She's clearly a lead actress in Lost in Translation, but i think that she's on a good way going in supporting, because in lead she has no chances to ge in....
COMO SCARLETT ON SUPPORTING.

this are my favorites.the winners everbody already knows:
Best Picture-Mystic River
Actor-Bill Murray(Lost In Translation)
Actress-Naomi Watts(21 Grams)
Director-Clint Eastwood(Mystic River)
Supporting Actor-Tim Robbins(Mystic River)
Supporting Actress-Patricia Clarkson(Pieces of April)
Screenplay(Original)-21 grams
Screenplay(Adapted)-Mystic River
Foreign Language Picture:Goodbye,Lenin!(Germany)

Whos should be nominated,but lose:
Best Picture
21 grams,Lost in translation,The Lord of The Rings,Cold Mountain
Best Actor
Sean Penn(for Mystic River only),Ben Kingsley,Johnny Depp,Benicio Del Toro
Best Actress:
Charlize Theron,Scarlett Johansson(for Lost in Translation only),
Evan Rachel Wood,Nicole Kidman
Best Director:
Alejandro Gonzalez Iņarritu,Peter Jackson,Sofia Coppola,Fernando Meirelles(City of God,the best foreign picture that i ever seen)
Best Supporting Actor:
Albert Finney,Ken Watanabe,William H.Macy,Sean Astin
Best Supporting Actress:
Laura Linney,Marcia Gay Harden(both for Mystic river),Renee Zellwegger,Holly Hunter.

"No one" --

Interesting choices......I like most of them. I love your Sean Astin nod, even if he doesn't win I'd be thrilled if he was nominated... I don't exactly agree on a couple of your winner picks, but it's one opinion against the other, so I can't argue. Nice picks, though. :-)

SOMETHING RANDOM:
I just re-watch The Talented Mr. Ripley. 7 words: Jude Law was completly and utterly robbed. Michael Caine rules, but well... let me think about tha... NO!

jude was totally robbed.

good to see that we agree on SOMETHING carolyn.

best movie:lord of the rings
best actor:johnny depp
best actress:cate blanchette
best supporting actor:sean astin
best supporting actress:clara lew

My Picks:

Best Film:

Best Actor: BEN KINGSLEY - House of Sand and Fog

Best Actress: CHARLIZE THERON - Monster

Best Supp Actor: TIM ROBBINS - Mystic River

Best Supp Actress: RENEE ZELLWEGER - Cold Mountain

Best Foreign Film: OSAMA - Afghanistan


These are LOCKS my friends.
Bet on themif you are in Vegas!

My Picks:

Best Film:

Best Actor: BEN KINGSLEY - House of Sand and Fog

Best Actress: CHARLIZE THERON - Monster

Best Supp Actor: TIM ROBBINS - Mystic River

Best Supp Actress: RENEE ZELLWEGER - Cold Mountain

Best Foreign Film: OSAMA - Afghanistan


These are LOCKS my friends.
Bet on themif you are in Vegas!

i really hope that johnny depp will win for best actor and sean astin for best supporting actor.that cate blanchette wins for best actress and that peter jackon wins for lotr! and that LOTR:ROTK WINS FOR BEST PICTURE YAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYY!

If you didn't see it, go see Mystic River back in theatres Friday, January 23, 2004. I've already said my views on most films, but I hope Big Fish isn't snubbed. I doubt it will get a best picture nod, although it should. It deserves a nod here:
Picture, Director, Actor (McGregor), Supporting Actor (Finney), Art/set Decoration, Cinematograpy, Costume Design, Film Editing, Score, and Song.
Maybe Supporting Actress: Jessica Lange

and Adapted screenplay, my bad

oh how exciting! mystic river being rereleased! i'm going to have to go see it again - i loved it.

MY FINAL OSCAR PREDICTIONS!!!!!

BEST PICTURE
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Cold Mountain
Seabiscuit
Lost in Translation
Mystic River

This catergory is pretty much sewn up. Right now, I see RINGS winning, though I think MOUNTAIN or RIVER deserve it more - even TRANSLATION.

BEST DIRECTOR
Peter Jackson, "The Lord of the Rings"
Anthony Minghella, "Cold Mountain"
Sofia Coppola, "Lost in Translation"
Peter Weir, "Master and Commander
Clint Eastwood, "Mystic River"

This catergory is a little harder to predict because the final slot could easily go a million different ways.
Weir, Coppola, Eastwood and Jackson are locks from their DGA nods, and so on. Minghella is the wild card, he'll strive for the fifth spot, and I think he will get it. Right now, it looks like Jackson will win the Oscar, but that could change after the DGA's.

BEST ACTOR
Jude Law, "Cold Mountain"
Sean Penn, "Mystic River"
Bill Murray, "Lost in Translation"
Ben Kinglsey, "House of Sand and Fog"
Russell Crowe, "Master and Commander"

Penn and Murray are locks for sure. Kingsley is an almost sure bet, but Law and Crowe could both easily be snubbed for Depp or Cruise. I think that Law and Crowe will make it to the shortlist, though, and deservingly-so for both. Look to Penn for the win.

BEST ACTRESS
Charlize Theron, "Monster"
Diane Keaton, "Something's Gotta Give"
Nicole Kidman, "Cold Mountain"
Naomi Watts, "21 Grams"
Jennifer Connelly, "House of Sand and Fog"

I'm sticking to my guns with the first four, Connelly is the wild car though. I think Evan Rachel Wood or Uma Thurman could take her place very easily, especially with Connelly's excessive snubbing. But, I think this is how it will turn out come Jan. 27!!! Theron WILL win, and I am very excited for that!

SUPPORTING ACTOR
Tim Robbins, "Mystic River"
Ken Watanabe, "The Last Samurai"
Albert Finney, "Big Fish"
Alec Baldwin, "The Cooler"
Benicio Del Toro, "21 Grams"

If any of my predictions, Del Toro will get snubbed. Robbins will win.

SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Renee Zellweger, "Cold Mountain"
Marcia Gay Harden, "Mystic River"
Holly Hunter, "Thirteen"
Patricia Clarkson, "Pieces of April"
Scarlett Johansson, "Lost in Translation"

Johansson should go lead because that's her role, it's lead! So she may end up there, but she will end up somewhere come Oscar morning. If Johansson is pushed to lead and knocks out Connelly, then look for Maria Bello to get a nod here for "The Cooler." But, of course, none of the contenders stand against Zellweger's virtuoso performance in "Cold Mountain." Look for her to snag her overdue Oscar.

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Finding Nemo
Lost in Translation
In America
The Station Agent
21 Grams

Nemo, Translation and America are locked. Translation for the win, definately, with America trailing shortly behind. But then there's Agent and Grams, the last two slots are anyone's guess, but I think I'm accurate here.

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Cold Mountain
Mystic River
Lord of the Rings: Return of the Kind
American Splendor
Master and Commander

Mountain and River are locked, one of them will win the Oscar, my prediction is in favor of Mountain. Splendor and Rings will definately make the final cut, but Master and Commander is the long shot - it will be close, but it will get the fifth slot. Look for Mountain to take the Oscar.

BEST SCORE
Cold Mountain
The Last Samurai
Big Fish
Finding Nemo
Girl with the Pearl Earring

Mountain is a lock, Rings will be a close fifth with Earring just ahead of it, the others are sure-fire. Look for Mountain to win.

BEST SONG
"Into the West" from "Lord of the Rings"
"You will be my Ain True Love" from "Cold Mountain"
"Time Enough for Tears" from "In America"
"Man of the Hour" from "Big Fish"
"The Heart of Every Girl" from "Mona Lisa Smile"

Look for "Into the West" to take the Oscar.

ANIMATED FEATURE
"Finding Nemo"
"The Triplets of Belleville"
"Brother Bear"

Uh Duh. Nemo for win.

CINEMATOGRAPHY
"Cold Mountain"
"Girl with the Pearl Earring"
"The Lord of the Rings"
"Seabiscuit"
"The Last Samurai"

Look for "Mountain" to take this Oscar.

FOREIGN FILM
"The Barbarian Invasions", Canada
"Osama", Afghanistan
"Goodbye, Lenin", Germany
"I'm Not Scared", Italy
"The Return", Russia

Look for INVASIONS to take the award.

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
"Capturing the Friedmans"
"The Fog of War"
"Bus 174"
"My Flesh and Blood"
"Charlie: The Life and Art of Charlie Chaplin"

Capturing the Friedmans will win - no doubt - biggest lock aside from Zellweger.

ART DIRECTION
"Cold Mountain"
"Lord of the Rings"
"Master and Commander"
"The Last Samurai"
"Seabiscuit"

Cold Mountain will win.

FILM EDITING
"Cold Mountain"
"The Lord of the Rings"
"Mystic River"
"The Last Samurai"
"Seabiscuit"

Look for Cold Mountain to win this one too - Last Samurai close second.

SOUND
"Cold Mountain"
"Lord of the Rings"
"Master and Commander"
"The Last Samurai"
"Seabiscuit"

Look for Master and Commander to take this Oscar, Cold Mountain is a close second.

SOUND EDITING
"Finding Nemo"
"Lord of the Rings"
"Master and Commander"
"Kill Bill"
"Pirates of the Carribean"

Look for Nemo to pull this one off.

MAKEUP
"Monster"
"Pirates of the Carribean"
"Peter Pan"

Look for Peter Pan to walk off with at least one Oscar.

COSTUMES
"Peter Pan"
"Cold Mountain"
"The Last Samurai"
"Seabiscuit"
"Master and Commander"

Look for Cold Mountain to take this prize, Samurai right behind it.

VISUAL EFFECTS
"The Lord of the Rings"
"Pirates of the Carribean"
"Master and Commander"
"X-Men 2"
"The Hulk"

Lord of the Rings will win this one....AGAIN.

TALLY:

NOMINATIONS:
COLD MOUNTAIN: 13
LORD OF THE RINGS: 10
MASTER AND COMMANDER: 8
MYSTIC RIVER: 7
SEABISCUIT: 6
LOST IN TRANSLATION: 5
FINDING NEMO: 3

WINS:

MONSTER: 1/1 noms
COLD MOUNTAIN: 7/13 noms
LORD OF THE RINGS: 4/10 noms
FINDING NEMO: 2/3 noms
MYSTIC RIVER: 2/7 noms
PETER PAN: 1/2 noms
LOST IN TRANSLATION: 1/5 noms
MASTER AND COMMANDER: 1/8 noms

Hello everyone , this's the first time that I will post my predictions. I just hope not have a mistake . I know that many nominations could sound crazy .
I want u to tell me what u think about'em

BEST MOVIE

- LOST IN TRANSLATION
- THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING
- SEABISCUIT
- COLD MOUNTAIN
- MYSTIC RIVER
I know many of you can think that Lost in Translation is a crazy prediction but it'll be in It has great buzz great box office great reviews , and if it has Best actor and Best Supporting Actress i think the Academy will nominate it for Best Movie.

BEST DIRECTOR

- PETER JACKSON: ROTK
- JIM SHERIDAN: IN AMERICA
- SOFIA COPPOLA: LOST IN TRANSLATION
- CLIENT EASTWOOD: MYSTIC RIVER
- ANTHONY MINGHELLA: COLD MOUNTAIN

I think these five are going to be the nominess , i'm sure Jim Sheridan will steal Weir's nomination , because Weir has lost buzz since the begining of the year , buthe still having chances , because there's one who is vulnerable: Anthony Minghella is not sure....

BEST ACTOR

- JHONNY DEEP
- BEN KINGSLEY
- SEAN PENN
- BILL MURRAY
- RUSSEL CROWE

BEST ACTRESS

- NICOLE KIDMAN
- CHARLIZE THERON
- DIANE KEATON
- NAOMI WATTS
- EVAN RACHEL WOOD

BEST SUP. ACTRESS

- RENEE ZELLEWEGER
- MARIA BELLO
- HOLLY HUNTER
- PATRICIA CLARKSON
- SCARLETT JOHANSON

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

- TIM ROBBINS: MYSTIC RIVER
- ALBERT FINNEY: BIG FISH
- BENICIO DEL TORO: 21 GRAMS
- ALEC BALDWIN: THE COOLER
- KEN WATANABE: THE LAST SAMURAI


BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

- MYSTIC RIVER
- THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING
- COLD MOUNTAIN
-MASTER & COMMANDER
- AMERICAN SPLENDOR

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

- LOST IN TRANSLATION
- 21 GRAMS
- IN AMERICA
- FINDING NEMO
- THE STATION AGENT

nice predictions JONATAN except for Ken Watanabe-Sean Astin and over Crowe(who i hate) Jude Law.

Golden Globe Preditction

Best Picture (Drama):
Winner: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Alternate: Cold Mountain
Should Win: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Best Picture (Musical/Comedy):
Winner: Big Fish
Alternate: Lost in Translation/Finding Nemo
Should Win: Big Fish or Finding Nemo

Best Actor (Drama):
Winner: Jude Law
Alternate: Sean Penn
Should Win: Jude Law

Best Actress (Drama):
Winner: Charlize Theron
Alternate: Evan Rachel Wood
Should Win: Charlize Theron

Best Actor (Musical/Comedy):
Winner: Johnny Depp
Alternate: Bill Murray
Should Win: Johnny Depp

Best Actress (Musical/Comedy):
Winner: Diane Keaton
Alternate: Scarlett Johansson
Should Win: Scarlett Johansson

Best Supporting Actor:
Winner: Tim Robbins
Alternate: Albert Finney
Should Win: Tim Robbins

Best Supporting Actress:
Winner: Renee Zelwegger
Alternate: Patricia Clarkson
Should Win: Renee Zelwegger

Best Director:
Winner: Peter Jackson
Alternate: Clint Eastwood
Should Win: Peter Jackson

Best Original Score:
Winner: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Alternate: Big Fish
Should Win: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Best Original Song:
Winner: Big Fish
Alternate: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Should Win: Big Fish or The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Shut The Fuck up Maxx..... Kill Bill sucked.
No Way that movie is goin to win anything

Carolyn-

Okay, this is the scenario you've predicted:
Towards the end of Oscar night, Cold Mountain has 7 wins, ROTK with 3, one of them pretty much useless towards BP (song). Then they announce this year's best picture, and it's NOT Cold Mountain. It's ROTK, who didn't look like the winner all night, or all month with the prediction count.

THIS IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!

By the way, this doesn't mean CM will win Best Picture, either.
It means COLD MOUNTAIN WILL NOT WIN 7 ACADEMY AWARDS!

I'm sorry, but jeez! How can you think that could happen? Can you PLEASE except the fact that Cold Mountain is not going to be big at the Oscars??!!?!? It would be SO MUCH less annoying for all of us who post at Bloggerman. Thanks! :-)

Devin,

Deep, Kingsley , Murray, and Penn are locks, but Crowe is vulnerable, Jude Law could surprise us like he did in the BAFTAS or even Tom Cruise could get in, I really don't know, but the Academy loves Crowe, so THAT'S THE ONLY REASON WHY i go for him.
I really would have like to seen Sean Astin getting a nod, but only a miracle can help him to get in, i hope it happend really, i'll be happy to have mistaken if he get a nod this Tuesday, HE AND THE MOVIE REALLY DESERVE IT.

About ur globes predictions i'm agree with Picture (drama), but in Comedy i'm not, I'm sure that finding nemo will win, or maybe lost in translation, but big fish is impossible, about actor i think it could go to Kingsley or Penn, but Law is a bad choice, in comedy it will go to Murray i'm sure, maybe Deep can steal it but no much hopes, About actress everything is so predictable i'm totally agree, About The supporting categorys i'm agree, but i don't believe Renee Zelleweger could win a third Globe i'd go for Patricia Clarkson , Director and Original score i'm totally agree with you, but the best Original Song will go to INTO THE WEST.

good predictions...

Anonymous- (the post above this)

I'm sorry there's just one thing that is annoying me....
It's DEPP! JOHNNY DEPP! NOT DEEP!

sorry, that was bugging me, lol.
Good insights on the awards.
Astin could upset. His campaign was in time for Oscars, not SAG's.
It's doubtful, but you never know....
Plus it would be one of the very few times that the Best Picture winner would go without an acting nod. The academy hasn't done that in almost ten years, and I'm reeeeeeally hoping that they will keep that trend going.

okay - uhm i don't have cold mountain for best picture win - but i think (in my predix above) that i am accurate: that is how it will turn out in my HONEST opinion. accept it or not, i'm not playing favorites, but i think this is how it will go down.

The only reason I chose Big Fish to win the Globe is because they know the Academy has locked LiT over M&C. Or maybe I'm just bias because the movie kicked ass. Not like Cold mountain did and very much not like LOTR did, but still amazing and original.

Okay before I put in my final predictions I just have one thing to say BIig Fish was a great film. (Devin totally agreeing with you on the nominations it should get)

Best Picture:
LOTR: ROTK
Cold Mountain
Mystic River
Seabiscuit
Master and Commander

*The Winner goes to of course LOTR: ROTK with Mystic I believe its only contender. If it were my opinion Cold Mountain and Master would be out of their with Big FIsh and In America slipping in.

Best Director:
Peter Jackson, LOTR ROTK
Clint Eastwood, Mystic River
Sofia Coppola, Lost in Translation
Peter Weir, Master...
Jim Sheridon, In America

*Peter Jackson will win of course. The last spot deserves to go to Sheridon or Burton either one and I will be satisfied, but not Minigella.

Best Actor:
Sean Penn, Mystic River
Bill Murray, Lost in Translation
Johnny Depp, Pirates...
Ben Kingsly, House of sand/fog
Russel Crowe, Master...

*Sean Penn's moving performance is the oscar worthy role here and look for him to get the win.(sorry Bill) Bill Murray a close second. But the most entertaining award would go to Johnny Depp.(hilarious)I would like to see Kingsly and Crowe out for Jude LAw and Ewan Mcgregor but I don't see it happening.

Best Actress:
Charlize Theron, Monster
Naomi Watts, 21 Grams
Diane Keaton, Something's Gotta Give
NIcole Kidman, Cold Mountain
Even Rachel Wood, thirteen

*Winner will be Theron but in my opinion it should be Watts. Blanchett also deserves a nom but i don't see her getting in.

Best Supp Actor:
Tim Robbins, Mystic River
Albert Finney, Big Fish
Ken Watenbe, Last Samurai
Alec Baldwin, The Cooler
Sean Astin, LOTR: ROTK

*Tim Robbins will get the win(well deserved). But I would rather see the award go to Finney(whose 0 for 5 with the academy) or Astin who was just awesome.

Best Supp Actress:
Renee Zelweger, Cold MOuntain
Marcia Gay Harden, Mystic River
Holly Hunter, Thirteen
Patricia Clarkson, Pieces of April
Scarlett Johansson, Lost in Translation

*Zelweger will get the win. nuff said.

Best Original Screenplay:
Lost in Translation
Finding Nemo
21 Grams
In America
Last Samurai

*Translation will get the win. In America close second with Nemo in third.

Best Adapted Screenplay:
Mystic River
Cold Mountain
LOTR: ROTK
Master and Comandeer
Big Fish

*LOTR: ROTK will and should win. I would like to see Big Fish get the nom but Seabiscuit or some other movie may take its place.

Best Original Score:
Cold Mountain
Big Fish
LOTR: ROTK
Finding Nemo
Last Samurai

*Cold Mountain will win. (much to my dismay, another loss for Big Fish)

Best Original Song:
"Into the West", LOTR
"Man of the Hour", Big Fish
"You will be my Ain True Love", Cold Mountain
"Time Enough for Tears", In America
Mona Lisa Smile song

*Into the West with the win. only other winners i will accept is big fish and in america.

Best Cinematography:(spelling?)
LOTR: ROTK
Cold Mountian
Big Fish
Last Samurai
Seabiscuit

*LOTR will win with Big Fish adn Seabiscuit close second.

Best Animated Film:
*Nemo wins

Best Visual Effects:
LOTR
Master in Comandeer
Pirates...

*LOTR will win.

Best Art Direction:
LOTR
Cold Mountain
Seabiscuit
Master...
Big Fish

*LOTR will win.

Best Film Editing:
LOTR
Cold MOuntain
Mystic River
The LAst Samurai
Seabiscuit

*LOTR will win

Best Sound:
LOTR
Master...
Cold Mountain
The LAst Samurai
Finding Nemo

*LOTR will win

Best Sound Editing:
LOTR
Finding Nemo
Master...
Kill Bill
Seabiscuit

*Look for Finding Nemo to come away with the victory.

Best Makeup:
Pirates...
LOTR
Peter Pan

*Pirates with the win

Best Costume:
Samurai
Cold Mountain
Seabiscuit
Pirates
LOTR

*THe Last Samurai gets a win

I apologize for the absence of Foregin and documentary feature I do not no enough about the category to post it.

Tally:
NOminations-
LOTR=14
Cold Mountain=11
Mystic River=7
Seabiscuit=6
Master And Comander=8
Big Fish=6
Samurai=7
Lost in Translation=4

Winners-
LOTR= 9/14
Cold MOuntain= 2/11 (just like Gangs of New york)
Mystic River= 2/7
Finding Nemo= 2/3
Lost in Translation= 1/4
Monster= 1/1
Samurai= 1/7
Pirates= 1/3

ABOUT "ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE"

None actress have been nominated 3 times since 1981, when Meryl Streep was Nominated in 1981, 1982 and 1983 , so if Nicole Kidman get nominated this year she will be the one actress since 1983 (it means since 20 years ago) to have 3 nominations in a row , It'd be wonderful, ahh.. and she would become the eighth actress to have more than 2 nominates in a row, this record only has been gotten by the following actress:

BETTE DAVIS: 1938, 1939 ,1940,1941, 1942 (5 nominations in a row)
GREER GARSON: 1942, 1943, 1944, 1945 (4 nominations in a row)
INGRID BERGMAN : 1943, 1944, 1945 (3 nominations in a raw)
DEBORAH KEER: 1956, 1957, 1958 (3 nominations in a raw)
ELIZBETH TAYLOR: 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960 (4 nominations in a row)
JANE FONDA: 1977, 1978,1979 (3 nominations in a raw)
MERYL STREEP: 1981, 1982, 1983 (3 nominations in a raw)

GOOD LUCK NICOLE!!!!!!!!!!

"ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE"

None actress have been nominated 3 times in a row since 1981, when Meryl Streep was Nominated in 1981, 1982 and 1983 , so if Nicole Kidman get nominated this year she will be the one actress since 1983 (it means since 20 years ago) to have 3 nominations in a row , It'd be wonderful, ahh.. and she would become the eighth actress to have more than 2 nominates in a row, this record only has been gotten by the following actress:

BETTE DAVIS: 1938, 1939 ,1940,1941, 1942 (5 nominations in a row)
GREER GARSON: 1942, 1943, 1944, 1945 (4 nominations in a row)
INGRID BERGMAN : 1943, 1944, 1945 (3 nominations in a raw)
DEBORAH KEER: 1956, 1957, 1958 (3 nominations in a raw)
ELIZBETH TAYLOR: 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960 (4 nominations in a row)
JANE FONDA: 1977, 1978,1979 (3 nominations in a raw)
MERYL STREEP: 1981, 1982, 1983 (3 nominations in a raw)

GOOD LUCK NICOLE!!!!!!!!!!1

My predictions:

Best Picture:
American Splendor
Big Fish
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Lost in Translation
Mystic River

Alternative winner: Lost in Translation
Wildcard: American Splendor
Potential alternatives: Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World and Cold Mountain

Best Actor:
Johnny Depp, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Paul Giamatti, American Splendor
Ben Kingsley, House of Sand and Fog
Bill Murray, Lost in Translation
Sean Penn, Mystic River

Alternative winner: Bill Murray
Wildcard: Paul Giamatti
Potential alternatives: Tom Cruise, The Last Samurai; Russell Crowe, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World; Peter Dinklage, The Station Agent; and Billy Bob Thornton, Bad Santa

Best Actress:
Hope Davis, American Splendor (or The Secret Lives of Dentists)
Scarlett Johansson, Lost in Translation
Charlize Theron, Monster
Naomi Watts, 21 Grams
Evan Rachel Wood, Thirteen

Alternative winner: Naomi Watts
Wildcard: Scarlett Johansson
Potential alternatives: Nicole Kidman, Cold Mountain; Diane Keaton, Something's Gotta Give; and Jennifer Connelly, House of Sand and Fog

Best Supporting Actor:
Alec Baldwin, The Cooler
Albert Finney, Big Fish
Eugene Levy, A Mighty Wind
Tim Robbins, Mystic River
Peter Sarsgaard, Shattered Glass

Alternative winner: Tim Robbins
Wildcard: Eugene Levy
Potential alternatives: Sean Astin, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King; Benicio del Toro, 21 Grams; and Ken Watanabe, The Last Samurai

Best Supporting Actress:
Shohreh Aghdashloo, House of Sand and Fog
Maria Bello, The Cooler
Patricia Clarkson, Pieces of April (or The Station Agent)
Holly Hunter, Thirteen
Renee Zellweger, Cold Mountain

Alternative winner: Patricia Clarkson
Wildcard: Shohreh Aghdashloo
Potential alternatives: Marcia Gay Harden or Laura Linney, Mystic River

Best Director:
Sofia Coppola, Lost in Translation
Clint Eastwood, Mystic River
Peter Jackson, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Anthony Minghella, Cold Mountain
Peter Weir, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World

Alternative winner: Sofia Coppola
Wildcard: Peter Weir
Potential alternatives: Gary Ross, Seabiscuit; Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini, American Splendor

A couple of weeks ago when I went to see 'The Return of the King', I knew that anything short of absolute perfection would be a huge disapointment to anyone who has seen the first two films. After I walked out of the movie theater, I was in tears. Not only is this epic blockbuster truly the greatest film of our time, it surpasses other classics like 'Star Wars' and 'The Godfather'. The main ingredient that separates this film from others box office monsters like 'The Matrix' and 'Pirates of the Carribean', is it's heart. The emotional performance by Sean Astin can and will bring tears even to the most skeptical. That's all I have to say about that. Oh, and to all the idiots out there who think 'Cold Mountain' is a great film, I honestly don't see it winning anything come Oscar night. It's basically a rip-off of great films like 'Gone with the Wind' and 'From Here to Enternity'. Now that I've gotten that outta my system, I can give you my picks.
(Heres a tip: Three days ago, I accidentally built a time machine and visited Oscar night. What I tell you now is what happened)

Best Picture:
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Notable Nominees:
Mystic River
Lost in Translation
Master and Commander
House of Sand and Fog


Best Director:
Peter Jackson: The Return of the King

Notable Nominees:
Sophia Coppola: Lost in Translation
Clint Eastwood: Mystic River
Peter Weir: Master and Commander
Edward Zwick: The Last Samuri


Best Actor:
Sean Penn: Mystic River

Notable Nominees:
Bill Murray: Lost in Translation
Russel Crowe: Master and Commander
Tom Cruise: The Last Samuri
Ben Kingsley: House of Sand and Fog



Best Actress:
Charlize Theron: Monster

Notable Nominees:
Nicole Kidman: Cold Mountain
Diane Keaton: Somethings Gotta Give
Jeniffer Connelly: House of Sand and Fog
Noami Watts: 21 Grams


Best Supporting Actor:
Tim Robbins: Mystic River

Notable Nominees:
Sean Astin: The Return of the King
Ken Wantanabe: The Last Samuri
Alec Baldwin: The Cooler
Albert Finney: Big Fish


Best Supporting Actress:
Marcia Gay Harden: Mystic River

Notable Nominees:
Renee Zellwegger: Cold Mountain
Scarlet Johanssen: Lost in Translation
Holly Hunter: Thirteen
Patricia Clarckson: Pieces of April


Best Cinemetography:
The Return of the King

Notable Nominees:
Cold Mountain
The Last Samuri
Master and Commander
Seabiscuit


Best Animated Film:
Finding Nemo

Notable Nominees:
None


Best Visual Effects:
The Return of the King

Notable Nominees:
Finding Nemo
Cold Mountain
Pirates of the Carribean
Master and Commander


Best Original Score:
The Return of the King

Notable Nominees:
Cold Mountain
Seabiscuit
The Last Samuri
Big Fish


Best Original Song:
"Into the West": The Return of the King

Notable Nominees:
"You Will Be My Ain' True Love": Cold Mountain
"Man of the Hour": Big Fish

Best Original Screenplay:
Lost in Translation

Notable Nominees:
Finding Nemo
21 Grams
In America
The Last Samuri

Best Adapted Screenply:
The Return of the King

Notable Nominees:
Seabiscuit
Cold Mountain
Mystic River
Big Fish


Art Direction:
The Return of the King

Notable Nominees:
Finding Nemo
Cold Mountain
Master and Commander
The Last Samuri

The score:
The Return of the King 9, Cold Mountain zilch.



PS: No Cold Mounaineers, I'm not biased in my picks, I simply tell the truth and it's time you losers started watching some REALLY good movies (i.e. The Return of the King)