Here are more Oscar picks, wishes and snubs gearing up for Sunday night's ceremony.
Adam Bender Eagle Staff Writer
The Oscars are this Sunday, and as excited for them as I am right now, I'm sure it will all dissipate as soon as I turn on the T.V. and see Joan Rivers and crew accosting frightened celebrities on the red carpet. But then again, Chris Rock should live up to his last name and be hilarious, and there's definitely a lot of close races this year. Sure, they might do what they always do and give awards out to the people that should have won awards three years ago for that much better movie, but you never know, right?
Best Picture
What Will Win: "Million Dollar Baby"
The most emotional movie of the bunch. It's got momentum, and people love it.
What Should Win: "The Aviator"
It's probably the best, but the Academy will most likely give it Best Director instead so that they can get Clint Eastwood to the podium for the top prize.
What's Missing: "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind"
On the strong foundation of a Charlie Kaufman script, it's hard not to like "Eternal Sunshine." However, the movie is being severely overlooked mainly because it came out too early in the year.
Best Director
What Will Win: Martin Scorsese, "The Aviator"
Despite his household name and great track record, Scorsese has never won an Academy Award. Guilt plays a big role in Oscar decisions, and the film is pretty decent too.
Who Should Win: Martin Scorsese, "The Aviator"
Because I can't believe Scorsese has never won an oscar!
Who's Missing: Michel Gondry, "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind"
Because the film had style, and Gondry got one of the best performances out of Jim Carrey I've seen.
Best Actor
Who Will Win: Jamie Foxx, "Ray"
Just like the Golden Globes, the Academy will pay their respects to the late Ray Charles by giving an award to his double Jamie Foxx.
Who Should Win: Jamie Foxx, "Ray"
The death of Ray Charles aside, Jamie Foxx really brought the man to life and is an exceptional rising star in Hollywood.
Who's Missing: Jim Carrey, "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind"
The third movie Carrey has been unfairly passed over for a nomination (the others being "The Truman Show" and "Man on the Moon") and his best yet. One wonders if the guy will ever be recognized for his serious work.
Best Actress
Who Will Win: Hilary Swank, "Million Dollar Baby"
Swank is a great actress, and her role in "Million Dollar Baby" has that emotional appeal the Academy really goes for.
Who Should Win: Kate Winslet, "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," Winslet plays an extroverted, anti-Winslet role and pulls it off with ease.
Who's Missing: Uma Thurman, "Kill Bill, Vol. 2"
Uma made "Kill Bill" an instant classic and put other heroine movies like "Charlie's Angels" to shame.
Best Supporting Actor
Who Will Win: Morgan Freeman, "Million Dollar Baby"
People love Morgan Freeman, and he's already been nominated three times without winning.
Who Should Win: Jamie Foxx, "Collateral"
I never realized how good of an actor Jamie Foxx was until I saw "Collateral."
Who's Missing: Tom Cruise, "Collateral"
Tom Cruise plays a hauntingly likable bad guy in one of his most intense roles to date. And yes, he was supporting, classifying Foxx as the support is just as B.S. as when the Academy did it to Ethan Hawke for "Training Day."
Best Supporting Actress
Who Will Win: Cate Blanchett, "The Aviator"
As usual, Blanchett's acting is superb.
Who Should Win: Virginia Madsen, "Sideways"
Before "Sideways," Madsen was in a lot of not-so-great films. Her performance in "Sideways" is her best ever, but she'll be overlooked because the Academy is biased against comedy.
Who's Missing: Natalie Portman, "Garden State"
Portman was so awesome in "Garden State," they had to give her a protective helmet.
Lisa Petak Eagle Contributing Writer
It's that time of year again, when the rich and beautiful of Hollywood surround themselves with the glow of camera flashes and, hopefully, the glow of a little golden statue in his or her perfectly manicured grasp. And we, the "little people," toast their trade with a glass of champagne (well, here it would be sparkling cider) and wish we were giving our own acceptance speech. Yes, it is Oscar season. However glamorous and entertaining Joan Rivers may be, the excitement of the Academy Awards comes from the race, one that seems to be far tighter than last year's Hobbit sweep. So, with all the accuracy any critic and movie buff could have, here are my picks, wishes, and snubs.
Best Picture
Pick: "Million Dollar Baby"
Clint Eastwood did a masterful job with his direction, his poignant portrayal of boxing-coach-turned-surrogate-father and yes, even the score. This will be Clint's big night, since he's not going away with Directing.
Wish: "Sideways"
If the Academy has any heart and any love for the underdog, they'll pick critical favorite "Sideways," and give the buddy film the love it deserves.
Snub: "Hotel Rwanda"
It was a sad day when "Ray" got the nod and "Rwanda" didn't, but at least it's safe to say "Ray" won't go home with the prize.
Best Director
Pick: Martin Scorsese, "The Aviator"
Clint Eastwood is amazing, we know this; he doesn't need another Oscar to prove it. However, Martin Scorsese does need one this year, since he's never won.
Wish: Alexander Payne, "Sideways"
If there was a little more justice in the world, Scorsese would already have five and Payne and his "Sideways" could win.
Snub: Michel Gondry, "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind"
His masterful "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" deserves as much praise as we can give it.
Best Actor
Pick: Leonardo DiCaprio, "The Aviator"
Yes, all the hype is for Jamie Foxx's "Ray" Charles, but Leo's had this character eight-years in the making, and Academy voters have liked him since "Marvin's Room."
Wish: Leonardo DiCaprio, "The Aviator"
Foxx doesn't have enough on his resum? for this one, and while his Ray Charles was dead-on, it was an impersonation without any real sign of individual insight.
Snub: Gael Garc¡a Bernal, "The Motorcycle Diaries"
His Che Guevara deserves one, especially since "The Motorcycle Diaries" didn't even get a Best Foreign Language Film nomination.
Best Actress
Pick: Annette Bening, "Being Julia"
When Bening and her "American Beauty" fame lost to indie actress Hilary Swank from "Boys Don't Cry," there was a feeling that Bening lost what should have been hers. She'll make up for it with her role in Being Julia on Sunday.
Wish: Kate Winslet, "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind"
My vote would go for Winslet's Clementine in "Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind," and though she's an Oscar-nod favorite, she's never come away with the statue.
Snub: No one!
I think this year's Best Actress roundup is nicely balanced, and amazingly, Nicole Kidman isn't even on the list (for good reason this year).
Best Supporting Actress
Pick: Cate Blanchett, "The Aviator"
Her Katherine Hepburn was dead on in "The Aviator," and no post-Golden Globe steam from Natalie Portman's stripper in "Closer" is going to take that away from her.
Wish: Cate Blanchett, "The Aviator"
Kate may be long gone, but Cate brought her to life.
Snub: Sandra Oh, "Sideways"
I would have loved a "Sideways" match-up between Madsen and co-love-interest Sandra Oh, but it looks like comedy didn't get the lauding it deserved.
Best Supporting Actor
Pick: Morgan Freeman, "Million Dollar Baby"
Everyone seems to be rooting for under-dog Thomas Haden-Church and his eternal-bachelor with black and blue puppy eyes from "Sideways," but I'm hoping for veteran (but never winner) Freeman.
Wish: Morgan Freeman, "Million Dollar Baby"
His washed-up boxer and friendly narrator in "Million Dollar Baby" will, hopefully, finally give him the kudos he deserves.
Snub: Peter Llewelyn Davies, "Finding Neverland"
To add some flavor to the mix, I was hoping for the adorable Davies of "Finding Neverland," but I guess nominating an 11-year-old is too bold for the Academy.
