78th Annual Academy Awards Nominations, And the nominees are.... Options

[*Zatanna*]

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Philip Seymour Hoffman - CAPOTE
Terrence Howard - HUSTLE & FLOW
Heath Ledger - BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
Joaquin Phoenix - WALK THE LINE
David Strathairn - GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK.

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
George Clooney - SYRIANA
Matt Dillon - CRASH
Paul Giamatti - CINDERELLA MAN
Jake Gyllenhaal - BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
William Hurt - A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Judi Dench - MRS. HENDERSON PRESENTS
Felicity Huffman - TRANSAMERICA
Keira Knightley - PRIDE & PREJUDICE
Charlize Theron - NORTH COUNTRY
Reese Witherspoon - WALK THE LINE

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Amy Adams - JUNEBUG
Catherine Keener - CAPOTE
Frances McDormand - NORTH COUNTRY
Rachel Weisz - THE CONSTANT GARDENER
Michelle Williams - BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM OF THE YEAR
HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE
TIM BURTON'S CORPSE BRIDE
WALLACE & GROMIT IN THE CURSE OF THE WERE-RABBIT

ACHIEVEMENT IN ART DIRECTION
GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK.
HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE
KING KONG
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA
PRIDE & PREJUDICE

ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMATOGRAPHY
BATMAN BEGINS
BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK.
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA
THE NEW WORLD

ACHIEVEMENT IN COSTUME DESIGN
CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA
MRS. HENDERSON PRESENTSPRIDE & PREJUDICE
WALK THE LINE

ACHIEVEMENT IN DIRECTING
BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
CAPOTE
CRASH
GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK.
MUNICH

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
DARWIN'S NIGHTMARE
ENRON: THE SMARTEST GUYS IN THE ROOM
MARCH OF THE PENGUINS
MURDERBALL
STREET FIGHT

BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT
THE DEATH OF KEVIN CARTER: CASUALTY OF THE BANG BANG CLUB
GOD SLEEPS IN RWANDA
THE MUSHROOM CLUB
A NOTE OF TRIUMPH: THE GOLDEN AGE OF NORMAN CORWIN

ACHIEVEMENT IN FILM EDITING
CINDERELLA MAN
THE CONSTANT GARDENER
CRASH
MUNICH
WALK THE LINE

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM OF THE YEAR
DON'T TELL
JOYEUX NOèL
PARADISE NOW
SOPHIE SCHOLL - THE FINAL DAYS
TSOTSI

ACHIEVEMENT IN MAKEUP
THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE
CINDERELLA MAN
STAR WARS: EPISODE III REVENGE OF THE SITH

ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC WRITTEN FOR MOTION PICTURES
(ORIGINAL SCORE)
BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
THE CONSTANT GARDENER
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA
MUNICH
PRIDE & PREJUDICE

ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC WRITTEN FOR MOTION PICTURES
(ORIGINAL SONG)
"In the Deep" - CRASH
"It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp" - HUSTLE & FLOW  *snicker*
"Travelin' Thru" - TRANSAMERICA

BEST MOTION PICTURE OF THE YEAR
BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
CAPOTE
CRASH
GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK.
MUNICH

BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM
BADGERED
THE MOON AND THE SON: AN IMAGINED CONVERSATION
THE MYSTERIOUS GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORATIONS OF JASPER MORELLO
9
ONE MAN BAND

BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM
AUSREISSER (THE RUNAWAY)
CASHBACK
THE LAST FARM
OUR TIME IS UP
SIX SHOOTER

ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND EDITING
KING KONG
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA
WAR OF THE WORLDS

ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND MIXING
THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE
KING KONG
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA
WALK THE LINE
WAR OF THE WORLDS

ACHIEVEMENT IN VISUAL EFFECTS
THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE
KING KONG
WAR OF THE WORLDS

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
CAPOTE
THE CONSTANT GARDENER
A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE
MUNICH

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
CRASH
GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK.
MATCH POINT
THE SQUID AND THE WHALE
SYRIANA

Any thoughts or predictions. I can't make any now since I'm at work, but I will later.

[Levy2k6]

My Picks

Performance by Male Actor in Leading Role: Joaquin Phoenix
Actor in Supporting Role: Jake Gyllenhaal
Actress in Leading Role: Reese Witherspoon
actress in supporting Role: -
Animated Movie: TIM BURTON'S CORPSE BRIDE
Art Direction: Memoirs of a Geisha
Cinematography: Memoirs of a Geisha
Custom Design: Memoirs of a Geisha
Direction: -
Documentary: March of the Penguins
Short Subject Documentary: -
Film Editing : WALK THE LINE!
Foreign Language: -
Music (Original Score) - Memoirs of a Geisha
Original Song - HUSTLE AND FLOW!
Motion Picture of Year: -
Animated Short: -
Live Action Short: -
Sound Editing: War of the Worlds
Sound Mixing: Walk the Line
Visual Effects: King Kong
Adapted Screenplay: -
Original Screenplay: -

yes, i love Memoirs of a Geisha.. i'm still 3/4s through the book... and i loved Walk The Line.. lol

[hi-C]

^ As good as Joaqin was in Walk the Line, Phillip Seymour Hoffman is going to get it. Hoffman has been winning everything this awards season.

Supporting I'm undecided about. Jake isn't going to get it even though I really really want him to. And Paul Giamatti pulled an upset on Sunday when he won the SAG award in that category. My money's on Jake or George.

Lead Actress goes to Felicity Huffman though it's a close call between her and Reese.

Michelle Williams should get the Supporting Actress but that one's probably going to go to Rachel Weisz. Rachel's been winning everything she's up for.

Best Picture goes to Brokeback as well as Best Direction and Best Adapted Screenplay.

Cinematography goes to The New World.

Documentary goes to Murderball.

[voguelove]

danggg. memoirs has 6 nom.

[*Zatanna*]

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Heath Ledger - BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN

My heart breaks for Heath Ledger, it really does. This should be *his* year. I saw Capote and Hoffman was genius as usual, but this has academy's darling written all over it. Bummer.

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
George Clooney - SYRIANA

Tough call. Paul Giamatti is an amazing character actor. I haven't seen Syriana, but I've heard nothing but brillant about Clooney's performance. It's a toss up (especially since Clooney won the Globe and Giamatti got the SAG).

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Felicity Huffman - TRANSAMERICA

This is the catagory (and selection) that irritates me the most. I'm sorry, but what in the world is Keira Knightley being nominated for? No offense and Pride and Prejudice was a lovely film, but I think they were grasping at straws for this nod. Witherspoon might win by default (she sang her own songs, cried on cue, yada yada), but I'm hoping Huffman snags the Oscar.

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Michelle Williams - BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN

My choice? Michelle Williams. Consider her roots. This is Dawson Creek generation. But her performance was powerful. She visibly held back so much emotion (which is harder to do than cry - at least, that's how I felt when I was acting for a while).

The odds are in favor for Weiss though since she won both the Golden Globe and the SAG Award. You never know - maybe there will be an upset.

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM OF THE YEAR
TIM BURTON'S CORPSE BRIDE

I've only seen one of these films. (My vote will always be with Mr. Burton though =) )

ACHIEVEMENT IN DIRECTING
BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN

I really hope Ang Lee gets it this year. This is the guy that can go from directing The Ice Storm to Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. He fell on his ass (The Hulk) but really came back into full swing with Brokeback Mountain.

BEST MOTION PICTURE OF THE YEAR
BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN

Bet you can't guess which movie I'd like to win. ;)

We'll shall see though. =)

[yo pusha]

brokeback mountain and syriana were the two most overrated movies in 2005

brokeback mountain runs off a gimmick, and syriana forgot to be entertaining.

[Levy2k6]

brokeback mountain and syriana were the two most overrated movies in 2005

brokeback mountain runs off a gimmick, and syriana forgot to be entertaining.

lol.. i never saw brokeback mountain because... i just never heard of it until it got overrated.... i just never saw any promos of it or anything so when i finally heard of it.. it was like... a long while after it came out...

and i'm big on movies too.. so idk..

but yeah.. i didn't watch any movies this month *gasp* i saw 5 movies in december


*view my movie list on the left column on my myspace*

[*Zatanna*]

brokeback mountain and syriana were the two most overrated movies in 2005

brokeback mountain runs off a gimmick, and syriana forgot to be entertaining.

Hi. Please don't think I'm being disrespectful, but what gimmick is Brokeback Mountain running off of exactly? For that matter, how are the two films you mentioned overrated? I don't know, I guess I understand overrated differently than some do, which is fine because differences in tastes and opinions make the world go 'round. Again - I hope you don't think I'm trying to start a debate, I was just curious as to how you came to those conclusions.

[hi-C]

Steven, are you saying Brokeback is overrated because it got so much media hype?

And even if it is "overrated," the performances in it were absolutely phenomenal.

[yo pusha]

Hi.  Please don't think I'm being disrespectful, but what gimmick is Brokeback Mountain running off of exactly?  For that matter, how are the two films you mentioned overrated?  I don't know, I guess I understand overrated differently than some do, which is fine because differences in tastes and opinions make the world go 'round.  Again - I hope you don't think I'm trying to start a debate, I was just curious as to how you came to those conclusions.

Umm.. something about two gay cowboys? i think that was the concept that drew movie goers to the movie lol.. if movie was about a heterosexual couple then it would be above average/very good at best. syriana was just, how do i put this, umm boring. contrary to the movie Traffic, syriana was confusing and the characters didnt tie in to each other that much as in traffic. i have never seen such a movie as Syriana where more than half the audiance left the movie halfway throughout the movie. it is also one of those movies where you need substantial background information or need to watch the movie multiple times to understand. also, unlike Traffic, where you get a background on most of the characters, syriana jumps to the conclusion much too quickly not allowing you to understand or connect to the characters. maybe its just me. i dont think so though, seeing how half the movie theater walked out and how syriana suddenly plummetted from the top movies. i think crash > syriana in terms of movies with that particular directing style

hope that helps you understand why i feel that way

Steven, are you saying Brokeback is overrated because it got so much media hype?

yes, im not saying it was poorly acted, on the contrary it was quite good, but just like 2pac and Biggie, it didn't and will never live up to the hype.. above average at best.. overrated to me does not necesary mean "bad", but instead i feel it didnt deserve the rave reviews that critics gave it..

[*Zatanna*]

That explains it nicely, thank you. :) (Although I will disagree with you regarding a homosexual couple being used a gimmick ;) )

Also - I'll oblige myself in a moment of off topic to say that Traffic really was an amazing film.

[hi-C]

Yeah, but like you said the gimmick was only a gimmick because that's what the media portrayed it to be.

[NoSex]

brokeback mountain and syriana were the two most overrated movies in 2005

brokeback mountain runs off a gimmick, and syriana forgot to be entertaining.

Don't forget Crash. Crash sold out its characters, and worked by guilt tripping an audience into believe that the on-screen racism and stereotyping wasn't only real, but not contrived. Crash was a joke. Brokeback Mountain would never have even seen the door steps of the Academy without the love interest being same sex. I heard Syriana was... uhhmm? Boring?

The Academy blows.

[hi-C]

^ Then who/what would you suggest for nominations?

[yo pusha]

hey i actually enjoyed crash, sure it wasnt the most realistic, but the acting was good and we actually got to connect and feel with the characters, something that didnt happen in Syriana

[racoons > you]

best a - i think heath will actually take it.
best sa - the academy wil want to give something to crash, it will go to matt dillon
best actress - almost certainyl felicity huffman, although charilize theron was excellent. much as i love her, keira knightly is out of her lead
best s actress - rachel weisz. almost more certain than felicity huffman

best picture will be brokeback mountain

[NoSex]

^ Then who/what would you suggest for nominations?

Just for the record, american cinema really blew in 2005.

Films that should be up for nominations:
Sin City - Cinematography, Costume Design, Adapted Screen, Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Male (Del Toro)
Grizzly Man - Best Documentary Feature, Best Original Score
Jarhead - Best Supporting Male (Chris Cooper)
History of Violence - Adapted Screen, Best Director
Broken Flowers - Best Male Role (Bill Murray), Best Picture, Best Director, Original Screen,
The Aristocrats - Best Documentary Feature
Me and You and Everyone We Know - Best Director, Best Picture, Original Screen, Cinematography
Oldboy - Best Foreign Film
Nobody Knows - Best Foreign Film

I could probably keep going. However, I would definately get rid of Brokeback for best picture, as well as Crash for nearly anything. Crash I think was such a joke that to even be nominated is an insult to cinema. Crash may work in some "Best Role" choices though, as well as Brokeback.

The more I look at it all, the less and less I enjoyed 2005 as a year of film.

[hi-C]

The Aristocrats was funny but I don't think it's Oscar worthy. Besides, the Academy would never honor a film that consists of a bunch of scatological jokes. But then again they did nominate South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut for Best Song. Eh.

[*chaneun*]

Jake Gyllenhaal - BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN

I think The Corpse Bride was really good for an animation movie, better than Wallace and Gromit.

[NoSex]

The Aristocrats was funny but I don't think it's Oscar worthy.  Besides, the Academy would never honor a film that consists of a bunch of scatological jokes.  But then again they did nominate South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut for Best Song.  Eh.

You're probably right. But, I don't really consider the Academy as much of an honor any longer. That they completly ignore films like Sin City, Me and You and Everyone We Know, and Broken Flowers speaks volumes to their "dispassionate taste."

Like, Titanic? Puhhhhh-lease.

[*Blow_Don't_SUCK*]

I think The Corpse Bride was really good for an animation movie, better than Wallace and Gromit.

I agree. They put up poor nominees.

[*FreeStickers*]

Brokeback Mountain should definitely win Achievement in Cinematography. All the shots were amazing.

[NoSex]

Brokeback Mountain should definitely win Achievement in Cinematography. All the shots were amazing.

Also needless and meaningless. Some of the scenery was great, sure, but some of those angles and camera movements were bombastic. It's called d**k directing. Something you won't find in classic cinema, where photography held economy.

[*Zatanna*]

Look, I think Sin City is a genius film, I really do (I'm also a long time reader of Frank Miller's by the way). But I think that calling the direction in Brokeback Mountain "d**k directing" is both uninspired and trite. Obviously you don't care for the film. Fine. Don't care for the film. However, until you are able to stand behind the camera and create what Ang Lee has, leave the "d**k directing" commentary out the door. Seriously. Unless you have some suggestions as to how to make the film better. Seems to me, all you really care to do is bash the film. I'd also be interested in what someone who is so apparently insightful as yourself would consider "classic cinema." (Eraserhead perhaps? Because you seriously need to revisit David Lynch's directorial repertoire if that is the case).

As as sidenote - I am quite aware that the Academy and its nominations are more of a political vehicle than an artistic notion of importance. That doesn't mean that all films that are nominated are sh*t films. It is quite possible to be recognized in that arena AND have talent (The Corpse Bride, for example, which seems to appease certain audiences but is far far from being Tim Burton's best effort).

[NoSex]

Look, I think Sin City is a genius film, I really do (I'm also a long time reader of Frank Miller's by the way).  But I think that calling the direction in Brokeback Mountain "d**k directing" is both uninspired and trite.  Obviously you don't care for the film.  Fine.  Don't care for the film.  However, until you are able to stand behind the camera and create what Ang Lee has, leave the "d**k directing" commentary out the door.  Seriously.  Unless you have some suggestions as to how to make the film better.  Seems to me, all you really care to do is bash the film.  I'd also be interested in what someone who is so apparently insightful as yourself would consider "classic cinema."  (Eraserhead perhaps?  Because you seriously need to revisit David Lynch's directorial repertoire if that is the case). 

As as sidenote - I am quite aware that the Academy and its nominations are more of a political vehicle than an artistic notion of importance.  That doesn't mean that all films that are nominated are sh*t films.  It is quite possible to be recognized in that arena AND have talent (The Corpse Bride, for example, which seems to appease certain audiences but is far far from being Tim Burton's best effort).

I appreciate that.

If I'm going to be a critic here, I don't need to offer up alternative suggestions as to how the film could have turned out to be a masterpiece. Nor do I need to have gotten behind a camera and created something on a proportional budget with equally successful actors and crew. This is my taste, and my opinions of the art of cinema and film. I'm simply being a critic at this point.

You flatter me so!



But, when refering to "classic cinema" I was simply addressing the Golden Age of Cinema. You know, back during the Studio System and such. Eraserhead, as being released in 1977, hardly classifies as classic cinema. Heck, not even The Elephant Man. I was speaking more of the films released during the early 1920's up to the beginning of the 1950's. Films like Casablanca, Citizen Kane, The Lady From Shanghai, and It's a Wonderful Life.

Aside from films that prided themselves on a style-over-substance doctrine in early cinema, such as the experimental Russian classic Man with the Movie Camera by director Dziga Vertov, most classic cinema is punctuated by seamless, complimented, and thoughtful photography and editing. Orson Welles may have been one of the first American directors to allow the camera to become a character itself, on screen. With Citizen Kane, Welles took an unprecedant amount of creative control. The result was something that had not been seen out of the studio system, a film with a camera that is alive and vibrant. This was revolutionary. However, the camera did not deny the plot. Despite its new life, the camera still payed its tribute to the drama, actors, and plot. Never going as far as to become a distracting entity.

At one point, it has felt as if the goal of dramatic film had become to fool the audience into believing that they were not even watching a movie.

This is the photographic economy I was speaking of.

Jumping back to the Lynch comment. I do rather enjoy Eraserhead as a surrealist demonstartion, however Blue Velvet is by far my favorite work by Mr. Lynch.

I'm glad that you are familiar, it seems that more should be.

Well, we feel exactly the same way about the Academy, pretty much. Although, I respect an earlier Academy more, I do understand that many films and persons being recognized under the Academy do indeed have much talent, passion, and worth. However, I do believe that a handful do not have nearly as much as those select few. Also, I did not see Corpse Bride, because I thought it a waste of my time after the monsterous disapointment that was Charlie and The Chocolate Factory (Shame onto even the great Danny Elfman). Quite possibly the worst film I have ever had the displeasure to see in theaters. And, I saw Mortal Kombat 2 in theaters.

One last thing.
Ahem, The Hulk.

[*Zatanna*]

No worries. (Not that I assumed you had any) I love differences in opinions and what not, I just didn't quite understand where you were coming from - other than you weren't much of a Brokeback Mountain fan.

Yeah - I have never understood why more people don't indulge themselves in some Lynch cinema. His films are so diverse and enticing. Oh well, eh?

I don't think Corpse Bride was bad, by the way - I just think that a lot of people associate Burton (and Elfman for that matter) with The Nightmare Before Christmas. Granted, that is one of my favorite films. However, James and the Giant Peach came before that - and for some reason JatGP makes me weep with joy. (Yes, I'm totally serious) That's just the animation stuff. I could go on for an entire thread about Tim Burton and Danny Elfman. Damn - I need to bust out my Oingo Boingo CDs tomorrow.

Oh dear lord the tragedy that was The Hulk. Makes the comic book geek girl in me wail, it does. *sighs* Oh well. At least I can look forward to Superman Returns. Um... they cast Kate Bosworth as Lois Lane. Nevermind. I shall continue to wail.

[hi-C]

^ Ew, they did?! Kate Bosworth is horrid She doesn't even look like a Lois.

Brokeback Mountain should definitely win Achievement in Cinematography. All the shots were amazing.

Eh. I think The New World, for all its lack of content and coherence (Good Lord that was an awful film) had amazingly beautiful shots.

[NoSex]

  No worries.  (Not that I assumed you had any)  I love differences in opinions and what not, I just didn't quite understand where you were coming from - other than you weren't much of a Brokeback Mountain fan. 

Yeah - I have never understood why more people don't indulge themselves in some Lynch cinema.  His films are so diverse and enticing.  Oh well, eh?

I don't think Corpse Bride was bad, by the way - I just think that a lot of people associate Burton (and Elfman for that matter) with The Nightmare Before Christmas.  Granted, that is one of my favorite films.    However, James and the Giant Peach came before that - and for some reason JatGP makes me weep with joy.  (Yes, I'm totally serious)  That's just the animation stuff.  I could go on for an entire thread about Tim Burton and Danny Elfman.  Damn - I need to bust out my Oingo Boingo CDs tomorrow.   

Oh dear lord the tragedy that was The Hulk.  Makes the comic book geek girl in me wail, it does.  *sighs* Oh well.  At least I can look forward to Superman Returns.  Um... they cast Kate Bosworth as Lois Lane.  Nevermind.  I shall continue to wail.

Yeah, seriously.

Also, I enjoyed James and the Giant Peach. However, I havn't seen it in ages. I use to like Burton alot more, but after a while I started to suspect that he might just be a hack. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory disapointed me beyond any responsible degree. I was pissed.

At this point, I still enjoy a great deal of his films, but need to revisit a few.

[*Zatanna*]

I saw Walk the Line recently and I am so definitely changing my wish Oscar ballot for Joaquin Pheonix. The man was amazing. Seriously, I always have a criticism - for EVERYTHING and I have nothing bad to say about his performance. Totally moving.

[tooeffingcrazy]

Umm.. something about two gay cowboys? i think that was the concept that drew movie goers to the movie lol.. if movie was about a heterosexual couple then it would be above average/very good at best.

You are actually correct about the two gay cowboys thing. I'm not saying that's a gimmick, I'm saying that that was the phrase that got people into the movies. But about the whole brokeback thing being overrated, you can't help it. It was a terrific movie, and they DESERVE the praise all around. It bugs the hell out of me when people only love the frikken movie due to the "hottie actors". It's quite annoying. After they watch the movie, it is still all about the "gay cowboy" movie. It actually has a real meaning to it.



PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Philip Seymour Hoffman - CAPOTE
Terrence Howard - HUSTLE & FLOW
Heath Ledger - BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
Joaquin Phoenix - WALK THE LINE
David Strathairn - GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK.

Why: The buzz is all about Philip Seymour Hoffman. He has been taking home the gold, and I'm pretty sure he's going to take it all. Heath Ledger did a WONDERFUL job, but Philip portrayed Capote to the pin point. Although, I'm hoping Heath wins.

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
George Clooney - SYRIANA
Matt Dillon - CRASH
Paul Giamatti - CINDERELLA MAN
Jake Gyllenhaal - BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
William Hurt - A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE

Why: Jake does have a chance. He did win the BAFTA. Although, Paul Giamatti might take the Oscar home. I just bolded Jake cause I want him to win. George Clooney also did a wonderful job, and he is neck to neck with Paul. Actually, Jake, Paul, and George are all neck to neck.

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Judi Dench - MRS. HENDERSON PRESENTS
Felicity Huffman - TRANSAMERICA
Keira Knightley - PRIDE & PREJUDICE
Charlize Theron - NORTH COUNTRY
Reese Witherspoon - WALK THE LINE

Why: Felicity deserves the oscar! She did a wonderful job being Bree in Transamerica. It was a great movie, with great actors. It's hard pretending to be a man becoming a woman. She showed the alienation that the transexuals go through pretty well. She is up against Reese Witherspoon, neck to neck. Reese did do an amazing job, but people are just snubbing Felicity! Walk the line was Wide, and Transamerica was Indie. Not much people know about Transamerica. Btw, putting Keira Knightley in this catagory is complete BULLSHIT.

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Amy Adams - JUNEBUG
Catherine Keener - CAPOTE
Frances McDormand - NORTH COUNTRY
Rachel Weisz - THE CONSTANT GARDENER
Michelle Williams - BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN

Why: She's taken almost everything home, and she has a 60% chance of taking this one.

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM OF THE YEAR
HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE
TIM BURTON'S CORPSE BRIDE
WALLACE & GROMIT IN THE CURSE OF THE WERE-RABBIT


ACHIEVEMENT IN ART DIRECTION
GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK.
HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE
KING KONG
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA
PRIDE & PREJUDICE


ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMATOGRAPHY
BATMAN BEGINS
BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK.
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA
THE NEW WORLD


ACHIEVEMENT IN COSTUME DESIGN
CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA
MRS. HENDERSON PRESENTSPRIDE & PREJUDICE
WALK THE LINE

ACHIEVEMENT IN DIRECTING
BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
CAPOTE
CRASH
GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK.
MUNICH

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
DARWIN'S NIGHTMARE
ENRON: THE SMARTEST GUYS IN THE ROOM
MARCH OF THE PENGUINS
MURDERBALL
STREET FIGHT


ACHIEVEMENT IN FILM EDITING
CINDERELLA MAN
THE CONSTANT GARDENER
CRASH
MUNICH
WALK THE LINE

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM OF THE YEAR
DON'T TELL
JOYEUX NOèL
PARADISE NOW
SOPHIE SCHOLL - THE FINAL DAYS
TSOTSI


ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC WRITTEN FOR MOTION PICTURES
(ORIGINAL SCORE)
BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
THE CONSTANT GARDENER
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA
MUNICH
PRIDE & PREJUDICE

ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC WRITTEN FOR MOTION PICTURES
(ORIGINAL SONG)
"In the Deep" - CRASH
"It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp" - HUSTLE & FLOW *snicker*
"Travelin' Thru" - TRANSAMERICA

BEST MOTION PICTURE OF THE YEAR
BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
CAPOTE
CRASH
GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK.
MUNICH

ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND EDITING
KING KONG
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA
WAR OF THE WORLDS

ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND MIXING
THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE
KING KONG
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA
WALK THE LINE
WAR OF THE WORLDS


ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
CAPOTE
THE CONSTANT GARDENER
A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE
MUNICH

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
CRASH
GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK.
MATCH POINT
THE SQUID AND THE WHALE
SYRIANA

[aubbob]

yay for crash! i love that movie

[hi-C]

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Philip Seymour Hoffman - CAPOTE
Terrence Howard - HUSTLE & FLOW
Heath Ledger - BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
Joaquin Phoenix - WALK THE LINE
David Strathairn - GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK.

Why: The buzz is all about Philip Seymour Hoffman. He has been taking home the gold, and I'm pretty sure he's going to take it all. Heath Ledger did a WONDERFUL job, but Philip portrayed Capote to the pin point. Although, I'm hoping Heath wins.

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Amy Adams - JUNEBUG
Catherine Keener - CAPOTE
Frances McDormand - NORTH COUNTRY
Rachel Weisz - THE CONSTANT GARDENER
Michelle Williams - BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN

Why: She's taken almost everything home, and she has a 60% chance of taking this one.

I agree with you on both of these. However, if Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Heath Ledger split enough votes, Joaquin Pheonix could come out on top. Unlikely but it might happen. My roomate wants there to be a tie between Hoffman and Ledger. It rarely happens but it might. Both of them are extremely deserving.

I also think in my heart of hearts that Rachel Weisz will get the Oscar but I want Michelle Williams to win soooooooooo bad. Granted I've never seen The Constant Gardener, but Williams was awesome. There might be a chance that Williams and Weisz will split votes and if that happens, which it probably won't, it'll go to Catherine Keener, who was awesome as Harper Lee.

[*Zatanna*]

I also think in my heart of hearts that Rachel Weisz will get the Oscar but I want Michelle Williams to win soooooooooo bad. Granted I've never seen The Constant Gardener, but Williams was awesome. There might be a chance that Williams and Weisz will split votes and if that happens, which it probably won't, it'll go to Catherine Keener, who was awesome as Harper Lee.

I agree completely. Michelle Williams absolutely broke my heart. She is very deserving of an award. It does seem that Weisz is favored, but who knows. There could be an upset there. Catherine Keener is an amazing actress.

[NoSex]

I saw Walk the Line recently and I am so definitely changing my wish Oscar ballot for Joaquin Pheonix. The man was amazing. Seriously, I always have a criticism - for EVERYTHING and I have nothing bad to say about his performance. Totally moving.

Agreed. He did a wonderful job. By far, that was Joaquin's best role to date.
I actually really thought Reese Witherspoon stood out too, or maybe that was because she wasn't playing a Blondier-Than-Thou kinda gal. I did enjoy the flick, but I thought it fell short in some areas, most notably theme. But, as it was a true story, it can be hard to keep honest while still holding onto a dynamic theme. Aside from that, great acting and even musical performances.

But in the end, I just didn't think the film, as a whole, was much of anything special. I think I have heard this same story a million times before. But still, it's not always a bad story to hear.