It's that time of year again. Whenever March rolls around, the awards shows heat up. And there's no bigger shin-dig than the Academy Awards. Last year, I compiled a list of who would win and who actually deserved it. Unfortunately, the only people who got to see it were the good folks at KLPI, where I worked at the time. So, in the interest of full disclosure, I hereby put my picks up on the Web for the whole world to see. But remember, if you lose your Oscar bets, don't blame it on me...
Best Actor:
Tom Hanks: Saving Private RyanNick Nolte: AfflictionIan McKellan: Gods and MonstersEdward Norton: American History XRoberto Benigni: Life is BeautifulWill Win: Hanks has been receiving most of the attention so far. But a rising Ryan backlash could propel Nolte to the top.
Should Win: Norton, for taking such a creative chance and succeeding.
Best Actress:
Cate Blanchett: ElizabethFernando Montenegro: Central StationGwyneth Paltrow: Shakespeare in LoveMeryl Streep: One True ThingEmily Watson: Hilary and JackieWill Win: Though Paltrow has been riding the Shakespeare wave, Blanchett should come out on top.
Should Win: One of this year's weaker fields. Streep out-acted them all, but no one saw her movie.
Best Supporting Actor:
James Coburn: AfflictionRobert Duvall: A Civil ActionEd Harris: The Truman ShowGeoffrey Rush: Shakespeare in LoveBilly Bob Thorton: A Simple PlanWill Win: The Academy bestows this honor to Coburn for his long career.
Should Win: Thorton in his best performance yet.
Best Supporting Actress:
Kathy Bates: Primary ColorsBlenda Blethyn: Little VoiceJudi Dench: Shakespeare in LoveRachel Griffiths: Hillary and JackieLynn Redgrave: Gods and MonstersWill Win: While Dench looks like she has this wrapped up, this category is notorious for having the biggest suprise winner. (Marisa Tomei, Anna Paquin) Using that logic, the best bet would be Kathy Bates.
Should Win: Dench is probably the most intense actress working today.
Best Director:
Roberto Benigni: Life is BeautifulSteven Spielberg: Saving Private RyanJohn Madden: Shakespeare in LoveTerrence Malick: The Thin Red LinePeter Weir: The Truman ShowWill Win: Duh. Spielberg in a romp.
Should Win: I'm still not sold on Ryan's politics. And Weir made one heck of a movie.
Best Original Screenplay:
Warren Beatty & Jeremy Pikser: BulworthVincenzo Cerami & Roberto Benigni: Life is BeautifulRobert Rodat: Saving Private RyanMarc Norman & Tom Stoppard: Shakespeare in LoveAndrew Niccol: The Truman ShowWill Win: With Ryan winning most of the major awards, this will be given to Benigni.
Should Win: Niccol's script goes far beyond the screen. The original screenplay included backstories on all the major players. (Have you figured out yet what my favorite movie from last year was?)
Best Adapted Screenplay:
Bill Condon: Gods and MonstersScott Frank: Out of SightElaine May: Primary ColorsScott B. Smith: A Simple PlanTerrence Malick: The Thin Red LineWill Win: Using the same logic as Original Screenplay, the Academy bestows its graces on long, lost director Malick.
Should Win: It ain't easy to make Elmore Leonard understandable. Kudos to Scott Frank.
Best Picture:
Saving Private RyanElizabethShakespeare in LoveThe Thin Red LineLife is BeautifulWill Win: The Academy likes nothing more than self-righteous movies. That way, they can be seen as righteous when they award it. Spielberg picks up another award..
Should Win: The Thin Red Line was the best piece of art this year. Movies don't always have to be so action-packed.