I think one more column about the movies of 2003 may be a bit excessive, but I can't help myself. Here are my "Best of" awards (from movies I've seen) and my Oscar picks:
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Oscar Nominees:
Shohreh Aghdashloo, House of Sand and Fog
Patricia Clarkson, Pieces of April
Marcia Gay Harden, Mystic River
Holly Hunter, Thirteen
Renee Zellweger, Cold Mountain
My Nominees:
Clarkson, Pieces of April and The Station Agent
Harden
Hunter
Allison Lohman, Matchstick Men
Zellweger
Oscar Pick: Zellweger. She nailed the type of showy part that always seems to pick up this type of award.
My Personal Pick: Clarkson. She was excellent in two very different roles this year. She deserves the award for the breadth of her work.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Oscar Nominees:
Alec Baldwin, The Cooler
1-29-04 - 2003 Movie Spectacular
1-28-04 - A Year Remembered
1-27-04 - Chien's Guest Column
1-25-04 - Bed Buddy Thoughts
1-15-04 - Date Application Page
1-12-04 - The Wager, Part 2
1-9-04 - Thoughts
Archives
1) "Stop Dat" - Dizzee Rascal
2) "Round the Globe" - Nappy Roots
3) "Bad Detective"- The New York Dolls
4) "Radio" - Teenage Fanclub
5) "What to Do" - Ok Go
6) "My Funny Valentine"- Billie Holiday
7) "Wasted & Ready" - Ben Kweller
8) "Nitemare Hippy Girl" - Beck
9) "We Own Everything"- Panic in Detroit
10) "Boys in the Band - The Libertines
Djimon Hounsou, In America
Tim Robbins, Mystic River
Ken Watanabe, The Last Samurai
My Nominees:
Baldwin
Paul Bettany, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Eugene Levy, A Mighty Wind
Robbins
Watanabe
Oscar Pick: Del Toro. Everything I hear about his performance makes me think that he has a good shot to win his second Oscar.
My Pick: Baldwin. I've never been a fan of Alec Baldwin, but his performance was so intense that he had me cringing in my seat on a few occasions. He deserves a win.
BEST ACTOR
Oscar Nominees:
Johnny Depp, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Ben Kingsley, The House of Sand and Fog
Jude Law, Cold Mountain
Bill Murray, Lost in Translation
Sean Penn, Mystic River
My Nominees:
Depp
Peter Dinklage, The Station Agent
Murray
Penn
Billy Bob Thornton, Bad Santa
Oscar Pick: Penn. I've seen his performance reviewed as the best in decades. I think that should be enough for a win.
My Pick: Penn. Hands down, there really shouldn't be much debate.
BEST ACTRESS
Oscar Nominees:
Keisha Castle-Hughes, Whale Rider
Diane Keaton, Something's Gotta Give
Samantha Morton, In America
Charlize Theron, Monster
Naomi Watts, 21 Grams
My Nominees:
Maria Bello, The Cooler
Scarlett Johannson, Lost in Translation
Charlotte Rampling, Swimming Pool
Uma Thurman, Kill Bill: Vol. 1
Rachel Weisz, The Shape of Things
Oscar Pick: Theron. I feel a little guilty about not seeing any of these movies, but Theron got the Golden Globe and has the most buzz.
My Pick: Johannson. Understatedly represents her character's boredom and loneliness, without being overtly romantic.
BEST PICTURE
Oscar Nominees:
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Lost in Translation
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Mystic River
Seabiscuit
My Nominees:
Big Fish
Mystic River
Dirty Pretty Things
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Lost in Translation
Oscar Pick: Lord of the Rings. I think this is an absolute lock...after nominating the first two films, I think this one finally gets the Oscar as a lifetime achievement award.
My Pick: Lord of the Rings. Not only is it a lock, but it deserves it. Everything was done on such a large scale, yet it rarely takes a misstep. The type of movie that all others of its genre will be measured against.