The nominees for the 73rd annual Academy awards are…
The following are the nominees for the major categories in the 73rd Annual Academy Awards. This year should be an interesting one because in many categories there are no clear leaders. This year’s Academy Awards will take place on March 25 and will be hosted by Steve Martin. Take a look at the contenders and decide for yourself who will go home with the coveted prize.
Best Motion Picture
“Gladiator”
It’s nice to see this kind of movie being done again. People are calling it a “Ben Hur” revival. I suppose it is. “Gladiator” is by far the popular favorite and is being picked by most experts to win. The competition is stiff this year. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this film snubbed for “Crouching Tiger.”
“Traffic”
This is one of the most rewarding films made this year. It was complicated, but true to its subject matter, presenting America’s drug problem in a multifaceted light.
“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”
This movie won audiences over with its beauty and uniqueness. It has left every other film in its genre in the dust.
“Erin Brockovich”
This classic legal David and Goliath flick features a perennially popular storyline with some excellent acting by Julia Roberts. Although it was a good film, its nomination was a surprise to many.
“Chocolat”
This is yet another unique film. “Chocolat” plays like a fairy tale, is shot in a lovely little French village, and features charming characters. The story is nothing special, but the film is so well put together that the total package is definitely Oscar-worthy.
Actor in Leading Role
Javier Bardem in “Before Night Falls”
This is Bardem’s first nomination. He plays a Reinaldo Arenas, a Cuban writer who is persecuted for his homosexuality.
Russell Crowe in “Gladiator”
Crowe plays Maximus, a Roman general who becomes a gladiator after his family is murdered by the emperor. This is Crowe’s second nomination and will likely be in close contention with Tom Hanks for this award. However, the odds-makers are giving Crowe the edge.
Tom Hanks in “Cast Away”
Hanks plays a Federal Express worker whose plane goes down on his way home and is stranded on a desert island. He spends most of his time as the only cast member in a very demanding role. This makes him also a strong contender. This is Hank’s fifth nomination.
Ed Harris in “Pollock”
Harris plays Jackson Pollock, a famous abstract artist. This is his third nomination.
Geoffrey Rush in “Quills”
Rush plays the Marquis de Sade, the French writer whose sexually explicit books land him in an insane asylum. This is also his third nomination.
Actress in a Leading Role
Joan Allen in “The Contender”
Allen plays Senator Laine Hanson, a vice-presidential nominee whose checkered past makes her the victim of character assassination on the hill. This is her third nomination.
Juliette Binoche in “Chocolat”
Binoche plays Vianne, a mysterious woman who arrives in a socially conservative French village and wins them over with charm and, of course, chocolate. This is Binoche’s second nomination.
Ellen Burstyn in “Requiem For a Dream”
Burstyn plays Sara Goldfarb, a Brooklyn housewife whose addiction to pills threatens to destroy her life. This is Burstyn’s sixth nomination.
Laura Linney in “You Can Count on Me”
Linney plays Sammy Prescott, a mother whose quiet life is interrupted by the unexpected arrival of her irresponsible younger brother. This is Linney’s first nomination.
Julia Roberts in “Erin Brockovich”
Roberts is by far the popular pick for this award. She plays, well, Erin Brockovich, a plucky legal aide who takes on a big utilities company that is polluting local waters.
Achievement in Directing
Stephen Daldry for”Billy Elliot”
“Billy Elliot” is a story about a boy who rejects the social mores of a small coal-mining town when he takes up ballet. This is Daldry’s first nomination.
Ang Lee for “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”
In this beautiful martial arts film, Lee blends exquisite cinematography with martial arts and stunts that take this genre of filmmaking to the next level. This is Lee’s second nomination. He is the popular favorite.
Steven Soderbergh for”Erin Brockovich”
Soderbergh is also being nominated for his work in “Traffic.” He has also been nominated for his work in “Sex, Lies and Videotape.”
Ridley Scott for “Gladiator”
Even though Lee is the popular favorite. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Scott take home the prize for this one. The Academy has always been a sucker for sweeping dramas like this. This is Scott’s second nomination.
Steven Soderbergh for”Traffic”
Here comes Soderbergh again. Even though he is not the favorite, his consistently good output will make him a financial winner in Hollywood for many years to come.