ACADEMY MEMBERS - HERE'S HOW TO DO IT.Byline: Bob Strauss Film Critic With the Academy Awards a month earlier this year, there is more danger than usual that the voting members will mark up every category on their ballots with self-important war movies set in the 19th century. This is just Oscar voters' natural tendency - and one that the extra month of actually being exposed to cinema with real relevance, daring, cleverness and/or energy tends to counteract somewhat. But with time running short this year, it's almost a critic's civic duty to give the voting members some kind of advice, before nominations voting closes next Saturday, on what was really remarkable at the movies last year. Nominations will be announced on Jan. 27, and the Oscar ceremony will be held at the Kodak Theatre The Kodak Theatre is a live theatre in the Hollywood and Highland retail, dining, and entertainment complex on Hollywood Boulevard and North Highland Avenue in the Hollywood district of Los Angeles. on Feb. 29. So following is an almost perfect sample ballot for academy members who haven't filled out - or had the help to fill out - those ballots yet. Missing from my list are suggestions for the short subject categories (who sees these things "These Things" is an EP by She Wants Revenge, released in 2005 by Perfect Kiss, a subsidiary of Geffen Records. Music Video The music video stars Shirley Manson, lead singer of the band Garbage. Track Listing 1. "These Things [Radio Edit]" - 3:17 2. ?) and the foreign language film category, which is too skewed skewed curve of a usually unimodal distribution with one tail drawn out more than the other and the median will lie above or below the mean. skewed Epidemiology adjective Referring to an asymmetrical distribution of a population or of data by the eligibility process (only one entry per nation, chosen by a politicized committee from that land) to be anything like a respectable competition. Otherwise, though, here are five worthy suggestions for each of the remaining competitive categories; three for animated feature, because there were only three worth nominating last year. I've also chosen one standout entry - the one that should win the Oscar, folks - for each of the top, Sexy Six categories, with a brief explanation why. I don't expect the academy voters to take all of the following advice; that would be even crazier than the way they usually vote. But for anyone who wants to catch up on some good movie work from the year just past, this will hopefully be useful. Glamour categories Best picture PICK: ``Mystic River'' - It's been variously described as Greek, Shakespearean, classic Hollywood, as contemporary as the latest news in the war on terrorism Terrorist acts and the threat of Terrorism have occupied the various law enforcement agencies in the U.S. government for many years. The Anti-Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996, as amended by the usa patriot act , free form like jazz and rigorously crafted in every department. They're all right, and ``Mystic River'' is also as emotionally shattering as film tragedy gets, simply because it never goes for an easy, manipulative effect when a smart, honest and morally knotted one can be had. THE REST: ``Elephant'' ``Kill Bill - Vol. 1,'' ``The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King,'' and ``Lost in Translation.'' Director PICK: Clint Eastwood (``Mystic River'') - I really thought he'd said all he had to say with ``Unforgiven,'' then ``Bridges of Madison County'' was as nice a job of turning garbage into gold as anyone could be expected to pull off. But with all of his favorite, violently American themes and shadowy stylistic markers in place, Eastwood's latest directing effort is further enriched by the best acting and deepest character empathy he's ever gotten on the screen. His masterwork mas·ter·work n. See masterpiece. - and there may still be another couple coming. THE REST: Sofia Coppola (``Lost in Translation''), Peter Jackson (``LOTR LOTR Lord Of The Rings (book by J.R.R. Tolkien; movie series) LOTR Lords of the Realm (computer game) LOTR Legend of the Rangers (movie) : ROTK''), Bryan Singer (``X2: X-Men United'') and Quentin Tarantino Noun 1. Quentin Tarantino - United States filmmaker (born in 1963) Quentin Jerome Tarantino, Tarantino (``Kill Bill - Vol. 1''). Lead actor PICK: Sean Penn (``Mystic River'') - Penn's guilt-wracked and vengeful (the two qualities are intertwined like snakes in love here) Boston hardcase is as terrifying ter·ri·fy tr.v. ter·ri·fied, ter·ri·fy·ing, ter·ri·fies 1. To fill with terror; make deeply afraid. See Synonyms at frighten. 2. To menace or threaten; intimidate. as he is poignant, and the way this always-impressive actor reveals the character's layers while breaking our hearts in scene after scene is a master class in creative judgment. Jimmy Markum's willful yet unavoidable damnation of his own soul is only one of the two best film performances of the year; the other is Penn's subtler, more nuanced (if not quite as powerful and affecting) portrayal of a confused and compromised agent of salvation in ``21 Grams.'' Academy rules prevent him from being nominated for both leads; more flagrant evidence why the Oscars should not be taken seriously. THE REST: Johnny Depp John Christopher Depp II[1] (born June 9 1963) is an American actor. Biography Early life Depp was born in Owensboro, Kentucky, to John Christopher Depp Sr., a city engineer, and Betty Sue (Wells), a waitress. (``Pirates of the Caribbean This article is about the franchise. For other, more specific uses, see Pirates of the Caribbean (disambiguation). For real pirates, see Piracy in the Caribbean. Pirates of the Caribbean : The Curse of the Black Pearl''), Paul Giamatti (``American Splendor''), Bill Murray
William James "Bill" Murray (born September 21, 1950) is an Academy Award-nominated, Emmy-winning and Golden Globe-winning American comedian and actor. (``Lost in Translation'') and Campbell Scott Campbell Scott (born July 19 1961) is an American actor, director, producer, and voice artist. Scott was born in New York City, New York, the son of George C. Scott, an actor, director, and producer, and Colleen Dewhurst, a Canadian-born actress. (``The Secret Lives of Dentists''). Lead actress PICK: Uma Thurman (``Kill Bill - Vol. 1'') - Like too many before it, 2003 was not a very good year for leading ladies. So why not give the nod to the one angry mother who took it out on everyone that ever done her wrong - and the actress who played her in one of the most physically graceful and demanding performances a woman has ever filmed? For you acting fussbudgets out there who don't get that movement is just as important to a movie performance as the character and verbal aspects are, pay attention to the humor, fear, rage and psy-ops cunning Thurman weaves into her readings of Tarantino's studiedly stiff dialogue. THE REST: Scarlett Johansson Scarlett Johansson (born November 22, 1984) is an American actress. She rose to fame with her role in 1998's The Horse Whisperer and subsequently gained critical acclaim for her roles in Ghost World, Lost in Translation and (``Lost in Translation''), Diane Keaton (``Something's Gotta Give''), Charlize Theron (``Monster'') and Naomi Watts (``21 Grams''). SUPPORTING ACTOR supporting actor n → attore m non protagonista PICK: Andy Serkis Andy Serkis (born 20 April, 1964) is an English actor and director best known for his work with Peter Jackson. Biography Serkis was born and brought up in Ruislip Manor, Middlesex, England. + computers (``LOTR: ROTK'') - Maybe not the breakthrough performance of the Digital Millennium (but then again, maybe it is), Smeagol/Gollum is still, by far, the most expressive CG-enhanced humanlike thing ever put on screen. And he's the most compelling and complex character in the whole ``Lord of the Rings'' film trilogy by a Mordorian mile. This could only have been accomplished by Serkis' amazing acting, every contortionist twinge twinge n. A sharp, sudden physical pain. v. To cause to feel a sharp pain. and tiny emotional twitch of which was faithfully reproduced by digital artists. It's not, as many actors may fear, technology threatening their craft; in this case, it's Serkis' incomparable imagination that makes the machine magic possible. THE REST: Ron Eldard (``House of Sand and Fog''), Bill Nighy
Bill Nighy (IPA: /naɪ/; born December 12, 1949) is a Golden Globe and BAFTA-award winning English actor. (``Love Actually''), Tim Robbins Timothy Francis Robbins (born October 16, 1958) is an American Academy Award-winning actor, screenwriter, director, producer, activist and musician. He is the longtime partner of actress Susan Sarandon, with whom he shares liberal political views. (``Mystic River'') and Peter Sarsgaard (``Shattered Glass''). SUPPORTING ACTRESS PICK: Holly Hunter (``thirteen'') - Parenting problems are a drug on the bad TV movie market. It's all the more remarkable, then, that Hunter brings such an immediacy and kaleidoscopic range of responses to her role as a loving but inept single mom who's always coped poorly with her own character and has only her best intentions to rely on when her pubescent pubescent /pu·bes·cent/ (pu-bes´int) 1. arriving at the age of puberty. 2. covered with down or lanugo. pu·bes·cent adj. 1. daughter runs hellbent off the rails. Such meager mea·ger also mea·gre adj. 1. Deficient in quantity, fullness, or extent; scanty. 2. Deficient in richness, fertility, or vigor; feeble: the meager soil of an eroded plain. 3. resources are, of course, not enough, yet by accessing them with the rawest conviction seen on screen all year, Hunter brings a rarely shown dignity to the life of the perpetual screw-up. THE REST: Ellen DeGeneres (``Finding Nemo''), Judith Ivey (``What Alice Found''), Lucy Liu (``Kill Bill - Vol. 1'') and Natalie P Mountain''). Other categories ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: ``All the Real Girls,'' ``Dirty Pretty Things,'' ``Lost in Translation,'' ``Finding Nemo'' and ``Raising Victor Vargas.'' ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: ``American Splendor,'' ``LOTR: ROTK ROTK Return of the King ROTK Return of the King (3rd Lord of the Rings movie/book) ROTK Romance of the Three Kingdoms (Chinese novel) ROTK Realm of the Keepers (gaming clan) ,'' ``Mystic River,'' ``Peter Pan'' and ``X2.'' CINEMATOGRAPHY cinematography: see motion picture photography. cinematography Art and technology of motion-picture photography. It involves the composition of a scene, lighting of the set and actors, choice of cameras, camera angle, and integration of special : ``Girl With a Pearl Earring The Girl with a Pearl Earring (Dutch: Het meisje met de parel) is one of Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer's masterworks and as the name implies, uses a pearl earring for a focal point. ,'' ``Kill Bill - Vol. 1,'' ``LOTR: ROTK,'' ``Mystic River'' and ``Once Upon a Time in Mexico.'' ART DIRECTION: ``Big Fish,'' ``Down With Love,'' ``Kill Bill - Vol. 1,'' ``LOTR: ROTK'' and ``Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World.'' FILM EDITING: ``Elephant,'' ``Kill Bill - Vol. 1,'' ``LOTR: ROTK,'' ``Mystic River'' and ``21 Grams.'' VISUAL EFFECTS: ``Kill Bill - Vol. 1'' ``LOTR: ROTK,'' ``Master and Commander,'' ``Pirates of the Caribbean'' and ``X2.'' COSTUMES: ``Down With Love,'' ``LOTR: ROTK'' ``The Last Samurai,'' ``Master and Commander'' and ``Pirates of the Caribbean.'' MAKEUP: ``Intolerable Cruelty,'' ``Kill Bill Vol. 1,'' ``LOTR: ROTK'' ``A Mighty Wind'' and ``Pirates of the Caribbean.'' SOUND: ``Kill Bill - Vol. 1,'' ``LOTR: ROTK,'' ``Master and Commander,'' ``Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines'' and ``28 Days Later.'' SOUND EDITING: ``Cold Mountain'' ``Elephant'' ``Finding Nemo'' ``LOTR: ROTK'' and ``X2.'' MUSIC SCORE: ``The Fog of War'' ``Kill Bill - Vol. 1'' ``A Mighty Wind'' ``Mystic River'' and ``The Triplets of Belleville.'' SONG: ``Belleville Rendez-vous'' (``The Triplets of Belleville''), ``Here's to Love'' (``Down With Love''), ``Into the West'' (``LOTR: ROTK''), ``Potato's in the Paddy Wagon,'' (``A Mighty Wind''), ``The Scarlet Tide'' (``Cold Mountain'') and ``To Be By Your Side'' (``Winged Migration''). ANIMATED FEATURE: ``Finding Nemo,'' ``Millennium Actress'' and ``The Triplets of Belleville.'' DOCUMENTARY FEATURE: ``Bus 174'' ``Concert for George'' ``Lost in La Mancha'' ``Rivers and Tides'' and ``Stevie.'' Bob Strauss, (818) 713-3670 bob.strauss(at)dailynews.com Readers passionate about their picks for Oscar After our two critics weighed in with their top-10 list of films for 2003, we asked readers to join in. Here are some of their responses. Swashbuckling swash·buck·le intr.v. swash·buck·led, swash·buck·ling, swash·buck·les To act as a swashbuckler, as in a movie or play. [Back-formation from swashbuckler. its way to the top is ``Pirates of the Caribbean.'' Johnny Depp makes the movie worth seeing again and again just to see his hilarious mannerisms. The movies is fun action, good old-fashioned romance and a sense of humor Noun 1. sense of humor - the trait of appreciating (and being able to express) the humorous; "she didn't appreciate my humor"; "you can't survive in the army without a sense of humor" sense of humour, humor, humour you can't get enough of. ``Pirates of the Caribbean'' is the best of the year. Yo ho ho. - Melody Wingert, Long Beach My vote for best film is ``Seabiscuit.'' The actors were as perfectly cast as their characters, the photography was exciting and beautifully done, and the story - a true story - had inspiration and ideals for everyone to relate to. A movie for all ages to enjoy! - Charleen Niendorff, Chatsworth Beer guzzling couch potatoes will not enjoy this exquisite film. No Julia Roberts false smiles, no gang violence, no groping grope v. groped, grop·ing, gropes v.intr. 1. To reach about uncertainly; feel one's way: groped for the telephone. 2. sex or slew of filthy words messing up the dialogue. ``Girl With a Pearl Earring'' is a gem that won't be discovered by many. Masterful photography tells the intimate story of a servant girl who poses for the Dutch artist Vermeer and the travail TRAVAIL. The act of child-bearing. 2. A woman is said to be in her travail from the time the pains of child-bearing commence until her delivery. 5 Pick. 63; 6 Greenl. R. 460. 3. it causes within his family. Nineteen-year-old Scarlet Johannson should win the Academy Award as the waif who carries the weight of this artistic story on her shoulders, but she won't, and neither will the writer who has penned this quiet masterpiece, because Hollywood will ``push,'' as always, its tasteless moneymakers. - Paul Vaughn, Van Nuys There were many really good movies this year: ``Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King'' was fabulous; ``Mystic River'' was excellent; ``Cold Mountain'' was great; ``In America'' was wonderful. ``Lord of the Rings'' was and is my favorite. - Sue Grimshaw, West Hills Best Film: ``Master and Commander.'' The ultimate adult movie of the year. Magnificent acting, screenplay, battle scenes and character development. ``Finding Nemo'' - a great cartoon. ``Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King'' - if ``long'' is best ... then ``Rings'' is the winner, entertaining but not great. - Lorraine Shaw, Pomona ``Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World.'' This is probably the most un-Hollywoodish sea epic that's been made to date. The attention to detail is splendid, the acting is superb; even the sea becomes a character. And in spite of the battles, the bad weather and the gruesome surgeries, at the heart of it all is a warmth and sense of humor that makes this film truly human. - Andy Johnson, Lancaster My pick is ``The Station Agent'' with Peter Dinklage, a sexy midget. It is a great character study and an essay on friendship. The acting was superlative from all the actors. It is a small film with a big heart. - Beth Temkin, North Hollywood ``The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.'' Not only does this moving, uplifting and utterly dazzling cinematic masterpiece solidify the series as the greatest trilogy of all time, but is stands on its own as a complete and mesmerizing mes·mer·ize tr.v. mes·mer·ized, mes·mer·iz·ing, mes·mer·iz·es 1. To spellbind; enthrall: "He could mesmerize an audience by the sheer force of his presence" moviegoing experience. Brilliantly acted and a truly wonderful adaptation of the novel, it doesn't just make Tolkien's world palpable and three-dimensional, but it makes the audience totally involved into the epic fates of its unforgettable characters. - Rusty Klibaner, West Hills My choice for the best film of 2003 is ``Lost in Translation.'' It had the wisdom to rely on character and subtlety, unlike most typical movie fare, which bombards the senses. There was not a samurai or special effect in sight. Bill Murray and Scarlett Johannson expressed volumes in a look, a glance, a touch of the hand. And the ending was simply inspired. - Jeanine D'Elia, Granada Hills My vote goes to ``Lost in Translation'' - Bill Murray's best work by far! - Bill Moak, Simi Valley ``Whale Rider.'' Lyrical, sad, beautiful and transcendent in its specificity of an indigenous culture, it finds and powerfully conveys universal human truths. The entire cast is magnificent, but nothing will prepare you for little Keisha Castle-Hughes' performance in the title role. Hers is quite simply the best child performance since Henry Thomas in ``E.T.'' - Justin Olson, La Crescenta CAPTION(S): 17 photos, box Photo: (1 -- 12 -- cover -- color) Lights, camera, OSCARS Our critics give Academy members some direction (13 -- cover -- color) no caption (Academy Award statuette) AMPAS AMPAS Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (since 1927; Beverly Hills, California) (14 -- 16) From ``Mystic River'': Sean Penn and Marcia Gay Harden Marcia Gay Harden (born August 14, 1959) is an Academy Award-winning American actress. Biography Early life Harden, one of five children, was born in La Jolla, California, daughter of Beverly (née Bushfield), a housewife, and Thaddeus Harold Harden, a Texas , top; Penn, middle; and director Clint Eastwood, above. (17) no caption (Uma Thurman) Box: Readers passionate about their picks for Oscar (see text) |
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