Feb
24, 2006 Oscar Nominations
by The Blonde and The Maven
Movie fans, it is that time of
the year again! How time flies. So for a twist, we decided to write
about the nominees that WE think SHOULD WIN and not necessarily who
WILL WIN. This year, we wanted to share with our devoted readers
what we feel as critics. The following are our own personal choices
of those who SHOULD receive this fabulously important award SUNDAY
NIGHT, MARCH 5, FROM 8-11 (YEAH, RIGHT) on ABC! AND THE OSCAR GOES
TO…
BEST PICTURE:
THE BLONDE:
To begin with, this year seems particularly difficult to
decide who should receive the Oscars. In most of the categories
there seems to be at least two or more nominees who totally deserve
the Oscar. But…there is only one Oscar given for each category. So
here are my decisions. ‘Ya know, I loved the film Crash. I not only
thought it was an amazing piece of work, but a very important film
as well. However, I think the Oscar should go to Brokeback
Mountain.
THE MAVEN: First I have to say that I don’t
like to pick a favorite, as I feel it is all too subjective. There
is no right answer, just what hits you as good at the moment. Every
one of the nominees deserves the recognition of a job well done.
However, since some people feel the need to name the “best,” I will
try to pick one too. I would like to see the Academy shaken up a
little. Brokeback Mountain covered new ground in a sensitive way and
still managed to tell a beautiful story.
BEST
ACTOR:
THE BLONDE: I thought that Phillip Seymour
Hoffman gave the most accurate, brilliant performance. It was
uncanny! He is truly an Oscar-worthy actor. Having said that, I
would like the Oscar to go to Heath Ledger. This role was a true
stretch for him in every sense of the word. I won’t be disappointed
either way if one of these two actors take it.
THE
MAVEN: This is the toughest category for me because each performance
was spectacular. Phillip Seymour Hoffman took on a character that
could have become a joke in someone else’s hands. He is my vote.
BEST ACTRESS:
THE BLONDE: For me, hands
down, without a question or doubt, this Oscar belongs to Judi Dench.
This acting performance was beyond stunning. ACTING doesn’t get
better than this. I don’t think they will give it to her. It will
most likely go to Reese Witherspoon, which annoys me. She is
adorable, but this Oscar doesn’t belong to her, in my opinion!
THE MAVEN: Dame Judi showed she still has a lot to
give to a role. Her performance was poignant, funny, and endearing.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR:
THE BLONDE: Now,
this is a toughie. I won’t mind who goes home with this one. I
thought Paul Giamatti, George Clooney, Matt Dillon and Jake
Gyllenhaal all deserve it. William Hurt, na, not this time. I think
all four actors deserve it. If I must pick one, I think I will go
with Paul. Oh but George, Matt and Jake were so
good!!!
THE MAVEN: George Clooney’s character went
through a lot of changes in Syriana. The qualities he is best known
for, handsome good looks and charming personality, were not present
in the role. George went out of his comfort zone to show us he can
really act when he has to.
BEST SUPPORTING
ACTRESS:
THE BLONDE: I like Rachel Weisz for this
category. She was wonderful.
THE MAVEN: Rachel Weisz
was mesmerizing in The Constant Gardener. Her performance stayed in
my mind long after I saw the movie.
BEST
DIRECTOR:
THE BLONDE: Another tough decision.
Crash was such a complex film to make and Paul Haggis directed this
beautifully. Steven Spielberg had his hands full with a film like
Munich. Bennett Miller brought out the best in his Capote actors.
However, for so many reasons, I feel this Oscar belongs to Ang Lee.
He had to be sensitive, not care who didn’t like the topic,
locations, etc. Sorry, George Clooney!
THE MAVEN: Ang
Lee had a lot on his plate with Brokeback Mountain. There were
several stories to be told, all revolving around the main love
story. The best direction is subtle and Ang Lee hit the mark on this
movie.
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY:
THE
BLONDE: AGAIN, although Munich was a great adaptation, I would have
to go with Brokeback Mountain here. It was a unique and lovely story
that haunted me for days and makes one think about judging others so
harshly just because you don’t feel the same way or understand. It
delivers an important message and is quite an important
film.
THE MAVEN: What is a good movie without a solid
story behind it? I don’t subscribe to spreading the wealth of my
picks just to include everyone. Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana
adapted a beautiful story in Brokeback Mountain.
BEST
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY:
THE BLONDE: I totally disagree
with the MAV here. I think I have to go with Crash. Syriana and
Match Point were great, but we are talking Oscar. Crash deserves
this award.
THE MAVEN: I loved how George Clooney and
Grant Heslov chose a slice of history in Good Night, and Good Luck
and focused in on just one event, out of so very
many.
ANIMATED FEATURE:
THE BLONDE: No
thinking necessary, Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride.
THE
MAVEN: I loved Wallace & Gromit in the Curse of the Were-Rabbit.
I am also a fan of their BBC show on Sunday nights, so maybe I’m a
little partial to them.
CINEMATOGRAPHY:
THE BLONDE: I feel that,
again, Brokeback Mountain should go home with this one. If Memoirs
of a Geisha or The New World wins, I won’t be disappointed.
THE MAVEN: Rodrigo Prieto produced some amazing vistas
on Brokeback Mountain and the surrounding areas. Too bad they
weren’t in America!
COSTUMES:
THE BLONDE:
Oh, this is a given. Pride and Prejudice has to get this Oscar. It
is a no-brainer. My second choice would be Memoirs of a Geisha.
Don’t get me wrong, Mrs. Henderson Presents was wonderful too, but I
can only pick one!
THE MAVEN: Despite the fact that
many of the cast members were naked, there were still some beautiful
costumes to be seen in Mrs. Henderson Presents.
FILM
EDITING:
THE BLONDE: Crash… Crash… and, again, Crash.
This had to be an editing nightmare and it was executed
perfectly.
THE MAVEN: Those boxing scenes in Cinderella
Man were exciting to watch. It couldn’t have been easy.
MAKE-UP:
THE BLONDE: Actually, let’s
spread the love. Star Wars has gotten this before. I would like to
see this year’s award go to The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.
But they both actually deserve it!
THE MAVEN: We
waited so long to find out why Darth Vader was in the dark armor.
The make-up department did a fantastic job of showing us how Anakin
became so disfigured. Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith
should receive this award.
ORIGINAL
SCORE:
THE BLONDE: Has John Williams ever done a film
that he wasn’t nominated for? I really hope he gets this one, too,
for Geisha. His Munich score was also brilliant.
THE
MAVEN: Just give John Williams a huge award and stop nominating him.
You know he is a musical genius and will always do a great job.
Memoirs of a Geisha had some of the most beautiful music I have ever
heard.
ORIGINAL SONG:
THE BLONDE: I
have to admit, I truly don’t feel that any one of the nominations
are Oscar worthy. I mean, there was no song this year as impacting
as “My Heart Will Go On” from Titanic. But… if I have to pick, the
Oscar should go to “In the Deep” from the film
Crash.
THE MAVEN: “In the Deep” stayed with me for
days.
BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE:
THE
BLONDE: This one is a piece of cake…Enron. It is so wonderful to see
people exposed large, on screen!
THE MAVEN: I was
enthralled watching Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room. Only in
America could such smart men behave so stupidly!
THE
BLONDE: SO MAV, what will YOU be WEARING for the
Oscars?
THE MAVEN: I will be wearing what I always
wear: tasteful pajamas!
The Blonde: Okay, cool, as
long as they are designer!
THE BLONDE AND THE MAVEN:
There you have it, movie-lovers. This is who WE would like the
Oscars to go to. Now it is your turn to pick. Grab some popcorn and
candy and ENJOY OSCAR NIGHT!
