I’m certainly with those suffering from the “award fatique” described by Sharon Waxman in tomorrow’s NYT. Enough already with these silly prizes while the world may or may not be going through a Berlin Wall moment.
Nevertheless, in keeping with the hemi-semi-demi-full disclosure of this blog, I am going to continue a hoary tradition of two years duration and reveal how this Academy member voted in the Academy Awards and how I think the Academy itself will vote. Caveat: I used to be pretty good at the latter (won a few pools), but lately have often been off base. If you feel like following along with your own personal form (although I don’t see why you would) you can get your own printable Oscar ballot here from the Academy site. I will use their order. Some categories will be skipped because I didn’t vote in them:
ACTOR — LEADING
I voted for Don Cheadle’s restrained performance in HOTEL RWANDA. The Academy will go for Jamie Foxx in RAY. I think he was good too, but I didn’t much care for the movie and that prejudiced me against him.
ACTOR — SUPPORTING
In this case I did vote for Jamie Foxx in the underrated COLLATERAL. I’m not sure on this one, but have a hunch that the Academy will go for Thomas Haden CHurch in SIDEWAYS.
ACTRESS — LEADING
I voted for Hilary Swank in MILLION DOLLAR BABY, so will the Academy. This woman is the real thing.
ACTRESS — SUPPORTING
I voted for Sophie Okonedo in HOTEL RWANDA (hey, I must’ve liked that movie). The Academy will give this one easily to Kate Blanchett for THE AVIATOR.
ANIMATED FEATURE
THE INCREDIBLES… probably really the Best Picture too, but not nominated. Anyway, a lock in this division.
ART DIRECTION
THE AVIATOR (me and them).
CINEMATOGRAPHY
Ditto.
COSTUME DESIGN
I voted for LEMONY SNICKET (loved the visuals in this movie, though I was slightly bored by the story). I think the Academy will go for THE AVIATOR again here.
DIRECTING
Another Oscar for Clint. I voted for him and so will the Academy. MILLION DOLLAR BABY, baby.
FILM EDITING
I voted for COLLATERAL, which was beautifully edited. I’m cynical and think the Academy will go for THE AVIATOR, which was twenty minutes too long.
MAKEUP
LEMONY SNICKET (me and them)
ORIGINAL SCORE
Again I voted for LEMONY SNICKET. Not sure but I think the Academy will vote for FINDING NEVERLAND to honor a movie they seem to like and won’t win other categories.
ORIGINAL SONG
I didn’t vote. Didn’t like any of the songs, but I rarely do. The Academy will probably go for that nauseating tune from THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. Feh.
BEST PICTURE
MILLION DOLLAR BABY (me and them)
SOUND EDITING
THE INCREDIBLES (me and them)
SOUND MIXING
I voted for SPIDER-MAN 2 here (which had great tech credits). I have to admit I have no idea how the Acad will vote on this. THE AVIATOR? Okay, THE AVIATOR
VISUAL EFFECTS
SPIDER-MAN 2 (me and them)
SCREENPLAY — ADAPTED
I voted for MILLION DOLLAR BABY. I think the Acad will go for Taylor and Payne’s SIDEWAYS, which was a nice job too.
SCREENPLAY — ORIGINAL
I voted for Charlie Kaufman’s ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND. I think the Academy will too. At least I hope they will because I don’t think there’s any doubt that Kaufman is the most interesting (relatively) new talent in film.
That’s All Folks!
Well, not quite all. I just wanted to point you to Baldilocks who has some intelligent things to say about host Chris Rock. I agree with Baldie… who cares about Rock’s politics? I just care that he’s funny! The Bush Dumb jokes are way too 2001. His stuff on abortion, however, when it’s not taken out of context, makes me laugh. I mean how could I criticize someone for using the F-word? I wrote for Richard Pryor!
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