Entertainment Weekly predicts the Oscar nominations... — Page 2

I agree, Jerby. And it can even have a negative affect after that.

If they don't win for a performance they "should have"... then they get the award for something less-than-worthy as a make-up... that LAST part can stick in voters' minds.

Crowe should have won for a Beautiful Mind, the year after Gladiator, but his Gladiator win (considered questionable by some) killed any chances the next year. He's already got a trophy for that "sword and sandal" movie.

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jrb......you are so right. He should have won for "The Insider." He was fantastic in that film. Never should have won for "Gladiator."

More or less, they've nailed it. I wonder what surprises there will undoubtedly be...

Frank Langella for Best Actor
Amy Adams for Best Actress
Tommy Lee Jones for Best Supporting Actor
Jennifer Garner for Best Supporting Actress

They're long shots, but I hope each one of these happens. Adams, in particular, delivered one of the most extraordinary, high-wire acts I've seen all year. Could have gone wrong in SO many ways, but she pulled it off beautifully, without breaking a sweat. Unfortunately, aside from rave reviews, she has nothing to show for it.

Crowe should have won for a Beautiful Mind

Although he never had a shot, I would have handed that award to Tom Wilkinson for In the Bedroom. His performance gets better every time I watch it.

Hairspray might get a costumes nomination.

I predict Hairspray will get nominations for Costumes, Art Direction and Sound.

Sweeney the same categories, plus Depp.

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It won't be THAT white. I'm pretty sure the Coens are Hispanic.

I don't think he was being serious matty.

And Hairpsray will probably get a nod for song, no?

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Nothing would please me more than to hear Helena's name called out as a nominee this year. I just don't think it's going to happen.

But if it does, you'll hear me clapping loudly and disturbing my neighbors at 5:30 AM in Los Angeles!

As far as Burton, I'm mixed. I think many of his directorial decisions were excellent. But there are a few key choices that I feel really hurt the film as a FILM, not as a stage recreation, or an attempt at pleasing a larger audience. They simply didn't work, or only managed to lessen the impact of the story and the characters. Those "creative decisions" that I disagree with come back to him, since he is the director. So, frankly... I'm not sure he deserves a nod, as much as he did get right with the movie.

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"I was also impressed with his restraint (!), as well as his focus on storytelling and character."

So was I, but I really, really mourned The Ballad!

I'm really pulling of Jennifer Garner and Helena Bomham Carter: two women whom I've never particularly liked, and they both proved me very, very wrong. Two of my favorite performances this year.

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You know, I noticed Laura Linney's nod would replace the horrid Cate Blanchett in the crappy ELIZABETH sequel, so I'm fine with that. Or Amy Adams. Not so much Helena Bone-In-Ham-But-So-Skinny-There-Is-No-Ham Carter.

Also, I hope the Academy considers ENCHANTED for Costumes, Song, Score, and Visual Effects. And a long shot, but please, God, nominate Michelle Pfeiffer in HAIRSPRAY? Please?

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Updated On: 1/12/08 at 10:37 AM

One thing that interested me about BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU'RE DEAD is the absolute and complete lack of comedy. Even the most serious of dramas these days has just a tad bit of humor to defuse the tension. Although, sometimes, movies tend to use comedy because they're afraid of getting TOO dark.

But BEFORE THE DEVIL... was relentless and intense. Even ATONEMENT had a few comical moments (Mostly in the beginning).

F*** THA POLICE!