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Show best foseish the real contenders, and I'm going to guess that the voters will dig Simon more even though Miramax probably sent out leaves Simon and U2 as mmm nut xiong" (China) "Mies vailla rr.enneiiyyttdd" (Finland) "Nirgendwo in AWia" (Germany) "El Crimen del padre Arnaro" (Mexico) "Ymg "Zus & more free CDs. CHRIS'S PICK: zo" (Netherlands) Paul Simon, my ass. I mean, it took nominations to finally honor Randy Newman last year. Personally, it's going to make me giddy to see Eminem performing his hit song on national television. I'm sure the networks will show it on a short taped delay, lest our virgin ears hear a dirty word or two. "Lose Yourself" is my favorite of the nominated songs and comes from one of the most brilliant wordsmiths the music industry has seen in years, like him or not. Still, I doubt the Academy will give the award to such a politically incorrect artist who has stirred up so much controversy these last few 'em The Academy made this a difficult category to predict by selecting films that haven't been screened yet. except for Mexico"s "The Crime of Father Amaro." After Mexico and Spain respectively snubbed "Y tu Mama Tambien" and "Talk to Her." (which were recognized in the screenplay and directing categories), many academy voters reportedly walked out on the acclaimed "City of God" (opening this week, see Reel section) in an early December screening that occurred before the praise came in. So we're kind of in the dark on this one. find it hard to believe that all better are than Fernando Meirelles's films these a superb story of violent is which "City of God," street life told with style and energy. And I know from seeing both that Mexico indeed should have picked Alfonso Cuardn's "Y tu Mama Tambien" over the somewhat scandalous "The Crime of Father Amaro," which some Catholics disliked for its portrayal of a priest who lies to cover up a sex scandal. Perhaps Cuaron will have his day when the third installment of the "Harry Potter" series comes out. As for what will win from what's nominated, I've heard good things about "Nowhere in Africa," which has just been released in a few U.S. cities. So I'll go for that one. JEREMY'S PICK: Well, I "City of God" has received a huge amount of praise despite its limited release, and, simply on a hunch, I'm going to put my name on it. But in all honesty, I don't have the slightest clue. CHRIS'S PICK: 16 ' ! f years. The Academy is going to go the way of the general public and honor U2. Why? Because it's U2, of course. They're winning everything these days. They're the world's most popular band, every single is a hit, everybody loves them, right? If they have a huge hit song out, it's going to be nominated for something, and it's probably going to win. After all, it's U2! Who cares if the song is any good or not? BEST ACTRESS Salma Hayek "Frida" Nicole Kidman j The Hours" Diane Lane "Unfaithful" Julianne Moore "Far from Heaven" Renee Zellweger Xhicago" vKk &:V A : I jx The big surprise here is that only one actress from "The Hours" was nominated, leaving Meryl Streep with nothing but a tie for most career nominations. Even the factor didn't get e two in. So, nominees, two who Streep were nominated last year and Juliane Moore. lesbian-charact- er s. first-tim- DG(U"E."TAHY FEATURE "Bowling for Columbine'' BEST least four of the nominees have a reasonable shot at winning this year, which certainly makes for a refreshing bit of anticipation. Zellweger already has a Golden Globe and SAG award to her credit this award season, and Nicole Kidman, who lost out last year despite two excellent performances in "Moulin Rouge" and "The Others," could give the favored Julianne Moore a run for her money as well. But I hesitate to pick against Moore this year, whose two nominations (one for Best Supporting) should garner her one win. Moore is one of the best yet underappreciated actresses we have today and likely won't be e overlooked. But, having said that, a major in this category is Diane Lane, who has already collected some hardware of her own for her performance as Richard Gere's adulteress wife in Adrian Lyne's "Unfaithful." Though it's unlikely, don't be too shocked if her name is CHRIS'S PICK: At "Daughter From Danang" "Prisoner of Paradise" "Spellbound" "Le Peuple migrateur" with this year's a movie included which nominees, documentary that the general public had heard of and, in some cases, even seen. Michael Moore's lauded "Bowling for Columbine" earned a nod a real surprise from an organization that didn't watch all of "Hoop Dreams" and that failed to nominate "Crumb," "American Movie," Moore's masterful debut, "Roger and Me," and any film by Errol Morris, the most important documentarian of the last few decades. The nominating committee, which included Michael Apted of "Up" series fame, shows that the effort to reform the process has finally paid off. The Academy made a big splash My second choice is Kidman...for "Moulin Rouge." Thornberrys Movie" This year marks ' ' a ! l k !' " I .. ; ; - ' - IilCT0i:;;S: AdrJen Erody "The Pianist" Nicolas Cage "Adaptation" Michael Csine "The Quiet American" Daniel "Gangs of New York" Jack Nicholson "About Schmidt" is Wow. These actors all did an amazing job. How did the academy manage this? Jack Nicholson could make history by winning his third Oscar for lead performance. But he faces stiff competition we don't have anyone to complain aboutl Help! the first time a hip-ho- p artist has been nominated in this category. And he's going up against a living legend and four wannabe living legends. musical have Why does a super-olan original song? Because Miramax wants as many damn nominations for its silly musical as it can get. If you can't remember how "I Move On" goes or if it's even in the film, don't feel bad. Eminem's "lose Yourself" is a landmark nomination, but the academy voters, who skew older, might not want to honor a controversial figure whose song has no melody. "Frida" director Julie Taymor wrote the elegant "Burn it Blue" with composer Elliot Goldenthal, but the film and the comJEREMY'S PICK: i ' ' Day-Lew- BEST MUSIC, S0i;G Fred Ebb, John Kander for "I Move On," Xhicago" Eminem, Jeff Bass, Luis Kestofor "lose Yourself, "8 Mile" Elliot Coldanthal, Julie Taymor for "Burn It Blue," "Frida" Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, Larry Mullen Jr. for "The Hands That Built America," "Gangs of New York" Paul Simon for "Father and Daughter," "The Wild ' people were surprised when Lane was even nominated, despite the awards from various critic associations, including New York. Moore will win because she's brilliant and not recognized enough for her work or at least that's what I'm telling myself. Her performance reflected the 1950s melodramatic style that "Far From Heaven" imitated, but never made an ironic wink or disrespected hr character's feelings. While "Daughter from Danang" tells the surprising and moving story of a woman who attempts to return to the Vietnamese ancestors who she was taken from as a young girl, Moore's "Bowling for Columbine" is a little more accomplished. Besides, Moore will say something to piss everyone off during his acceptance speech. JEREMY'S PICK: - called. JEREMY'S PICK: Well, p V . dark-hors- It's been a long time since a documentary has made as many waves as Moore's "Bowling For Columbine," and I can't see anything else pulling the upset this year. And anyway, Hollywood just loves a liberal cause, don't they? Moore is a master at what he does and deserves the award, at the very least as a make-ufor his nomination snub for "Roger and Me." CHRIS'S PICK: IN. d posers don't have very much momentum. That I'm going to let my fondness for "Adaptation." creep through once again as I speak for Nicolas Cage's work. After some less successful andor more commercial turns in the last few years, Cage plays two people who look the same, but are easily distinguishable due to subtle manperfornerisms. This is an odd, mance that should be recognized. That said, this is one of the strongest sets of nominees, and I challenge anyone who complained about Richard Gere not being nominated to throw any of these actors out so he can ride "Chicago's" did such polyester coat tails. Daniel a as boss who work crime complex gritty, amazing was really a supporting character that he's received JEREMY'S PICK: film-particul- Day-Lew- 7 is see more oscars, page K12 3 ' If OF. 7 ixmiJ RED Magazine march 13, 2003 Rjj |