78th Annual Academy Awards
With the help of actress Mira Sorvino, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the 2005 Oscar nominees Tuesday during a packed press conference at LA’s Kodak Theater. Few surprises emerged, predictably, in one of the tightest races in the last few years although several films like Noah Baumbach’s The Squid and the Whale and lead acting nominations for A History of Violence were left out.
Oscar Watch #1
Unlike previous years, the race to watch closely are the acting categories. Where Ang Lee’s “Brokeback Mountain” has taken most top picture and directing prizes, the acting trophies have been widely dispersed insuring a bit of red carpet melodrama:
This year Heath Ledger (“Brokeback”) and Phillip Seymour Hoffman (“Capote”) will likely vie one on one for the Best Actor honors as they have split the critic’s prizes thus far. Hoffman did walk home with the Golden Globe a few weeks ago and that gives him a substantial lead. Also in the race is David Strathairn for “Good Night, and Good Luck” and Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny Cash in “Walk the Line.” Somewhat of a surprise was the nomination for Terrence Howard for the indie Sundance favorite “Hustle and Flow.” Despite critical raves and plenty of support, Howard has yet to win a substantial acting award for the film.
Final Say: Phillip Seymour Hoffman
On the Female Lead side, Reese Witherspoon predictably got her nomination for “Walk the Line” as did Felicity Huffman for “Transamerica.” Both women won the Globes and are relatively tied for critic’s prizes. Fellow nominees Keira Knightley (“Pride and Prejudice”), veteran Judi Dench (“Mrs. Henderson Presents”), and 2004 winner Charlize Theron (“North Country”) could sneak in to snatch the prize but recent years have allocated little drama in the category as many of the nominees have been more or less fillers.
Final Say: Reese Witherspoon
The Supporting Actor race has seen an ebb and flow of nominees throughout the season. The Academy finally landed on George Clooney for “Syriana,” Matt Dillon for “Crash,” Paul Giamatti for “Cinderella Man,” Jake Gyllenhaal for “Brokeback Mountain,” and William Hurt for “A History of Violence.” Giamatti and Hurt came in as the only surprise nominees although some were certain “Crash” would be overlooked again. Gyllenhaal, despite the performance of his career, is quite young and has yet to be awarded professionally for his role in “Brokeback.” My guess is Giamatti will finally walk away with the Oscar after being snubbed for both “American Splendor” and “Sideways.”
Final Say: Paul Giamatti
Michelle Williams (“Brokeback Mountain”) and Rachel Weisz (“The Constant Gardener”) came through as predictable nominees for Best Supporting Actress. Also honored with nominations are Catherine Keener for “Capote,” Frances McDormand for “North Country,” and a surprise nomination for Amy Adams in “Junebug.” Of the pack, it would be nice to see Adams take home the prize for her heartbreaking performance but the award will likely go to Williams or Weisz. Both women have been honored this season for two fierce performances and my guess is that Weisz will step in to swoop up the prize in the end.
Final Say: Rachel Weisz
Seasoned veterans of the directing field have made quite a return this year along with a number of newcomers. As many guessed, Lee made the cut as did Steven Spielberg for “Munich.” First time director Paul Haggis received a much deserved nomination for “Crash” and will also compete with amateur directors Bennett Miller for “Capote” and George Clooney for “Good Night, and Good Luck.” Lee looks destined for the prize although he could be toppled by any one of the other nominees if the Academy decides to be bold.
Final Say: Ang Lee
As always, the most sought after prize, Best Picture, is a predictable list of five praised films nominated elsewhere. This year the list mirrors the directing category with nominations for “Capote” (Caroline Baron, William Vince and Michael Ohoven), “Brokeback Mountain” (Diana Ossana and James Schamus), “Crash” (Paul Haggis and Cathy Schulman), “Good Night, and Good Luck” (Grant Heslov), and “Munich” (Kathleen Kennedy, Steven Spielberg and Barry Mendel). The award goes to the film’s producers and “Brokeback Mountain” is a sure bet after receiving more than twelve critic’s choice awards thus far.
Final Say: “Brokeback Mountain”
Also announced at the luncheon: Jon Stewart will host the telecast and stars such as Jennifer Aniston, Sandra Bullock, Morgan Freeman, Tom Hanks, and Owen and Luke Wilson are scheduled to present. The ceremony will be held on March 5, 2006 and telecast that evening on ABC.
Complete List of Nominees:
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
78th Annual Academy Awards Nominations Best Picture
Best Motion Picture
BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK
CRASH
CAPOTE
MUNICH
Actor in a Leading Role
Philip Seymour Hoffman, CAPOTE
Heath Ledger, BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
Terrence Howard, HUSTLE AND FLOW
David Strathairn, GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK
Joaquin Phoenix, WALK THE LINE
Actress in a Leading Role
Felicity Huffman, TRANSAMERICA
Charlize Theron, NORTH COUNTRY
Reese Witherspoon, WALK THE LINE
Keira Knightley, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
Judi Dench, MRS. HENDERSON PRESENTS
Actor in a Supporting Role
Paul Giamatti, CINDERELLA MAN
George Clooney, SYRIANA
Matt Dillon, CRASH
William Hurt, A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE
Jake Gyllenhaal, BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
Actress in a Supporting Role
Rachel Weisz, THE CONSTANT GARDENER
Frances McDormand, NORTH COUNTRY
Michelle Williams, BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
Amy Adams, JUNEBUG
Catherine Keener, CAPOTE
Best Director
Steven Spielberg, MUNICH
Ang Lee, BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
George Clooney, GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK
Paul Haggis, CRASH
Bennet Miller, CAPOTE
Best Original Screenplay
Woody Allen, MATCH POINT
George Clooney & Grant Heslov, GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK
Paul Haggis & Bobby Moresco, CRASH
Stephen Gaghan, SYRIANA
Noah Baumbach, THE SQUID AND THE WHALE
Best Adapted Screenplay
Dan Futterman, CAPOTE
Josh Olson, A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE
Jeffrey Caine, THE CONSTANT GARDENER
Tony Kushner & Eric Roth, MUNICH
Larry McMurtry & Diana Ossana, BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
Best Original Score
Alberto Iglesias, THE CONSTANT GARDENER
Dario Marianelli, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
Gustavo Santaolalla, BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
John Williams, MUNICH
John Williams, MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA
Best Documentary Feature
MARCH OF THE PENGUINS
MURDERBALL
DARWIN'S NIGHTMARE
STREET FIGHT
ENRON: THE SMARTEST GUYS IN THE ROOM
Best Sound Editing
KING KONG
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA
WAR OF THE WORLDS
Best Sound Mixing
WALK THE LINE
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA
WAR OF THE WORLDS
THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE
KING KONG
Best Visual Effects
THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE
KING KONG
WAR OF THE WORLDS
Best Original Song
"In the Deep" - CRASH, Music by Kathleen "Bird" York and Michael Becker; Lyric by Kathleen "Bird" York
"It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp" - HUSTLE & FLOW Music and Lyric by Jordan Houston, Cedric Coleman and Paul Beauregard
“Travelin’ Thru” — TRANSAMERICA, Music & Lyrics by: Dolly Parton
Best Foreign Film
SOPHIE SCHOLL - THE FINAL DAYS
DON'T TELL
MERRY CHRISTMAS (JOYEUX NOEL)
PARADISE NOW
TSOTSI
That's it for the first round of predictions for the 78th Annual Academy Awards.
For more info on the awards show, head over to Oscars.Com.
Stay tuned for updates.
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