Oscar Nominations

[CMJ]

ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Adrien Brody
Nicolas Cage
Michael Caine
Daniel Day-Lewis
Jack Nicholson

ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Chris Cooper
Ed Harris
Paul Newman
John C. Reilly
Christopher Walken

ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Salma Hayek
Nicole Kidman
Diane Lane
Julianne Moore
Renée Zellweger

ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Kathy Bates
Julianne Moore
Queen Latifah
Meryl Streep
Catherine Zeta-Jones

ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
ICE AGE
LILO & STITCH
SPIRIT: STALLION OF THE CIMARRON
SPIRITED AWAY
TREASURE PLANET

ART DIRECTION
CHICAGO
FRIDA
GANGS OF NEW YORK
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS
ROAD TO PERDITION

CINEMATOGRAPHY
CHICAGO
FAR FROM HEAVEN
GANGS OF NEW YORK
THE PIANIST
ROAD TO PERDITION

COSTUME DESIGN
CHICAGO
FRIDA
GANGS OF NEW YORK
THE HOURS
THE PIANIST

DIRECTING
CHICAGO
GANGS OF NEW YORK
THE HOURS
THE PIANIST
TALK TO HER

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
BOWLING FOR COLUMBINE
DAUGHTER FROM DANANG
PRISONER OF PARADISE
SPELLBOUND
WINGED MIGRATION

DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT
THE COLLECTOR OF BEDFORD STREET
MIGHTY TIMES: THE LEGACY OF ROSA PARKS
TWIN TOWERS
WHY CAN'T WE BE A FAMILY AGAIN?

FILM EDITING
CHICAGO
GANGS OF NEW YORK
THE HOURS
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS
THE PIANIST

FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
EL CRIMEN DEL PADRE AMARO
HERO
THE MAN WITHOUT A PAST
NOWHERE IN AFRICA
ZUS & ZO

MAKEUP
FRIDA
THE TIME MACHINE

MUSIC (SCORE)
CATCH ME IF YOU CAN
FAR FROM HEAVEN
FRIDA
THE HOURS
ROAD TO PERDITION

MUSIC (SONG)
CHICAGO
8 MILE
FRIDA
GANGS OF NEW YORK
THE WILD THORNBERRYS MOVIE

BEST PICTURE
CHICAGO
GANGS OF NEW YORK
THE HOURS
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS
THE PIANIST

SHORT FILM (ANIMATED)
THE CATHEDRAL
THE CHUBBCHUBBS!
DAS RAD
MIKE'S NEW CAR
MT. HEAD

SHORT FILM (LIVE ACTION)
FAIT D'HIVER
I'LL WAIT FOR THE NEXT ONE… (J'ATTENDRAI LE SUIVANT…)
INJA (DOG)
JOHNNY FLYNTON
THIS CHARMING MAN (DER ER EN YNDIG MAND)

SOUND
CHICAGO
GANGS OF NEW YORK
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS
ROAD TO PERDITION
SPIDER-MAN

SOUND EDITING
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS
MINORITY REPORT
ROAD TO PERDITION

VISUAL EFFECTS
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS
SPIDER-MAN
STAR WARS EPISODE II ATTACK OF THE CLONES

WRITING (ADAPTED SCREENPLAY)
ABOUT A BOY
ADAPTATION
CHICAGO
THE HOURS
THE PIANIST

WRITING (ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY)
FAR FROM HEAVEN
GANGS OF NEW YORK
MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING
TALK TO HER
Y TU MAMÁ TAMBIÉN

[Loki Ahmrah]

I was hoping Minority Report would've been up for Best Picture instead of Gangs or The Hours.

I feel that due to the time when it was released, I think MR has been forgotten somewhat. :\

[CMJ]

'The Hours' was pretty much a lock. GONY was as well. 'Road to Perdition' might have JUST missed the cut, it got 6 total nominations.

[Loki Ahmrah]

I still haven't seen "Road to Perdition" but I did find the time to watch "Scooby-Do" last night. White trash till the end. :lol

[CMJ]

Looks like "Frida"(also with 6) might have barely missed out. TTT might have been the 5th nominee, it only had 6 nominations with no nod for Jackson, acting, or writing.

[Sanis Prent]

I found Perdition to be a decent, but sub-par movie. Nothing was really exceptional about it.

For once, I'm wholly uninterested in the Oscars. I think I'll rearrange my sock drawer instead.

[CMJ]

To each his own Sanis. ;)

[Loki Ahmrah]

I am actually in the same boat. Year by year, my interest in the Oscars has declinded. I'll be asleep.

[Oriadin]

I agree. Why is it that only the films released in the last month or two seem to be nominated for the major oscars?

No mention of signs? Hardly anything for Star Wars and Minority Report? No mention of Changing lanes? Im disapointed to say the least. I feel sorry for Peter Jackson not being nominated for best director this time around and I cant really understand why LOTR wasnt up for writting.

Last year I was very unhappy with the awards especially since Baz Lehurman (spelling?) and Moulin Rouge did pretty poorly at getting nominated let alone win anything. It wasnt even up for Music which is odd given that its a musical. Im begining to wonder if the oscars are worth watching, because it only anoys me. I think a lot of the awards is put down to hype and who knows who.

[CMJ]

Eh, I'M interested by the races. Not sure I totally agree with you on only November and December releases getting nominated. The majority, yes...but not always. Hell "Gladiator" won Best Picture.

"Moulin Rouge" was such a love/hate film I'm almost surprised it even got nominated. As far as it not being up for the music categories(song and score) the score was NOT original. There was only 1 original song(which was ineligible because it was written for another film but not used)...it would've been a miracle for it to be up for ORIGINAL music.

[Sanis Prent]

Well, it wasn't! Its knocking boots with Donnie Brasco, Goodfellas, and every other Mob movie that isn't in the Godfather Trilogy. Actually, probably worse of than those examples, to be honest. I can't see why you hype that one so much :)

[CMJ]

Sanis, I wasn't even talking about "Perdition" but your lack of caring for the Awards. ;)

I'm assuming that's what you were speaking of. To respond back to you, I enjoyed it TONS more than 'Goodfella's', 'Casino', etc...

But, to each his own. You've liked movies I haven't cared for, and I don't think I've exploded over it. ;)

[JonathanLB]

I don't see how you could say that Road to Perdition is "sub-par," so in other words, out of the 200 films released in 2002, it was in the bottom 100? I'm sorry, that's got to be the stupidest comment I've heard in ages. It may not be a personal favorite of yours, but anyone who has ANY appreciation of film technique at least recognizes the excellent cinematography and high quality production anyway, even if you didn't like the plot or didn't care for the dialogue or whatever else.

I won't be watching the Oscars either, though, they are useless and retarded. The nominations were even worse than I expected, which is too bad -- they had a chance to be somewhat decent.

Talk to Her SUCKS, so does Y Tu Mama Tambien, and furthermore both had the worst screenplays of the year, lol. Pa-thetic. Granted at least Talk to Her was a little bit artistic or well done, but Y Tu Mama Tambien was a bucket full of cow dung.

No Star Wars in the sound categories? Hahahahahahaha, oh my god. That is such clear bias it is disgusting.

Spider-Man over Minority Report on the effects category seems a bit shaky to me, but I can let that go I guess. At least they didn't pick MR over Star Wars, LOL. My god, these people. Wow. Couldn't tell the best special effects if one movie had a space ship hanging from a shoe string and the other had 2,500 effects shots and a $100 million budget.

[CMJ]

I actually think the nominations are pretty solid this year. They didn't recongnize everyone I wanted them to, but so what. The Academy has over 5000 members which means there are that many opinions.

Look on our board. Maybe a couple hundred of us have such varying tastes. That's what the Academy is like...it's not as if they all think one way.

[sirdizzy]

gangs of new york was aweful, which proves the oscars are still a joke

never even heard of the pianist


going to see the hours this friday

i totally agree with chicago and the tow towers


my 5 would have been chicago, the two towers, road to perdition, catch me if you can and minority report


and god forbid i went with 4 mainstream movies including 2 summer release movies oh what a wonderful and fair world the oscars would be if i ruled

[Jedieb]

GONY was amazing. Daniel Day Lewis is my pick for best actor. That's the best performance I've ever seen him give and he's done some good work.

[CMJ]

I agree, GONY was my favorite of the 5 nominated films. It's what I'm rooting for.

Sirdizzy's comment is exactly what I mean. Look at all the differing opinions we have JUST on this board. :p

[Sene Unty]

When it comes to anything, it is very difficult to have a large group of people agree on what is good and what isn't ...movies are no exception.

Personally I am not that upset over the nominating this year. I look forward to watching it when it comes on....

[CMJ]

I have one person in my corner...thanks man. :D

[Sene Unty]

:lol Your welcome.

[Jedi Master Carr]

I think Two Towers got shafted this year, I mean come on Jackson should have been nominated and no screenplay and Score, I am now thinking it might get even less nominations next year. Well at least AOTC did get that Visual effect oscar I was worried it wouldn't.

[CMJ]

Carr, I feel the opposite The fact that it got this much support(for the middle film) shows alot of love. I now more than ever expect it(ROTK) to be a major player next year.

[Jedi Master Carr]

Yeah but most of those nods are techinical stuff and it seems like they just gave those to them, not give Jackson a directing nod seems like they don't want to win.

[ReaperFett]

I said TTT was a poor score, so I'm glad it wasnt nominated.



And best Screenplay? I disagree. It's been said before you have to read the books to know what's going on. That is NOT the sign of a good Screenplay, IMO.




Good to see Cage get nominated. I look forward to seeing Adaptation immensey :)

[CMJ]

Carr, I think the Director's(who nominate) didn't want to nominate the same guy 3 years in a row. That never happens...

[ReaperFett]

Also, wasnt Adapation a mock story about the writer doing another script? How is it an Adapted screenplay? :)

[CMJ]

Reaper, 'Adaptation' is actually about the writer, trying adapt the book "The Orchid Thief". It's an adaption...and a film about writing that very adaption.

[Jedi Master Carr]

Well I think its slap to me at least, can't wait to see what Marcus has to say :rolleyes.

[Sene Unty]

That should eb interesting. :D

[JonathanLB]

Dizzy, you've never heard of The Pianist?! That has been a contestant from the start, it's Roman Polanski's film, so it seems surprising you wouldn't have heard of it. It's very good.

Gangs of New York was very good, but talk about WAY overrated, jesus. What a load of crap for that movie to get nominations over all of the other great films of the year, like Minority Report, for instance.

Daniel-Day Lewis deserves his nomination, though, maybe even a win because that was a great performance. The rest was not *that* impressive.

Two Towers is by far the best film nominated. BY FAR.

[Dutchy]

Originally posted by CMJ
FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
ZUS & ZO

Dutch movie, cool! Haven't seen it yet, though.


WRITING (ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY)
Y TU MAMÁ TAMBIÉN

Great! That's one of the best Oscars to win, IMO.

Jonathan, did you see My Left Foot? That's the best ever performance by any actor, IMO. By Day Lewis, that is.

[ReaperFett]

Jonathan, did you see My Left Foot?
Got a picture link? ;)


And for TTT to get Technical nomminations means one thing. They think it was well made :)

[CMJ]

I'd disagree, GONY is in fact the only film in my personal top 5. Therefore it's the only one I personally would've nominated(if I were an Academy member).

That being said I think all 5 nominated films are pretty worthy of that honor. It's definitely a quality selection of films IMHO.

[Figrin D'an]

GONY was okay... Daniel Day Lewis's performance was great, and I agree with the acting nod for him. Beyond that... not in my top 5 for 2002... no way.

The same thing with The Hours... the performances by Kidman, Moore and Streep were very good, and worthy of recognition by the Academy, but I just feel that the rest of the recognition it's getting is more or less a side effect of the acting performances. It's being "pull up" by what those three did, IMO. In my mind, there is no way that it was a better directing job than Jackson did on TTT or Spielberg for Minority Report or Catch Me If You Can. But like you said, they don't want to nominate the same guy three years in a row (Jackson's chances for ROTK are going to be really good, he'll likely be the early favorite) and Spielberg has become a victim of his own fame at times.

Most of nominations I agree with, but as usual, there are a few that I think are ridiculous (although not unexpected).

[Marcus Telcontar]

jackson better get oscar next year or else i'm going on a panning spree

[Loki Ahmrah]

And if you don't I will. I am really annoyed that Shore didn't get nominated for "The Two Towers" score. It is spectacular.

[Ryla Relvinian]

Good lord. No costume nomination for TTT either?

Blasphemy. Utter, total, Blasphemy.

*Runs off to hug her sewing machine*

[ReaperFett]

Spectacularly mediocre IMO Loki :)

[Loki Ahmrah]

You're entitled to your opinion, Fett, and I mine but here's a mission for you: Go find me a bad review of the score. I have read more than a dozen, all singing praises. It is a masterful score; grand, archaic and is able to accomodate all moods from the gloomy and miserable to the magnificent and joyful. It is an excellent soundtrack, much, much moreso than in FOTR.

[ReaperFett]

Does my review count? :)

I will agree it is better than FOTR's though.

[CMJ]

In 3 of the 4 categories FOTR won last year it wasn't nominated for this time. I think the branches felt they'd already honored the films. That isn't to say they won't be nominated next year, but much like the Director's race, I think the individual branches are hesitant to nominate the same series of films 3 years in a row(ESPECIALLY if they've already won).

Since it won for score, cinematography, and make-up a year ago(in addition to visual effects) that may help explain why it wasn't included in those categories this year.

[Marcus Telcontar]

in a house outside of wellington, a fat unkept man is seen storming out of the house cursing

They're theives! Wicked... false... tricksie... They stole our nomination... and we wants it back!

[CMJ]

Preliminary Thoughts...

ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Adrien Brody(Pianist)
Nicolas Cage(Adaptation)
Michael Caine(Quiet American)
Daniel Day-Lewis(GONY)
Jack Nicholson(About Schmidt)

Have seen all but Caine so far. My vote would go to Lewis, but I can see Brody or Nicholson winning as well.

ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Chris Cooper(Adaptation)
Ed Harris(The Hours)
Paul Newman(Road to Perdition)
John C. Reilly(Chicago)
Christopher Walken(Catch Me If You Can)

Have seen all 5 nominated performances. I'd vote for Walken, but I believe this is Cooper's Oscar.

ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Salma Hayek(Frida)
Nicole Kidman(The Hours)
Diane Lane(Unfaithful)
Julianne Moore(Far From Heaven)
Renée Zellweger(Chicago)

Seen 4 of 5(not Hayek yet). This is one tough category, to predict. I'd say Julianne Moore wins on the strength of her dual nomination. I'd also vote for her.

ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Kathy Bates(About Schmidt)
Julianne Moore(The Hours)
Queen Latifah(Chicago)
Meryl Streep(The Hours)
Catherine Zeta-Jones(Chicago)

Seen all five nominations. I think Streep will win because this is her record breaking 13th nomination. I'd vote for Zeta Jones.

ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
ICE AGE
LILO & STITCH
SPIRIT: STALLION OF THE CIMARRON
SPIRITED AWAY
TREASURE PLANET

Only seen 2 of 5. I have no clue yet, with this category.

ART DIRECTION
CHICAGO
FRIDA
GANGS OF NEW YORK
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS
ROAD TO PERDITION

Seen all but Frida. Expect a victory for Chicago. I'd vote for GONY.

CINEMATOGRAPHY
CHICAGO
FAR FROM HEAVEN
GANGS OF NEW YORK
THE PIANIST
ROAD TO PERDITION

Seen all five. I believe RTP will win, and that would be my personal choice.

COSTUME DESIGN
CHICAGO
FRIDA
GANGS OF NEW YORK
THE HOURS
THE PIANIST

Seen four of five. I'm expecting a win for GONY.

DIRECTING
CHICAGO
GANGS OF NEW YORK
THE HOURS
THE PIANIST
TALK TO HER

Have yet to see 'Talk to her'. I think Scorcese is a lock.

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
BOWLING FOR COLUMBINE
DAUGHTER FROM DANANG
PRISONER OF PARADISE
SPELLBOUND
WINGED MIGRATION

I guess BFC.

DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT
THE COLLECTOR OF BEDFORD STREET
MIGHTY TIMES: THE LEGACY OF ROSA PARKS
TWIN TOWERS
WHY CAN'T WE BE A FAMILY AGAIN?

NO clue.

FILM EDITING
CHICAGO
GANGS OF NEW YORK
THE HOURS
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS
THE PIANIST

Seen all five nominee's. I expect "Hours" to win.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
EL CRIMEN DEL PADRE AMARO
HERO
THE MAN WITHOUT A PAST
NOWHERE IN AFRICA
ZUS & ZO

No idea yet.

MAKEUP
FRIDA
THE TIME MACHINE

Frida will win.

MUSIC (SCORE)
CATCH ME IF YOU CAN
FAR FROM HEAVEN
FRIDA
THE HOURS
ROAD TO PERDITION

I'm expecting an "Hours" win. I'd vote for RTP.

MUSIC (SONG)
CHICAGO
8 MILE
FRIDA
GANGS OF NEW YORK
THE WILD THORNBERRYS MOVIE

GONY has U2 on it's side...it's in the bag. ;)

BEST PICTURE
CHICAGO
GANGS OF NEW YORK
THE HOURS
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS
THE PIANIST

Seen all five nominee's. I'd vote for GONY. 'Chicago' is nearly a lock.

SHORT FILM (ANIMATED)
THE CATHEDRAL
THE CHUBBCHUBBS!
DAS RAD
MIKE'S NEW CAR
MT. HEAD

Geez, who knows?

SHORT FILM (LIVE ACTION)
FAIT D'HIVER
I'LL WAIT FOR THE NEXT ONE… (J'ATTENDRAI LE SUIVANT…)
INJA (DOG)
JOHNNY FLYNTON
THIS CHARMING MAN (DER ER EN YNDIG MAND)

See above.

SOUND
CHICAGO
GANGS OF NEW YORK
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS
ROAD TO PERDITION
SPIDER-MAN

Tough category. I think TTT wins this one. I'd probably vote for RTP.

SOUND EDITING
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS
MINORITY REPORT
ROAD TO PERDITION

I'm expecting another TTT win. I'd vote for 'Minority Report'.

VISUAL EFFECTS
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS
SPIDER-MAN
STAR WARS EPISODE II ATTACK OF THE CLONES

A TTT victory is almost a certainty. I'd vote of course for AOTC.

WRITING (ADAPTED SCREENPLAY)
ABOUT A BOY
ADAPTATION
CHICAGO
THE HOURS
THE PIANIST

How could you not go for 'Adaptation'? I think it'll win too.

WRITING (ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY)
FAR FROM HEAVEN
GANGS OF NEW YORK
MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING
TALK TO HER
Y TU MAMÁ TAMBIÉN

I'm pretty certain FFH will win. My vote would goto GONY.

[Jedi Master Carr]

How did The Time Machine get best make up??? Those creatures were CGI as far as I know, something is really messed up there.

[Cirrsseeto Quez]

ARG ARG ARG FROM THE BOWELS OF HELL!!!!

I hate the Time Machine sooo much.

[CMJ]

Carr the characters were a mix of CGI and make-up depending on which shots.

[sirdizzy]

i think i will root for chicago to get best picture, the more i think about the two towers the more i agree with the comment that you have had to read the books to totally get the movie as we subconsciously feel in the blanbks


plus i think chicago is going to win


i am going to go see adaption this friday (after daredevil of course) and i think i will see the hour on saturday

like i said never heard of the pianist (and i really doubt it will ever come to my town)

[Sene Unty]

I hope Chicago wins best picture as well, though if TTT took it I wouldn't be upset :D

[CMJ]

At this point I think 'Chicago' is near a lock, but who knows. It's about 6 weeks, alot can happen.

[Sene Unty]

With 13 nominations they gots to win something. I heard on the news today that the stage play is the biggest loser in Tony awards history. It got nominated for 11 and lost everything.

[CMJ]

I heard that yesterday. Kind of funny the all-time nominated/loser for the Tony's will get tons of Oscar's.

Useless trivia, the all-time loser in Academy history was 'Color Purple'. It had 11 nominations and 0 wins.

[Sene Unty]

That's actually a good movie.....What beat it?

[CMJ]

In each category? ;) I'm assuming you mean Picture. It lost to "Out of Africa".

[ReaperFett]

I just hope Eminem doesnt win. I dont want to see the words "Academy Award winner Eminem" in front of me :)



And you know, I really hope Walken wins the Oscar. I know he wont, but he has had such a career. IMO, he deserves one more than Scorsese.

[CMJ]

If anyone can beat Cooper, it'd be Walken based on his career. Most of the Acedemy are older voters.

[ReaperFett]

And just think. This year, Oscars could be won by a Fugitive and a fictional person, with one woman winning both Oscars :)

[CMJ]

Definitely an interesting year. Also I *believe* Hayek could make history as the first Hispanic woman to win Best Actress. After all the hulabaloo last year with Halle Berry's win, I think this would be even more monumental.

I'm not 100% certain bit, like I said, I don't think a Hispanic has ever won for lead actress.

[ReaperFett]

She wont win it. I think she's the fifth one this year.

[CMJ]

I said COULD, not will. :p I don't think she'll win either, but I'd say her chances are better than Diane Lane.

The support 'Frida' got shows that. It probably just missed out on a Best Picture nomination. I'm thinking TTT barely got in over it and RTP. Perhaps a handful of others got close as well.

[JonathanLB]

IMO, the awards are unnecessarily subjective. Only the top categories need be subjective, the rest is fairly objective and measurable, quantifiable. You can't measure how good a score is because while some people love rap, others hate it, while some people think so and so new song is beautiful, others think it's corny and trite, or whatever.

With costume design, it's just pretty obvious. Costumes that you have to MAKE and not just find in the wardrobe department are obviously more complicated, and that makes them "better" because we are talking about the people who deserve to be awarded for their efforts. It requires little effort to make a period piece film where the costumes are already there for you to use. Something like Star Wars or LOTR, however, those movies have a heck of a lot of complicated costume designing to do. TPM has the best costume design of any film I've ever seen, ahead of AOTC just for the Queen's dresses. It was truly the most amazing, probably most expensive costume design job ever done, yet it wasn't even nominated, LOL. My god, talk about idiotic. How, then, can I even comment on any awards by this group? If they aren't going to recognize brilliance because of bias or politics, then I am not sure what to say.

The best effects were AOTC because, simply put, it had the most of them and they were done by a company that has consistently demonstrated its high quality, so you know it's not "a lot of lousy effects." AOTC's effects are the best yet seen in movies, TPM second. Again this is measurable here. I mean, Helm's Deep, AWESOME, I loved it, but it's warriors reproduced with computers in the dark, in the rain, not clones produced with photo-realistic results in the desert sun on a clear day. There is all of the difference in the world here between those two sequences.

I expect TTT to win and would be surprised if it did not, but oh well.

[CMJ]

I'm not sure the categories you mentioned are objective Jonathan. I've never heard a consensus on what the best special effects, costumes, sets, or cinematography was in a various year. Ever.

Hell I've disagreed with Film Professor's, parents, friends, etc over just about every category before. It's part of what makes film(and the Award season) so much fun IMHO. You can be thrilled and irritated withing minutes depending on what film wins what. :)

[CMJ]

In order of preference. This is a work in progress. I won't rank unless I've seen all the nominee's. I still have a couple of these films to see(and since I've yet to see or 'Quiet American' or a few on the animated films, plus the documentaries so that knocks several categories off).

BEST PICTURE
1. GANGS OF NEW YORK
2. CHICAGO
3. THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS
4. THE HOURS
5. THE PIANIST

Quality list, and i wouldn't be upset with any film winning, but I gotta go with Marty's film.

BEST DIRECTOR
1. Martin Scorsese(GONY)
2. Roman Polanski (The Pianist)
3. Rob Marshall (Chicago)
4. Stephen Daldry (The Hours)
5. Pedro Almodovar (Talk to Her)

Go Marty! Any but Almodovar would be deserved.

BEST ACTRESS
1. Selma Hayek(Frida)
2. Julianne Moore(Far From Heaven)
3. Renee Zellwegger(Chicago)
4. Nicole Kidman(The Hours)
5. Diane Lane(Unfaithful)

Going with Hayek not only because she was great, but because she sunk so much into this film. It was a tru labor of love for her. All the nominee's were fantastic, hard to make a case against any of them.

ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
1. Christopher Walken(CMIYC)
2. Paul Newman(RTP)
3. Chris Cooper(Adaptation)
4. Ed Harris(The Hours)
5. John C. Reilly(Chicago)

How did Reilly get nominated? Out of the cast of 'Chicago' he was the weak link IMHO. The other four were deserving of nominations. I'm gonna be pulling for Walken's memoragl father in CMIYC.

ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
1. Catherine Zeta-Jones(Chicago)
2. Kathy Bates(About Schmidt)
3. Julianne Moore(The Hours)
4. Meryl Streep(Adaptation)
5. Queen Latifah(Chicago)

CZS stole the show. Though Julianne Moore isn't number one on either of the lists she's up for it'd be justified if she won one. She had a terrific year. Bates was hysterical. One of the tougher categories in a tough year.

CINEMATOGRAPHY
1. ROAD TO PERDITION
2. GANGS OF NEW YORK
3. CHICAGO
4. THE PIANIST
5. FAR FROM HEAVEN

Conrad Hall should ride off into the sunset as a winner. Fine work all the way around, only a vicory by FFH would make me scratch my head.

FILM EDITING
1. THE HOURS
2. GANGS OF NEW YORK
3. THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS
4. CHICAGO
5. THE PIANIST

Brilliance in combining all three storylines. GONY had less flashy editing, but was well done. TTT could pull through, war scenes always get respect in this category. The last two nominee's could be argued for as well.

SOUND
1. ROAD TO PERDITION
2. THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS
3. CHICAGO
4. GANGS OF NEW YORK
5. SPIDER-MAN

One of the toughest categories, not only to pick a winner, but to rank period. All stood out in their own way. I'd be satisfied with a win by any.

SOUND EDITING
1. MINORITY REPORT
2. ROAD TO PERDITION
3. THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS

See Sound above.

Art Direction:
1. GANGS OF NEW YORK
2. ROAD TO PERDITION
3. FRIDA
4. THE TWO TOWERS
5. CHICAGO

Rebuilding several square blocks of 1860's New York equals a should win in my book. The other nominee's stand out as well.

COSTUME
1. GANGS OF NEW YORK
2. FRIDA
3. CHICAGO
4. THE HOURS
5. THE PIANIST

Great stuff from all involved. Give me the vintage NY stuff though.

MAKEUP
1. FRIDA
2. THE TIME MACHINE

I will puke if 'Time Machine' is an Oscar winner. :p

ORIGINAL SCORE
1. ROAD TO PERDITION
2. CATCH ME IF YOU CAN
3. FRIDA
4. THE HOURS
5. FAR FROM HEAVEN

Solid list of nominee's. Go RTP.

VISUAL EFFECTS
1. ATTACK OF THE CLONES
2. THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS
3. SPIDER-MAN

Give AOTC a bone please. TTT would be a deserving winner as well.

WRITING(ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY)
1. TALK TO HER
2. GANGS OF NEW YORK
3. MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING
4. FAR FROM HEAVEN
5. Y TU MAMA TAMBIEN

Not the best film, but an ingenious screenplay. Expect MBFGW to get a win though(which would be fine) because of the cinderella story the writer/actress had in getting it made.

WRITING (ADAPTED SCREENPLAY)
1. ADAPTATION
2. THE HOURS
3. CHICAGO
4. THE PIANIST
5. ABOUT A BOY

The most ingenious screenplay of the year. Hopefully it's rewarded.

Totals
Gangs of New York - 4
Road to Perdition - 3
Frida - 2
Chicago - 1
Minority Report - 1
Attack of the Clones - 1
Adaptation - 1
The Hours - 1
Catch Me If You Can - 1
Talk to Her - 1

*************
These are my feelings right now. When awards night comes I may feel differently. Heck I'll probably be rooting for RTP in every category it's up for. ;)

-FOR YOU CONSIDERATION-
_________________
"To get paid to do what you love...ain't that the dream?"

Road to Perdition - In all categories ;)