LAURA JOHNSON
A&E Assistant
Oscar de la Renta, Oscar the Grouch and Oscar Meyer are all Oscars who have done well for themselves but there is only one Oscar to rule them all, and he is worth his weight in gold. Oscar is the most coveted man among the Hollywood elite and Sunday, 90-plus nominees will bow down to the golden statue as he turns 79 at the Academy Awards. For some categories, the winner is clear, but others are a fight to the finish.
Best Picture
Staff pick: “Little Miss Sunshine”
“As good as ‘The Departed’ was, all I’m saying is that if ‘Little Miss Sunshine’ doesn’t win, they got robbed. Hollywood tends to sugarcoat things, but they made a good story out of a bad situation. I think ‘Little Miss Sunshine’ is the quintessential twenty-first century family; things aren’t fine and dandy for everybody, and every family has problems. That was a really strong message they were trying to make.”
—Marc Choquette, Perspectives editor
Will Win: “Babel” is basically a “Crash” that does not cut as deep. “Letter’s From Iwo Jima,” well, let’s be honest, no one saw it (“Dreamgirls” was cut for this?). Although “The Queen” features a performance of a lifetime and took an unrelenting look at the aftermath of Princess Di’s untimely passing, it is not quite up to Best Picture standards. “The Departed” is the best picture of the year. The insane amount of violence is the only thing keeping it from possibly not winning, but if Academy members can hold their lunches long enough to vote yes, “The Departed” will take it all.
Should Win: There is a lovely little ray of sunshine that has captured audiences and critics alike that may just separate the clouds of “The Departed” and win it.
Best Original Screenplay
Staff pick: “Pan’s Labyrinth”
“I think the storyline is unique because it has one foot in a fantasy world and the other foot squarely planted in a historical drama about the Spanish Civil War. I don’t think many Americans are aware Spain had a Civil War.”
—John Tocci, assistant photo editor
Will Win: This category is easier to predict than some others — “Little Miss Sunshine” wins hands down. There have been many family road trip movies before, but this one leaves them all in the dust.
Should Win: Peter Morgan’s screenplay of “The Queen” is one of the reasons Mirren played her character so well. It is well crafted and thoroughly thought out, and the Academy loves biopic dramas. They may just eat this one up.
Best Director
Staff pick: Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu
“I know Scorcese will win for ‘The Departed,’ but I loved ‘Babel.’ The nice thing about the directing in ‘Babel’ is that you didn’t even really notice how well it was being directed. You were just constantly impressed with how powerful the shots were and how well placed the actors were.” —Airan Scruby, editor in chief
Will Win: Clint Eastwood has won too many times and Inarritu is a hard name to say. It is Scorsese’s year. Finally, he puts together the best film of his life. He has been nominated in this category six times over the course of three decades. It is his time.
Should Win: At the helm of “United 93” is Paul Greengrass. Although the film was besmirched from the Best Picture list, Greengrass’s work on such a powerful film is indeed in need of some serious recognition. Although he may not have the eyebrows to win, somehow he may be able to fly in and take the gold.
Best Actor
Staff pick: Will Smith
“Will Smith not only deserves the Oscar for ‘The Pursuit of Happyness,’ but the film also deserves some major recognition and it seems like it fell under the radar, or at least the Academy’s radar.”
—Shannon Kelly, News editor
“I’d really like to see Will Smith grab the Best Actor nod. He’s easily overlooked, not only because of his competition in the group, but also because we’re not used to seeing him in such a serious role. But he did an incredible job, and it’s an incredible movie, so he deserves it.” —Jane Lee, Sports editor
Will Win: All of the other boys in the category gave it their best shot this year, but the only one going home with a new golden friend is Forest Whitaker. Not only has he won everything else thus far (Best Actor at the Golden Globes and the SAG awards), but he is just too good in his part as the charismatic but vicious Ugandan dictator Idi Amin.
Should Win: Peter O’Toole is an old guy and he has already been nominated three times and even won an Honorary Award in 2002 for his memorable characters. This year he gave a performance that has been hailed as his best ever. Though he is of a different time and school of acting, O’Toole is great, and the Academy might finally decide to recognize it.
Best Actress
Staff pick: Kate Winslet
“Kate Winslet has such a grace about her that I love. She is such a classy lady and a great actor, but she is often not given the kudos she deserves. I like the fact that she is not afraid to take on challenging roles that might not be pretty or happy, and she doesn’t shy away from the independent scene. After five nominations, she has definitely earned a statue.” —Carissa Marsh, A&E editor
Will Win: Helen Mirren. Is there even anyone else in the category?
Should Win: Helen Mirren. Kate Winslet has been nominated five times and has yet to win, and unfortunately for her, she will not win this year either. And then there is Meryl Streep, the goddess herself, who played one of the most devilish women ever (complete with a collection of fur coats to kill). Admirable attempt ladies. Please try again next year.
Best Supporting Actor
Staff pick: Eddie Murphy
“I think it is between Djimon Hounsou and Eddie. For the sake of novelty, I’d choose Eddie Murphy. He did stretch his talents and his singing was phenomenal. It was his first dramatic role and he was actually believable. I didn’t feel like I was watching the Nutty Professor.” —Ashlyee Hickman, Living editor
Will Win: Alan Arkin in “Little Miss Sunshine” plays the best heroin addicted Grandpa the screen has ever seen. He brings a haunting darkness to a character who was written mostly for the comic relief. He is the most deserving in this category.
Should Win: Eddie Murphy shows that he is more than just a donkey in his role in “Dreamgirls.” He is wildly delightful and has a good chance of winning.
Best Supporting Actress
Staff pick: Adriana Barraza
“When I was watching Adriana Barraza in ‘Babel’ she was so good as the Mexican mother, she almost made me cry.” —Shuhei Matsuo, assistant Sports editor
Will Win: In the film “Dreamgirls” Jennifer Hudson sings, “And I am telling you, I’m not going” but she is going, she is going to the Oscars to win. Hopefully her thank you speech might include something to do with telling Simon off for not thinking she was better in “American Idol.” She is the Cinderella story of the year.
Should Win: Every other year or so the Academy likes to
recognize a child actor who plays a kid role in a grown-up movie. Two young stars who were Oscar-nominated in past years include Haley Joel Osment, who got a best supporting actor nod for his role in 1999’s “The Sixth Sense,” and Keisha Castle-Hughes, who was recognized for her leading role in 2003’s “Whale Rider.” Though these two did not win, it would just be really fun if Abigail Breslin of “Little Miss” took home the Oscar. She screams louder than a train, looks stunning in Coke-bottle glasses and best of all she has dance moves that kill.
Best Foreign
Language Film
Staff pick: “Pan’s Labyrinth”
“I found ‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ to be a psychological film that influenced my perception of the effects of war on a child’s psyche. It was moving and a very necessary look at the horrors of war. The message is very powerful.” —Tyler Bourke, Photo editor
Will Win: A story that goes way beyond the barriers of language, “Pan’s Labyrinth,” this year’s nomination from Spain, combines the dreamland and the harsh realities of war in a film that moves beyond expectations.
Should Win: Heaven forbid the Academy nominates two films from one country. “Volver,” also of Spain, should have been in this category as well. “Pan” should win but “The Lives of Other’s,” from Germany, has also been causing some buzz.
Best Animated Feature
Staff pick: “Happy Feet”
“‘Happy Feet’ will win because it appeals to a much wider age group than ‘Cars.’ I wasn’t attracted to ‘Cars’ because from what I read in reviews and saw in the previews it seemed aimed only at kids as opposed to ‘Happy Feet,’ which had many adult themes.” —Melissa Giaimo, assistant Perspectives editor
Will Win: Pixar is simply incapable of making a bad movie. Although “Cars” may not be as great as “Finding Nemo,” its simple storyline set in the backdrop of the luscious desert scenery of rural America shows animation of only the highest quality.
Should Win: Penguins are mighty cute, but the quasi-Al Gore propaganda thrown in the storyline causes the film to lose a bit of its slickness.
02-22-2007
