![[Proudest Monkeys]](images/monkeybutton.jpg)
WHO WILL WIN: KATE HUDSON (ALMOST FAMOUS)
BRAD'S PICK: ZHANG ZIYI (CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON)
Alright, so I know that she was not nominated, but the charismatic Zhang Ziyi gave one of the best performances of the year as the strong-willed Jen Yu. In a film filled with superstars like Chow Yun Fat and Michelle Yeoh, the young actress managed to more than hold her own, and it is really unfortunate that the Academy overlooked her. In fact, a significant part of the film's unmistakable appeal must be attributed to Zhang Ziyi, who shines in both the action sequences and the intimate dramatic scenes.
|
WHO WILL WIN: KATE HUDSON (ALMOST FAMOUS) Frances McDormand successfully negotiates a potentially one-dimensional role as the uptight mom with humor and warmth. |
WHO WILL WIN: BENICIO DEL TORO (TRAFFIC)
BRAD'S PICK: BENICIO DEL TORO (TRAFFIC)
Almost all of the actors in Traffic were on top of their game, but none more so that Benicio Del Toro, who shined in the role of a Mexican cop. Of the several stories in Traffic, the most interesting involves the drug business south of the border, and a large reason for it is the excellent performance turned in by Del Toro.
|
WHO WILL WIN: BENICIO DEL TORO (TRAFFIC) I was actually a little disappointed in Traffic for the same reason my colleague appreciated it - a little too much ambiguity. In this category, Benicio Del Toro did a good job of portraying his character's role in the "war" on drugs, but I think his performance is over-hyped. Albert Finney should win for the solidification that his performance gave to Erin Brockovich, a movie that might otherwise have been a waste of time. |
WHO WILL WIN: GLADIATOR
BRAD'S PICK: THE PERFECT STORM
Gladiator? I really was disappointed by the fakeness of Rome. Hollow Man? Seen these effects before, done better. The Perfect Storm, on the other hand, had excellent effects that really stole the show.
|
WHO WILL WIN: THE PERFECT STORM Why else would people go to a film about people meeting their death on a boat? Oh, wait, there was that one about the iceberg... I'd have to say that the effects on The Perfect Storm were overwhelming, especially considering it was filmed mainly on a sound stage at the Warner Bros. lot. |
WHO WILL WIN: CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON
BRAD'S PICK: THE PATRIOT
The Patriot was my guilty pleasure of 2000: not the best movie in the world, but extremely entertaining. A great deal of the appeal can be traced to the fact that it really looked good. From colorful battles, to colonial city streets, to eerie swamps, the scenes are all flawlessly captured on film.
|
WHO WILL WIN: CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON I don't know whether it was the plot or the cinematography that made the public swoon for all that flying around (some say it's "jumping"). I'm going to go with cinematography, since the visuals were breathtaking and they created a magical atmosphere where such things may be possible. |
WHO WILL WIN: ALMOST FAMOUS
BRAD'S PICK: ERIN BROCKOVICH
Of all the categories, this is the one where I would most like to exercise the "none-of-the-above" option. That being said, I give the nod to Erin Brockovich based primarily on the way that it creates some pretty witty exchanges between Julia Roberts and Albert Finney.
|
WHO WILL WIN: YOU CAN COUNT ON ME The dialogue and details of Almost Famous were well-deserving of the accolades. I thought I was going to hate it; I was mistaken. |
WHO WILL WIN: CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON
BRAD'S PICK: TRAFFIC
Traffic is one of those rare pictures that really make you think, and a great deal of the credit must be given to the excellently drafted script written by Stephen Gaghan. The various storylines of the movie are deftly intertwined into an extremely compelling final product.
|
WHO WILL WIN: TRAFFIC The three other people who saw Wonder Boys and I know what a clever, superb movie it was. Although I can barely remember the details anymore - I saw it so long ago - the script does stand out in my mind as being extremely well done. The Academy, though, will honor Traffic for its intricate and thought-provoking plot. |
WHO WILL WIN: JULIA ROBERTS (ERIN BROCKOVICH)
BRAD'S CHOICE: JULIA ROBERTS (ERIN BROCKOVICH)
While I was not as impressed with Roberts' performance as some people were, I nevertheless give her my vote here. If nothing else, this is easily the best performance of her career thus far, and she does create a character which captures your attention for a couple of hours.
|
WHO WILL WIN: JULIA ROBERTS (ERIN BROCKOVICH) I really hope Julia takes home the trophy on this one, and not just because we share an awesome first name. Here is an opportunity for the Hollywood establishment to reward an actress who has won enormous public support, but not nearly as much critical acclaim. If she does not get it, you have witnessed yet another case of the Man keeping us down. |
WHO WILL WIN: RUSSELL CROWE (GLADIATOR)
BRAD'S PICK: RUSSELL CROWE (GLADIATOR)
While I was one of the seemingly few Americans who were disappointed by Gladiator, even I cannot deny the power of Russell Crowe's performance. I would give the film an extra star based on Crowe's acting ability alone. Not nearly as impressive as the work of fellow Australian Mel Gibson in Braveheart, but then again, Gibson had a lot more to work with.
|
WHO WILL WIN: RUSSELL CROWE (GLADIATOR) This was my toughest decision. I really don't know which way the Academy is going on this one, but I'm going to guess the Best Actor and Best Picture pair up. Really, though, "Smoldering" Crowe should have won for The Insider, more than Gladiator, in which he just did a great job of being stoic and heroic. Tom Hanks has won too much, but he deserves it for this attention-grabbing performance. |
WHO WILL WIN: ANG LEE (CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON)
BRAD'S PICK: STEVEN SODERBERGH (TRAFFIC)
Of the five pictures nominated in this category, I thought that Traffic was the most original of the bunch. Soderbergh's rough camera work contributes to the documentary-like nature of Traffic, and it also helps the audience feel like they are immersed in the action. Soderbergh also does an excellent job of keeping each of the parallel storylines in the movie flowing at a nice pace. I also give him a tremendous amount of credit for keeping his own personal views on the drug issue (whatever they are) out of the picture. By letting go, forcing the audience to draw its own conclusions, the impact of the film is that much greater.
|
WHO WILL WIN: ANG LEE (CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON) Steven Soderbergh's work on Traffic was creative as well as gutsy, since choosing a documentary style probably cost it some mainstream appeal. The Academy will fall for the furor of the Tiger. |
WHO WILL WIN: CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON
BRAD'S PICK: TRAFFIC
Despite the fact that critics have referred to 2000 as one of the worst years in movie history, I think the best picture nominees are a pretty solid group of films. While many people will have a tough time deciding who should win, for me Traffic blows away the competition. Traffic is an outstanding commentary on the war on drugs that manages to get its message across without being preachy. In fact, the whole movie has the feel of a documentary, and there is almost a sense of reality associated with the picture. Every aspect of the film - acting, directing, screenplay, camera work, etc. - is strong.
|
WHO WILL WIN: GLADIATOR None of these movies is truly great, but each is good in its own way - Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon has a plot worthy of a soap opera and stunning visuals to boot, Erin Brockovich is an engaging portrayal of a true-life story and Traffic is a gritty, artistic vision of a complicated subject. Gladiator combined ALL the necessary ingredients for an Oscar - compelling characters, an epic tale of tragedy and of redemption, eye-catching cinematography, and Russell Crowe as a kick-ass hero. It's no Spartacus, but it's the best of 2000. |
See Also: Down by the Schoolyard, Jenks Think Tank
Submitted 3/21/01.