Oscars 2004 – part 1: Acting Categories

Here are the nominees with my picks and predictions:

Actor in a leading role (I’m rather torn here)

Johnny Depp in “Pirates of the Caribbean” – In a perfect world yes…

Ben Kingsley in “House of Sand and Fog” – not a chance Ghandi

Jude Law in “Cold Mountain” – what’s that smell?

Bill Murray in “Lost in Translation” – He deserves it

Sean Penn in “Mystic River” – He’ll get it

Actor in a supporting role

Alec Baldwin in “The Cooler” – Haven’t seen it, but a Baldwin?

Benicio Del Toro in “21 Grams” – Too fat and dirty…

Djimon Hounsou in “In America” – Who?

Tim Robbins in “Mystic River” – Jacob’s Ladder rocks! The Oscar is Tim’s. Watch for idiotic political speech

Ken Watanabe in “The Last Samurai” – Sorry ‘Ken’; like that’s your real name.

Actress in a leading role (I’m torn here as well)

Keisha Castle-Hughes in “Whale Rider” – Would be a coup I would love to see

Diane Keaton in “Something’s Gotta Give” – It’s a ‘before you die’ Oscar if she gets it

Samantha Morton in “In America” – Who?

Charlize Theron in “Monster” – Amazing transformation for this role. She gets it.

Naomi Watts in “21 Grams” – No room for Aussies this year

Actress in a supporting role

Shohreh Aghdashloo in “House of Sand and Fog” – Who?

Patricia Clarkson in “Pieces of April” – UPDATE: Cancer victim. Sad as hell. Well done Patricia. My preference but not the Academy’s.

Marcia Gay Harden in “Mystic River” – Disloyal bitch…

Holly Hunter in “Thirteen” – Snore. Not this year.

Renée Zellweger in “Cold Mountain” – It’s yours as we pity all your prior nominations

Watch for the other major categories coming in part 2…