Oscars 2004 – part 2: other major categories

Being an actor I started my picks and predictions off with those categories. Now it’s time for me to pick the other majors. I know I haven’t seen all of these films (it will be obvious which ones) and should probably reserve my opinions until after I’ve seen them all but, that wouldn’t be as fun. So, I’m going to spew out my comments anyway. Here are my picks for the other major categories and no, Best Song is not major to me:

Original Screenplay (fairly clear cut)

“The Barbarian Invasions” – Conan movie?

“Dirty Pretty Things” – Porn?

“Finding Nemo” – Funny, but it was a cartoon for God’s sake.

“In America” – It appears I have to see this. It keeps popping up.

“Lost in Translation” – Obviously. Sophia wins. Come on. Own up to it. Daddy wrote this one.

Adapted Screenplay (not so obvious but here goes)

“American Splendor” – Cranky reality comic guy? My pick.

“City of God” – This was a movie?

“The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” – Too much latent gayness

“Mystic River” – I figured this one out in the first 45 minutes. The Academy may just be this stupid.

“Seabiscuit” – Feel good propaganda. Nice but a dead horse. Not this year.

Directing

“City of God” Fernando Meirelles – Sounds Spanish

“The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” – Peter Jackson – My pick. For his “body of work” encompassing all three films. Sophia is nipping at his hobbity heels though.

“Lost in Translation” Sofia Coppola – You just got an Oscar for writing. You can stay in your seat. Even though you have the best chance next to Jackson.

“Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World” Peter Weir – Weir: “How did I get here?”

“Mystic River” Clint Eastwood – Not going to make his day.

Best picture (another tight race)

“The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” – Trixie hobbitses! They lose us the Oscar for being to gay.

“Lost in Translation” – You can get up again Sophia. The Oscar is yours.

“Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World” – It was okay but definitely not best picture

“Mystic River” – Not really too mystical if you ask me. Predictable to a fault.

“Seabiscuit” – This horse is not in the running.

So there you have it. I may be way off but, who cares. I had fun. Good luck nominees!