The Oscars
The nominees have been announced and I was a little disappointed not see 'In America' nominated. I was most impressed with the film. BAsed on Jim Sheridans own experiences as an illegal immigrant in New York in the 80s. Though Jim Sheridan(original screenplay), the ravishingly beautiful Samantha Morton(Best Actress) and Djimon Honsou(Supporting Actor) were nominated I wonder why the real attraction of the movie, the Bolger sisters, were passed over. I guess only if you are acting it counts. They were being themselves. Jim Sheridan definitely deserved a nominated in the Best Director category.
Not that would help his chances much, or anybody's for that matter. This time its Peter Jackson and the LOTR Party at the Oscars. So I predict. They have to. I was not too impressed with Master and Commander. It was okay! Seabiscuit was a good movie, but has a small chance of winning. Another pick is Diane Keaton for being a survivor. Oscars love these survivors and starting a new trend in movies of older heroines and heros. There are a lot of old people out there. haha!
Surprisingly this year's films did not have any characters that have some serious kind of psychological, physical problem, social problem that they have to surmount and the emotional upheaval.(eg: Brody, Crowe, Nicholson) It's a weird Oscar year.

'The Big Six 'Game
You are allowed two predictions 'a' and 'b'
(+1 for 'a' winning , +.5 for 'b' winning)
'3.0 +' is good I suppose.

1. Best Picture: a) "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King"
b)"Lost in Translation"

2. Actor: a)Bill Murray, "Lost in Translation"
b)Sean Penn, "Mystic River."

3. Actress: a)Diane Keaton, "Something's Gotta Give"
b) Samantha Morton, "In America"

4. Supporting Actor: a)Benicio Del Toro, "21 Grams"
b)Ken Watanabe, "The Last Samurai."

5. Supporting Actress: (wild guesses here)
a)Marcia Gay Harden, "Mystic River"
b) Holly Hunter, "thirteen"

6. Director:a)Peter Jackson, "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King";
b)Peter Weir, "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World";

Any takers for the competition? Let's see in a couple of weeks