THE Oscar Nominations

I hope everyone was glued to their televisions this morning watching Adrian Brody share this year's list of Oscar hopefuls. On the whole there were very few suprises. The Aviator did very well as expected. I really do admire and appreciate this movie, but it didn't touch me personally like some of the others. This year I am all about Million Dollar Baby!! Here are my thoughts on the major categories:

• Best Picture- I have not seen Ray or Sideways so my commentary is limited. I do feel disappointed that Hotel Rwanda did not find its way into this category, because I realy feel it belongs and is a great Oscar type movie. And I did love Closer, but I realize its not typical Academy material. I was slightly surpised to see Finding Neverland here, althought Kate Winslet and that cute little boy were both snubbed. The Aviator and Million Dollar Baby are the clear front runners.
• Best Actor- Did anyone notice how similar this list is to Nate's choices. And if I had seen Ray, I am sure they'd be the same five names! Damn I am good! According to anybody in the industry, Jamie Foxx has a lock on this award. Though, could his double nomination hurt his chances??? I doubt it.
• Best Actress- This is my favorite list of the bunch, simply because the Oscar voters took some risks here with unknown names. Who has ever heard of Catalina Sandrino Moreno of Maria Full of Grace or Imelda Staunton of Vera Drake??? I have seen Maria Full of Grace and am glad this girl is on this exclusive list. I am definitely pulling for Hilary Swank, though I adore Kate Winslet. Give that girl an Oscar finally!!
• Best Supporting Actor- Alan Alda??? What in the world??? Did the Oscar votes love The Aviator that much?? He gives a good performance, but there are other names that belong here. I am hoping that the Academy will make up for the Closer snub by awarding Clive Owen.
• Best Supporting Actress- In my opinion, Closer should take both supporting categories as it did at the Globes. Who doesn't love Natalie Portman as a stripper?? However, Cate Blanchett(The Aviator) and Sophie Okokendo (Hotel Rwanda) are both phenomenal as well. A very strong list this year. I just pray Virginia Madsen from Sidways doesn't steal the statue.

Nate's Oscar Nominations

On Tuesday, Janauary 25th at 7:30 AM, The Academy of Motiona Picture Arts and Sciences will be announcing this year's Oscar nominations (E! is the best place to watch all this go down!!!). Before the stuffy Hollywood types reveal their lists, I would like to share my own list of the best movies and performances of 2004. Now mind you, I have yet to see some of the major contenders (AKA that crappy wine movie and Ray). So here they are, in alpha oder:

Best Picture

• Closer
• Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
• Hotel Rwanda
• Million Dollar Baby
• The Incredibles

Best Actor

• Jim Carey- Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
• Don Cheadle- Hotel Rwanda
• Johnny Depp- Finding Neverland
• Leonardo DiCaprio- The Aviator
• Clint Eastwood- Million Dollar Baby

Best Actress

• Catalina Sandrino Moreno- Maria Full of Grace
• Natalie Portman- Garden State
• Julia Roberts- Closer
• Hilary Swank- Million Dollar Baby
• Kate Winslet- Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Best Supporting Actor

• Jamie Foxx- Collateral
• Morgan Freeman- Million Dollar Baby
• Freddie Highmore- Finding Neverland
• Clive Owen- Closer

Best Supporting Actress

• Cate Blanchett- The Aviator
• Cloris Leachman- Spanglish
• Sophi Okonedo- Hotel Rwanda
• Natalie Portman- Closer
• Kate Winslett- Finding Neverland