2008 Woodie Awards
And The Winner Is...
A look at the top runners in the Oscar race to air March 5.
Marco Elorreaga
Issue date: 2/15/06 Section: Valley Life
- Page 1 of 1
In its seventy-eighth year, the Academy Awards bring new light on films that deserve recognition, but only one will garner the ultimate prize. Out of the five best picture nominations, Ang Lee's "Brokeback Mountain" is leading the pack with wins in the Golden Globes and all major critic circles.
But don't rule out the other films. The Academy Awards is known for its upsets, like the 1998 awards when "Shakespeare in Love" beat out the Golden Globe winner and critical favorite "Saving Private Ryan."
The other nominated films that pose a threat to Brokeback Mountain are George Clooney's "Good Night, and Good Luck," Paul Haggis' "Crash," Steven Spielberg's "Munich" and Bennett Miller's "Capote."
Following the tradition of last year's winner, "Million Dollar Baby," this year's films continue to have many social implications.
The best director nominations include Lee, who was nominated in 2000 for "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and is favored in the race for his subtle and aesthetic depiction of love that holds no prejudices.
Clooney is nominated in three categories, including best director for his McCarthy-Era political thriller, and continues his Oscar momentum, which might be enough for him to become the next actor-turned-director to take home an Academy Award.
Haggis expertly orchestrates a great ensemble of actors to portray the diversity and racial tension of contemporary Los Angeles with the ease to which no storyteller can compare.
Spielberg knows more about the Academy Awards than any of the other contenders, but might go home empty-handed for that reason alone, although his empathetic approach to the Israeli and Palestinian conflict in "Munich" is something only he could accomplish.
The final contender, first-time director Miller, is most likely not going to take home the trophy, but is to credit for the powerful and uncanny portrayal of Truman Capote by Phillip Seymour Hoffman, who is the front runner in the best actor category.
The category is filled with power-house performances besides Hoffman's. Heath Ledger plays Ennis Del Mar, a struggling, closeted homosexual in 1963 Wyoming. The expressions on his anguish-ridden face are enough to give Ledger his first win. Joaquin Phoenix plays country star Johnny Cash with such passion that the late legend seems to be resurrected in Phoenix.
Although "Walk the Line" was deemed more of a performance movie and ended up with more technical nominations, Reese Witherspoon should take the statue for her heart-warming performance as Cash's love, June Carter.
Whoever wins this year, it has been a remarkable year in movies, where chances were taken and voices were heard, and hopefully it will continue.
But don't rule out the other films. The Academy Awards is known for its upsets, like the 1998 awards when "Shakespeare in Love" beat out the Golden Globe winner and critical favorite "Saving Private Ryan."
The other nominated films that pose a threat to Brokeback Mountain are George Clooney's "Good Night, and Good Luck," Paul Haggis' "Crash," Steven Spielberg's "Munich" and Bennett Miller's "Capote."
Following the tradition of last year's winner, "Million Dollar Baby," this year's films continue to have many social implications.
The best director nominations include Lee, who was nominated in 2000 for "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and is favored in the race for his subtle and aesthetic depiction of love that holds no prejudices.
Clooney is nominated in three categories, including best director for his McCarthy-Era political thriller, and continues his Oscar momentum, which might be enough for him to become the next actor-turned-director to take home an Academy Award.
Haggis expertly orchestrates a great ensemble of actors to portray the diversity and racial tension of contemporary Los Angeles with the ease to which no storyteller can compare.
Spielberg knows more about the Academy Awards than any of the other contenders, but might go home empty-handed for that reason alone, although his empathetic approach to the Israeli and Palestinian conflict in "Munich" is something only he could accomplish.
The final contender, first-time director Miller, is most likely not going to take home the trophy, but is to credit for the powerful and uncanny portrayal of Truman Capote by Phillip Seymour Hoffman, who is the front runner in the best actor category.
The category is filled with power-house performances besides Hoffman's. Heath Ledger plays Ennis Del Mar, a struggling, closeted homosexual in 1963 Wyoming. The expressions on his anguish-ridden face are enough to give Ledger his first win. Joaquin Phoenix plays country star Johnny Cash with such passion that the late legend seems to be resurrected in Phoenix.
Although "Walk the Line" was deemed more of a performance movie and ended up with more technical nominations, Reese Witherspoon should take the statue for her heart-warming performance as Cash's love, June Carter.
Whoever wins this year, it has been a remarkable year in movies, where chances were taken and voices were heard, and hopefully it will continue.
