The 70th Academy Awards (1997): Nomination Hopefuls
Prediction Key:
- Winner Prediction (c-First Chart Placement, n-Nom Pred Date Set, o-Win Pred Date Set) -Chance at Nomination-
- Nominee Prediction (c-First Chart Placement, n-Nom Pred Date Set) -Chance at Nomination-
- Alternate Prediction (c-First Chart Placement) -Chance at Nomination-
NOMINATIONS |
AWARDS |
||
|
|
|
|
Best Picture
- Titanic (6/5) :10/11: [12/19] -Sure Thing-
- L.A. Confidential (9/23) :9/23: -Sure Thing-
- As Good As It Gets (12/10) :12/18: -Safe Bets-
- Good Will Hunting (12/10) :12/18: -Safe Bets-
- Amistad (6/5) :6/5: -Safe Bets-
- >The Sweet Hereafter (12/28) -Possibility-
- Wag the Dog (1/28) -Possibility-
- The Full Monty (1/27) -Possibility-
- Contact (7/11) -Possibility-
- The Ice Storm (6/5) -Possibility-
- Jackie Brown (9/23) -Possibility-
- Boogie Nights (10/21) -Distant-
- Kundun (9/23) -Distant-
- The Wings of the Dove (9/23) -Distant-
L.A. Confidential and Titanic appear to be locks for nominations. As Good As It Gets is as good as locked leaving Good Will Hunting and Amistad. Good Will Hunting has Miramax pushing it and with Miramax's success in getting picture nominations, Good Will Hunting appears to be heading to a nod.
What about Amistad? Amistad is not a critical favorite, but has a certain popular appeal to it. The Academy has been criticized in the past for not honoring Spielberg, this is their best chance to change that. What would take Amistad's spot if it lost the nomination? Most likely the slot would go to The Sweet Hereafter, but the film hasn't been heard from much other than a mention from critics, it doesn't appear to have the momentum it would need for a nomination.
The Ice Storm was acclaimed, but came out too long ago and has been virtually forgotten. Contact has also been forgotten, being a summer release. Boogie Nights is too controversial, despite major critical support and Wag the Dog is another comedy; with As Good As It Gets getting a nomination, another comedy would be unlikely. This also prevents The Full Monty from being a dark horse candidate, even though it is still in the running for the slot along with Wings of the Dove.
Best Director
- James Cameron - Titanic (6/5) :10/11: [12/19] -Sure Thing-
- Curtis Hanson - L.A. Confidential (9/23) :9/23: -Sure Thing-
- James L. Brooks - As Good As It Gets (12/10) :12/10: -Safe Bets-
- Steven Spielberg - Amistad (6/5) :6/5: -Safe Bets-
- Gus Van Sant - Good Will Hunting (12/10) :1/27: -Safe Bets-
- Atom Egoyan - The Sweet Hereafter (9/23) -Possibility-
- Barry Levinson - Wag the Dog (1/28) -Possibility-
- Jim Sheridan - The Boxer (9/23) -Possibility-
- Paul Thomas Anderson - Boogie Nights (10/21) -Possibility-
- Ang Lee - The Ice Storm (6/5) -Possibility-
- Woody Allen - Deconstructing Harry (9/23) -Possibility-
- Alan Rickman - The Winter Guest (9/23) -Distant-
- Martin Scorsese - Kundun (9/23) -Distant-
- Quentin Tarantino - Jackie Brown (9/23) -Distant-
- Robert Zemeckis - Contact (7/11) -Distant-
For the first time in 16 years, we could see a 100% alignment betweenBest Picture and Best Director. Cameron and Hanson are both guaranteednominees. Brooks and Spielberg are heavily likely with Spielberg acontender for the reasons of past snubs. Gus Van Sant is the weak link.Not a majorly popular director with Hollywood, but Good Will Hunting isin a major push by Miramax, this will likely cement Van Sant'snomination.
If he can't get the nomination, he will be replaced by Atom Egoyan,another Hollywood outisder. His film Sweet Hereafter won't be goodenough for director, but they may feel bad and give him the nominationhere. Barry Levinson could also face this predicament. Wag the Dogisn't going to get a picture nomination, but he could take the fifthslot if the Academy doesn't align Picture and Director.
Jim Sheridan, Paul Thomas Anderson and Ang Lee appear to be strongercontenders. Sheridan because of his Golden Globe nomination. Andersoncould get the nod in a People vs. Larry Flynt nomination (toocontroversial, but we'll nominate you anyway, just not in Picture). AngLee is a contender because of his snub for Sense and Sensibility. Theycould feel sorry for not nominating a Picture nominee two years ago.
Best Actor
- Peter Fonda - Ulee's Gold (8/19) :8/19: [9/23] -Sure Thing-
- Jack Nicholson - As Good As It Gets (12/10) :12/10: -Sure Thing-
- Matt Damon - Good Will Hunting (12/10) :12/18: -Safe Bets-
- Robert Duvall - The Apostle (12/14) :12/18: -Safe Bets-
- Dustin Hoffman - Wag the Dog (12/10) :1/27: -Safe Bets-
- Ian Holm - The Sweet Hereafter (12/28) -Possibility-
- Djimon Hounsou - Amistad (12/18) -Possibility-
- Leonardo DiCaprio - Titanic (12/18) -Possibility-
- Daniel Day-Lewis - The Boxer (9/23) -Possibility-
- Mark Wahlberg - Boogie Nights (10/21) -Possibility-
- Guy Pearce - L.A. Confidential (11/1) -Possibility-
- Russell Crowe - L.A. Confidential (11/1) -Distant-
- Aaron Eckhart - In the Company of Men (9/23) -Distant-
- Ralph Fiennes - Oscar & Lucinda (9/23) -Distant-
- Kevin Kline - The Ice Storm (9/23) -Distant-
- Kevin Kline - In & Out (9/23) -Distant-
- Al Pacino - Devil's Advocate (9/23) -Distant-
Fonda and Nicholson hold nomination locks, Nicholson will recivehis 11th career nomination, making him the most nominated actor inOscar history and one behind Katharine Hepburn for the title of mostacting nominations. Damon and Duvall appear to be very close tonominations, but aren't as strong as Fonda and Nicholson.
The remaining slot is the biggest toss-up in recent memory. Hoffmanappears to be the early favorite with Ian Holm, Djimon Hounsou,Leoanrdo DiCaprio and Daniel-Day Lewis in the near running. Of those,only Holm and Hounsou appear to be good shots at the remaining slot.Holm because of the weak reception for Sweet Hereafter, they'll feelthe need to honor it somehow. Hounsou to keep the Academy fromappearing anti-black. This could be one of two categories that goes forone black nomination, but Hoffman is a Hollywood actor and has beenaround for quite sometime. He maintains the sentimental favorite slot.
DiCaprio will receive the nomination if the Academy decides to presspast its record-setting of 15 nominations to Titanic, but most likelyit will have to remain 15 as this category is too heavily contested togenerate much more than that. Daniel Day-Lewis has been nominated twicebefore for Jim Sheridan films, the Academy may be tired of thecombination, which may explain why The Boxer will be virutally ignoredwhen nominations are announced.
Best Actress
- Judi Dench - Mrs. Brown (8/19) :8/19: -Sure Thing-
- Helena Bonham Carter - The Wings of the Dove (9/23) :11/4: [1/6] -Sure Thing-
- Helen Hunt - As Good As It Gets (9/23) :12/18: -Safe Bets-
- Kate Winslet - Titanic (12/18) :1/27: -Safe Bets-
- Pam Grier - Jackie Brown (12/10) :12/18: -Safe Bets-
- Julie Christie - Afterglow (1/27) -Possibility-
- Jodie Foster - Contact (7/11) -Possibility-
- Joan Allen - The Ice Storm (6/5) -Possibility-
- Victoire Thivisol - Ponette (10/11) -Possibility-
- Robin Wright Penn - She's So Lovely (1/27) -Possibility-
- Jennifer Jason Leigh - Washington Squaer (10/11) -Distant-
- Julia Roberts - My Best Friend's Wedding (8/19) -Distant-
- Emma Thompson - The Winter Guest (9/23) -Distant-
- Emily Watson - The Boxer (9/23) -Distant-
Dame Judi Dench won the Golden Globe and Helena Bonham Carter carried amajority of the critics awards, this makes them nominations locks. Oneof the remaining slots will be filled by Helen Hunt, also a GoldenGlobe nominee.
The remaining two slots are not guaranteed, but one of them appears tobe a pretty good guess. Kate Winslet will be the nomination thatpropels Titanic to a record 15 nominations. This leaves the final slot.As with the lead actor trophy, this position has many in contention.Pam Grier, Julie Christie, Jodie Foster and Joan Allen are the battlershere.
Grier will most likely get the slot and be the only African-Americannominated at this year's awards. If the Academy doesn't honor AfricanAmericans or gives the token slot away in another category, JulieChristie will be the sentimental favorite to take the slot. Christie isa veteran actress and winner for 1965's Darling, this makes her a primecandidate.
Jodie Foster is a darling and heavy favorite of the Academy, she rarelydoes wrong. Her performance could be good enough to get a nomination inthe face of other vote splitting, she's popular, but probably notpopular enough to beat out a superb year in women's roles. What aboutJoan Allen? If there's a surprise groundswell for The Ice Storm, expectJoan Allen to carry a nomination, but this event seems more and moreunlikely as the Pre-Oscar Awards continue to ignore it.
Best Supporting Actor
- Burt Reynolds - Boogie Nights (10/21) :9/23: [1/6] -Sure Thing-
- Anthony Hopkins - Amistad (12/18) :12/18: -Safe Bets-
- Greg Kinnear - As Good As It Gets (10/12) :12/18: -Safe Bets-
- Robin Williams - Good Will Hunting (12/10) :1/27: -Safe Bets-
- Rupert Everett - My Best Friend's Wedding (8/19) :8/19: -Safe Bets-
- Kevin Spacey - L.A. Confidential (11/1) -Possibility-
- Billy Connolly - Mrs. Brown (1/27) -Possibility-
- Robert Forster - Jackie Brown (1/6) -Possibility-
- Samuel L. Jackson - Jackie Brown (9/23) -Possibility-
- Robert De Niro - Jackie Brown (10/12) -Possibility-
- Ben Affleck - Good Will Hunting (12/10) -Distant-
- James Cromwell - L.A. Confidential (9/23) -Distant-
- Danny DeVito - L.A. Confidential (9/23) -Distant-
Burt Reynold's win at the Golden Globes makes him the only lock for anomination. However, the other four slots appear to be filled by thesame people on almost everyone's list. I've talked to many people andthey all feel that Hopkins, Kinnear, Williams and Everett will be thenominees.
The only slot that's even iffy is that of Rupert Everett's. Onceconsidered the favorite to win, many other performances appeared andhis chances became more dim. Finally the Screen Actors Guild avoidedgiving him the nomination and therefore made his chances even worse.Instead, SAG looked to Billy Connolly from Mrs. Brown for a nomination,this was a major surprise as Kevin Spacey was also considered a likelycandidate for that remaining slot and still is.
Robert Forster could be a sentimental favorite after his comeback inJackie Brown. With so many good actors in L.A. Confidential, Spacey'svotes will likely be split up between himself, James Cromwell and DannyDeVito. I don't anticipate his name being on the list, but surprisesoften occur on Oscar Morning.
Best Supporting Actress
- Julianne Moore - Boogie Nights (11/17) :11/17: [12/10] -Safe Bets-
- Kim Basinger - L.A. Confidential (9/23) :9/23: -Sure Thing-
- Gloria Stuart - Titanic (11/4) :11/4: -Safe Bets-
- Minnie Driver - Good Will Hunting (1/27) :1/27: -Safe Bets-
- Joan Cusack - In & Out (12/18) :12/18: -Safe Bets-
- Sigourney Weaver - The Ice Storm (12/10) -Possibility-
- Sarah Polley - The Sweet Hereafter (1/6) -Possibility-
- Allison Elliot - The Wings of the Dove (1/27) -Possibility-
- Kathy Bates - Titanic (11/4) -Possibility-
- Anne Heche - Wag the Dog (12/10) -Possibility-
- Christina Ricci - The Ice Storm (9/23) -Possibility-
- Joan Allen - The Ice Storm (6/5) -Distant-
- Kirstie Alley - Deconstructing Harry (11/4) -Distant-
- Judy Davis - Deconstructing Harry (10/11) -Distant-
- Heather Graham - Boogie Nights (10/21) -Distant-
- Phyllida Law - The Winter Guest (9/23) -Distant-
- Debbie Reynolds - In & Out (9/23) -Distant-
- Maggie Smith - Washington Square (10/11) -Distant-
- Teresa Wright - The Rainmaker (9/23) -Distant-
As with Burt Reynolds, the Golden Globe brings the only lock in thiscategory to Kim Basinger. Not to mention she's the only major femalecharacter in the entire film. The remaining slots will be divied amongMoore, Stuart, Driver, Cusack and Weaver. Of which Weaver is the oddman out. Julianne Moore has gotten heavy critical support as well astwo pre-Oscar trophies for her performance in Boogie Nights. Stuart isthe sentimental favorite. Driver is part of the heavy push by Miramaxfor Good Will Hunting, which leaves Joan Cusack as the vulnerablecandidate. She would have been a greater lock if she had secured aScreen Actors Guild nomination. Her pre-Oscar trophies might not meanas much as that snub by SAG.
That leaves Weaver a possible candidate and if the Academy goes for aSweet Hereafter surprise, Sarah Polley could generate a nomination.That is if Allison Elliot doesn't repeat her SAG nomination. Whichcould leave a heavily popular Titanic with two nomination, includingKathy Bates. This doesn't seem as likely, however.
Best Original Screenplay
- Good Will Hunting (12/10) :12/10: [12/10] -Sure Thing-
- As Good As It Gets (9/23) :12/10: -Sure Thing-
- Boogie Nights (10/21) :11/17: -Safe Bets-
- Titanic (12/18) :12/18: -Safe Bets-
- The Apostle (2/1) :2/1: -Safe Bets-
- The Full Monty (2/1) -Possibility-
- Deconstructing Harry (9/23) -Possibility-
- Chasing Amy (11/4) -Possibility-
- Grosse Pointe Blank (6/5) -Possibility-
- In the Company of Men (9/23) -Possibility-
- Amistad (1/6) -Distant-
- The Myth of Fingerprints (9/23) -Distant-
- Nil By Mouth (6/5) -Distant-
- She's So Lovely (6/5) -Distant-
Good Will Hunting and As Good As It Gets are as good as nominated. Thatleaves three slots likely to go to 2 WGA nominees and one to aHollywood vet. Boogie Nights and Titanic are likely to get nomination.Their WGA nominations help tremendously and allow for their nomination.
The fifth slot, however, will likely be filled by Hollywood vet RobertDuvall. His first shot at writing and directing, Duvall is a heavyfavorite of the Academy and will most likely carry off the nomination.The only screenplay with major upset ability is WGA nominee The FullMonty. While I don't expect it to get a nomination, we've had morebizarre things happen in the past.
Deconstructing Harry could earn Woody Allen another nomination, as heis a writer's favorite, Chasing Amy could bring Kevin Smithacknowledgement, but the film isn't going to be remembered come OscarMorning. Grosse Pointe Blank and In the Company of Men remain the onlyother contenders, both are unlikely, but were highly praised by critics.
Best Adapted Screenplay
- L.A. Confidential (9/23) :9/23: [12/14] -Sure Thing-
- Wag the Dog (12/18) :1/28: -Safe Bets-
- The Ice Storm (6/5) :6/5: -Safe Bets-
- The Sweet Hereafter (1/6) :6/5: -Safe Bets-
- Jackie Brown (12/19) :12/19: -Safe Bets-
- The Wings of the Dove (9/23) -Possibility-
- Donnie Brasco (9/23) -Possibility-
- Contact (7/11) -Possibility-
- Kundun (9/23) -Possibility-
- Amistad (6/5) -Possibility-
- Washington Square (10/11) -Distant-
- Welcome to Sarajevo (9/23) -Distant-
- The Winter Guest (9/23) -Distant-
L.A. Confidential remains the only guaranteed nomination. The film haswon almost every major pre-Oscar critic award for Screenplay.
Two of the remaining slots will go to almost-locks Wag the Dog and TheIce Storm. Both are Picture wannabes and will get their deservednominations here. What might stand in Wag the Dog's way is the hooplaover Levinson and Mamet claiming it was original, but Henkin gettingnominated with Mamet by the WGA who told Levinson and Mamet that it wasadapted and that Henkin would receive credit.
The Sweet Hereafter and Jackie Brown failed to get WGA nominations andthis could hurt both of their chances. However, Adapted Screenplay isnot a very good category in respect to selecting WGA nominees. Lastyear's Emma and Birdcage both got WGA nominations, but failed in Oscarattempts. I can see that happening again as the Academy may feelobliged to nominate picture-nomination-loser Sweet Hereafter and praiseTarantino for bringing a great character-driven piece to the screen andemploying some of Hollywood's brightest in the cast.
Who will get those two slots if one or both fail to get the nomination?The Wings of the Dove and Donnie Brasco both have WGA nominations andone or both could replace the last two for nominations. Contact andKundun both have chances at being upset winners and Amistad is left inthe cold. Amistad was thought to be Adapted, prompting a court caseagainst the film. DreamWorks has been pushing the film for OriginalScreenplay and as with many confusing pushes, adapted/original voteswill be cancelled and it will not get the nomination.
Best Original Song
- My Heart Will Go On - Titanic (11/22) :11/22: [12/10] -Sure Thing-
- Journey to the Past - Anastasia (12/18) :12/18: -Safe Bets-
- Once Upon a December - Anastasia (12/18) :1/27: -Safe Bets-
- Go the Distance - Hercules (7/11) :7/11: -Safe Bets-
- How Do I Live - Con Air (10/21) :10/21: -Safe Bets-
- Tomorrow Never Dies - Tomorrow Never Dies (6/5) -Possibility-
- A Song for Mama - Soul Food (12/28) -Possibility-
- Surrender - Tomorrow Never Dies (1/28) -Possibility-
- Little Light of Love - The Fifth Element (6/5) -Possibility-
- The Gospel Truth - Hercules (7/11) -Possibility-
- At the Beginning - Anastasia (11/4) -Distant-
- Gotham City - Batman & Robin (11/4) -Distant-
- I Won't Say (I'm in Love) - Hercules (11/4) -Distant-
- Men in Black - Men in Black (11/4) -Ineligible-
My Heart Will Go On is one of many locks for nomination Titanic has. Noother song appears to have as much momentum. The closest to nominationare Journey to the Past and Once Upon a December from Anastasia.Hercules could generate its once-annual nominee in Go the Distance andthe remaining slot could go to GG-forgotten How Do I Live from Con Air.
How Do I Live is the major weak link here that could be replaced byTomorrow Never Dies or Surrender from Tomorrow Never Dies, Little Lightof Love from The Fifth Element or The Gospel Truth from Hercules.Hercules won't get more than one nomination, Fifth Element has beenforgotten and with two songs from Tomorrow Never Dies, Surrender themore James Bond-esque and Tomorrow Never Dies written by Sheryl Crow,could easily cancel each other out. Men in Black falls into thecategory of R&B, Dance and Rap. These are catgeories thatyear-to-year the Academy never recognizes. This year should be noexception.
Watch out for a possible surprise from Soul Food nominee A Song for Mama, but again, it's R&B and could be left behind.
With little surprise, Men in Black was declared ineligible because it contained snippets of another song. Sorry Will.
Best Dramatic Score
- Titanic (6/5) :6/5: [12/19] -Sure Thing-
- L.A. Confidential (9/23) :9/23: -Sure Thing-
- Kundun (12/18) :12/18: -Safe Bets-
- Amistad (6/5) :6/5: -Safe Bets-
- Contact (7/11) :7/11: -Safe Bets-
- Gattaca (2/1) -Possibility-
- Good Will Hunting (12/10) -Possibility-
- Boogie Nights (10/21) -Possibility-
- Seven Years in Tibet (12/18) -Possibility-
- The Fifth Element (6/5) -Possibility-
- The Lost World: Jurassic Park (6/5) -Distant-
- Washington Square (10/11) -Distant-
Titanic and L.A. Confidential are locks in this category. Kundun andAmistad are by respected composers and with their heavily-dramatictones and subject matters, nominations should come easily.
Contact is a weak nominee. Alan Silvestri could be honored, but willhave to fend off Michael Nyman for Gattaca, a Good Will Huntingjuggernaut launching composer Danny Elfman or even Boogie Nights oralso-John-Williams-scored Seven years in Tibet. If they decide TheFifth Element is a drama, then a nomination could be eminent in thewake of major vote cancelling.
Best Comedy/Musical Score
- As Good As It Gets (12/10) :10/12: [1/6] -Sure Thing-
- Anastasia (6/5) :6/5: -Sure Thing-
- Hercules (6/5) :6/5: -Safe Bets-
- Wag the Dog (12/18) :1/27: -Safe Bets-
- Men in Black (6/5) :6/5: -Safe Bets-
- The Full Monty (2/1) -Possibility-
- In & Out (12/28) -Possibility-
- My Best Friend's Wedding (10/11) -Possibility-
- Liar Liar (7/11) -Distant-
Anastasia and As Good As It Gets are heavy favorites with Hercules and Wag the Dog very likely.
The remaining slot could go to Danny Elfman for Men in Black, he's beenvirtually ignored by the Academy and this could happen again. Thiswould give The Full Monty a good shot at the nomination. In & Outand My Best Friend's Wedding sit by with very little chance, but couldbe surprise nominees.
Best Editing
- Titanic (6/5) :10/11: [12/19] -Sure Thing-
- L.A. Confidential (9/23) :9/23: -Sure Thing-
- As Good As It Gets (12/10) :1/27: -Safe Bets-
- Amistad (6/5) :6/5: -Safe Bets-
- Boogie Nights (10/21) :1/27: -Safe Bets-
- Good Will Hunting (1/6) -Possibility-
- Air Force One (2/9) -Possibility-
- Contact (7/11) -Possibility-
- Jackie Brown (12/14) -Possibility-
- Kundun (9/23) -Possibility-
- The Sweet Hereafter (1/6) -Possibility-
- The Ice Storm (6/5) -Distant-
- The Lost World: Jurassic Park (6/5) -Distant-
- Washington Square (10/11) -Distant-
Film Editing is a category that often mirrors Best Picture and this year should be no different.
Titanic and L.A. Confidential are the only locks with As Good As ItGets a great bet. Boogie Nights and Amistad are weak links that couldbe replaced by Picture nominee Good Will Hunting or one of thePicture-wannabes Contact, Jackie Brown, Kundun or The Sweet Hereafter.Then there's ACE nominee Air Force One with an outside shot at anomination.
Best Cinematography
- Titanic (6/5) :6/5: [12/19] -Sure Thing-
- Kundun (9/23) :9/23: -Sure Thing-
- Amistad (6/5) :6/5: -Safe Bets-
- L.A. Confidential (9/23) :9/23: -Safe Bets-
- Contact (7/11) :7/11: -Safe Bets-
- Seven Years in Tibet (2/1) -Possibility-
- The Boxer (2/5) -Possibility-
- The Sweet Hereafter (2/1) -Possibility-
- The Ice Storm (2/1) -Possibility-
- The Lost World: Jurassic Park (6/5) -Possibility-
- The Fifth Element (6/5) -Distant-
- Paradise Road (6/5) -Distant-
- Washington Square (10/11) -Distant-
The American Society of Cinematographers surprised us nominating The Boxer, which will inevitably be lost in the fold.
Titanic and Kundun remain the only locks with L.A. Confidential anear-lock. Amistad is a heavy favorite and the remaining slot goes tothe general weak position, Contact. Seven Years in Tibet, The Boxer,The Sweet Hereafter, The Ice Storm and even The Lost World could fillthe slot if Contact can't take the nomination.
Best Art Direction
- Titanic (6/5) :6/5: [6/5] -Sure Thing-
- The Fifth Element (6/5) :6/5: -Sure Thing-
- L.A. Confidential (9/23) :9/23: -Safe Bets-
- Kundun (9/23) :9/23: -Safe Bets-
- Amistad (6/5) :6/5: -Safe Bets-
- Mrs. Brown (8/19) -Possibility-
- The Wings of the Dove (12/28) -Possibility-
- Boogie Nights (10/21) -Possibility-
- Seven Years in Tibet (9/23) -Possibility-
- Batman & Robin (6/5) -Possibility-
- Austin Powers (2/1) -Distant-
- Washington Square (9/23) -Distant-
The only locks in both Art Direction and Costume Design belong toTitanic and The Fifth Element. Both are lavish, beautiful and expensive.
L.A. Confidential is a heavy favorite and Kundun is Martin Scorsese'sstandard technical superiority. Amistad is the weak nominee in thiscategory with Mrs. Brown, The Wings of the Dove, Boogie Nights, SevenYears in Tibet and the critically-panned Batman & Robin breathingdown its neck.
Best Costume Design
- Titanic (6/5) :6/5: [6/5] -Sure Thing-
- The Fifth Element (6/5) :6/5: -Sure Thing-
- Boogie Nights (10/21) :1/27: -Safe Bets-
- L.A. Confidential (9/23) :9/23: -Safe Bets-
- The Wings of the Dove (12/28) :1/6: -Safe Bets-
- Kundun (9/23) -Possibility-
- Amistad (6/5) -Possibility-
- Seven Years in Tibet (6/5) -Possibility-
- Gattaca (2/1) -Possibility-
- Austin Powers (1/28) -Distant-
- Batman & Robin (6/5) -Distant-
- Washington Square (9/23) -Distant-
As mentioned above, Costume Design has Titanic and The FifthElement as the major contenders. Boogie Nights and L.A. Confidentialappear to be near-guarantees leaving a still strong Wings of the Doveas the low man on the nomination list. If Wings loses, it will be toeither Kundun, Amistad, Mrs. Brown, Seven Years in Tibet or dark horseGattaca.
Best Makeup
- The Fifth Element (6/5) :6/5: [9/23] -Sure Thing-
- Men in Black (12/28) :12/28: -Sure Thing-
- Titanic (12/19) :12/19: -Safe Bets-
- Mimic (1/6) -Possibility-
- Spawn (12/28) -Possibility-
- An American Werewolf in Paris (6/5) -Possibility-
- Wishmaster (9/23) -Possibility-
- Alien: Resurrection (12/28) -Distant-
- Starship Troopers (6/5) -Distant-
The Fifth Element will likely carry away the award for makeup with Menin Black as a distant second. Titanic sits in the weak spot, but willrequire this category to set the nominations record. Mimic and Spawnare the only other contenders and with so little special about them,they remain extremely distant.
Best Sound Mixing
- Titanic (11/4) :10/12: [12/19] -Sure Thing-
- The Lost World: Jurassic Park (6/5) :6/5: -Sure Thing-
- Contact (6/5) :6/5: -Safe Bets-
- Starship Troopers (6/5) -Safe Bets-
- The Fifth Element (6/5) :6/5: -Safe Bets-
- L.A. Confidential (1/28) :2/9: -Possibility-
- Air Force One (11/4) -Possibility-
- Con Air (6/5) -Possibility-
- Tomorrow Never Dies (6/5) -Possibility-
- Volcano (6/5) -Possibility-
- Dante's Peak (6/5) -Distant-
- Hercules (6/5) -Distant-
- Men in Black (6/5) -Distant-
- Spawn (8/19) -Distant-
Sound is a pickle, The English Patient managed to win this categorylast year surprising many. Picture nominees are finding themselvesnominated here more often.
Titanic is a lock as is The Lost World. With the original Jurassic Parka winner in the three bottom tech categories, the sequel is anextremely good bet. Contact appears to be a lock and both StarshipTroopers and The Fifth Element are extremely weak.
L.A. Confidential stands a good chance at a nomation, as do Air Force One and Con Air.
Best Sound Editing
- Titanic (12/19) :12/19: [12/19] -Sure Thing-
- The Lost World: Jurassic Park (6/5) :6/5: -Sure Thing-
- The Fifth Element (6/5) :1/13: -Safe Bets-
- L.A. Confidential (1/13) -Possibility-
- Face/Off (1/13) -Possibility-
- Air Force One (1/13) -Distant-
- Con Air (6/5) -Distant-
These are the Official Selections for the Sound Effects Category.
These are the 7 official finalists from the offices of the Academy. Howinteresting that one of my pics was left off, Contact. It's verysurprising to me. Especially when something like L.A. Confidential getsa nomination. That's just sad.
With a maximum of seven films to choose from, this category, along with Visual Effects are much easier to predict.
Titanic and The Lost World seemed destined for nominations. The lastslot should easily go to the technically superior Fifth Element. L.A.Confidential and Face/Off could sneak in, but I don't know if the SoundEditors will be all that willing.
Best Visual Effects
- Titanic (11/4) :11/14: [12/19] -Sure Thing-
- Contact (6/5) :6/5: -Safe Bets-
- The Lost World: Jurassic Park (6/5) :6/5: -Safe Bets-
- Starship Troopers (6/5) -Possibility-
- The Fifth Element (6/5) -Possibility-
- Men in Black (6/5) -Possibility-
- Batman & Robin (1/13) -Distant-
These are the Official Selections for the Visual Effects Category.
These are the 7 official finalists from the offices of the Academy. Well, I got 6 of the 7, except for Batman & Robin
Titanic appears to be the only guaranteed nominee with the other films duking it out for the remaining slot.
Contact had brilliant effects and The Lost World pushed beyond theoriginal to generate even more believable effects with the humansinteracting with the Dinosaurs, as opposed to in the original filmwhere they were more of a background nature.
Starship Troopers used computer effects heavily and may seem tocomputer-looking and crisp for a nomination. The Fifth Element usedsome brilliant effects to create the city of New York and is the darkhorse nominee. Leaving Men in Black as a mediocre, standard set ofVisual Effects. This is also true about Batman & Robin.
Best Foreign Language Film
- Belgium - Ma Vie en Rose (11/26) :11/26: [1/27] -Sure Thing-
- Italy - The Best Man (11/26) :12/19: -Safe Bets-
- Russia - The Thief (11/26) :12/19: -Safe Bets-
- Japan - Princess Mononoke (11/26) :11/26: -Safe Bets-
- Iran - Gabbeh (11/26) :11/26: -Safe Bets-
- Canada - Cosmos (11/26) -Possibility-
- France - Western (11/26) -Possibility-
- Mexico - Deep Crimson (11/26) -Possibility-
- Czech Republic - A Forgotten Light (11/26) -Possibility-
- Switzerland - For Ever Mozart (11/26) -Possibility-
- Brazil - Four Days in September (11/26) -Possibility-
- Croatia - The Little Shoemaker (11/26) -Distant-
- Finland - The Collector (11/26) -Distant-
- Norway - Junk Mail (11/26) -Distant-
- Spain - Secrets of the Heart (11/26) -Distant-
- Taiwan - Yours and Mind (11/26) -Distant-
These are some of the Official Selections for the Foreign Language Film Category.
This category is anybody's guess. Belgium's Ma Vie en Rose (My Life inPink), because of its Golden Globe win becomes the ONLY lock for anomination in Foreign-Language film, whereas last year's Kolya andRidicule were both guaranteed.
The best bets for nomination are Italy's The Best Man and Russia's TheThief, both received GG nominations. That leaves two slots. Thecandidates for that slot include submissions from favorite countriesand some with high profile critical support. The two most likely tofill the slot are Japan's Princess Mononoke, a Japanese animationphenomenon and Iran's Gabbeh because it's name has been passed aroundsince its US release.
The other contenders are Canada's Cosmos. With so many directors,Cosmos appears to be a dark horse and unlikely at the same time, toomany trophies means too much money to the Academy. France, the mostnominated country in Oscar history could use its power to get Westernnominated, but since Ponette was not submitted as the choice fromFrance, the Academy could rebel. Other possibilities are Mexico's DeepCrimson, Czech Republic's A Forgotten Light, For Ever Mozart fromSwizterland and Four Days in September from Brazil.