Thursday, March 11, 1999

THE POST

Athens, Ohio * An Independent Daily Newspaper * Ohio University


Oscar picks for the very best flicks
by Sara Havens
THE POST

Roll out the red carpet and make your picks, it's that time of year again - the time when all of Hollywood is out in full fashion to honor the best, and sometimes the worst, of the year.

While most of us will be in some far-off place in the sun, drinking a five-gallon margarita, the rest of the nation will be watching the stars of film take their seats at the 71st annual Academy Awards at 8 p.m. March 21.

A subtitle for this year's Oscars could be "Queen of Wars." The films with the most nominations center around World War II (Saving Private Ryan and The Thin Red Line) and the Elizabethan era (Shakespeare in Love and Elizabeth).

There also has been some buzz around the failure to nominate Jim Carrey for his performance in The Truman Show, for which he received a Golden Globe last month.

The Oscars are about as predictable as the weather in Athens if there isn't a "big" movie of the year like last year's Titanic.

This time around, many obscure films have been nominated, some of which I have not seen. But I will try my best to give my unadulterated Oscar picks, with or without the vast knowledge of a real film critic.

Best Picture

  • Elizabeth

  • Life Is Beautiful

  • Saving Private Ryan

  • Shakespeare in Love
  • The Thin Red Line

    The biggest award and the last one given is the "Best Picture" award. On this one I am going with Shakespeare in Love. I know it sounds like a cop-out, but it was such an original idea and well-made film - there is no other choice for me. The war films were good, but they cancel each other out. And has anyone seen Life Is Beautiful? All I know is that it is a comedy/drama about the Holocaust. I'd like to see if that means anything here.

    Best Director

    Roberto Benigni, Life Is Beautiful John Madden, Shakespeare in Love

    Terrence Malick, The Thin Red Line

    Steven Spielberg, Saving Private Ryan

    Peter Weir, The Truman Show

    I am siding with Spielberg on this one. I just keep thinking back to the first 20 minutes of Saving Private Ryan. He deserves an award just for that. I wouldn't mind seeing Benigni win, though, because when he's won on past shows, he's gotten kind of crazy and jumped around the stage.

    Best Actor

    Roberto Benigni, Life Is Beautiful

    Tom Hanks, Saving Private Ryan

    Ian McKellen, Gods and Monsters

    Nick Nolte, Affliction

    Edward Norton, American History X

    Ummm, because I have only seen one of these films, I'm picking Tom Hanks. Take it or leave it. I will explain no further but this for this category: You can dismiss my pick and make your own - but only if you have seen at least two of the other films. I'll be watching!

    Best Actress

    Cate Blanchett, Elizabeth

    Fernanda Montenegro, Central Station

    Gwyneth Paltrow, Shakespeare in Love

    Meryl Streep, One True Thing

    Emily Watson, Hilary and Jackie

    Gwyneth Paltrow, all the way. Her performance was one of the best in Shakespeare in Love, and she even showed a little skin. She deserves it. Meryl Streep did an OK job, and the rest of the movies were boring. We need someone young to win, too.

    Best Supporting Actor

    James Coburn, Affliction

    Robert Duvall, A Civil Action

    Ed Harris, The Truman Show

    Geoffrey Rush, Shakespeare in Love

    Billy Bob Thornton, A Simple Plan

    Eenie, meenie, miney, moe - just kidding. I'm picking Ed Harris for this one. He played the "I'm-cruel-but-don't-know-it" character in charge of The Truman Show. To Truman he was God himself, so he's the only choice. (You can't argue with God.) I predict this will be the only win for the overlooked film.

    Best Supporting Actress

    Kathy Bates, Primary Colors

    Brenda Blethyn, Little Voice

    Judi Dench, Shakespeare in Love

    Rachel Griffiths, Hilary and Jackie

    Lynn Redgrave, Gods and Monsters

    Judi Dench gave such an over-the-top performance as Queen Elizabeth in Shakespeare in Love that I'm going to side with her. She was one of the most memorable characters in the film, even though she didn't have much screen time. Again, I'm rather at a loss in this category, so if you would like to make your own pick here, you have my permission.


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