Predictions And Other Thoughts For Sunday

The 77th Annual Academy Awards, which will be broadcast live on Sunday, February 27, features some of the closest races in recent memory. It also boasts unpredictable comedian Chris Rock at the helm for the first time.

All this should hopefully make for a very interesting and entertaining evening. In honor of the event, it’s time for my annual Oscar column and a peek at some of the nominees as well as my two cents on who might have been overlooked.

Best Supporting Actress — The nominees are Cate Blanchett (The Aviator), Laura Linney (Kinsey), Virginia Madsen (Sideways), Sophie Okonedo (Hotel Rwanda) and Natalie Portman (Closer).

I’m extremely biased on this one. I would argue that Cate Blanchett is the best actress working today, and her spot-on portrayal of Katharine Hepburn, perhaps the most iconic actress of the 20th Century, is exhibit A of my case.

Most Overlooked: I was especially taken with newcomer Sharon Warren (Ray), who played the mother of young Ray Charles with a palpable mixture of strength, vulnerability, and compassion.

Best Supporting Actor — Alan Alda (The Aviator), Thomas Haden Church (Sideways), Jamie Foxx (Collateral), Morgan Freeman (Million Dollar Baby) and Clive Owen (Closer).

Though I felt Clive Owen was blisteringly good in the stark relationship drama, Closer, I’d have to lean towards Morgan Freeman’s wonderfully warm characterization in Million Dollar Baby, as he provided the poetic heart to that emotional and heartfelt tale.

Most Overlooked: By avoiding treacle and sappy sentimentality, adolescent actor Freddie Highmore, as young Peter in Finding Neverland, turned in a moving performance that was every bit as masterful as those given by any of his grown-up counterparts.

Best Actor — Don Cheadle (Hotel Rwanda), Johnny Depp (Finding Neverland), Leonardo DiCaprio (The Aviator), Clint Eastwood (Million Dollar Baby), and Jamie Foxx (Ray).

This is a strong category, with many fine performances, but it’s difficult to settle anywhere else but upon Foxx’s masterful portrayal of legend Ray Charles. He avoids sheer mimicry and succeeds in crafting a full-bodied characterization.

Most Overlooked: He may be perennially ignored by the Academy, but every year Jim Carrey turns in at least one surprising performance that sheds new light on his remarkable talent. This year, that illumination came through brilliantly in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

Best Actress — Annette Bening (Being Julia), Catalina Sandino Moreno (Maria Full of Grace), Imelda Staunton (Vera Drake), Hilary Swank (Million Dollar Baby), and Kate Winslet (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind).

Hilary Swank, an Oscar winner for Boys Don’t Cry, pulled off another triumphant transformation as a scrappy boxer and Annette Bening sparkled as a veteran British stage actress in the 1930s, but Imelda Staunton was mesmerizing as she carried some of the most moving, silent sequences from any movie last year.

Most Overlooked: Although she garnered a nomination for her co-writing duties on Before Sunset, Julie Delpy’s on-screen work in the same flick could have easily been Oscar material as well.

Best Director — Clint Eastwood (Million Dollar Baby), Taylor Hackford (Ray), Mike Leigh (Vera Drake), Alexander Payne (Sideways), and Martin Scorsese (The Aviator).

Though Leigh did incredible work with a very sensitive topic, and Scorsese (who has never won) is a sentimental choice for his epic biopic, I think I have to go with Eastwood, who continues to surprise us in the latter stages of his career.

Most Overlooked: It’s a shame when the only apparent reason for exclusion is the early release date (way back in March) of your movie. Alas, such seems the reason for the omission of Michael Gondry, who did fine work helming the sophisticated story of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

Best Picture — The Aviator, Finding Neverland, Million Dollar Baby, Ray and Sideways.

Though none of these films is a staggeringly huge hit, all have, in their own way, struck a chord with audiences. In my view, the one that hits the most unforgettable notes is Million Dollar Baby.

Most Overlooked: Who would have believed that two of the most emotionally resonant films would be superhero flicks? Yet that’s what we got in The Incredibles and Spider Man 2.

Although they still garnered seven nominations between them, each film can make a case for being included among last year’s elite.