Date: Fri 19-Mar-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: CAROLL

Quick Words:

Playing-Oscars-awards

Full Text:

NOW PLAYING: One Final Preview Of Oscar '99

By Trey Paul Alexander III

To paraphrase that old sage Dr McCoy, I'm a film critic, not an awards

prognosticator! I say it every year in some way, shape, or form: I won't be

able to help you win your office Oscars pool; I don't have any privileged,

inside information on who will win; and I have no intention of playing the

Swami and trying to predict what will happen on Hollywood's grandest night,

the Academy Awards ceremony.

Yet, if I had to make a forecast, I'd say that the 71st Academy Awards should

be an unusually engrossing affair. It will be broadcast on a Sunday night

(March 21) for the first time in its history; this year's categories boast

some of the most competitive races in some time (not like last year's

dominance by "King of the World," Jim Cameron, and his epic, Titanic ); and

there should be some intriguing moments for the record books, from a lifetime

achievement award for the still-controversial director Elia Kazan, to the

certain tribute to recently deceased film great, director Stanley Kubrick.

What follows in the rest of this column is this humble reviewer's thoughts on

who should win in the major categories and who was overlooked.

Best Supporting Actress -- Kathy Bates ( Primary Colors ), Brenda Blethyn (

Little Voice ), Judi Dench ( Shakespeare in Love ), Rachel Griffiths ( Hilary

and Jackie ), and Lynn Redgrave ( Gods and Monsters ). Should win: Even in

strong company and despite the fact she was only on screen for approximately

nine minutes, Dench is deserving for her imposing, regal and witty turn as

Queen Elizabeth. Overlooked: The dependable Joan Allen in Pleasantville.

Best Supporting Actor -- James Coburn ( Affliction ), Robert Duvall ( A Civil

Action ), Ed Harris ( The Truman Show ), Geoffrey Rush ( Shakespeare in Love

), and Billy Bob Thornton ( A Simple Plan ). Should win: Another crop of

nominees from which it is tough to choose, but my allegiance is towards Billy

Bob Thornton for a performance of surprising depth. Overlooked: Bill Murray in

Rushmore and Steve Zahn in Out of Sight.

Best Actor -- Roberto Benigni ( Life is Beautiful ), Tom Hanks ( Saving

Private Ryan ), Ian McKellen ( Gods and Monsters ), Nick Nolte ( Affliction ),

and Edward Norton ( American History ). Should win: Though my sentimental pick

is the charming Benigni, I must admit that Norton was mesmerizing, captivating

and often horrifying as a vehement skinhead who must face the consequences of

racism. Overlooked: A surprisingly modulated Jim Carrey in The Truman Show.

Best Actress -- Cate Blanchett ( Elizabeth ), Fernanda Montenegro ( Central

Station ), Gwyneth Paltrow ( Shakespeare in Love ), Meryl Streep ( One True

Thing ) and Emily Watson ( Hilary and Jackie ). Should win: In a field of

worthy, thoughtful performances, Paltrow's radiant portrayal narrowly beats

Montenegro's surprisingly affecting work. Overlooked: The underrated Annette

Bening in the under-performing The Siege.

Best Director -- Roberto Benigni ( Life is Beautiful ), John Madden (

Shakespeare in Love ), Terrance Malick ( The Thin Red Line ), Steven Spielberg

( Saving Private Ryan ), and Peter Weir ( The Truman Show ). Should win:

Spielberg, narrowly, over Benigni, for his shattering, unforgettable

depictions of war's carnage. Overlooked: Sam Raimi's surprisingly assured

handling of A Simple Plan.

Best Picture -- Elizabeth, Life is Beautiful, Saving Private Ryan, Shakespeare

in Love and The Thin Red Line. Should win: A toss-up between Saving Private

Ryan and Life is Beautiful, with Shakespeare in Love not far behind.

Overlooked: Elizabeth and The Thin Red Line could have been jettisoned for

such entries as The Truman Show, A Simple Plan, The Mask of Zorro or The

Spanish Prisoner.