Its a bit of a carve up! (Oscar Predictions 2002)

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Product:	Oscar Predictions 2002
Date:	15/01/02 (52 review reads)
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Advantages: Get to meet Jack

Disadvantages: Rigged

Although a healthy seemingly democratic number of five thousand academy members vote in the Oscar winners 2002,they are selected from a shortlist drawn out by Hollyoods elite producers and film hierarchy that makes the films that wow us.
The academy voters then tick a box like a multiple-choice questionnaire to decide this year’s grandee.

This is what we see big studio productions like Titanic and American Beauty winning the bulk of the golden statues over the lower budget better movies. In the older days before special effects the big 6 studios would award each other big four Oscars each to there top four studios equally sharing them out to boost their own productions and stature.
This nepotism had enabled the big boys to stay dominant over the last century.

But now with special effects available to all and actors and directors pay packets falling, so has studio power. Ironically its people like George Lucas ad Stephen Spielberg who were ignored religiously during the awards season who now run Holly through Dreamworks and Sound and Vision.
These great directors have made bigger FXs big budget movies Like Gladiator expectable for the big triumphs at The Golden Globes and Oscar’s. This greatly increases The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter chances to get something over the usual serious genres.

We have seen some abysmal awards lately like Angeline Jolie for Girl Interrupted .The director said that directing here was like directing Lassie!.and Cuba Junior for Jerry Mcguire.But it was that film studio who made that films turn to win the big one.
Poor recent years have had the very average undeserving Erin Brokivich up for the big one that was clearly shoe horned in to get a girly winner. But things are changing slowly as the old academy power men die off and the voter demographics gets younger.

This year should see those FXs films like The Rings do rather better with its cinematography bound to be rewar
ded for brilliant screenplay and technical triumph. Theres always a British film in there to, usually starring Judy Dench who has timed it just right again with Iris.
I haven’t seen it as it premiers tomorrow but they are saying that the biopic on Iris Murdoch the writer with Kate Winslett has been prepped just for the big one.

Personally I can’t say the last three years has been much good as far as great films go. The last truly piece of brilliant cinema for me was Schindlers List.America Beauty and Shakespeare In Love along with Titanic were the last big films to take a ton of Oscars and i can safely say they are all instantly forgettable. No one can forget the story of the persecution of the Jews in so vivid detail.

We saw how special effects can be used overly relied on to make film in the awful and tired Star Wars sequel. We need a balance now between great acting and context to capture the coveted statues over the incest that exists in the dusty voting rules.
If I had the nominee’s list in my hand I could pretty much predict the top Oscar winners for you. Nearer the day when that is out I will ad to this opinion to prove my point.

Nicole Kidman may be rewarded for her extremely busy year in dumping Tom and her major success in Moulin Rouge and The Others.Tom Cruise is almost invisible now as he drowns in the stunning Aussies success. He may well believe his middle school yearbook that had him and Robin Williams the least likely to succeed.
They both seem to be regressing to their school days don’t you think. The joke in Hollywood goes that when they got divorced they had to hand the kids back. Seems like a nice boy!.

My favorite films of the year wont be winning any rewards. I loved The Dish and Amores Perres the Mexican film along with the enjoyable Best in Show and a couple of obscure foreign films. But at the end of the movie day as the 35mm digital film roles of the spool it will be t
he most hyped and lobbied films that will win the day and the acclaim. Those 5102 trustees of the statues are not beyond a few gifts for votes you know.

Possible winners before I see the lists…..
IRIS…. Typical quality Brit film that appeals to the Americans in style and period floppy hat and dress. When in doubt in a lean year for great women performances, Judy Dench is always they’re waiting.

LORD OF THE RINGS……They cant ignore the best and darkest film of the year and will pepper it with tenichal nominations and a statue or two.

ALMOST FAMOUS…. Kate Hudson was excellent as the shrewd rock sexy muse here and deserves it just to show up mum,(Goldie Hawn).

AMELIE….I hope this wonderful French film wins as its visually gorgeous.Although Amores Perres should be lurking if the French joi de vie doesn’t clinch it!.
Before night Falls is also a strong contender and may just sneak up and nick it.

GHOST WORLD…. Haven’t seen it but the reports are strong. Looks America’s best hope for something that’s not rigged.

THE PLEDGE…..Jack Nicholson, Oscar night, great performance……….

MOULIN ROUGE…..We know where all the musical score statues are going don’t we…. maybe best director to.

I know its not likely, but Ben Kingsley in Sexy Beast was a revelation and so far gone from Ghandi, if you haven’t seen his extraordinary psychotic performance then do it now.
I will leave you with this piece of anonymous graffiti at the funeral of Jerry Kramer, director of High Noon and Guess who’s coming to dinner.who died this year.”You see!,give the public what they want and they will come!”.

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