Oscar Picks

I’ll be working on a group project instead of giving my full attention to the Academy Awards, but hopefully it’ll be on in the background so that I can see who wins and, more importantly, what everyone is wearing. I just hope there are some good shots of my personal style icon, Sienna Miller. Cross your fingers for me. I can’t wait to see her as Edie Sedgwick.

Of course, as Samhita at Feministing points out, it’s not exactly the greatest Oscar year for the ladies. From Newsweek:

‘Brokeback Mountain.” “Capote.” “Crash.” “Good Night, and Good Luck.” “Munich.” This year’s Academy Award nominees for best picture offer thoughtful contemplations of the world, past and present. A mostly male world, that is.

Why does it matter that female-driven stories are absent from this year’s top-nominated films? For one thing, the combined box office grosses of this year’s nominated films lag behind any single summer blockbuster, and this could translate into lower ratings for the Oscar telecast. The overwhelming “maleness” of these films might well be a factor.

Beyond this, the nominations matter because they hint at a larger disparity endemic in the film business: the ongoing underrepresentation of women onscreen and behind the scenes.

She’s right: The world presented in the movies is completely centered on the male existence. It’s important to keep that in mind.

But because I’m feeling particularly shallow right now, find my Oscar picks below the fold.

Best Actor in a Leading Role: Philip Seymore Hoffman, Capote.
As much as I would love to see Heath Ledger win this one, because I thought his performance in Brokeback Mountain was unbelievable, I think it would be more of a recognition of the incredible career that Seymore Hoffman has had.

Best Actor in a Supporting Role: William Hurt, A History of Violence
This is a tough categoy, because all of these actors did amazing jobs. I loved Crash, and would like to see it be a surprise victor. And I think that A History of Violence should have been nominated in more categories than it was. I also thought George Clooney was very good in Syriana, although I might have qualified him as the lead actor. Otherwise, who was? Matt Damon? I’m in love with Jake Gyllenhaal, and I thought he was good in Brokeback, but I’m not sure he was amazing enough to win in the category. Anyway, William Hurt gets my (non)vote.

Best Actress in a Leading Role: Reese Witherspoon, Walk the Line
Admittedly, I haven’t seen a lot of these movies. But Witherspoon does such a great June Carter that I think she really does deserve to win. And, vanity-related side-note, someone told me last night that I look like her in that movie. Which is a great compliment, because I love her and her big hair. That said, I wouldn’t complain about any of these other women winning.

Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Frances McDormand, North Country
For the same reasons that Philip Seymore Hoffman should win: A career of magnificent acting. I love Frances McDormand. I also think that Michelle Williams gave a great performance, but I’m not sure it was Oscar-worthy. Go Fran.

Best Music Score: Brokeback Mountain
Perhaps it’s an odd choice, but if you’ve seen the movie you know what I’m talking about. It haunts you.

Best Picture: Brokeback Mountain
It was just… flawless. The cinematography was beautiful, the acting was unbelievable, the story was rich, the music was chillingly fitting… all around, it’s a superb film. I wouldn’t mind seeing Crash sneak up and take this one too, but I just don’t think it has a chance. If Munich wins I’ll be mad, even though I liked it — it’s just not Best Picture quality. Ditto with Capote. And I didn’t see Good Night, and Good Luck, so I can’t really comment on that. Brokeback or Crash. Gotta be one of those two. Although, obviously, it’s coming down to Brokeback or Capote.