nominees this year, and
there probably won't be a
winner whose title isn't
"Finding Nemo."
Nonetheless, here's a
breakdown of all the
available competition.
(Consequently, it looks like
Disney will finally win their
battle with DreamWorks
this year, since "Sinbad"
tanked so grandly.)
BELLEVILLE
SONY CLASSICS
This French entry has the
same intelligent aesthetics
that helped "Spirited
Away" win last year. (Yet
it didn't work for the
excellent "Waking Life"
the year before.)
BEAR
DISNEY
This
traditionally-animated
cartoon was beautiful to
look at, but it failed in
the plot department.
The competition is
weak.
PARAMOUNT
If this had earned more money, it
might've had a realistic shot at a
nomination. But it failed to outearn
prior "Rugrats" movies, and was
quickly categorized as a bomb.
MIRAMAX
I'm not sure why the indie giant
keeps putting out these sub-par anime
cartoons, but with decreasing
audiences and grosses, there's no
way it will get nominated.
IDP
This anime cartoon didn't resound with
critics as loudly as "Spirited Away" did
last year. It also didn't ignite the box
office, so it's really a darkhorse candidate
at this point.
CONSIDERATION:
"EVIL"
Few saw this
nomination coming,
and it's unlikely to
gain enough favor to
unseat "The
Barbarian Invasions"
as a frontrunner.
Still, you never
really know...
"TWILIGHT SAMURAI"
With its first nomination
in quite some time,
Japan could be poised to
upset given the
renaissance of Japan in
2003 -- everyone saw
"Lost in Translation,"
"The Last Samurai," and
"Kill Bill, Vol. I."
"TWIN SISTERS"
This World War II-era drama
fared well at festivals. But it's
tough to say if voters will
warm to such a slight -- albeit
serious -- film in the face of
such high-profile competition
from Canada. This category is
known for offbeat suprises,
though.
likely winner since the other four
titles came out of nowhere to snag
nominations. More popular films like
"Osama," "The Return," and
"Monsieur Ibrahim" got the short
shrift this year.
"ZELARY"
Another surprise inclusion in this race, voters may
develop an emotional tie to it. Additionally, never discount
the power of a nominated foreign film that has a studio
backing it -- in this case, Sony Classics.
FEATURE
FRIEDMANS
It's the most talked-about
non-fiction film from the first part
of the year. If box office means
anything in this category, this pic is
a strong contender.
UNDERGROUND
This documentary fared reasonably well
during its theatrical release, and it
garnered some very respectable
reviews. The problem is its lower
profile vs. "Fog" "Friedmans."
slightly over the past few years to
let "popular" documentaries have a
shot. Nonetheless, "Spellbound"
and "Winged Migration" needed
nods before getting distribution.
Nathaniel Kahn's moving exploration
of his father earned raves and
record-breaking box office.
It was kind of a surprise to see this pic
included in the shortlist and not "Bus 174"
or "Charlie." It won't win.
Hailing from Australia, this is one of
three non-fiction works to make the
shortlist that doesn't have theatrical
distribution. That could hurt it very
much this year.
"Time" magazine film critic Richard
Schickel directed this piece about
Charlie Chaplin. Interesting -- but it
can't compare to movies about human
rights, politics, and corrupt courts.
This documentary about a Bay Area
mother who takes care of handicapped
children should've made the shortlist. But
the selection committee for this category
always makes some interesting picks.
WILL NOT BE
TELEVISED
SHORT
TALES
FILM
(THE BRIDGE)
JACKET
SHORT
NUTTY