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'Eat, drink, breathe Oscars'
26/01/2005 08:10 - (SA)
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| Jamie Foxx as American legend Ray Charles in a scene from Ray. (Universal Studios, Nicola Goode, AP) |
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Andy Goldberg
Los Angeles - The Oscar race moved into high gear on Tuesday with The Aviator flamboyantly leading the field.
The lavishly produced movie about the eccentric American billionaire, film producer and aviation pioneer Howard Hughes earned 11 Oscar nominations, including choices for best picture, best director, best screenplay, best actor and best actress.
And if past years are any indication, the movie should fulfil its dreams of Oscar glory because the picture with the most nominations almost always wins the prize for best movie.
But there are doubts about whether The Aviator will actually go all the way.
While film critics and scholars have dubbed him the greatest living American director, Martin Scorsese has a record of continually turning up for the Oscars but leaving empty-handed.
Critics also noted that while The Aviator is beautifully made with all the director's famous attention to detail, it often fails to connect with viewers on a purely emotional level - which severely handicaps its chances.
"Support for this movie is waning," said awards pundit Tom O'Neil. "People don't love this movie. They like it and they admire it, but bear in mind that no movie about Hollywood has ever won the best picture Oscar."
On a roll
But Sasha Stone, editor of the website OscarWatch.org, said she believes The Aviator is on a roll.
The movie has won a string of prizes that usually augur well for the Oscars, she said. It picked up the best movie prizes from the Producers Guild, the Directors Guild and the Golden Globes.
"The Aviator seems to be gathering heat as the Oscar race forges ahead, and at this point, there is no movie to take it down," Stone said.
"On the other hand, nobody knows anything, and how the next few weeks plays out will make all the difference - the money, the advertising and, mostly, the whispering behind the scenes will all impact how the Academy votes."
If The Aviator fails to adequately impress voters with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, perennial Oscar favourite Clint Eastwood could be left sitting pretty with his film Million Dollar Baby, which was nominated for seven Oscars.
The Aviator and Million Dollar Baby might also split the vote and allow the critical favourite Sideways a look in. Few Oscar watchers expected Ray or Finding Neverland to challenge for the best picture prize.
Jamie Foxx is the man
Eastwood also has a battle on his hands in his quest for his first acting Oscar. Many regard Jamie Foxx as the front-runner for his amazing portrayal of blind soul singer Ray Charles in Ray.
Foxx, a comedian who garnered surprise and praise this year for his turn into dramatic roles, earned bonus points with a supporting actor nomination for Collateral, deepening the impression that he was the actor most in control of his craft in 2004.
"He's a shoo-in," said Emanuel Levy, author of the book All About Oscar. "He's the actor of the year."
The contest for best actress appears to be between Swank and Annette Benning for her role in Being Julia. The match-up is a repeat of the 1999 contest.
The competition for what are regarded as the movie world's top awards is not only just about honour, it is also about moving up in the industry pecking order and attracting larger audiences.
Most importantly, in a town where movie players are only as good as their last films, winning an Oscar, or even coming close, allows everyone involved in the movie to up their ante on future projects.
From now until February 27, when the Academy Awards will be broadcast around the world from Los Angeles, Hollywood will be devoted to speculations about the Oscar winners while studio publicists do all they can to keep their movies in the eyes of the 5 800 Oscar voters.
"I will eat, drink and breathe Oscars for the next month," said a public relations executive at one major studio. "It's what the business is all about." - Sapa-dpa
On the net:
www.oscars.org
OscarWatch.org
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