2005 Oscar Predictions

Here to forth are my predictions for the 2005 Academy Awards. As far as the major categories are concerned, the following could happen: Virginia Madsen could win out over Blanchett (and should - Blanchett was boring). Clive Owen could win out over Morgan Freeman, but that is very much less likely. And Aviator could score over Million Dollar Baby. Aviator SHOULD win but won't - the victim of the bad buzz. As far as lesser categories, Counting Crows from Shrek 2 could win for Best Song and hopefully Supersize Me will eke out victory over my prediction (Born Into Brothels). Both are good documentaries but Supersize Me really deserves it.

So those are my predictions. Commment as needed. Hopefully I'll go 24 for 24.

>> Picture
>> - "Million Dollar Baby"
>
>> Director
>> - Clint Eastwood, "Million Dollar Baby"
>>
>> Actor
>> - Jamie Foxx, "Ray"
>>
>> Actress
>> - Hilary Swank, "Million Dollar Baby"
>>
>> Supporting Actor
>> - Morgan Freeman, "Million Dollar Baby"
>
>> Supporting Actress
>> - Cate Blanchett, Aviator Original Screenplay
>> - Charlie Kaufman, Michel Gondry and Pierre Bismuth, "Eternal Sunshine of
>> the Spotless Mind"
>
>> Adapted Screenplay
>> - Alexander Payne & Jim Taylor, "Sideways"
>>
>> Foreign Film
>> - "The Sea Inside" (Spain)
>>
>> Animated Feature Film
>> - "The Incredibles"
>>
>> Animated Short Film
>> - "Ryan"
>>
>> Documentary Feature
>> - "Born Into Brothels"
>
>> Documentary Short Subject
>> - "The Children of Leningradsky"
>>
>> Live Action Short Film
>> - "Little Terrorist"
>>
>> Art Direction
>> - "The Aviator"
>>
>> Cinematography
>> - "The Aviator"
>>
>> Film Editing
>> - "The Aviator"
>>
>> Costume Design
>> - "The Aviator"
>>
>> Makeup
>> - "Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events"
>
>> Original Score
>> - "Finding Neverland"
>>
>> Original Song
>> - "Believe" from "The Polar Express"
>
>>
>> Sound Editing
>> - "Spider-Man 2"
>>
>> Sound Mixing
>> - "The Aviator"
>>
>> Visual Effects
>> - "Spider-Man 2"

"Constantine" Is Stuck in Purgatory

Don't get me wrong. "Constantine" is not a bad movie by any means. It's certainly not a good movie, but its not devoid of positive qualities. First and foremost, the visuals are quite striking and the formidable direction paints a gritty picture of the metaphyical underbelly of Los Angeles. I was quite taken with the first hour of the film, on the edge of my seat, watching Keanu Reeves redeem himself (his acting abilities, anyway) from the crappy "Matrix" sequels. "Project Greenlight" treasure Shia Le Beouf shines here as Constantine's sidekick, providing some well needed humor and spark in his every scene. A shame he didn't get more screen time here. I'm telling you now, that kid is going to be HUGE. As far as additional positives, I did welcome the humor of the movie, especially after the humorless Matrix sequels. I actually laughed a few times.

After the first hour, the movie just drags. The plot does NOT fall apart as some may contend with, the movie just slows dramatically and I grew bored. As a character, Constatine is kick ass. But as a movie, it's tough to sit still under the weight of Constantine's boring investigation. I have to admit I was very disappointed by the explanation of the plot, especially when the red herring villian is a homeless Mexican peasant who happened to get lucky, and the big bad villian is entirely predictable (at least to audiences that come to expect plot twists). I would have liked to have seen more of Gavin Rossdale, who is billed in the trailers as the main villain (he is certainly not). In fact, it annoyed me that for as smart as Constantine is, he never seems to put the coicidence of seeing an enemy early in the movie together with the fact that the enemy could be involved with the nefarious plot. Rachel Weisz, on the other hand, is very hot.

My review: two and a half stars. Three because of Shia La Beouf.