The Oscars

Every year this thing gets worse and worse. Maybe I am too young to realize that it has always sucked.

Chicago
The obvious frontrunner I suppose. I liked it, although it is already overrated. The editing is the biggest problem. Do we really need to be constantly reminded that, for these characters, life = showbiz? Who cares? A far more interesting proposition would be to eliminate the cross-cutting. If the singing and dancing took place on the same level of "reality" as the rest of the story, then the implication would be that there isn't a difference.

The Pianist
The ads make this look like an uplifting affirmation of the human spirit. And maybe on some level it is. But what sticks with me is the insistence on making the entire narrative take place at arm's length. This film will not embrace you, and it remains aloof right through to the strangely muted ending. The best film nominated.

The Hours
I haven't seen this on account of my boycott of Miramax films I wasn't going to see anway.

Gangs of New York
See above.

The Two Towers
I already written and said too much about this movie.

My prediction: Chicago will win, and six months later everyone will wonder why. Just like the last two winners.