Mac Slocum, Senior Editor

Award Pick

Best Picture	"Moulin Rouge!"
Best Director	Peter Jackson, "Lord of the Rings"
Best Actor	Will Smith, "Ali"
Best Actress	Nicole Kidman, "Moulin Rouge!"
Best Supporting Actor	Ian McKellen, "Lord of the Rings"
Best Supporting Actress	Jennifer Connelly, "A Beautiful Mind"
Best Screenplay (adapted)	"Lord of the Rings"
Best Screenplay (original)	"Memento"

Mac's Comments: Let me begin with full disclosure. I haven't seen a number of these films, so my justification for picking certain nominees is undoubtedly tainted. Nevertheless, I offer my overblown opinions. As is often the case, there's only one category where I demand my pick be the victor. Last year it was imperative that Benicio Del Toro win Best Supporting Actor. This year, it's imperative that Christopher Nolan win Best Original Screenplay. If he doesn't, it serves as proof that justice, peace, joy, and happiness do not exist. Nolan's "Memento" is a beacon for creativity and originality, and if the Academy doesn't recognize it as such, each member can cram one of those golden guys in the orifice of their choice. Other than Nolan, I'm apathetic toward this year's crop of nominees. "Lord of the Rings" is a stunning visual picture, and an impressive first-chapter in a series many deemed impossible to bring to the screen, but I don't consider it Best Picture material simply because it's a segment of a larger story. "Gosford Park" and "In the Bedroom" have garnered plenty of critical acclaim, but the Best Picture award should recognize films that ignite emotions and expand the boundaries of filmmaking. For that reason, I'm going against my heated dislike for musicals and choosing "Moulin Rouge!" for the big award. At this point, my apathy prevents me from continuing in full paragraphs: Best Director: "Lord of the Rings" helmer Peter Jackson deserves Best Director because he manhandled J.R.R. Tolkien's intricate fantasy into a compelling, accessbile narrative. Best Actor: I'm giving my vote to Will Smith simply because "Ali" is his first attempt to play a character other than Will Smith. Who knew the Fresh Prince had it in him? Best Actress: I doubt any actress has ever worked as hard as Nicole Kidman did in "Moulin Rouge!" She absorbed the film's intensity and used it to her advantage. Eat it, Tom. Best Supporting Actor: Ian McKellan's potrayal of Gandalf in "Rings" is one of those performances that defies time. You could watch him in this role for days on end and never be bored. Best Supporting Actress: After years of swimming in small roles, Jennifer Connelly held her own against Russell Crowe and established herself as an actress of note.

Eva Weber, International Correspondent

Award Pick

Best Picture	"Moulin Rouge!"
Best Director	Peter Jackson, "Lord of the Rings"
Best Actor	Sean Penn, "I Am Sam"
Best Actress	Nicole Kidman, "Moulin Rouge!"
Best Supporting Actor	Anyone but Ethan Hawke
Best Supporting Actress	Kate Winslet, "Iris"
Best Screenplay (adapted)	"Lord of the Rings"
Best Screenplay (original)	"Amelie"

Eva's Comments: To retain my credibility as a journalist I should start by telling you that, owing to relocation to a different continent, I have not had the chance to see any of these movies. Except for the one whose mere nomination lets me seriously doubt the sanity of the Academy, Bridget Jonesís Diary. The first book was brilliant, the follow up was ok, the movie was a sorry combination of both, and to nominate Renee Zellweger for an Oscar for gaining 20 lbs to look like a healthy version of herself is, I think, a sad way for Hollywood to say, "Hey look, you can be successful in this industry while weighing more than a toothpick." And never mind that she went Calista Flockhart on them afterwards. Now, with that out of the way, it is my not-so-humble opinion that this whole award-giving business is based much more on sadly predictable Hollywood politics and only the rare case of actual talent and brilliant performance. So never mind that I havenít seen any of the performances in question. Iím going to tell you anyway who I think should win and why. Because my editor lets me. Complaints should be addressed to him. Best Picture: Moulin Rouge!, because itís a different, dazzling, glamorous extravaganza, and all that without Tomís million dollar smile. Best Director: Peter Jackson. Judging solely from trailers, he managed to find some hidden (and utterly lost on me) appeal in Tolkienís writings, took the best of it and turned it into something that is worth shelling out $10 a ticket to go and see. Or so I have been told. Repeatedly. Best Actor: Sean Penn. Because heís got the talent and gave the brilliant performances already in previous projects, making him stand out from the group of usual Hollywood suspects. Because he didnít get it for ìDead Man Walking.î And because getting two Oscars in a row could really go to Russellís head. Best Actress: Nicole Kidman. Itís been her year, without a doubt. Sheís revealed talent heretofore hidden in the shadow of whatís-his-name, you know, that guy she was with for ten years, and sheís proved that she can carry a movie with it. Of course the chance to work with Ewan McGregor and record a single with the British Bad Boy of Rock, Robbie Williams, would bring out the best in any woman. Best Supporting Actor: Anyone but Ethan Hawke, whose talent for acting is about as great as Roberto Begniniís ability to speak a coherent sentence in English. Anyone, really. Best Supporting Actress: Kate Winslet. If Hollywood really wants to send a message about industry acceptance of real women, well, hereís your candidate. Kate has never conformed to the only recently quetioned standards Hollywood has set for its actresses. Sheís been much too busy applying her considerable talent to various roles, and between jobs denying reports that she canít get anymore jobs because of some weight she had gained during ñ gasp! ñ her pregnancy. Best Screenplay (adapted): Frances Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Peter Jackson, LOTR. Anyone who can turn Tolkien into a three-and-a-half hour movie and manages to make it interesting enough to actually keep people in their seats all the way through deserves an Oscar. Best Screenplay (original): Guillaume Laurant, for no other reason than that I want to see all the Americans break a sweat trying to pronounce his name correctly. Best Animated Film: Why is this a category? I happen to have serious issues with any kind of animated feature, and Iím anything but impartial when it comes to discussing the topic. Yet I have absolutely no preference as to who does or does not win this award. As long as they donít do funny voices or sing during their acceptance speech, in which case they should be smacked on the head with their Oscar deftly and instantly.

Brian Orndorf, Contributing Reviewer

Award Pick

Best Picture	"A Beautiful Mind"
Best Director	Ron Howard, "A Beautiful Mind"
Best Actor	Russell Crowe, "A Beautiful Mind"
Best Actress	Nicole Kidman, "Moulin Rouge!"
Best Supporting Actor	Ben Kingsley, "Sexy Beast"
Best Supporting Actress	Jennifer Connelly, "A Beautiful Mind"
Best Screenplay (adapted)	"A Beautiful Mind"
Best Screenplay (original)	"Memento"
Best Animated Film	Begrudgingly, "Shrek." Because it's me against the world when it comes to this movie.

Brian's Comments: Best Picture: "In The Bedroom" is a good film, not great. "Gosford Park" has accomplished something amazing in that it has audiences actually thinking they've seen a good film! "Moulin Rouge" is fun, but poorly paced. And "LOTR???" I best be quiet about that one. "A Beautiful Mind" has all the makings of a best picture winner: romance, intrigue, big box office and an attractive cast. The best pick of them all is "Mind." Best Director: I don't know what kind of deal Robert Altman made with the devil, but to receive all these accolades for the soul-flattening "Gosford Park" is too much to bear. Hopefully the academy can look past that and give Ron Howard the award for the greatest comeback in some time—coming off the abominable "Grinch" film to the accomplished "Mind." Lynch would be a nice treat, but Howard's time is now. Best Actor: With the exception of the auto-pilot Denzel Washington, the other four nominees all deserve the prize. My heart goes to Sean Penn, who is so much better in "I Am Sam" than the critics gave him credit for. But Crowe's performance might take it. It's a better acting job than "Gladiator," and it's not unheard of to win two years in a row. Best Actress: In a perfect world, Renee Zellweger's hilarious, heartbreaking performance in "Bridget" would be enough to take home the little gold man. But we live in a cruel world, with only Sissy Spacek's raging, undernourished role in "Bedroom" and Kidman's head-above-glitter hoofing in "Rouge" to pick from. While Spacek is the favorite, I must go with Kidman, who was fantastic in "The Others" and might be secretly awarded for that performance as well. Best Supporting Actor: Do I need to even go into just why Gene Hackman isn't nominated here? It's the biggest Oscar slight of the year. Since Miramax has been slow rolling out "Iris," only the Academy seems to know how good a performance Broadbent delivers. Hawke is a surprise, as he was fine—at least better than Denzel Washington—in "Training Day," but his nomination seems a bit extreme. Voight's performance was more mimicry than purposeful in "Ali."  Out of respect to the "LOTR" fans, I won't touch McKellen's nomination. Ben Kingsley was good violent fun in "Sexy Beast," and I could see him rewarded for that. Best Supporting Actress: Connelly provided emotional truths to the bizarre relationship at the core of "Mind." It's one of her best performances and signals the birth of a great actress. Best Screenplay (adapted): "Ghost World" was clever but frayed. "In The Bedroom" was an actor's film. "LOTR" was Herculean but as of now, incomplete. "Shrek" made me gag. This leaves "A Beautiful Mind," which should, and will win simply because Goldsman—known around the world as a terrible screenwriter—pulled something subtle, heartfelt and gripping out of himself. Best Screenplay (original): This is the "Almost Famous" award, given to the film that most people think deserves every award imaginable, yet will only get one token statue. "Memento" is that film. My personal adoration of "The Royal Tenenbaums" blurs my view, but I understand what a "Memento" win would say to the film world. Best Animated Film: Probably the biggest joke of a category, considering the lack of choices from this year. Though I wasn't a fan, Richard Linklater's "Waking Life" was miles ahead, in terms of artistry and integrity, of "Jimmy Neutron."

Sean Weitner, Flak Magazine

Award Pick

Best Picture	"Lord of the Rings"
Best Director	David Lynch, "Mulholland Drive"
Best Actor	Will Smith, "Ali"
Best Actress	Halle Berry, "Monster's Ball"
Best Supporting Actor	Ian McKellen, "Lord of the Rings"
Best Supporting Actress	Maggie Smith, "Gosford Park"
Best Screenplay (adapted)	"Ghost World"
Best Screenplay (original)	"Gosford Park"

Sean's Comments: Now these are picks, not predictions; as predictions, I would be surprised if they were 25 percent correct. But that's the Academy. Best Picture: "Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring" was not my favorite movie of 2001, but it's neck-and-neck-and-neck in my affections with "Gosford Park" and "Moulin Rouge." ("In the Bedroom" is another tier removed; "A Beautiful Mind," yet another.) In this particular context, I choose "Fellowship" because the Academy would be rewarding it for what is—a monstrously good epic—whereas it would be rewarding "Gosford Park" for what it thinks it is—a Merchant-Ivory picture, which it's not—which I think diminishes the value of the award. (Go"sford Park" winning would be like either of my other two favorites, "Mulholland Drive" or "A.I.," winning—a massive "You mean the members of the Academy got those movies? WFT?") So I'd prefer "Fellowship" to get the Oscar. Best Director: "Mulholland Drive" is my movie of the year—and this is coming as a movie fan, not as a David Lynch fan. I was humbled by the majesty of Peter Jackson and Robert Altman's respective visions for their films, but Lynch trumps both for the year's most satisfying movie experience. In the real world, I'd most prefer Altman to get it. That's not a refutation of what I said in the last graf about the Academy not being able to appreciate it; anyone can appreciate the fact that he brought somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 characters to vivid, individuated life. Best Actor: Though "Ali" didn't acheive everything I (or, I think, Michael Mann) wanted it to achieve, Will Smith's lead role in the film went far beyond impersonation, and I loved him in the role. I also think that Sean Penn is being unfairly written off for his outstanding work in "I Am Sam," but people have been so brutal to that role (undeservedly) and that movie (more deservedly) that it would be unfortunate for this to be the movie that finally gets him his Oscar, a concession to the ideas that (a) all you have to do is play someone with a mental defect to get an Oscar nomination and (b) all Penn was doing here was a rote mental-defect characterization, like Dustin Hoffman in "Rain Man"—and neither of those are true. (Partial recusal: I haven't seen "Training Day," but reliable people tell me Denzel's just chomping scenery.) Best Actress: Halle Berry had a better character than Sissy Spacek because she was put into a better story. Spacek got all the obligatory scenes; director Marc Forster withheld a lot of those scenes in "Monster's Ball," and the scenes he did choose to include were something. I love how hard Nicole Kidman worked in "Moulin Rouge," and I think she succeeded in proportion to that work, but Berry steals the day here. (Partial recusal: Like the rest of the world, I haven't seen "Iris.") Best Supporting Actor: Major recusal for this one: I haven't seen "Sexy Beast," which, combined with "Iris" and "Training Day," means I've only seen two of the five nominees. I pick McKellen because of everything he brought to the film—he truly did "support" the movie. Often, supporting acting nominations are extended to tangential characters, which he was not. But I liked Voight as Ali's chum plenty, too. Best Supporting Actress: Maggie Smith is Altman's foil in "Gosford Park," but she's more than that, too; we laugh with her, and at her, and cry with her, and at her. I may be nominating the character more than the actress, but Smith was perfect in the role. (Partial recusal: Still have not seen "Iris.") Best Screenplay (adapted): Everyone will tell you about how well "Fellowship" was adapted; "Ghost World" was adapted less faithfully, inflating the character of Seymour to a dimension undreamt of in the source text. But it was a great screenplay, with whipsmart structure, bon mots to die for and the kind of attention to true character that's rare. A great, great screenplay. Best Screenplay (original): And, finally, a category with five totally worthy nominees. Each original screenplay has magnificent characters, great structure, superb individual scenes that don't stand out as showcases in the broader tapestry of the film, take-home lessons you want to take home and a scarcity of cliches. ("Amelie" and "Memento" were the most cliched of the five, but they weren't overcome with cliche.) I've got to say "Gosford Park," for supplying Altman with those great characters. But choosing one here is really like pulling teeth.