By Liv Maxwell & Jay Beam
Hollywood.com Staff
The nominations for the 73rd Annual Academy Awards were announced on Tuesday, Feb. 13, and along with the odds-on favorites, there were some surprise entries in this year’s heated race. And some films were left out of the loop entirely.
Will Julia really run away with the prize? Will “Crouching Tiger” get its claws on Oscar gold? Our resident film critics Liv Maxwell and Jay Beam join in the discussion. This will not be pretty.
Hollywood.com: Now that the Oscar nominations are out, what surprised you two most?
Liv Maxwell: I thought the nomination for Ed Harris in “Pollock” was a huge surprise, beating out the other favorite Michael Douglas in “Wonder Boys.” Harris deserves it.
Jay Beam: I really enjoyed seeing Jeff Bridges get the nod for his work in “The Contender.” He made that movie bearable. He’s an underrated actor.
Hollywood.com: What about the “sure things”?
Maxwell: Julia Roberts has it in the bag. Definitely her best work to date. I thought Joan Allen‘s quieter and more subdued performance in “The Contender” was equally good. But the Academy loves the flashy parts — or in Jay’s case, the fleshy parts.
Beam: Fleshy indeed. Well, as far as the shoe-ins go, you gotta like “Space Cowboys” for Sound Editing… Just kidding. Yes, Roberts is the lock. And Ang Lee.
Hollywood.com: Who do you feel got snubbed?
Maxwell: “Almost Famous” didn’t get as much recognition as it should have. And I really think it’s odd when the Academy nominates a director but not the picture, like with director Stephen Daldry‘s nomination for “Billy Elliot,” while the film itself did not get a Best Picture nod.
Beam: I’d have loved to see “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” get more recognition. And “Traffic” really should be up for Best Cinematography.
Hollywood.com: Well, we have to ask: Best Picture goes to…?
Maxwell: I think “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” deserves it more, but “Gladiator” should win.
Beam: “Gladiator” will be ignored in all other categories but this one. It’s the winner.
Maxwell: “Ignored”? What are you talking about? Its going to sweep. The Academy loves a good Roman epic.
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