Oscar night is just days away and the big questions loom large: Who will win? Who will walk away empty-handed? RedEye asked members of the local film community to weigh in on the nominees in a discussion moderated by Chicago Tribune film critic Mark Caro and LeeAnn Trotter, host of “metromix: the tv show.”
Does anyone think “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” won’t win best picture?
– Jeff: It’s got the advantage because it’s building on the other two, but the other reason I think it did so well is that they didn’t screw it up. This film had depth, emotion and good acting across the board. And I think it could have been so terrible! It’s people with hairy feet running around, but it was moving and it was a war epic, and they did it without any winking at the audience–they took it seriously.
– Kwame: The amount of work that was put into it–it’s truly an epic film and that’s rare nowadays.
Best actress? Does it have to be Charlize Theron for “Monster”?
– Rachel: I would like Keisha Castle-Hughes from “Whale Rider” to win. I thought she was phenomenal. “Whale Rider” came out last summer when there was a gluttony of so-called “girl power films,” but I think this was the true girl power film. This young girl played with conviction; she played with confidence. It was one of the better performances of the year.
– Richard: I think Charlize will win because of what she brings to the role: a mass murderer and yet she brought a human side to it. You actually feel for her.
Who would you want to win best actor?
– Rachel: Sean Penn. From “Fast Times at Ridgemont High,” he’s transitioned beautifully. He’s fast becoming one of those film icons like James Cagney or Marlon Brando. He’s chosen excellent roles. But I think Johnny Depp is an overdue nomination.
– Carolina: Bill Murray. I would love to hear what he has to say. He’s been around for a long time, and there’s been a huge change in his career. I love the film [“Lost in Translation”].
Who will win best supporting actress? Patricia Clarkson for “Pieces of April”?
– Jeff: The acting segment of the academy is the largest and she’s respected and been around for a while, but I think there are too many other nominees people would pick in front of her. This could be the big upset of the year. I think Renee Zellweger, while giving a good performance [in “Cold Mountain”], is a little cartoony, a little silly. I think Shohreh Aghdashloo [in “House of Sand and Fog”] is much more dramatic. I won’t be surprised if Renee is picked–she’s the one everyone is saying is going to win–but I think it would be great if Shohreh won.
Who would you choose for best supporting actor? What makes a good supporting actor?
– Kwame: It’s like the rhythm section of a band–the bass player, the drummer. They hold down the bottom and keep it moving and they allow the lead character to go into places, to do things that are dynamic, but you still have a sense of the story and why they’re there. That’s why I think Benicio Del Toro is going to win. … His performance [in “21 Grams”] was incredible. To me, it drove the entire film.
– Carolina: More than allowing the main actor to perform, I think it helps the main actor to be a better actor. And I think Tim Robbins really pushes Sean Penn to do an amazing performance.
Who will win best director?
– Jeff: Peter Jackson. If he doesn’t, that would be the biggest upset of the night.
– Rachel: Clint Eastwood or Fernando Meirelles. Meirelles should have been nominated last year, but Brazil didn’t like the film so this is kind of a retribution nomination.
Billy Crystal, Steve Martin, Whoopi Goldberg–who do you want to see host the Oscar telecast?
– Richard: Billy does the best for that format. For that audience, he’s the funniest. He connects to both generations. I think Steve Martin is a little cynical for the audience that’s watching.
Looking at all the Oscar nominations, what is the most glaring film or performance that’s missing?
– Richard: Sean Astin from “The Lord of the Rings.” He was amazing–his crying, everything. He was the vehicle that brought Frodo to the mountain and the performance between them was incredible, especially in the second film.
– Jeff: I would pick Evan Rachel Wood from “Thirteen.” She just was harrowing, as harrowing in many ways as Charlize Theron was in “Monster.”
The panel
Kwame Amoaku, 33: Actor and director of independent films and commercials.
Rachel Benjamin, 29: Graduate film student at Columbia College.
Richard Lederer, 39: Assistant director on “Barbershop 2” and “Road to Perdition,” among others.
Carolina Posse, 30: Filmmaker and programming manager for the Chicago Latino Film Festival.
Jeff York, 42: Creative director at J. Walter Thompson who sees 100 films in theaters a year.
