Nominations show cream of crop

JOHN DEPKO

The major studios released more than 200 films in 2004. But only 20

of them account for most of the important academy nominations. Once

again Oscar tells us which movies are in that elite top 10% that

really deserve to be seen.

The movies, directors, actors and screenwriters involved in these

productions are all worthy nominees. Predicting the winners of the

biggest prizes is never easy. But every year some choices are more

obvious than others.

The academy has a penchant for taking into account a nominee’s

entire body of work in addition to their present efforts. On that

account, Martin Scorsese is the leading man for best director. His

A-List credits include “Goodfellas,” “Taxi Driver” and “Raging Bull.”

Often nominated but never winning, Scorsese may find his peers

feel they owe him this year. In “The Aviator” he has toned down his

usual gritty style to produce a classic mainstream Hollywood epic.

The academy loves this kind of picture.

Best actor may be locked up for the brilliant performance by Jamie

Foxx in “Ray.” He truly becomes Ray Charles in every way imaginable

across four decades of his life and times.

Foxx’s other well-deserved nomination for best supporting actor as

the transformed cab driver in “Collateral” doesn’t hurt his

recognition factor in the voting process.

Leonardo DiCaprio playing Howard Hughes over four decades of time

has the only other truly demanding role that required such a complex

stretch in acting.

The academy erred in overlooking Paul Giamatti’s quirky

performance in “Sideways” in favor of Johnny Depp’s quiet role in

“Finding Neverland.”

Best actress should be locked up by Hillary Swank.

Her magnificent performance as the struggling waitress turned

professional boxer in “Million Dollar Baby” is this year’s most

realistic and heart-wrenching role.

It’s only because she recently won an Oscar that Kate Winslett or

Annette Benning may have a shot.

Best supporting actor and actress are wide-open categories. Best

bets are Morgan Freeman as the velvet-voiced fight veteran in

“Million Dollar Baby” and Thomas Haden Church as the womanizing but

lovable loser in “Sideways.”

Among the women, the one to beat is Cate Blanchett for her

brilliant performance as the vibrant Katherine Hepburn in “The

Aviator.”

Laura Linney as the doctor’s wife in “Kinsey” and Virginia Madsen

in “Sideways” will garner some votes for their excellent but much

more low-key roles.

Most pundits think “The Aviator” has the inside track on best

picture with its sweeping scope and 11 major nominations. Clint

Eastwood’s “Million Dollar Baby” is rumored to be the only other pick

capable of knocking it off. They are both great films, and one of

them will probably take home the statue.

But the two most innovative and enjoyable movies I saw this year

were “Sideways” and the surprising “Ray.”

* JOHN DEPKO is a Costa Mesa resident and a senior investigator

for the Orange County public defender’s office.