Stacey Kimbell's picks for the Oscars
Stacey Says Hollywood will take center stage on March 26, as golden boy Oscar bestows fame and glory on a chosen few. Every spring, movie-goers scratch their heads, incredulous that their Patch Adams or Blair Witch Project didn’t make the cut. And, as always, we are not privy to Oscar politics — save last year when “The House of Spielberg” (Saving Private Ryan) accused Miramax (Shakespeare in Love) of overspending in an effort to influence Academy voters. Handicapping the 72nd Edition of the Academy Awards is a dicey prospect, as the competition boasts the strongest field of nominees in many years. Since no one in Tinsel Town asked my opinion, I give you my handpicked winners. Best Supporting Actress: Chloë Sevigny (Boys Don’t Cry) and Thora Burch (American Beauty) were inspired ingenues. Look for Sevigny to get the nod in this hotly contested race. Best Supporting Actor: John Malkovich stood bald head and shoulders above the rest, though he had the unenviable task of playing himself in Being John Malkovich. Best Actress: Hilary Swank (Boys Don’t Cry) turned in the most surprising, breakout performance of the year, but there could be a groundswell of Hollywood support for Annette Bening (American Beauty). Best Actor: Troubled suburbanite Kevin Spacey (American Beauty) will curry Oscar’s favor, edging out newcomer Russell Crowe (The Insider) and goofball Jim Carrey (Man on the Moon), who is perhaps too funny for the Academy’s tastes. If it were up to me, the Best Director award would go to Spike Jonze for Being John Malkovich, but the movie was just too groundbreaking and original for Academy voters (look for an Oscar for Visual Effects and Original Screenplay, however.) That being said, Sam Mendes should be rewarded for American Beauty. Best Picture: American Beauty will simply blow away the competition. <<< sk