Jesse's picks are in, free rental if you win
By: Jesse Morrison
A&E Coordinator
Issue date: 2/22/08 Section: Entertainment
Never underestimate the power of gold. Did you really think the studios would let the films they vigorously campaigned for go unappreciated at this year's Academy Awards? Not a chance with a year like 2007.
Not since 1994, when "Forrest Gump," "Pulp Fiction" and "The Shawshank Redemption" were nominated, has a year boasted so much talent.
A few weeks ago, I launched a contest to see if students and faculty had what it took to beat me at the Oscars. If you pick more winners than I do, you win a gift certificate to Videos, Movies and More down the road at 3125 Poplar Ave. If there is more than one, a winner will be chosen at random. I chose the top eight categories because, for the first time in recent memory, they truly represent the best of filmmaking for 2007.
Best Supporting Actor
Hal Holbrook - "Into the Wild"
Phillip Seymour Hoffman - "Charlie Wilson's War"
Tom Wilkinson - "Michael Clayton"
Casey Affleck - "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford"
Javier Bardem - "No Country for Old Men"
Javier Bardem deserves the win for this role and performance that still chills months later. Normally, I sympathize with the villain and have a secret wish that they, not the good guys, win in the end. But with Bardem's portrayal of a man with nothing but pure, black, evil blood I wanted nothing but this man dead in the ground. Nothing, not even a sympathy vote for the older Holbrook, can take the gold from Bardem's hand.
Best Supporting Actress
Tilda Swinton - "Michael Clayton"
Saoirse Ronan - "Atonement"
Ruby Dee - "American Gangster"
Cate Blanchett - "I'm Not There"
Amy Ryan - "Gone Baby Gone"
In this five-woman race, Ronan has no chance. This newcomer shows so much talent that the Academy knows they will see her again. Dee's chance lies in her age and long career, not her hammy performance. She had one scene that could be construed as memorable, but its poor staging was indicative of the film's shortcomings.
Not since 1994, when "Forrest Gump," "Pulp Fiction" and "The Shawshank Redemption" were nominated, has a year boasted so much talent.
A few weeks ago, I launched a contest to see if students and faculty had what it took to beat me at the Oscars. If you pick more winners than I do, you win a gift certificate to Videos, Movies and More down the road at 3125 Poplar Ave. If there is more than one, a winner will be chosen at random. I chose the top eight categories because, for the first time in recent memory, they truly represent the best of filmmaking for 2007.
Best Supporting Actor
Hal Holbrook - "Into the Wild"
Phillip Seymour Hoffman - "Charlie Wilson's War"
Tom Wilkinson - "Michael Clayton"
Casey Affleck - "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford"
Javier Bardem - "No Country for Old Men"
Javier Bardem deserves the win for this role and performance that still chills months later. Normally, I sympathize with the villain and have a secret wish that they, not the good guys, win in the end. But with Bardem's portrayal of a man with nothing but pure, black, evil blood I wanted nothing but this man dead in the ground. Nothing, not even a sympathy vote for the older Holbrook, can take the gold from Bardem's hand.
Best Supporting Actress
Tilda Swinton - "Michael Clayton"
Saoirse Ronan - "Atonement"
Ruby Dee - "American Gangster"
Cate Blanchett - "I'm Not There"
Amy Ryan - "Gone Baby Gone"
In this five-woman race, Ronan has no chance. This newcomer shows so much talent that the Academy knows they will see her again. Dee's chance lies in her age and long career, not her hammy performance. She had one scene that could be construed as memorable, but its poor staging was indicative of the film's shortcomings.