. . . AND THEN THERE WERE FIVE
a brief rundown of the 75th annual Academy Awards nominees
by Gary Cabana and Sonny King

The nominees are out and all five films are currently playing locally, so here's a quick rundown of the diverse group of films nominated for the Academy Awards Best Picture of 2002.

First up is Chicago. This satirical musical-comedy has been garnering raves from critics and audiences alike. The Academy's most-nominated film this past year with a total of thirteen is both technically and artistically superb. Among the nominated cast members are: Renee Zellweger (Best Actress) as 'Roxie Hart'; Catherine Zeta-Jones (Best Supporting Actress) as 'Velma Kelly'; and Queen Latifah's star-making role as 'Mama Morton.' Director Rob Marshall has also been nominated but actor Richard Gere was snubbed by the Academy (although he did win the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy). Definitely put this one at the top of your list as a must-see and a practical shoo-in for Best Picture of 2002.

Next on the list is the very good, but very violent, drama from director Martin Scorcese—Gangs of New York. This film has received ten Oscar nominations (including Best Director) and is practically a 'must-see' movie for anyone interested in New York city's violent history before and during the Civil War. Extremely well-acted movie garnered a nomination for Daniel Day-Lewis' amazing performance as 'Bill the Butcher,' the nemesis of gang rival Leonardo DiCaprio (snubbed by the Academy). A film you will not soon forget if you like multi-faceted stories that include melodrama, action, romance, and several bloody gangfights. If Chicago doesn't win Best Picture, this would be the next obvious choice.

The third most-nominated film is an unusual and very depressing drama—The Hours. Featuring a superstar cast of actors, this film received nine nominations, three for acting alone: Nicole Kidman as 'Virginia Woolf' (Best Actress); Ed Harris (Best Supporting Actor); Julianne Moore (Best Supporting Actress). Meryl Streep's performance as 'Mrs. Dalloway' was snubbed by Oscar although she has been nominated for her role in the comedy Adaptation. This film is the 'dark horse' candidate to win Best Picture since it took the Best Drama prize at the Golden Globes, but if you go see it, be prepared: its theme of suicide as revealed in three separate tales is very dark and gloomy.

Probably the most controversial Best Picture nominee is Roman Polanski's The Pianist, which received seven nominations. In this case it's not the film that's controversial, but the director, since Roman Polanski (currently residing in France) cannot attend the awards ceremony because there are still outstanding criminal charges being held against him in this country. All that aside, this is probably one of the finest films made of a family's (and eventually one man's) struggle to survive the Holocaust. Adrien Brody (nominated for Best Actor) winningly plays the title role of a man who is not a warrior, but an artist, and must somehow survive against the brutal Nazi threat that invaded Warsaw, Poland prior to World War II. Director Roman Polanski himself was a Polish emigre as a child and he adds many personal touches that make this my choice for the Best Picture of 2002 (although it is a longshot for the award). If you want to see a very personal glimpse of life in the Warsaw Ghetto before, during, and after the fall of the Nazis then this is the one to see—NOW!

Our last contender for Best Picture, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, is probably the most unusual nominee of the five. First, it's a sequel, which is a very rare commodity for Oscar (the last sequel to win was The Godfather Part II). Second, it's an action-adventure fantasy, whose predecessor (LOTR: The Fellowship of the Ring) was nominated, but missed its bid in last year's race. However, TTT did manage to scratch out six nominations and is an Internet favorite to win the top award. If you've read J.R.R. Tolkien, then you've probably already seen this, but even if you haven't, it's still a very entertaining epic adventure (with some violent battle scenes) for those who are able to sit still for three hours.

So, there's your wrap up, next up is the big ceremony (hosted by Steve Martin) on March 23, 2003 at 8:30 pm on ABC. Mark those calendars!!! A very diverse group of films, so try to see all five before Oscar night if you can. Till next time, I'll be seeing you—in the dark.

© 2005 BIGBreakNY, LLC. No material may be reprinted without permission.