Secondly, why include TV awards? This is the American FILM Institute, so the inclusion of TV awards seems strange. Thirdly, why noticeably snub artists like the editor of the year, cinematographer of the year, etc, by only announcing their award but apparently not even being invited to attend? That third one seemed the strangest and most outlandish to me. And finally, the show itself was nothing extraordinary to watch.
It was nice to have the ten best film introductions done by a craftsperson who actually worked on the film, but other than that, the show had very little excitement to it. Unfortunately, I don't think these new AFI Awards have done anything to further enhance the AFI's image ... it actually may have tarnished it. Oh, yeah, and one more thing ... where are the trophies? It seemed strange for the winners to go up with no trophy to hold, especially one as nice looking as the AFI Award is.
But most importantly, let's talk about the choices made by the AFI. Well, I think I'm getting closer and closer to having to eat my own words by saying Lord of the Rings has no chance to win Best Picture. It was the biggest winner at the AFI Awards, winning the Best Film award, as well as the prizes for Digital Effects and Production Design. Roger Deakins was voted cinematographer of the year for The Man Who Wasn't There. Moulin Rouge won the AFI Awards for Composer (Musical Score) and Editing. Memento deservedly won the Screenplay award. Robert Altman took the Director of the Year award for Gosford Park, a win which may bode well to bring him another Oscar nomination. Gene Hackman won the AFI's version of a Supporting Actor award for The Royal Tenenbaums, but it's hard to say whether he'll be up for Oscar. If they keep him in the supporting category, then he might have shot, but I don't think he has a prayer to be nominated in the lead acting category. Jennifer Connelly cemented her place as the frontrunner to win Best Supporting Actress by winning the AFI Featured Actress award for A Beautiful Mind ... she may be our first real sure thing to possibly take home the Oscar.
