Reflecting Back on the First Half of 2002
So we already have the first half of 2002 behind us. As is typical when we reach mid-year, I reflect back on the films we've had thus far, and see which films and performances deserve to survive to the Oscar season, and handicap which ones really have the best realistic chances at being remembered for the 75th Annual Oscars.
We do have some serious Oscar contenders from the first half of the year, believe it or not. In the acting categories, it still looks like Diane Lane remains the top contender so far for Best Actress for her incredible performance in Unfaithful, and I hope she is remembered.
Al Pacino certainly deserves to be remembered for another wonderful performance in Insomnia, but I haven't heard as much buzz for his performance being remembered for an Oscar.
The comedy About A Boy garnered some great reviews, and I've even heard comments that both Hugh Grant and Toni Collette could receive Oscar nods for their endearing performances in that film. Comedy performances very rarely make it to Oscar consideration, and especially looking at the films to be released in the second half of the year, I don't know if they will be remembered.
Other performances that have some buzz: Ellen Burstyn in Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (I really don't agree that she has a shot though, the film received horrible reviews).
We may have already seen all the nominees for the Best Animated Feature Oscar for 2002 ... Ice Age, Lilo & Stitch, and Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron were all very enjoyable animated films, and were all universally well reviewed, so it wouldn't surprise me if those were our three animated feature nominees, and I think Disney's Lilo & Stitch has the edge. It's really an enjoyable film, and proves that Disney can still create wonderful animated classics in the old fashioned animation methods.
Let's look at some other potential Oscar nominees ... Steven Spielberg's Minority Report, which I agree is one of the year's best films (another incredible achievement by Spielberg), must be considered the frontrunner for Visual Effects, and hopefully will be remembered for nods for Cinematography, Film Editing, and Sound, but I wouldn't expect any other major nominations.
Christopher Nolan's brilliant Insomnia could be remembered for bigger awards, especially for Al Pacino for Best Actor, a Best Screenplay nod, and Best Cinematography. Depending on the quality of the films remaining in 2002, Christopher Nolan could even receive a Director nod.
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