The 73rd Academy Awards (2000): Contenders by Distributor
Artisan |
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Film
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Pushing?
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| Chances at Nominations |
– Dr. T & The Women – It’s likely they will push Richard Gere for Actor and Altman for Screenplay and Director. Anything else would be foolish and with the limited critical support, none are likely to result in nominations.
– Requiem for a Dream – Artisan’s best chance at nominations, this dark picture may have some Academy members flinching, but its sound critical support and a few year-end awards could put it into the Academy’s good graces. Only Ellen Burstyn is guaranteed a nomination, depending on what category she is honored in through the pre-cursor season. Split honors for Lead and Supporting Actress could be detrimental to her nomination( la Debbie Reynolds in Mother and Courtney Love in The People vs. Larry Flynt. |
Buena Vista (Disney) |
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Film
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Pushing?
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| Chances at Nominations |
– Dinosaur – Pushed anywhere outside of the technical categories could spell disaster for Buena Vista. The film was liked by critics, but not enough to vault it into a coveted Picture nomination. Likely nominations will come in the heavily tech categories Sound and Sound Effects Editing.
– O Brother, Where Art Thou? – Once talked up as a potential lead film, the film’s lack of appearance and serious, yet musical subject matter may hvae forced Buena Vista to think twice about the film, which it didn’t send out on tape yet. With the unlikelihood of an Original Song Score category, O Brother could be out for the count without a bigger push. – Remember the Titans – Now Buena Vista’s tentpole, this football drama had most critics’ praise, but its subject matter isn’t always loved by the Academy, who tend to favor less sporty fare. Denzel Washington is the film’s best hopes for a nod as Actor. |
Columbia/TriStar |
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Film
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Pushing?
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| Chances at Nominations |
– Finding Forrester – Columbia is looking to put Sean Connery into an Oscar nod, but the rest of the film, as yet a no-show on the film landscape could arrive too late and be dismissed before the national audience can rule in.
– The Patriot – Early in the year, this Braveheart II was considered a near-lock for nominations; However, the critics didn’t take to it and its summer berth is overshadowed by its titanic brother Gladiator. |
DreamWorks |
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Film
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Pushing?
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| Chances at Nominations |
– Almost Famous – This is the DreamWorks push for the year, which means it is likely to sit aTop the nominations list come Oscar morning. A few critics awards won’t hurt it, either. Look for this to get a Picture nomination without any problems.
– Chicken Run – A surprise addition to their list, Chicken Run is one of the year’s best reviewed films, with very limited negativity. It could be a spoiler, but its animated status means it will probably be ignored. – The Contender – Once thought to be a great opportunity for a Picture nomination, it is quite likely that the film will only be noticed for Actress Joan Allen, who is one of Oscar’s most noted bridesmaids. – Gladiator – This is DreamWorks other major tent pole. It is quite likely that DreamWorks could nab to Picture nominations and this will likely be the most nominated films of the year, dominating all of the technical categories. – The Legend of Bagger Vance – Once thought to be a major contender, it’s lukewarm critical support and Robert Redford’s lack of impressive Oscar outings (twice in the past two decades) means the film is likely to find its support solely in the technical categories. – Small Time Crooks – A critical no-show, Woody Allen’s annual foray into filmmaking is unlikely to make a splash, considering its early-year berth. If it’s nominated, it will be in the Original Screenplay category where he has been nominated a record 13 times. – What Lies Beneath – A critical let down, but a powerful box office have afforded it a place in the year-end roll-out. Too bad its potential nominations aren’t at all likely. |
Fine Line |
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Film
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Pushing?
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| Chances at Nominations |
– Dancer in the Dark – Fine Line is prowling for Oscar glory with this Cannes Film Festival winner. It’s a weak year for true Oscar contenders, so Picture, Bjork for Actress and others are potential. The biggest chance, however, is in the Original Song category where this musical should feel at home.
– State and Main – David Mamet’s annual ensemble film is as unlikely to get nominations as he ever is. Even when Steve Martin was talked up for The Spanish Prisoner, no nominations resulted. There’s always an outside chance, but the guarantees are not in place. |
Fox (Searchlight) |
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Film
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Pushing?
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| Chances at Nominations |
– Cast Away – The Top tent pole for Fox and Fox indie company Fox Searchlight is this Tom Hanks-starrer. It teams most of the Forrest Gump regulars and with the immense popularity of TV’s Survivor, this is a bona fide contender. Hanks is very likely to take an Actor nomination, simply because he physically lost several pounds for the role.
– Quills – Normally, a film about the Marquis de Sade wouldn’t have a chance, but some critics are supporting the film and with an all-star cast and a heavy push, Quills could surprise. |
Lions Gate |
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Film
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Pushing?
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| Chances at Nominations |
– American Psycho – Christian Bale is being talked up for an Actor nomination, but faces the uphill battle of an early release and a violent film.
– The Golden Bowl – Once upon a time, an Ivory/Merchant production would be the Top contender for nominations, but after a seeming lack of interest in costume dramas, The Golden Bowl may end up on the also-ran floor. Strong critical support in the form of awards could put it back in contention, but that’s its only hope. – Shadow of the Vampire – This is Lions Gate’s big contender. The critics are slowly falling into line behind this film. After the unsuccessful bid for Gods and Monsters, a hard push could result in several nominations for this film history lesson. Even without the push, Willem Dafoe is likely to follow Martin Landau to a Supporting Actor win for playing the penultimate vampire. |
MGM |
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Film
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Pushing?
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| Chances at Nominations | – The Claim – MGM’s only potential nominee is still a weak contender. It seems the hey-day of MGM domination is long historic as some say Milla Jovovich could get a Supporting Actress nomination, but with her unheralded performances in Fifth Element and Joan of Arc, it’s very unlikely. |
Miramax |
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Film
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Pushing?
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| Chances at Nominations |
– All the Pretty Horses – The Horse Whisperer for a new millennium is unlikely to pull a lot of nominations, but Miramax needs a Picture nomination to carry on its streak. Chocolat would be a better choice, but big names have forced All the Pretty Horses into the lead. A double nomination is possible, but highly unlikely.
– Bounce – It has Oscar pedigree, but it’s a romantic comedy that has critics going “oh well.” Don’t look for nominations for it. – Chocolat – Juliette Binoche is on target for a nomination and the film itself could end up in the vaulted Picture slot, but will require a good push from Miramax and critical support. – Hamlet – Ethan Hawke might have been a contender in another time, but it doesn’t appear that Miramax will push his acclaimed performance. Look for this one to fall on the Oscar wayside. – Malena – A surprise choice for inclusion, this foreign entrant seems destined to be Miramax’ Life Is Beautiful, but without the nominations. |
New Line |
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Film
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Pushing?
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| Chances at Nominations | – Thirteen Days – In another year, a potential nominee, but presidential intrigue hasn’t been all that popular lately and this seems like yet another peek into the Kennedy legacy and sometimes a little can be too much. |
Paramount (Classics) |
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Film
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Pushing?
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| Chances at Nominations |
– Enemy at the Gates – The talk around pushing Enemy to 2001 means the push may or may not be on. If it is, it’s a contender.
– The Gift – Hilary Swank’s first film since her Oscar win last year may have people talking, but critical support is necessary for the film, whose other star is the eternally maligned Keanu Reeves. – Sunshine – An early release has injured Sunshine and the prospects for non-technical nominations are limited, though Ralph Fiennes could pick up a surprise Actor nomination. – Wonder Boys – A re-release has put this back in the minds of the voters and with almost universal critical support, Wonder Boys and its lead Michael Douglas could be sure-fire Oscar nominees. – You Can Count on Me – Laura Linney has great buzz around her and her costar Mark Ruffalo could be nominees in the Actress and Actor category. Other nominations could follow if Paramount pushes it outside the two Top categories. |
Sony Pictures Classics |
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Film
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Pushing?
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| Chances at Nominations |
– Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon – This is Sony’s strange push. The Foreign Language Film submission has critics praise, but its mandarin language could complicate its nomination. Desire is for this to take a Picture nomination along with a Foreign Language Film nomination. The likelihood is that Tiger will be a foreign-only picture.
– The House of Mirth – Gillian Anderson is being talked up for Actress and with a good push and some critics awards, her nomination would be nearly assured. The film itself could also be a surprise nominee in some other categories, if the push is big enough and critical support is outstanding. – Pollock – Ed Harris is one of the many big names vying for Actor and likely to get that much-desired nomination. The film itself could end up being another Lust for Life and this would be the year to do it. |
Universal |
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Film
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Pushing?
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| Chances at Nominations |
– Billy Elliot – This is a critics darling that could be big, but the “Universal” critical support isn’t as powerful as for some other movies. The potential for nominations is there, but Universal’s best bet is with the hugely popular Erin Brockovich. Maybe two Picture nominations will be in its future.
– Erin Brockovich – Top contender for Universal, a faulty push or the minimal critical backlash could hurt the film. Look for a nomination for Julia Roberts and even a potential nomination for 70s/80s nomination-magnet Albert Finney. – The Family Man – Original Screenplay is possible, but Cage would have to take a critics award to be in the running. – Nutty Professor II: The Klumps – Makeup and Original Song are the only prospects for Klumps, but Universal will probably hype Eddie Murphy, who will most likely not be nominated. – Meet the Parents – Huge box office will likely lead to an Original Screenplay nomination, but the rest is unlikely. – U-571 – If ever there were a solely-technical push, this would be ideal. The effects and the film were liked in general by critics, meaning this could be a well-liked choice for nominations in Sound and Sound Effects. |
USA Films |
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Film
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Pushing?
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| Chances at Nominations |
– Nurse Betty – A tepid box office has sent Nurse Betty to the emergency room where a good campaign could aid the ailing patient. Nominations for Zellweger as Actress and Original Screenplay are the only hopes.
– Traffic – Husband-and-wife team Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones are unlikely nominees as USA Films isn’t the Top Oscar-pusher that fellow newcomers Miramax and DreamWorks have become. |
Warner Bros. |
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Film
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Pushing?
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| Chances at Nominations |
– Pay It Forward – Critics have lambasted the film and the box office has virtually dried up. Don’t expect much in the way of Top nominations. Haley Joel Osment is being talked up as an engineered Oscar nominee after being ignored last year.
– Proof of Life – Russell Crowe will only benefit from this film by improving his profile for an Actor nomination for Gladiator. Otherwise, some technical nominations could be possible, but other than Meg Ryan, the potential really isn’t there. |
