Tuesday, January 12, 1999
Save the best for last
Studios release most promising films of 1998 in year-end rush as
Academy Awards ceremony draws near
By Lonnie Harris
Daily Bruin Staff
Every December, it begins anew. Film pundits from around the
globe start taking stock of the year in movies and deciding which
films out of the nearly 200 titles released annually make up the
best and the worst.
Of course, it’s all in preparation for "Hollywood’s biggest
night" (if entertainment reporters are to be believed), the Academy
Awards, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and
Sciences. Ever since its inception in 1929, film fans have obsessed
over which films will make the final cut and be considered for the
weighty title of Best Picture of the Year.
The all-important statuette has been known to make or break a
few Hollywood careers. Though occasional winners like F. Murray
Abraham (who won Best Supporting Actor for "Amadeus" in 1984) have
slipped through the cracks in the industry sidewalk, an Oscar
usually amounts to instant notoriety and financial payoff for the
winner or winning film.
The front-runners for Best Picture of 1998 are currently Steven
Spielberg’s World War II adventure "Saving Private Ryan" and Peter
Weir’s meditation on the media culture "The Truman Show" (for which
Jim Carrey is also expected to be nominated).
Though both of these films were released during the summer, the
majority of films that tend to be nominated find themselves with
December release dates. Studios customarily release their most
worthy films late in the year, hoping that Academy members will
have them fresh in their minds when they send in their ballots.
Very seldom does a film released in the first half of the year
garner any nominations the next winter (1996’s "Fargo" being the
obvious exception, as it was released in February).
Perhaps the most talked-about movie to be considered for an
Oscar is Terrence Malick’s WWII drama "The Thin Red Line." The
reviews for the film have been almost entirely positive and the
director’s reputation as a reclusive genius can only help the
film’s chances in Hollywood, a town built on reputation as opposed
to substance. The star power of the film (which includes such
celebrity cameos as Sean Penn, John Travolta, Nick Nolte, George
Clooney and Woody Harrelson) cannot hurt its chances for
recognition come Oscar time.
Though it was not nearly as critically praised as "The Thin Red
Line," Universal’s "Patch Adams" is exactly the kind of film the
Academy loves to award. Uplifting, sentimental, and featuring a
dramatic turn by one of the America’s most beloved actors, Robin
Williams, "Patch" may surprise many by being nominated in several
categories.
Steven Zaillian’s courtroom drama "A Civil Action" was also
ushered into the market in the hopes that it could contend for
several Oscars, especially for lead actor John Travolta (who was
nominated for 1994’s "Pulp Fiction"). Despite somewhat negative
reception in New York and Los Angeles, where the movie opened in
limited release on Christmas Day, Touchstone remains steadfast in
its attempts to gain attention for the true story that describes
how pollutants affect life in a small town.
In order to qualify for Oscar consideration, a movie must run in
a general theater, open to the public, for at least one week during
the year. Just barely meeting these qualifications was Wes
Anderson’s sophomore effort "Rushmore," the story of an oddball
15-year-old student at a prestigious prep school. The film, though
lauded by critics, is expected to gain a nomination only for Bill
Murray as supporting actor, but could also show up in the original
screenplay category.
Another film which almost didn’t meet the Academy’s
qualifications for consideration was "Hilary and Jackie," the story
of two sisters who share a fantastic musical gift. The film stars
Emily Watson (previously nominated for "Breaking the Waves" in
1996), who is considered to be a shoo-in for a Best Actress
nomination.
Much more likely to find itself among the Best Picture
contenders is John Madden’s period comedy "Shakespeare in Love," a
sly take on the life of William Shakespeare. The film, written by
Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard (of "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are
Dead" fame), will probably compete for several acting awards
(including Gwyneth Paltrow for Best Actress and Geoffrey Rush for
Best Supporting Actor), as well as awards for screenplay, direction
and maybe even Best Picture.
Both Geoffrey Rush and Joseph Fiennes star not only in
"Shakespeare in Love," but also in "Elizabeth," another period
piece which features the famous queen in a central role.
"Elizabeth," a biography charting the early years of the queen’s
rule, has already made its star, Cate Blanchett, quite well known
and may usher her into the realm of Oscar-winning actresses.
Many other films were released in December in hopes of winning
the most famous of film awards, including "A Simple Plan," "Life is
Beautiful," "The Theory of Flight" and "Hurlyburly." While many of
these films may have found larger audiences if scattered throughout
the year, their late December releases reflect the intent of
studios to gain acceptance and recognition by holding back their
most reputable films for Oscar consideration.Universal Pictures
As Hunter "Patch" Adams, Robin Williams plays a misfit medical
student whose unusual bedside manner disrupts the hospital. "Patch
Adams" is a contender for a Best Picture nomination.
Touchstone/Paramount Pictures
"A Civil Action," starring John Travolta as a small-time,
self-possessed personal injury attorney whose greed threatens to
destroy him, may garner Academy Award nominations.
Miramax Films
Joseph Fiennes stars as the famous bard in "Shakespeare in
Love."
Comments, feedback, problems?
© 1998 ASUCLA Communications Board[Home]