Oscar Time! Best Director Updates: 03/24/03
Picture / Actress / Actor / S Actress / S Actor / Animate / Foreign / Writing / Categories / Design /Music / Noms

In a shocker, ROMAN POLANSKI takes the Oscar for The Pianist.
I would've preferred Pedro but I'm pleased as punch that it was Polanski.

Pre Ceremony Thought:
Marshall and Scorsese were both honored this year by the DGA so chances are it'll be one of those two. I'm guessing Marshall

Pedro Almodovar TALK TO HER	Stephen Daldry BILLY ELLIOTT	Rob Marshall CHICAGO	Roman Polanski THE PIANIST	Martin Scorsese GANGS OF NEW YORK
films first director nomination!	2 films 2 noms / 0 wins	first film first nomination!	26 films 3 noms / 0 wins	films 4 noms / 0 wins
Precursor Awards: Euro & LAFCA	Precursor Awards: None.	Precursor Awards: DGA * NBR "Debut"	Precursor Awards: Boston, NSFC, Cesar, BAFTA	Precursor Awards: GLOBE, SEFCA, and DGA "Lifetime"
Why'd They Get Nominated?
Critical darling	Frontrunner film	Frontrunner film	Comeback	It's His Turn
Celebrity or Critical Endorsements (Have raved about the work) Obviously the stars of each movies support their own director so they're not included.
Todd Haynes, Nicole Kidman, Dave Kehr, A.O. Scott, Maggie Gyllenhaal			Many people.	Harvey Weinstein
How'd I do?
I scored 4/ 5 . I missed Daldry's nom thinking he'd fall prey to the one picture without director rule (which usually attacks the most girly film nominated -but not this time). But, patting myself on the back, I did correctly foresee Pedro Almodovar's surprise nom. I just didn't see Peter Jackson as the one to miss. Back in my april fools predictions I scored only 1/5 and that was for the inevitable Martin Scorsese. My other choices: Clooney, Mendes, Parker, and Soderbergh. Ooh boy am I embarassed.
Who Got Robbed?
The genius known as Todd Haynes should call the police. Someone stole his nomination! I'd like it known and/or reminded that Mr. Haynes won the most precursor awards for his helming of the brilliant Far From Heaven. Too bad the Academy had to make it up to Scorsese this year. Otherwise, there might have been room for this indie maverick. Despite Todd's exclusion this is still a bizarrely homo-loving lineup for the usually conservative Academy... rather shocking for the manly Director's branch. Homos outnumber the Heteros. Go figure!?! I was about to say that's got to be a first but it's probably not. It is however, I'm sure, the first OUT homo dominated director's field ever. This gay salute is for my people Daldry, Marshall, and the world class Pedro Almodovar. (Just so's you all don't think I'm that way to the loss of critical faculties, my ballot contains less gay men than the Academy's. Funny, huh? But I'm still more of an equal opportunity award giver -Here's to Spike Lee, Alfonso Cuaron, and PT Anderson who also missed Oscar's list. ;) * (03/01/03) Although now I'm hearing that Daldry is now married to a woman despite being "out" when Billy Elliott emerged. I don't know the details. I just read it over at the Hot Button.
Who Might Think About Writing a Speech
Obviously Martin Scorsese, a great auteur has been rehearsing his for years. He should have it memorized by now. But I'm suspecting a sweep fueled unseating courtesy of Rob Marshall on his first try. The DGA bodes well for that possibility.
Who Should Win?
My man Pedro Almodovar is a world class auteur and Talk To Her is one of his best films. Hands down he's the most deserving this year of the nominees. If I can't have Pedro, (and Lord knows I can't since the Academy wouldn't really give the big prize to a foreign-language effort) I'd settle for Roman Polanski's controlled unsentimental work on The Pianist.