The non-deserving "Gladiator" somehow managed to rack up the most nominations, an impressive 12, including Best Picture, Best Direction, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Screenplay among others. This was followed closely by an impressive and deserved 10 nominations for Ang Lee's "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," including noms for Picture, Director and also Foreign Film. This is a record number of nominations, by the way, for a foreign language film.

Lee's film also goes into the record books as being only the third foreign language film to be nominated for Best Picture as well as Best Foreign Film mark. This had happened most recently with "Life is Beautiful." (The first was "Z" in 1969). "Tiger" is also record holder for the highest grossing foreign language film in American history beating "Beautiful" just recently by surpassing the $60 million mark domestically. However no subtitled film has ever won "Best Picture" although "Z" and "Beautiful" each did win Best Foreign Film in their respective cases.

Polling with five noms each are "Chocolat," including a somewhat surprise nom for Best Picture, and Stephen Soderberg's two 2000 film "Erin Brokovich" and "Traffic." Soderberg, it was feared, would cancel his own votes out with Academy Members opting to vote for one film or the other, but not both, leaving him with less than the necessary votes to get either film into the running. This did not come to pass and both film were nominated in the Best Picture category while Soderberg himself is nominated for both film as Best Director, giving him a seeming 40% shot at getting a statuette. The last time this happened, by the way, was way back in 1938 when Michael Curtiz got nods for "Angels with Dirty Faces" and "Four Daughters." The Academy had a rule from 1950 to 1974 that would not allow this to happen. The rule was changed in 1975, a year after Francis Ford Coppola got the nod for "Godfather 2" but not for "The Conversation." Soderberg, wisely, has voiced no opinion about which film he would prefer to win.

Other films with multiple nods this year include "Almost Famous" with four, although the most important of these were two noms in the Supporting Actress field for both Kate Hudson and Frances McDormand. And three noms apiece were announced for "Billy Elliot," "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," "The Patriot," "Quills." and "The Wonder Boys."

As is often the case, one Best Film nominee director was overlooked as helmer while another director was nominated, with his film missing out on the Best Picture category. As is well known, this often happens because all Academy members are eligible to vote for Best Picture while only those in the directing field can nominate their peers. This year, Lasse Hallstrom was overlooked for helmer while his lackluster "Chocolat" was given a nod for Best Picture. Meanwhile first time director Stephen Daldry found himself nominated for his work behind the camera on the beautiful "Billy Elliot" while the only other nods for the film came for Best Supporting Actress (Julie Walters) and Best Original Screenplay. The film was not nominated as Best Picture.

Another bit of trivia, Dreamworks, one of the youngest film studios around, lead the pack with 18 noms total, most from "Gladiator" and "Almost Famous." Sony came next with 12, of which 10 were from "Tiger." Mirimax, a perennial favorite, had only 10 this year, five coming from "Chocolat" while the newest kid on the block, USA films, had 5, all coming from Soderberg's "Traffic."

Surprisingly for me, I have seen almost all of the nominated films in the major fields except for "Pollack," which hasn't come to Austin yet. I saw a preview for it today on "Before Night Falls" and it looks quite good. I also have seen none of the nominated documentaries, even though I saw several docs at film festivals this year. I have also come across a couple of the shorts and animated works here but may not pass judgment on the category if I feel I don't know enough about the nominees.

BEST PICTURE

CHOCOLAT

CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON

ERIN BROCKOVICH

GLADIATOR

TRAFFIC

"Chocolat" and "Gladiator" defiantly do not belong here. This is typical of Academy members to nominate some blockbuster films that grossed well while ignoring smaller, indie works. While "Crouching Tiger" may seem an indie film, as might all the films but "Gladiator," none of these are truly "small" films. A pretty typical and expected lot.

My Pick: Erin Brokovich

What Will Win: Gladiator

DIRECTING

Stephen Daldry - BILLY ELLIOT

Ang Lee - CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON

Steven Soderberg - ERIN BROCKOVICH

Ridley Scott - GLADIATOR

Steven Soderberg - TRAFFIC

This is a toughie for me because "Billy Elliot" is one of my favorite films of the year. It's so sweet and so wonderful and Daldry is a big part of it's beauty. But my vote has to go for Soderberg for his work on "Erin Brokovich." Here is a movie that could have been so dry, a made-for-Lifetime film, and Soderberg, with the help of an excellent cast and a wonderful script, elevated the piece to one of the most interesting, compelling and heartfelt films of the year. He deserves kudos for doing that.

My Pick: Soderberg for Erin Brokovich

Who Will Win: Ridley Scott

ACTOR -- LEADING

Javier Bardem - Before Night Falls

Russell Crowe - Gladiator

Tom Hanks - Castaway

Ed Harris - Pollack

Geoffrey Rush - Quills

Again, I haven't seen "Pollack" yet but my guess is Ed Harris won't be able to beat out the guy whom I feel is most deserving, Hanks. Yes, it was a showy role with the preparation for it taking on an air of a publicity stunt, but you can't deny the power of the man's work in the film. He acts with only himself and a volleyball for much of "Castaway" and never fails to captivate the audience. Will he win? Nah - Hanks already has 2 awards, far too many for most voters to choose him. He has been honored. Look for the showy, bombastic turn Rush does as the Marquis de Sade to captivate his peers. Although, Crowe certainly has a shot. Harris and Bardem are big time dark horses.

My Pick: Tom Hanks

Who Will Win: Geoffrey Rush

ACTRESS -- LEADING

Joan Allen - The Contender

Juliette Binoche - Chocolat

Ellen Burstyn - Requiem for a Dream

Laura Linney - You Can Count on Me

Julia Roberts - Erin Brokovich

Having seen all five film, I can honestly say I would not be too disappointed if any one of these fine actresses won the award. Still, Binochet did not do anything all that special in "Chocolat" and I don't feel Allen's work in "The "Contender" was the true driving force of the film. That honor belongs to Gary Oldman, who is overlooked this year. My vote, of course, goes with Burstyn who found herself in a remarkable role for an older woman and worked it into one of the most exceptional performances of the year. Burstyn's aging mother, hooked on diet pills and disillusioned about life, punctuates every scene of "Requiem," even the one's she is not in. If she looses it will be a sad moment in the evening. Still, there's one woman here who continues to make a shitload of money everytime she appears on screen, for herself and for her producers. And money talks in Hollywood. Also, when was the last time the "old-timer," the actress who deserved an Oscar for her "body of work," got the nod? Can anyone remember Lauren Bacall's sad face when she didn't win for "The Mirror Has Two Faces." (Lauren only had one: Disappointed). And how about Gloria Stewart, her last chance for the statuette, for "Titanic," didn't happen. (By the way, Where's Bjork?)

My Pick: Ellen Burstyn

Who Will Win: Julia Roberts

ACTOR -- SUPPORTING

Jeff Bridges - The Contender

Willem Dafoe - Shadow of the Vampire

Benicio Del Toro - Traffic

Albert Finney - Erin Brokovich

Joaquin Phoenix - Gladiator

Wow - I can agree with everyone in here except the sniveling turn as a limp-wristed Roman (or was it Greek or whatever) emperor played by Phoenix. His best work this year was defiantly in "Quills." Although DeFoe was in a rather disappointing film, his work was quite good and a bit humorous. Del Toro is quite good as well in a film that is absolute crap. And Finney and Bridges are certainly deserving. You pick. There is almost no wrong choice here. Still, if I have to pick the actor who I think added the most to the film...

My Pick: DaFoe

Who Will Win: It a horserace

ACTRESS -- SUPPORTING

Judi Dench - Chocolat

Marcia Gay Harden - Pollack

Kate Hudson - Almost Famous

Frances McDormand - Almost Famous

Julie Walters - Billy Elliot

It's sad that Hudson and McDormand have to compete against each other as both of them as quite deserving here. Still, there's a little film that has a special place in my heart, and an actress who did quite remarkable work.... As for who will win. Ever notice that since Marisa Tomei took home the award in a surprise turn in the early 90's, the youngest freshest face has won?

My Pick: Julie Walters

Who Will Win: Kate Hudson

SCREENPLAY (ADAPTED)

CHOCOLAT

CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON

O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU?

TRAFFIC

WONDER BOYS

Since "O Brother" is adapted from Homer, that's pretty damn funny. I hope it wins just for the humorous aspect of it all. It's certainly one of the best scripts here. Only "Tiger" is equal, or perhaps better, than it.

My Pick: O Brother

Who Will Win: A horserace

SCREENPLAY (ORIGINAL)

ALMOST FAMOUS

BILLY ELLIOT

ERIN BROCKOVICH

GLADIATOR

YOU CAN COUNT ON ME

A nice nod for "You Can Count on Me." Certainly all of these with the exception of "Gladiator" deserve to be here. "Billy Elliot" is a sentimental fave, but I can see some people's complaint that it is a bit formulaic. It has heart and truth in it but it is the actors, in particular Jaime Bell (who could out act Russel Show-off Crowe any day of the week) and Walters who truly make it shine. While the script for "Erin Brockovich" is quite good, turning what could be a rather dry subject into something we care about as deeply as the protagonist, it is "Almost Famous" that truly deserves an Oscar. Cameron Crowe's reflections on his youth as a journalist are nothing short of breathtaking. It's a beautiful coming-of-age film. A delightful story full of Americana from an era in the recent past that is, sadly, almost ignored.

My Pick: Almost Famous

Who Will Win: A horserace

FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

AMORES PERROS

CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON

DIVIDED WE FALL

EVERYBODY FAMOUS!

THE TASTE OF OTHERS

A only mild surprise is that Ang Lee's film was nominated for Best Picture and Best Foreign Film. But this is also recently happened to Roberto Begnini's "Life is Beautiful." The main difference that year was that "Saving Private Ryan" was already the obvious winner, so Begnini got the secondary prize by default. With Lee a strong candidate this year as Best Director and "Tiger" having a valid shot Best Picture, the winner here is not as obvious. Still, the film with the most buzz should have a shot. "Tigers" is the only one of these films I've seen - or heard about. And it's not impossible that a record could be made with "Tiger" winning Best Picture and Best Foreign Film. And if Lee would also pick up Best Director, that would be one hell of a precedent, one hell of a hat-trick!

MUSIC (SCORE)

CHOCOLAT

CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON

GLADIATOR

MALÈNA

THE PATRIOT

Where's "Requiem for a Dream?"

MUSIC (SONG)

CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON - "A Love Before Time"

DANCER IN THE DARK - "I've Seen it All" by Bjork

THE EMPEROR'S NEW GROOVE "My Funny Friend and Me" by Sting

MEET THE PARENTS - "A Fool in Love" by Randy Newman

WONDER BOYS - "Things Have Changed" by bob Dylan

I love Bjork. It's one of the few soundtracks I bought this year. I love that song. I hope it wins. It won't of course. At least I'll get to see her sing it at the telecast. And wasn't Sting's music cut from "Groove?"

My Pick: Bjork

Who Will Win: Bob Dylan

ART DIRECTION

CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON

DR. SEUSS' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS

GLADIATOR

QUILLS

VATEL

I haven't seen "Vatel" and neither have most people. Look for this to be part of the "Gladiator" sweep for technical awards.

My Pick: Tiger

Who Will Win: Gladiator

CINEMATOGRAPHY

CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON

GLADIATOR

MALÈNA

O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU?

THE PATRIOT

I thought "Tiger" looked too dark in a few of the nighttime scenes. Still, it has good buzz going for it. It's a bit of a shock that "Traffic" isn't included here. Of course, the film for me that looked most beautiful...

My Pick: O Brother

Who Will Win: Gladiator

COSTUME DESIGN

CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON

DR. SEUSS' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS

GLADIATOR

102 DALMATIANS

QUILLS

What a sorry lot. Where's the nod for contemporary films like "Almost Famous?" Showy crap is mainly what you have here. The girls and gay guys who get to vote here will love the cutesy costumes in Ron Howard's film.

My Pick: None

Who Will Win: Grinch

FILM EDITING

ALMOST FAMOUS

CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON

GLADIATOR

TRAFFIC

WONDER BOYS

I'm saddened but not surprised, of course, that "Urbania," a small indie film that was my "Best Picture" choice for 2000, didn't receive any attention from the Academy. Even more of a shame is a lack of a nod for the work done in the editing room on "Requiem for a Dream." Still, I am only a laymen and don't know much about the technical aspect of editing. It's hard to say what is most deserving here. I certainly like the way Soderberg edits his film and if I had to choose one of these I would pick his film but that is based solely on style over technicality.

MAKEUP

THE CELL

DR. SEUSS' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS

SHADOW OF THE VAMPIRE

Wow - a real horserace between "Grinch" and "Shadow." Too bad I could almost care less. The only sure thing here is "The Cell" is defiantly out of the running.

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

INTO THE ARMS OF STRANGERS: STORIES OF THE KINDERTRANSPORT

LEGACY

LONG NIGHT'S JOURNEY INTO DAY

SCOTTSBORO: AN AMERICAN TRAGEDY

SOUND AND FURY

DOCUMENTARY SHORT

BIG MAMA

CURTAIN CALL

DOLPHINS

THE MAN ON LINCOLN'S NOSE

ON TIPTOE: GENTLE STEPS TO FREEDOM

SHORT -- ANIMATED

FATHER AND DAUGHTER

THE PERIWIG-MAKER

REJECTED

I have only seen "Rejected" and it is hilarious. Don Hertzfeldt is a bad ass.

SHORT -- LIVE ACTION

BY COURIER

ONE DAY CROSSING

QUIERO SER (I WANT TO BE...)

SERAGLIO A SOCCER STORY (UNA HISTORIA DE FUTEBOL)

I must have seen 300 or 400 shorts this year. I saw none of these.

SOUND

CAST AWAY

GLADIATOR

THE PATRIOT

THE PERFECT STORM

U-571

If "Castaway" doesn't win, it's a shame.

SOUND EDITING

SPACE COWBOYS

U-571

VISUAL EFFECTS

GLADIATOR

HOLLOW MAN

THE PERFECT STORM

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