fI t guu Jilatig tales Listen to "Evening Voyages: Tunes and Tales." Need to take a break from those books? Relax to these folktales - appropriate for young and old alike. Take a soothing trip to the world of myths, legends and wonderful music. Join others at the Ann Arbor District Library at 343 S. Fifth Ave. Activities will begin at 7 p.m. Call 994-2345 for more information. Monday March 24, 1997 And the Oscar goes to ... A guide to tonight's Academy Awards ceremony "It's like the Nobel Peace Prize for really attractive people," said Billy Crystal in the advertisements for the 69th Annual Academy Awards. And he's correct. Hollywood is rolling out the red carpet tonight for its most beautiful and talented actors as the Oscars are handed out to last year's best in the film industry. Though surprises are undoubtedly in store, there are a few guarantees for tonight's festivities, beginning at 9 p.m. on ABC. The awards promise Billy Crystal's much-missed nominees song, low-profile-category-induced boredom, over-the-top musical extravanganzas, a Madonna performance, such presenters as Angela Bassett, Bette Midler, Nicolas Cage, Susan Sarandon, Chris Farley, David Spade, Beavis and Butthead and Joan Rivers ripping on everyone's fashions. Tune in this evening to see who really gets the gold, but for now, here's The Michigan Daily's best guesses. Cuba Gooding Jr. is nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in "Jerry Maguire." Billy Bob Thornton takes the Academy by storm with his two nominations for "Sling Blade." Face off - Five Best Pictures vie for No. 1 spot The English Patient Starring Ralph Fiennes, Kristin Scott Thomas and Juliette Binoche Let us begin by examining what it -lakes to receive the little golden statue ,e the Best Picture category. First and foremost, we should start with the plot. Fine acting then makes the story come alive. The film's cine- matography is the next crucial element. Finally, the movie's direction is the backbone of its overall production. Now take "The English Patient," for instance, to understand these factors in near perfect form. The story follows the adventures of Count Lazlo de Almisy . Ralph Fiennes), also known as the nglish patient, as he forms a special. relationship with his nurse Hana (Juliette Binoche), with whom he recounts lessons learned and failed. It is a drama of perplexing relation- ships, with a beautiful love story at its base. His account of his love affair with Katherine (Kristin Scott Thomas), is enough to make the film one of the greatest of all time. What complicates "The English 'atient" is the travel between the pre- sent and the past, but these same com- plications make it all the more phenom- enal. "The English Patient" displays the most sought-after emotions of human happiness and despair into one single plot. It is the "Casablanca" of the '90s, uniting anecdotes of humor with pas- sion and espionage. -Kristin Long Fargo Starring Frances McDormand and William H. Macy The harsh, desolate landscape of a Minnesota winter provides the setting for the best film of 1996, Joel and Ethan Coen's "Fargo." Based on "real" events, "Fargo" manages to evoke horror, laughter and sympathy, all within the span of 100 minutes. This is due, in large part, to the Coen brothers acute understanding of Midwestern man- ners and sensibilities, as well as their more expansive feel for the human condition. William H. Macy stars as the hapless Jerry Lundegaard, a car salesman who hires two inept sociopaths (played by Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare) to kidnap his wife and, thereafter, split the ransom with him. On the trail of the kidnappers is Police Chief Marge Gunderson (Frances McDormand), "investigat- ing some malfeasance." McDormand is perhaps the greatest strength of "Fargo." She invests Gunderson with folksy charm, keen wit and steadfast determination, making her one of the most com- pelling (and amusing) screen char- acters in recent memory. "Fargo" is the kind of film that restores one's faith in the movies. - Neal C. Carruth Jerry Maguire Starring Tom Cruise, Renee Zellweger and Cuba Gooding Jr. Cameron Crowe's film staring Tom Cruise is the most sincere, passionate and endearing film of the year, and it deserves the Academy's highest honor. Making more than $138 million dol- lars, starring Hollywood's golden boy of golden boys, and appealing to sports fans and their wives alike, this movie simply has it all, and the Academy will, most likely, be blinded by its sheer jeal- ously and slight "Jerry." Cameron Crowe is able to develop characters so complex, so lovably flawed, so wonderfully human, that viewers left that theater emotionally cleansed. True, smudged mascara and puffy eyes do not spell Oscar quality film. But "Jerry" is not a one-dimensional tear-jerker - it is a complex meditation on compassion, loyalty and many other adjectives deal- ing with human- ity. Sure, it has Cruise and Zellweger an adorable kid, In Maguire." cool cameos, heartthrobs, a national catch phrase, and butt shots, but this shouldn't affect "Jerry"'s worth as art. "Jerry" is a great American success story that wants to say something big, and does, while still remaining deeply personal for everyone who sees it. - John Ghose Secrets and Lies Starring Brenda Blethyn and Marianne Jean-Baptiste Of the five nominees for best pic- ture, Mike Leigh's "Secrets and Lies" is the least likely to win the Academy Award, despite being the top film of 1996. Working against "Secrets and Lies" is the fact that it doesn't feature a doomed romance set against a majestic backdrop or an eccentric underdog fighting off mental illness to fulfill his destiny. There are no quirky, bumbling crimi- nals trying to fool a pregnant police chief and no big stars coining overused catch phrases. All "Secrets and Lies" has is emotion - pure, unbridled emotion without any hooks. It is the kind of movie that satisfies all of those who take a chance and see it. Fueled by the award-wor- thy perfor- mances of Oscar nomi- nees Blethyn Police Chief Margie (McDormand) takes on a new case in "Fargo." Shine Starring Geoffrey Rush and Lynn Redgrave "Shine"'s director, Scott Hicks, uses only the necessary and sufficient tools to create a beautiful, unique, interesting story about a young boy with a passion for the piano, who struggles to cope with his own insecurities by breaking free from the stern pressures and restraints of his father. Giving "Shine" the Academy Award for Best Picture would not only mark one of the first moments in Oscar histo- ry when a small, unknown, inexpensive and not-exactly-your-typical Hollywood film becomes a publicized masterpiece, but it could feasibly revolutionize the Academy Awards forever. The enriching story of "Shine" is sup- ported by impeccably talented actors like Geoffrey Rush and Noah Taylor. Recent criticism denounces "Shine" for its inaccurate plot, claiming that it is based on a true story, rather than the true story itself. Also, music connois- seurs regard David Helfgott's incredible talent as "unfinished: Whether any of these flaws are true is irrelevant. Hicks creates an extremely unique and creative film that stretches the borders of Hollywood film, making "Shine" the most deserving film of 1996 to win Best Picture. - Laura Flyer and Baptiste mother Jean- as and share a moment of love daughter, the film follows the tension that builds until everything explodes. More so than the other four Academy Award nominees for best picture, "Secrets and Lies" relays its purpose with an honesty, authenticity, integrity, and passion that will affect even the most skeptical viewer. - Prashant Tamaskar SELLING T-SHIRTS AT HASH BASH?. ORDER FROM US AND GET 10% OFF 1217 PROSP I ANN ARBOR, MI 4814 e-mail: mril@provide.net lel: 313 665171 - -- Recycle the Daily. IS4 -- - im a PEACE CORPS "THE TOUGHESTJOBYOU'LL EVER LOVE" Peace Corps Representatives will be on campus March 24-26 . . .' " " i%"; p ± 1 , . ' Vie i / .! iIw /- . T COMMU EDUCAT RECREA I 1NITY CWIERE FOR Iff ON & UMWER? TION $ A. LMP AN UMA1 rr I