6B - The Michigan ,[ily - Weekend4 etc. Magazine - Thursday March 22, 2000 0 S - Thie'Michigah Dy -=Weekend, et Support group a solid crop SHOULDA. COULDA. WOULDA. By Lyle Hetretty Daily Film Editor The "Best Supporting" Oscar nomi- nees usually live up to their award's title: they support the movie, holding it up with brilliant performances that often encapsulate the emotional core of the film. Imagine how listless "Goodfellas" would have been without 'Joe Pescis bratty, furious Tommy. Or "The Usual Suspects" without Kevin Spaceys ques- tionable narrator. Or "My Cousin Vinny" without Marisa Tomei. Okay. so the Academy has made some interesting (some say questionable) choices in these category over the years. It is always a wealth of talent and nearly impossible to predict. (The 1994 award went to Martin Landau for "Ed Wood" instead of' Samuel L. Jackson for "Pulp Fiction!" I lad the world gone mad?) This years Best Supporting Actors race is especially volatile in that there are no newcomers (usually favored by the Academy) to give the award to. Even the youngest of the group. 26-year-old Joaquin Phoenix. has been making movies for 15 years. While the young star was certainly the most enjoyable part of last summer's popcorn feast Courtesy of Lions Gate Films Willem Dafoe frightens as eerie Count Orlock in Elias Merhige's "Shadow of the Vampire." "Gladiator," he is the least likely to take home the gold this year. "Gladiator" belonged to Russell Crowe, and the Aussie's on and off screen antics have all but overshadowed his terribly vexed co- star. Phoenix's quirky persona and pen- chant for choosing differing, interesting roles will probably land him in this cate- gory again soon. The Academy has bestowed six nomi- nations on Albert Finney and not a single win. In "Erin Brockovich," his Ed Masry was both gruff and loveable, but the skilled actor may have helped his toothy costar a little too much. With Julia Roberts all but .a shoe-in for Best Actress, the Academy may be wary of giving the film (which was really noth- ing more than "A Civil Action" with cleavage) too much credit. The very talented Jef Bridges is nom- inated for his careful characterization of a lovable liberal president with a consti- tution of steel in "The Contender." a film many critics hated and few people actu- ally saw. Bridges, who has been shame- fully overlooked previously for such eclectic work as "The Big Lebowski" and "The Fisher King." will probably be defeated by the same ease with which he fits into his roles. I le is not a flashy actor. but a competent character actor that makes each of his characters believably human. Fittingly, then, is that one of the front- runner nominee's is not human at all. Willem Dafoe's Count Orlock helps "Shadow of the Vampire" walk the line between comic-horror and tragic-horror. See SUPPORTING, Page 11B By Andy Taylor-Fabe Daily arts Wrter Despite the claims that 2000 was one of the worst movie years in decades, the competition for the Oscars is still fierce, and just like every other year, there are some excellent actors and films that were left out in the cold. In a word, they were snubbed. Whether it is because of legitimate reasons or prob- lens- with hype (or lack thereof) sur- rounding a movie, hep Ire some of the films and people ti- were left out for this year's Oscar race. "Almost Famous," a favorite of crit- ics and moviegoers alike, was denied a Best Picture nomination, and Cameron Crowe was left out of the Director category. The film secured two best supporting actress nomina- tions (Kate Hudson and Frances McDormand) and one for best orii- nal screenplay, but there are two stel- lar actors who could have easily got- ten best supporting nominations who just plain didn't: Billy Crudup in a hypnotic performance as Russell Ilammond, the "guitar player with mystique" and Phillip Seymour loffman as the late, great rock critic Lester Bangs. One of the best lines of the film was uttered by Iloffman: "The only true currency in this bank- rupt world is what you share with someone else when you're uncool. Curtis Hlanson's "Wonder Boys" was left out of almost every category, with the exception of best song for Bob Dylan's "Things Hlave Changed" and Steve Kloves' adapted screen- play. It's almost as if' the Academy just forgot that the movie existed. Part of the problem lies in the timing: the film was released early in the year and with inadequate pronotion- al support, and even the re-release in the full couldn't save "Wonder Boys" from fading from memory. In addition to being worthy of Best Picture and Best Director, "Wonder Boys" also boasts Robert Downey Jr. Downey Jr. is more than deserving of a nomination for best supporting actor for his portrayal of Terry Crabtree, Professor Grady Tripp's (Michael Douglas) manic and sexually frustrated editor. Unfortunately, Downey's drug problem and probable re-incarceration ruled out his chances. "Dancer in the Dark" didn't stand a chance, but not for lack of worth. Bjork was incredible in her role as a desper- ate mother who sacrifices everything Boys,' Bjork -S Dark' passed up; Conne'y ousted t >:: '' wiwriM+ Courtesy of R A damn shame: In "Wonder Boys," Robert Downey, Jr. reminds us once he's one of the best actors working in Hollywood today. for her son, but stories of her Dennis Ilopper-"Apocalypse Now" type freak outs on the set and her vow that she will never act again probably curtailed her run at the best actress award. David Morse was painful and believable in his part, but he was also left out of the best supporting actor category. Other than a nomination for best song, Bjork's "I've Seen it All." the film didn't receive any nominations. Other omissions include Sean Connery for his perforr reclusive but goodhearte "Finding Forrester," whic ered to be one of his best ro with those in "The Untouc "Indiana Jones and the La Also, the Coen brother Brother, Where Art Thou receive any nominations ot adapted screenplay, provin that the Academy just comedies. Cmm~tim it- 'r t o . um rii ig r i ruu . .,.. cQ ..__ .. ,,..... ..... ...... . .. A . $10 Rush Tickets on sale 10a Friday before a weekend even Center, 121 Fletcher Street. 50% Rush Tickets on sale be at the Performance Hall BoxC I Hyman Bass Roger C. Lyndon Collegiate Professor of Mathematics and Professor of Mathematics Education Mapping the Borderlands Between Mathematics and Education Public Lecture and Reception Tuesday, March 27, 2001 - 4:10 p.m Rackharn Amphitheatre Presented by LSA ; 764.2538 am - 6 pm the day of the performance or the it at the UMS Box Office located in the Power ginning 90 minutes before the event Office. So W6 ._i. ed. 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