I mmmmmmi Vw V - w " i ! w w a 4B - The Michigan Daily - Weekeid Magaziue - Thursday, March 21, 2002 The Michigan Daily - Weeked Magazirn Denzel is Russell's only real competition for Oscar E3 ELITE ENTERTAINMENT EXPOSIT LYLE HENRETTY -- -- Lt SPECIAL OSCAR SPECTACULAR EXTRAVAGANZA THE REAL AWARDS THAT WE WOULD GIVE IF WE RAN THE WORLD, WHICH WL By Jenny Jeltes Daily Arts Writer year-old, all of the Oscar nominees must first be commended for tackling such unfamiliar territory. Tom Wilkinson portrays an emo- tional father who must deal with the murder of his son. "In the Bed- room," directed by Todd Field, explores the family tension and painful emotions that one is faced with after tragically losing a loved one. Wilkin- son, as Matt Fowler, bril- liantly captures the essence of rage and desire for revenge by speaking through his actions just as much, if not more than, his words. Although the most Courtesy of Universal powerful "Romper Stomper." scene is the explosive argument with his wife Ruth (Best Actress nominee Sissy Spacek), Wilkinson adds a mysterious element to his character that makes him darkly intriguing. It is as if the audience is just as afraid of Fowler's decisions as he is. Wilkinson won't win this year's award for Best Actor, however, simply because the film's slow-moving pace produces a low potential for increased popularity and recognition. RusseHl Crowe clearly has no problem with recognition, especially after winning last year's Oscar for his role in "Gladia- tor." The line between the media hype and an honest assessment of his performance becomes blurry as the Oscars draw near, but it is safe to say that Crowe will win this year's "Best Actor" award. This is because of his very realistic portrayal of a schizophrenic and the powerful depiction of a man struggling to keep both his pas- sion and his sanity. Courtesy or Columoia Pictures All! Bumba yal! What is it about Crowe that has given the film so much success? Was it the curiosity of seeing last year's action hero tackle something completely domestic and realistic? Or was it a genuine admira- tion of his acting talent? These are the important questions to ask, but regardless of their answers, Crowe will walk home with the Oscar. There has been some controversy over Crowe's behavior after his BAFTA acceptance speech, in which he allegedly assaulted the producer of the show, whom Crowe blamed for cutting off his speech. Some specu- late that this could hurt Crowe's chances for the Oscar since the Acad- emy has looked poorly on thug-like behavior in the past, but Crowe's sub- sequent apology and the caliber of his performance should undo the damage. There's something so seductively sat- isfying about seeing Denzel Washing- ton take on such a sinister role. In "Training Day," Washington plays Alonzo, an emotionally conflicted, vio- lent, undercover street cop who attempts to manipulate his first-day trainee and cohort, Jake (Ethan Hawke). He eventually fails, however, but the intensity of his character may just blow you away. He is phenomenal. Washington's acting performance should garner him the Oscar, but unfortunately, See BEST ACTOR, Page 16B The collective tour-de-force that has alternately held court on this very page across the past quarter-century has finally found a project worthy of break- ing their anti-collaboration pact. While fans have often called for a joint "Less Than Zero" venture, Lyle Henretty and Luke Smith shunned the idea they felt reeked of corporate gimmickry. The two, who only briefly met twice (once before the launch of the column at a small, undisclosed cottage - we realize that cottages are not generally undisclosed, but this one most certainly was, undisclosed, in Vermont, and once again last year at Charlie Sheen's wedding), have creat- ed the most essential, important film award in the history of creation, not to mention they have provided the world with the most important pieces of fiction of the last seven- ty-three years. Lyle Henretty was born in Austin, Texas and came of age in post-war Austria, raised by a blind aunt and a kindly sheep-herder named Ansel. He began his literary career with a Booker prize, and was a Pulitzer finalist in 1972 for his novel "Hey, Don't Sit on That!" After his third marriage, his love for single malt scotch and speedballs finally got the best of him. After a stint at Betty Ford, he finally won his Pulitzer for 1983's novelization of the film "Stop, or My Mom Will Shoot." He is now happily semi-retired and living at his ranch in Cambodia. Luke "Rocky" Smith was born into obscene wealth as one of the Princes of the Dykhuis regime in Monaco in the early '40s. His literary career began with a seven book series of intrinsic contemplations titled "Messages from the Mind: Ours and Theirs." so that Acadeni Best Pis decided the "rea can sha steamin Sunday. Wors Legitim Suck I Human Enya, "I Ring." E Peter Ja sweet-si loads an Best "Gosfor people a received subtitles screen it ruined tI consider Best Make-C Cowboy Naomi "Mulhol done art taste. Se Best i acter bi on Mad '90s: Se Am San -As a be reac) I hm rJ Ibe lflirijin ltai i ' $10 Rush Tickets on sale 10am - 5 pm the day of the performance or the Friday before a weekend event at the UMS Ticket Office. 50% Rush Tickets on sale beginning 90 minutes before the event at the Performance Hall Box Office. STAFF Jenny Jeltes Andy Taylor-Fabe Luke Smith Jeff Dickerson Todd Wiese Twyla Tharp Dance Twyla Tharp Dance, a new company of six remarkable dan- cers, debuted last summer at the American Dance Festival and won instantaneous praise. These performances fea- ture two different programs which are sure to please fans of Twyla Tharp's distinctive style and newcomers alike. WHO WILL WIN: Rest Plotur LTR A Beautfu Mind A BeautIful Mind A Beautiful MindA B Best Actor Russell Crowe Denzel Washington Denzel Washington Russell Crowe Denzel Was Best Actress $lssy Spacek :Issy Spaek $.ssy kisy Spaek $1ssy $pa Best Supporting Actor Ian McKellen Ben Kingsley Ian McKellen Ben Kingsley Jan McKeil beS C:o :.Ats Jentr Cinneiy Jnife OnnOly MggieSWt Jennet Cornebl Jennifer Best Director Ron Howard Ron Howard Ron Howard Ron Howard Ron Howar Best Picture LOTR LOTR LOTR LOTR In the BedI Best Actor Denzel Washington Tom Wilkinson Tom Wilkinson Tom Wilkinson Tom WIlkin Best Actress Sissy Spacek Sissy Spacek Sissy Spacek Sissy Spacek Sissy Spac Best Supporting Actress Jennifer Connelly Maggie Smith Maggie Smith Maggie Smith . Maggie Sn' BtDIrectr PeerJ k" Pte acsn aId4 Lynch" DMvdLynch Peter Jeck IN A PERFECT WORLD: Best Actor Guy Pearce Gene Hackman Gene Hackman Billy Bob Thornton Tom Wilkin Best Supporting Actor Steve Buscemi Ian McKeilen Ian McKeilen Gene Hackman Ben Kingsl Best Director Christopher Nolan Peter Jackson Wes Anderson David Lynch Richard ULi Brahms' German Requiem UMS Choral Union Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra Thomas Sheets conductor Janice Chandler soprano Stephen Bryant bass-baritone This special performance will be held on Good Friday with a delayed start time of 8:30. ,,j ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 0A E MR 1 'A7 M TCE FFC OAT 1ED IEMIEAGUE, urns cO'764.2538 HOURSM- A S AGUE, A valid student ID is required. Limit two tickets per student, per event. Rush Tickets are not socl offered if an event is sold out. Seating is subject to availability and box office discretion.