Curses! Foiled again!

So it seems I can't go to sleep for several hours because there's a goddamn function being held in the goddamn Brenda Wallace goddamn reading room! So anyone encountering me today will be met with a bleary, incoherent, cranky, whiny mess. Business as usual.

So instead I'll talk about the Oscars. Like everyone else. I haven't seen all of the nominated films (though I hope to remedy this by this evening), so many (if not all) of my comments may be invalid. Either way, they're impressions designed to take up the time between now and my next class.

Best Picture
Nominees

Brokeback Mountain

Capote

Crash

Good Night, And Good Luck

Munich

From what I hear, Brokeback Mountain has this one in the bag. I look forward to confirming this suspiscion. I was surprised to see Crash up there, but it was certainly a good film, worthy of recognition, but it won't win. Not sure why, just don't think it will. But then I lost $100 to my brother becasue I thought Russell Crowe wouldn't win for Gladiator. Seriously. He made me pay him. I was a little disappointed to see Munich on the list, although I haven't seen it yet. It seemed like "Speilberg put out a film? Ok, throw an award or two at it." I'm almost resisting it now. Hopefully it's good. Still didn't see Capote, but I hear it's worth it. Good Night, And Good Luck is like Fargo. I think it won't win, but in a few years people will still be talking about it.

Best Actor
Nominees

Philip Seymour Hoffman - CAPOTE

Terrence Howard - HUSTLE & FLOW

Heath Ledger - BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN

Joaquin Phoenix - WALK THE LINE

David Strathairn - GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK

Once again, I hear it's Phillip Seymour Hoffman without a doubt. Can't say, didn't see it... yet. Although I also hear that Heath Ledger will give him a run for his money. Don't know... yet. David Strathairn is William H. Macy. Memorable and deserving, and had he been nominated last year or the year before, he would have won. I think Ryan Phillipe will be paying Joaquin Phoenix back, and I don't know what Terrence Howard is doing up there. Although I didn't see that one. On purpose.

Best Actress
Nominees

Judi Dench - MRS. HENDERSON PRESENTS

Felicity Huffman - TRANSAMERICA

Keira Knightley - PRIDE & PREJUDICE

Charlize Theron - NORTH COUNTRY

Reese Witherspoon - WALK THE LINE

Seeing as Judi Dench is nominated for a comedy, I doubt she'll win. I was ridiculously shocked to see Keira Knightley on the list. Not in a bad way, not in a good way. I've always liked her and I think it's nice that in every movie she's in for the next long time she'll be billed as "Academy Award Nominee - Keira Knightley." Good for her. I feel like Charlize Theron was added to flesh out the list. She was alright, but she pales compared to some of the others. I think it's a fight between Reese Witherspoon and Felicity Huffman. If it were up to me, I'd see it go to Felicity Huffman. I hope it does. Reese Witherspoon is charming, but.... I don't know. Just gettting a feeling.

Best Supporting Actor
Nominees

George Clooney - SYRIANA

Matt Dillon - CRASH

Paul Giamatti - CINDERELLA MAN

Jake Gyllenhaal - BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN

William Hurt - A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE

I'd like it if Paul Giamatti won. He carried that movie. I'd have to see Syriana again to see why George Clooney was nominated. I can't really comment on the others. I don't think Matt Dillon will win, even though he was pretty good. I've heard good things about William Hurt.

Best Supporting Actress
Nominees

Amy Adams - JUNEBUG

Catherine Keener - CAPOTE

Frances McDormand - NORTH COUNTRY

Rachel Weisz - THE CONSTANT GARDENER

Michelle Williams - BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN

No idea. I've only seen "North Country" out of these 5, and seeing as Frances McDormand is aping Margie from Fargo I don't think she'll get it. I'm going to go with Rachel Weisz. Run Rachel, run!

Best Director
Nominees

Ang Lee - BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN

Bennett Miller - CAPOTE

Paul Haggis - CRASH

George Clooney - GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK.

Steven Speilberg - MUNICH

I hope Speilberg doesn't win. I'd love it if George Clooney won, but I can tell you why he won't. The entire movie is riveting, but there is one scene of archival footage that goes on..... and on..... and on. I'm afraid that'll cost him. I hear Ang Lee might as well clear off his mantle. Not sure about the others. I'm glad to see Paul Haggis nominated because he made the film on such a low budget. Didn't see Capote. Probably won't until after the awards season. I feel like I'm missing out.

I'd love to comment on the writing, but I can't. I'm sure it's all brilliant, but I need to read it, and I haven't.

That's it. Any of you still reading, good job! I probably wouldn't have made it this far. I'm going to the cafeteria to read "A Very Long Engagement" and eat reheated pizza.