Chat with local Film Critic Keith Van Sickle about the Oscars.
February 22, 2008
The biggest night in Hollywood is coming Sunday. Catch the Oscars and all the stars on ABC at 7 p.m. But, before we bring you the red carpet and you learn who the winners are, voice your own opinions here. Do you feel like someone or some movie got slighted? Maybe our movie expert Keith Van Sickle will agree with you. Maybe he won't, but at least it will be an interesting and rousing conversation on what's hot and what's not in Hollywood. So join in.
Scroll down and submit your question, the earlier the better, but you can always take part live as the chat happens.
Moderator: Hi. I'm Paige Stonerock. I'll be moderating this chat. With me is Movie Critic Keith Van Sickle, who will be lending his opinion about the nominees for this year's Academy Awards. Welcome Keith.
Moderator: Before we take questions, would you review your picks for Oscars in the main categories for us?
Keith Van Sickle: I'm picking my favorite and the best film of 2007, "Juno," to take best picture - and for Ellen Page to take the trophy for best actress. I look for Daniel Day-Lewis to win best actor and for Hal Holbrook to win supporting actor. Also I'm going with Tilda Swinton from "Michael Clayton" to claim the Oscar for supporting actress.
thejamesheckard: Of the choices for best actors and actresses who impressed you the most with their performances?
Keith Van Sickle: George Clooney from "Michael Clayton" - because the character was so conflicted and complex. He pulled it off so well and I think he's at times overlooked as an actor even though he's previous Oscar winner. Tom Wilkinson from "Michael Clayton." ...and of course Ellen Page from"Juno."
oread: Philip Seymour Hoffman was great in three different movies last year. I personally think his turn in "Before the Devil Knows Your Dead" was his best. Do you think he was nominated for Charlie Wilson's war because it was a "safer" or "less controversial" role than that in "Devil" or "The Savages?"
Keith Van Sickle: Yes, I do. Because, remember the Oscar's like to play it nice and safe many times. That is one of the things that annoys me about the Academy. I agree that of his three roles, his turn in "Before The Devil Knows You're Dead" was his best.
Moderator: Do you feel that since “Michael Clayton” was virtually unheard of it will affect its chances?
Keith Van Sickle: Of course, he's was great in all three.
thejamesheckard: For the movies/actors that you picked what part of each film clinched it for you? For instance you picked Clooney for actor. What point in the film made you say, "Yep he's got it?"
Keith Van Sickle: It was on many critics' top ten lists at the end of the year - including my own. This is an engrossing, thought-provoking film that you must pay attention to. It's full of interesting, multi-layered characters. And, at times an intelligent film, falls victim to multiple showings of films that require little to no thought. They can at times get lost in the box office rat race.
oread: Do you think anyone has a realistic chance of upsetting Daniel Day-Lewis the best actor category?
Keith Van Sickle: For an actor to take a character with multiple sides to their personalities - and what I mean is a dark and a good side - then, they make the audience care about them and almost make you a part of what that character is feeling is something that comes from a great memorable performance. It was about half-way through "Clayton" that I thought about what a special performance Clooney was giving.
Keith Van Sickle: Perhaps Johnny Depp, who has been so good for the last 20 years, could be a surprise winner. But, Day-Lewis seems to me as close to a lock as there is this year.
Moderator: What do you think Cate Blanchett’s chances are for winning in both the leading and supporting actress categories?
Keith Van Sickle: I think she will have a better chance in the supporting category with her turn as Bob Dylan in I'm Not There. I actually think both nominations will cancel each other out.
thejamesheckard: Under the category of special effects why do you think films like Beowulf or 300 didn't get nominated, both spectacles in their own right?
Keith Van Sickle: That's a good question. I think that since the technology is relatively new, that its not seen as proper Oscar material. I know that's stupid. And "300" should have been nominated without a doubt - but until the Academy voters come out of the dark ages, look for the snub to continue.
Moderator: What do you see as being the biggest surprise or upset? And, who should get an Oscar this year who won’t?
Keith Van Sickle: I think if anyone beats out Daniel Day-Lewis, that would be surprising - and probably the biggest upset. I think that if Ruby Dee wins for "American Gangster," even though she was good, it will be because of her longevity, and not the performance.
Moderator: Who was left out of the nominations?
thejamesheckard: Why didn't Michael Bay get nominated for Best Director?
Keith Van Sickle: Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington from "American Gangster," along with "The Simpsons Movie" in the animated category. Also Helena Bonham Carter from "Sweeney Todd" should have been a shoo-in for a nomination. Also, "A Fistfull of Quarters" in the documentary category. There are others, but those really stick out for me.
Keith Van Sickle: On the Michael Bay question... He can direct special effects, but my 6-year-old could write a better script. Overall, he's an untalented hack.
thejamesheckard: Even though its early have any movies stood out this year as Oscar contenders for you?
Keith Van Sickle: So far not yet. I've been quite disappointed with the releases to this point, but I hope it improves. 2007 turned out to be quite strong looking back and I can only hope it continues this year.
Moderator: Unfortunately, that's all the time we have today. Thanks to everyone who submitted questions. Thank you, Keith, our special guest. Need some help thinking of a question? <a href="http://www.ktka.com/videos/2008/feb/22/18082/">Watch this video where Keith unveils his Oscar picks</a> read a partial list of nominees below: BEST PICTURE Atonement Juno Michael Clayton No Country for Old Men There Will Be Blood BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE George Clooney in Michael Clayton Daniel Day-Lewis in There Will Be Blood Johnny Depp in Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Tommy Lee Jones in In the Valley of Elah Viggo Mortensen in Eastern Promises BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE Cate Blanchett in Elizabeth: The Golden Age Julie Christie in Away From Her Marion Cotillard in La Vie en Rose Laura Linney in The Savages Ellen Page in Juno BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE Casey Affleck in The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford Javier Bardem in No Country for Old Men Philip Seymour Hoffman in Charlie Wilson's War Hal Holbrook in Into the Wild Tom Wilkinson in Michael Clayton BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE Cate Blanchett in I'm Not There Ruby Dee in American Gangster Saoirse Ronan in Atonement Amy Ryan in Gone Baby Gone Tilda Swinton in Michael Clayton
Comments
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Feb. 22, 2008 at 2:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)parkay (anonymous)
Why doesn't the entertainment industry come up with an award that recognizes actual acting talent?
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