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The 2004 Academy Award Nominations
By Stephen Lucas Published February 25, 2004
To put it lightly, my jaw dropped when ?Seabiscuit? was named.
Unlike last year, the Oscar nominations were delivered late in January, merely days following the previously mentioned show aired. Because of that very slight period, I?m not altogether sure that the Golden Globes will have as much effect this year as they have in previous races. Furthermore, the nominations from the Academy are rather surprising for 2004 in comparison to the placid nature of the Globes? races; there are a few contenders that seem to have come out of nowhere to nab a nomination, while leaving others strikingly in the dust.
Perhaps the most shocking omission (and mistake, to be honest) is that ?Cold Mountain? did not receive an Oscar nomination in the Best Picture category; the film has been, from the beginning of Fall, said to have a secure spot on the ballot this year. In its place, the horseracing drama ?Seabiscuit,? pulled ahead in the final stretches of voting, gallantly resembling the film?s climax, to steal the spot. The other choices (?Lost in Translation,? ?Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King,? ?Mystic River,? and ?Master and Commander?) all seemed like safe bets from the get-go. To put it lightly, my jaw dropped when ?Seabiscuit? was named.
There were actually several other nominations that took me off guard as well. Not to spoil them for those who haven?t seen the list yet, I?ll refrain from revealing the upsets. Despite my dissatisfaction that ?Cold Mountain? was omitted in several categories, I?m willing to say that I?m impressed that the Academy actually went out on a limb to a certain extent this year. Too often there are performances or other commendable aspects of smaller films that don?t get noticed by this and other award ceremonies. For example, limited released films like ?21 Grams? and ?In America? were both honored to the surprise of some, especially considering the screener scandal that erupted in the early Fall.
That aside, it?s an interesting list this year. From others? reactions, it seems as though many will be pleased with who/what has been chosen for the 2004 Oscar race; it shall be interesting to see who will be taking home American cinema?s most prized statuette.
Perhaps the most shocking omission (and mistake, to be honest) is that ?Cold Mountain? did not receive an Oscar nomination in the Best Picture category; the film has been, from the beginning of Fall, said to have a secure spot on the ballot this year. In its place, the horseracing drama ?Seabiscuit,? pulled ahead in the final stretches of voting, gallantly resembling the film?s climax, to steal the spot. The other choices (?Lost in Translation,? ?Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King,? ?Mystic River,? and ?Master and Commander?) all seemed like safe bets from the get-go. To put it lightly, my jaw dropped when ?Seabiscuit? was named.
There were actually several other nominations that took me off guard as well. Not to spoil them for those who haven?t seen the list yet, I?ll refrain from revealing the upsets. Despite my dissatisfaction that ?Cold Mountain? was omitted in several categories, I?m willing to say that I?m impressed that the Academy actually went out on a limb to a certain extent this year. Too often there are performances or other commendable aspects of smaller films that don?t get noticed by this and other award ceremonies. For example, limited released films like ?21 Grams? and ?In America? were both honored to the surprise of some, especially considering the screener scandal that erupted in the early Fall.
That aside, it?s an interesting list this year. From others? reactions, it seems as though many will be pleased with who/what has been chosen for the 2004 Oscar race; it shall be interesting to see who will be taking home American cinema?s most prized statuette.
