Max picks the Oscars for 2004

Well it's that time again when Hollywood gathers to pick the best in film for the year 2003.

Max saw a lot of the films nominated, but also saw a lot that were not because they were so bad. Many films released were sequels that were anticipated and turned out to be big disappointments to many people and critics. One in particular was The Matrix trilogy. The only reason I saw the last movie was to see how it would end and hope that is the end. But to get back to The Oscar's.

All the nominees gave a great performance and it is a very difficult year to decide who is the best as they all are great. But to pick who is the best must be done.

For Lead Actor I would have to pick Jude Law because it looked like he had the hardest part to portray and act. My second pick would be Sean Penn and he will probably win, as his performance was the best he has ever given.

For Supporting Actor I would have to pick Ken Watanabe in The Last Samurai. All the others gave a good performance but his stood out the most probably because he was in most of the picture, whereas the other nominees were only seen briefly. Tim Robbins would be my second pick.

For Lead Actress, there is no competition here as Charlize Theron in Monster gave by far the best here. She was so convincing that I thought she was the real murderer Aileen Wuornos. For a second pick maybe Diane Keaton in Something's Gotta Give.

For Supporting Actress I would pick Renee Zellweger in Cold Mountain. She was joy to watch and gave character to the movie. My second pick would be Marcia Gay Harden in Mystic River.

For Director I would definitely pick Peter Jackson for The Lord of the Rings-The Return of the King. This must have been the most difficult work for this very talented Director to have put it all together. A great job. If Mr. Jackson doesn't win I would then hope that Clint Eastwood wins for Mystic River. That too was a great film.

For Best Picture that can only be The Lord of the Rings-The Return of the King. Of all the films that I couldn't wait to see in the year 2003, this was the only one that was not a disappointment but such a great picture. I can hardly wait to see what they do with the DVD when it is released. The other two movies were good but the DVD's in the extended version were so much better. I only hope that The Return of the King will also be that much better on DVD in the extended version. If this picture doesn't win then for a long shot I would pick Seabiscuit mostly because, like a horse race, most folks would not expect it to take Best Picture.

That is what Max hopes will win but we will all have to wait until Sunday February 29th to watch and see who takes home Oscar.

My other Picks in other categories are as follows as for what I saw in 2003.

Animated Feature-Finding Nemo

Art Direction-The Lord of the Rings-The Return of the King

Cinematography-Seabiscuit

Costume Design-The Lord of the Rings-The Return of the King

Documentary Feature-Capturing the Friedmans

Film Editing-Seabiscuit

Makeup-The Lord of the Rings-The Return of the King

Original Score-The Lord of the Rings-The Return of the King

Original Song-"You will be my Ain True Love"-Cold Mountain

Sound-The Lord of the Rings-The Return of the King

Sound Editing-The Lord of the Rings-The Return of the King

Visual Effects-Pirates of the Caribbean:The Curse of the Black Pearl

Screenplay-Adapted-Mystic River

Screenplay-Original-In America

There and now you have my picks for the Oscars. Lets see how Max does this year.  See you all at The Oscars.