One of my fondest memories from childhood is watching classic musicals with my
parents. Whether it was Funny Face, The Sound of Music, or Singin' in the
Rain, musicals were the films that I could watch again and again without
getting tired of them, and indeed it was in watching these classics that my love
for movies was born. I was enchanted with the elegance and beauty of Audrey
Hepburn, and engrossed with the handsome charm of Fred Astaire. Hollywood had
certainly won me over with its charm. I always found it unfortunate that the
musical died out as a film genre, and although Moulin Rouge impressed me, I
was somewhat put off by the fact that it essentially relied on a gimmick
rather than simply being a musical. It was with lofty expectations, then,
that I went to see Chicago. I had heard all the praise that was being thrown
on the film already, but I had to see it for myself. When the film was over,
I was amazed. There was no ripping off of '80s pop songs; instead, this was,
plain and simple, a musical. It starred some of Hollywood's most glamorous
stars, singing and dancing in front of the camera. The story was simple, and
it was clear the music was the star of the show, rather than simply being a
novel addition. In short, Chicago was my choice for best film, not just
because it filled me with sentimentality, but because it was the most fun I've
had at the movies in years.
Special Recognition Award
Best use of the "It's art" excuse for making a porno: Y Tu Mama Tambien
Okay, sure, there was something about a coming-of-age story, but I'm pretty
sure "An older woman with a secret takes two teenage boys on a trip they'll
never forget" was the plotline of the 11:45 movie on Cinemax last night.
Best Picture
Position
Film
1
Chicago
2
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
3
Catch Me If You Can
4
About Schmidt
5
Igby Goes Down
6
25th Hour
7
Spirited Away
8
Punch-Drunk Love
9
Bowling for Columbine
10
Adaptation
Best Director
Director
Film
Peter Jackson
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Rob Marshall
Chicago
Spike Jonze
Adaptation
Alexander Payne
About Schmidt
Paul Thomas Anderson
Punch-Drunk Love
Michael Moore
Bowling for Columbine
Spike Lee
25th Hour
Steven Spielberg
Minority Report
Christopher Nolan
Insomnia
Burr Steers
Igby Goes Down
Best Actor
Actor
Film
Jack Nicholson
About Schmidt
Nicolas Cage
Adaptation
Leonardo DiCaprio
Catch Me If You Can
Robin Williams
One Hour Photo
George Clooney
Solaris
Hugh Grant
About a Boy
Ed Norton
25th Hour
Adam Sandler
Punch-Drunk Love
Eminem
8 Mile
Kieran Culkin
Igby Goes Down
Best Actress
Actress
Film
Renée Zellweger
Chicago
Jennifer Aniston
The Good Girl
Jodie Foster
Panic Room
Maribel Verdú
Y Tu Mama Tambien
Best Supporting Actor
Actor
Film
Christopher Walken
Catch Me If You Can
Andy Serkis
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Chris Cooper
Adaptation
John C. Reilly
Chicago
Barry Pepper
25th Hour
Philip Seymour Hoffman
25th Hour
Joaquin Phoenix
Signs
Ryan Phillippe
Igby Goes Down
John C. Reilly
The Good Girl
John Turturro
Mr. Deeds
Best Supporting Actress
Actress
Film
Catherine Zeta-Jones
Chicago
Emily Watson
Punch-Drunk Love
Queen Latifah
Chicago
Kathy Bates
About Schmidt
Meryl Streep
Adaptation
Rosario Dawson
25th Hour
Samantha Morton
Minority Report
Natasha McElhorne
Solaris
Claire Danes
Igby Goes Down
Miranda Otto
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Best Screenplay
Writer(s)
Film
Charlie Kaufman and Donald Kaufman
Adaptation
Bill Condon
Chicago
Frances Walsh, Peter Jackson, Stephen Sinclair and Philippa Boynes
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Jeff Nathanson
Catch Me If You Can
Paul Thomas Anderson
Punch-Drunk Love
Scott Frank and Jon Cohen
Minority Report
Burr Steers
Igby Goes Down
David Benioff
25th Hour
Peter Hedges and Chris Weitz & Paul Weitz
About a Boy
David Koepp
Spider-Man
Best Scene
Scene
Film
Smeagol vs. Gollum
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
'All That Jazz'
Chicago
Catch Me If You Can opening credits
Catch Me If You Can
Battle of Helm's Deep
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Killing Me Softly Talent Show Performance
About a Boy
A Letter From Tanzania
About Schmidt
'Cell Block Tango'
Chicago
Goldmember opening credits
Goldmember
Ice Palace Melts
Die Another Day
Paris car chase
The Bourne Identity
Best Use of Music
Position
Film
1
8 Mile
2
Chicago
3
Catch Me If You Can
4
25th Hour
5
Signs
6
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
7
Spirited Away
8
About a Boy
9
Igby Goes Down
10
Confessions of a Dangerous Mind
Worst Picture
Position
Film
1
The Sweetest Thing
2
The Mothman Prophecies
3
Crossroads
4
Rules of Attraction
5
The Ring
6
Solaris
7
Ghost Ship
8
Halloween: Resurrection
9
Serving Sara
10
Austin Powers in Goldmember
Best Trailer
Position
Film
1
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
2
Comedian
3
Catch Me If You Can
4
Kill Bill
5
Spider-Man
6
40 Days and 40 Nights
7
Panic Room
8
The Hulk
9
Die Another Day
10
Igby Goes Down
Best DVD
Position
Film
1
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring - Extended Edition