If there ever were a reason why online film critics are important to the world of film these are the awards that satsify those reasons. Whereas Return of the King is highly likely to be praised by almost all awards these nominations reflect the opinion of film fans that have begun websites for the reason that they love movies and not because it was their original job.
While RopeofSilicon.com is a little too young to be a part of the Society but plan on becoming a member in 2004 our opinions were not included but I think the list of nominations is a good representation of a group of critics highly depended upon by Internet users and movie goers everywhere.
Leading the way with 11 nominations is The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. Peter Jackson’s epic treatment of J.R.R. Tolkien’s trilogy received nods including Best Picture, Director and Adapted Screenplay. Both Sean Astin and Andy Serkis received recognition for Best Supporting Actor.
Closely following with 10 noms is the first chapter of Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill: Vol. 1. Along with a nomination for Best Picture, Uma Thurman pulled in a nod for Best Actress and Tarantino received kudos for Director and Original Screenplay.
Other Best Picture nominees include Sofia Coppola’s Lost in Translation, Clint Eastwood’s Mystic River and the Brazilian crime saga, City of God. Coppola and Eastwood were also nominated for Best Director with 21 Grams‘ helmer Alejandro González Iñárritu.
Along with high-profile names like Thurman, Charlize Theron and Naomi Watts, 19-year old Scarlett Johansson received a nod for Best Actress for her work alongside fellow nominee Bill Murray in Lost in Translation. Murray joins Johnny Depp (Pirates of the Caribbean), Paul Giamatti (American Splendor), Ben Kingsley (House of Sand and Fog) and Sean Penn (Mystic River) on the list for Best Actor.
But the youngest nod in the lead acting categories went to 18-year old Angela Bettis as the isolated and troubled young woman in the little-seen horror film, May. Limited release Bubba Ho-Tep also recognized director Don Coscarelli for his adaptation of Joe R. Lansdale’s story, which stars Bruce Campbell and Ossie Davis as an aging Elvis Presley and JFK doing battle with an ancient mummy in a Texas rest home.
13-year old Keisha Castle-Hughes of Whale Rider is among the nominees for Breakthrough Performance along with Peter Dinklage (The Station Agent), Chiwetel Ejiofor (Dirty Pretty Things), hot newcomer Keira Knightley (Bend It Like Beckham) and Cillian Murphy (28 Days Later).
Filmmakers to keep an eye on in their own Breakthrough category include Shari Springer Berman & Robert Pulcini (American Splendor), Niki Caro (Whale Rider), Fernando Meirelles (City of God), Billy Ray (Shattered Glass) and Peter Sollett (Raising Victor Vargas).
The winners of the 2003 OFCS Awards will be announced on Monday, Jan. 5. To get the full list of nominations click here.
