_____________________________________________________
_The 71st Oscars
(By Gerry Wang)

GERRY'S OSCAR PREVIEW
by
Gerry Wang

_____Well folks, it's almost Oscar time, and the suspense is starting to build. It's actually called the 71st Annual Academy Awards. Who will win? Who will lose? Which underdog will upset the favorite? The Oscars are my favorite awards show. My 2nd favorite has to be the Espys, except I don't watch it. I just watch the highlights on the commercials.

_____Anyways, I will now preview the major categories, giving all the nominees and predicting who will win, and who actually deserves to win. There are many snubs this year, and I'll weasel them all out. Who could've left NIGHT AT THE ROXBURY out of the Best Picture Category???

_____Oh yeah, a couple years ago the 69th Annual Academy Awards were held. I wonder if any research was done to see if there was an increase in couples doing 69 during the broadcast. Just curious. Better call Mr. Hefner.

OSCAR NOMINATIONS:

1.) Best Actor in a Leading Role-
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-> Roberto Benigni, LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL
-> Tom Hanks, SAVING PRIVATE RYAN
-> Ian McKellen, GODS & MONSTERS
-> Nick Nolte, AFFLICTION
-> Edward Norton, AMERICAN HISTORY X
-> Jim Carrey, THE TRUMAN SHOW

---> Who will win: Tom Hanks
---> Who should win: Nick Nolte
---> Who was snubbed: Joseph Fiennes, SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE

2.) Best Actor in a Supporting Role-
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-> James Coburn, AFFLICTION
-> Robert Duvall, A CIVIL ACTION
-> Ed Harris, THE TRUMAN SHOW
-> Geoffrey Rush, SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE
-> Billy Bob Thornton, A SIMPLE PLAN

---> Who will win: Geoffrey Rush
---> Who should win: Ed Harris
---> Who was snubbed: David Kelly, WAKING NED DEVINE

3.) Best Actress in a Leading Role-
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-> Cate Blanchett, ELIZABETH
-> Fernanda Montenegro, CENTRAL STATION
-> Gwyneth Paltrow, SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE
-> Meryl Streep, ONE TRUE THING
-> Emily Watson, HILARY & JACKIE

Who will win: Gywneth Paltrow
Who should win: Gywneth Paltrow
Who was snubbed: Catherine McCormack, DANGEROUS BEAUTY

4.) Best Actress in a Supporting Role-
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-> Kathy Bates, PRIMARY COLORS
-> Brenda Blethyn, LITTLE VOICE
-> Judi Dench, SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE
-> Rachel Griffiths, HILARY & JACKIE
-> Lynn Redgrave, GODS & MONSTERS

Who will win: Judi Dench
Who should win: Lynn Redgrave
Who was snubbed: Renee Zellwegger, ONE TRUE THING

5.) Best Director-
------------------
-> Roberto Benigni, LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL
-> Steven Spielberg, SAVING PRIVATE RYAN
-> John Madden, SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE
-> Terrence Malick, THE THIN RED LINE
-> Peter Weir, THE TRUMAN SHOW

Who will win: Steven Spielberg
Who should win: Steven Spielberg
Who was snubbed: George Miller, BABE: PIG IN THE CITY

6.) Best Picture-
-----------------
-> ELIZABETH
-> LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL
-> SAVING PRIVATE RYAN
-> SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE
-> THE THIN RED LINE

Who will win: SAVING PRIVATE RYAN
Who should win: SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE
Who was snubbed: BABE: PIG IN THE CITY