[Failivrin]

I think it's become fashionable to criticise Chicago now, but it DID deserve best picture because of the amazing choreography. everything worked in it: the dancing and singing were sublime and the script, although a little ropey, entertained between the numbers. i feel the Renee Zellweger should've won best actress of ver Nicole Kidman, who was balatantly campaigning for an Oscar. I hope Renee wins for Cold Mountain this year.<P>Let's take a lokk for ROTK though:<P>i think make up and maybe special FX are dead certs.<P>actor nominations: i can only see another supporting actor nomination there, really. perhaps for Ian McKellen again but i don't think he will win. Ken Watanabe in The Last Samurai was fantastic and deserves that award more than anyone esle. Samurai is also a more 'academy'-ish film.<P>Best Picture: i don't think there is much hope really. Just look what we've seen already: Cold Mountain and The Last Samurai (both academy films) and Lost in Translation, who's 'cool' will carry in the Academy. I think FOTR should have won two years ago.<P>Best director: maybe a chance, actually. you know, last film and all. but there is always Antony Minghella and Sofia Coppola.<P>i don't think ROTK will do that well; i think it will maybe get about 3 or 4 for technical stuff and things like music, but i don;t see any of the big gongs going it's way. . but hey, let's wait and see.