(image courtesy of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences & ABC, Inc. All Rights Reserved)

Here are the nominees for the 73rd Academy Awards, to be presented March 25th, 2001 from the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion in Los Angeles, hosted by Steve Martin.

Now that the official stuff is out of the way, here is the list, there are surprises, both in what's included and what isn't.  Despite my pleasure at it's nomination, Chocolat proves that Miramax can indeed try to buy Oscars, while Almost Famous gets the proverbial shaft.  The Academy also did not have the guts to give Requiem for a Dream and its brilliant director, Darren Arronofsky, his due.  The cursory nod for Burstyn is a small step in a long journey. Also shame on the Academy for not nominating Christian Bale for American Psycho.  No actor took a greater chance in 2000, and pulled it off as amazingly as he did.  Kudos for finally recognizing that Joaquin Phoenix can act (albeit 2 years too late). No one with any sense or taste in movies will argue that this was not the greatest year in movies.  The obvious proof of that is the fact that there are no clear front runners or standouts in the nominees this year.  Parody breeds competition, and while there are good films, award worthy ones even, there are none, which are nominated, that really took my breath away. (the only exception to that rule is the once-nominated Requiem for a Dream which deserved many more than just Burstyn's acting nod, but I'll get into that during the analysis) In most categories, I will add commentary, others, I'll just make my pick and walk away to the next one.  I will start with the documentaries and short subject films, then move through the technical awards, and finish with the big ones, which I will have the majority of my opinions on.  Without further adieu (since I've put this off long enough) my picks and thoughts on the race for the little gold men. 

(movies in bold are the ones I've seen)