Movie Guys: Strike up the band - here’s who will dance with Oscar

Jeff

Friday, March 20, 1998 | 8:47 a.m.

You can bet that The Movie Guys will be sitting anxiously in front of the TV, watching the stars arrive via the red carpet at the Shrine Auditorium (on E!, of course), as well as the traditional, candid interviews with Barbara Walters.

Here are The Movie Guys' picks for who will win the little golden statuettes.

The envelope, please:

* Best Supporting Actor

Jeff and Dave: Burt Reynolds.

Every year this category proves to be the toughest of all. However, this year the Oscar gold is a contest between two nominees: Robin Williams for "Good Will Hunting" and Reynolds for "Boogie Nights." Granted, this is Williams' fourth nomination and everyone in Hollywood loves to work with the diverse actor. Plus, we all know that he would make a hysterical acceptance speech. But it is Reynolds who has warranted the attention as this year's comeback kid, and Academy members have shown in the past how they love to reward such candidates -- it always makes for a great Oscar story. The Bandit will take home the gold. Ten-four, good buddy.

* Best Supporting Actress

Jeff: Gloria Stuart.

Dave: Kim Basinger.

Hold the phone! The Movie Guys are at complete opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to this one.

Jeff: I predict that Stuart will walk away with the Oscar for her "Titanic" performance, one Stuart imbued with charm, tenderness and grace. As for Basinger, Dave, not only was her moronic portrayal of a lady of the evening in "L.A. Confidential" a laugh, but she's lucky to have even been nominated. In my opinion, Basinger should stick to Revlon ads.

Dave: That's your lone opinion, Jeff. Folks, Jeff is suffering from what is known as a "bias opinion": he just doesn't like Basinger overall. As far as her deserved nomination, she was flawless in her appearance and performance, which offered her a challenge as an actress. She will be recognized by the Academy for her admirable portrayal. I'd be a fool to argue Stuart's nomination since I agree with it wholeheartedly. And if she wins, I will be pleasantly surprised.

* Best Actor

Jeff and Dave: Jack Nicholson.

Lately, the buzz in Hollywood has been: "Jack's back!" That certainly will be the case on Monday when Nicholson's name will be announced. With his patented smile and intense stare, he will be in rare form as he strolls to the stage for a third time to take home the gold. Competing against some of the most notable talent in his craft, we only see Robert Duvall for "The Apostle" or Peter Fonda for "Ulee's Gold" making for a possible upset for 'ol Jack. However, one must not forget that the Academy Awards are usually political. It's all about who you know. And Jack knows everyone in the industry. As for Matt Damon of "Good Will Hunting," he has plenty of time to win an Oscar in the coming years.

* Best Actress

Jeff and Dave: Helen Hunt.

This really is a matter of simple deduction. We have four Brits and one red-blooded American. Since the British Academy members will vote for each other, they'll divide their votes among the four nominees -- with Hunt receiving the remaining votes. That certainly is not to say that she does not deserve the honor, it just follows reason and makes it that much easier. Helen Hunt will win the Oscar. This really is as good as it gets.

* Best Director

Jeff and Dave: James Cameron.

Unfortunately for the other nominees, this just isn't their year. We offer the encouraging words that it's a privilege and honor to be recognized with a nomination by the Academy for their contribution and artistic vision. Now let's get serious. Cameron is the latest wizard to gain the attention of the industry for his technical achievement and his ability to tell a love story at the same time. In addition, he recently won the Director's Guild Award, which has been the precursor to the Oscars over the past two decades (with a few exceptions, of course). When Cameron takes home the Oscar and finishes celebrating at the Academy Ball, he can put his "night to remember" behind him and get to work on the Spiderman movie. We need a web slinger!

* Best Picture

Jeff and Dave: "Titanic."

Are you surprised at our pick for best picture? I think the world would agree. In the past 30 years, best picture and best director have gone hand-in-hand, with the exception of 1967, '72, and '89. So the odds are that this year will be no different. But hey, we're The Movie Guys, so who needs odds to tell us that "Titanic" will sink its competitors and sail into Oscar history -- period.

MOVIE BUZZ

Now that the Oscar ceremony is days away, we thought we'd peer into our crystal ball (actually, a plastic snow globe) and take a peek at some upcoming films that could be Oscar contenders a year from now:

* "What Dreams May Come" (Drama/Fantasy): Robin Williams is a man who tries to reconnect with his dead wife (Annabella Sciorra) in the afterlife, after he dies in a car crash. Cuba Gooding Jr. co-stars as Williams' guide in the Great Beyond. Based on Richard Matheson's novel. Release date: July 24.

* "Apt Pupil"(Drama): "Usual Suspects" director Bryan Singer adapts Stephen King's short story of a young boy's (Brad Renfro) morbid fascination with an aging Nazi (Ian McKellen) and his past misdeeds. Release date: Oct. 23.

* "You Have Mail" (Romantic Comedy): Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan -- reuniting from "Sleepless in Seattle" -- are co-workers who absolutely hate each other. They unknowingly correspond with each other online, and eventually fall in love. Oscar nominee Greg Kinnear ("As Good As It Gets") co-stars. Release date: November.

* "Eyes Wide Shut"(Drama/Thriller): "Full Metal Jacket"/"2001" director Stanley Kubrick directs this study of sexual intrigue and murder. A psychiatrist (Tom Cruise) and his wife (Nicole Kidman) are introduced to a mysterious sexual underworld by two patients (Sydney Pollack and Jennifer Jason Leigh). Release date: Dec. 18.

* "The Crowded Room" (Drama): Leonardo DiCaprio stars as Billy Milligan, a young man tormented by 24 distinct personalities. Milligan's secret is discovered after he is arrested for the kidnapping and rape of three women. Based on a true story. Danny DeVito directs. Release date: Late '98.

Will any of these highly-anticipated films be on the list of best picture nominees in '99? Only time will tell.

NEW ON VIDEO

"She's So Lovely"(Miramax Home Video; Rated R; VHS/Laserdisc; Grade, A): One of the most popular independent filmmakers of our time, the late John Cassavetes scripted yet another intense tale of fools in love. Sean Penn plays the grifter Eddie, a troubled soul who is lost in love with his pregnant wife Maureen (Robin Wright Penn). After he suffers a mental breakdown, she reluctantly has her true love committed to an institution. Ten years pass and Maureen has a new life, a new husband (the always-charming John Travolta as Joey), and three children (the eldest being Eddie's). Once Eddie is released, he is determined to resume his relationship with Maureen, but Joey has other ideas.

Director Nick Cassavetes does the family name justice by staying true to his father's material, while making his own unique mark as a director. The odd humor and serious nature conveyed by the cast is genuine, and the performances are solid all around. Penn was even awarded the best actor prize for his work at last year's Cannes Film Festival.

"The Full Monty"(Fox Searchlight; Rated R; VHS/Laserdisc; Grade, A): From across the Atlantic Ocean, the sleeper hit of 1997 comes to home video. "The Full Monty" is a hysterical British comedy that shows what a group of unemployed steel workers are willing to do to make a dollar --they become male strippers. Now, these aren't your typical Chippendales hunks; more like the kind of guys you see standing in line at the Teamsters office. To make up for their flabby bodies, and to draw a paying crowd, this ragtag group decides to bare it all, stripping down to their birthday suits. In other words -- to go "the full monty."

Will they go through with it? I won't say. But I can't remember when I laughed so hard at a movie. This is one of the funniest movies you'll see at home this year. "The Full Monty" is an underdog at this year's Academy Awards. But if it wins as best picture, I can only imagine what the acceptance speech will sound -- and look -- like. God save the Queen.

VIEWPOINT

Can you just imagine what it must be like to win an Oscar? How about to just hold one?

Each statuette is hand-crafted by R.S. Owens and Company of Chicago, which has made Oscar statuettes since 1983. It cast, spun, polished, buffed and electroplated 50 new Oscars to be handed out on Monday. Each statuette is then plated in copper, nickel, silver and, finally, 24-karat gold. It stands 13 inches tall and weigh 8 pounds -- making it the perfect doorstop. The Academy has presented 2, 242 Oscars throughout its history, however the Academy won't know how many statuettes it will actually hand out until the envelopes are opened on Monday. Any surplus statuettes will be housed in the Academy's vault until next year's event.

Did you know that Oscar's official name is "Academy Award of Merit"? Where did the name Oscar come from? The Academy claims that its librarian, Margaret Herrick, said the statuette resembled her Uncle Oscar and the staff began to refer to it by that name. We heard the same story -- except it was actress Bette Davis. It was a common enough nickname that by 1934, Walt Disney supposedly used it during an acceptance speech. Officially, the Academy didn't use the name Oscar until 1939. Just thought you'd like to know.

NAME THAT FLICK

"Major Strasser has been shot. Round up the usual suspects." OK -- everyone knew this one. Our voice mailbox was full, but it was Robert Ames who called first and identified the quote from "Casablanca," as spoken by Claude Rains. Way to go, Robert. The Movie Guys want to buy you a drink at the Cafe American -- you know: Rick's place. Everybody comes to Rick's.

Now for this week, our final Oscar trivia quote: What famous Academy Award-winning actor said this, and in what movie: "Fill your hands, you son-of-a-b----!"? Have you heard it before? If you have, call us at 225-9026 or e-mail us at movieguys5@ aol.com. Be sure to spell your name and leave a daytime phone number, and if you're the first correct caller/e-mailer, we will print your name right here in our column.

It's just that simple.

THE MOVIE GUYS, starring Jeff Howard and Dave Neil, appears every Friday in the SUN (additional material provided by Thomas Feeney). You can also read their capsule reviews of movies in Scope magazine; listen to their reviews and commentary every Friday at 7 p.m. on their radio show "Quiet on the Set" on KVBC 105.1-FM; and watch their reviews every Friday on Channel 3's 11 p.m. newscast. Plus, check them out online at: www.lasvegassun.com/sun/sunlife/movies.

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