by Marcy Dermansky

Join the Discussion "The best picture award usually seems to go to the movies that gross the most money." TARDIS69

Related Resources • Indie Nominations • Foreign Nominations • Oscar Special

Schlock. That's what I have to have say about the Academy Awards choices for best picture. Steven Soderbergh is one of America's best directors, but neither Erin Brockovich or Traffic are his best films. I walked out of Chocolat. Once I saw two miniature French poodles humping for an easy laugh, all hope was lost for Lasse Hallstrom. Ridley Scott's Gladiator? Who wants to sit through a two hour Roman costume battle drama? Not me. And Ang Lee's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Tiger was beautiful, sure, the sword fights were cool, they flying was pretty, but in the end, forgettable. Forgotten.

The best films--my favorite films--weren't nominated. They didn't have enough money like the Miramax team that bought Chocolat's nomination. Maybe Steve Martin will put on a good show.

In the following pages, I give you the awards as they are and as they should have been.

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