The Academy released the 2001 Oscar nominees Tuesday morning. As the entertainment world anticipated director Steven Soderbergh made a double showing with his two films, Erin Brockovich and Traffic, Gladiator delivered another epic performance and the foreign film, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, continued its western invasion.
Gladiator received 12 nominations including best picture, best director and best actor. However, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was only a step behind with its 10 nominations. The film follows in the historical footsteps of Life is Beautiful by receiving nominations in both the best picture and foreign language film categories.
Hands down the biggest Oscar news surrounding the nomination list is Steven Soderbergh’s nominations for Erin Brockovich and Traffic, in both the best director and best picture categories. No director has received best director nominations for two films since Francis Ford Coppola in 1974 for The Godfather, Part II and The Conversation. However, Soderbergh has entered Oscar history with his dual nominations in both best director and best picture-a feat seldom accomplished.
On March 25th 2 p.m. central time the final scorecard will be tallied at the 73rd Oscar award show, when the winners are announced.
Nominations:
Leading Actor: Javier Bardem (Before Night Falls), Russell Crowe (Gladiator), Tom Hanks (Cast Away), Ed Harris (Pollock) and Geoffrey Rush (Quills)
Leading Actress: Joan Allen (Contender), Juliette Binoche (Chocolat), Ellen Burstyn (Requiem For a Dream), Laura Linney (You Can Count on Me) and Julia Roberts (Erin Brockovich)
Supporting Actor: Jeff Bridges (Contender), Willem Dafoe (Shadow of the Vampire), Benicio Del Toro (Traffic), Albert Finney (Erin Brockovich), Joaquin Phoenix (Gladiator)
Supporting Actress: Judi Dench (Chocolat), Marcia Gay Harden (Pollock), Kate Hudson (Almost Famous), Frances McDormand (Almost Famous) and Julie Walters (Billy Eliot)
Cinematography: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon; Gladiator; Malena; O Brother, Where Art Thou?and The Patriot
Costume Design: Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Gladiator, 102 Dalmations, Quills and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,
Direction: Stephen Dauldry (Billy Eliot), Ang Lee (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), Steven Soderbergh (Erin Brockovich), Ridley Scott (Gladiator) and Steven Soderbergh (Traffic)
Film Editing: Almost Famous, Gladiator, Traffic, Wonder Boys and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Makeup: The Cell, Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Shadow of the Vampire
Music (score): Chocolat, Gladiator, Malena, The Patriot and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,
Music (song): Dancer in the Dark, The Emperor’s New Groove, Meet the Parents, Wonder Boys and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Best Picture: Chocolat, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Erin Brockovich, Gladiator and Traffic
Sound: Cast Away, Gladiator, The Patriot, The Perfect Storm and U-571
Visual Effects: Gladiator, Hollow Man and The Perfect Storm
Writing (adapted): Chocolat, O Brother, Where Art Thou?, Traffic, Wonder Boys and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,
Writing (original): Almost Famous, Billy Elliot, Erin Brockovich, Gladiator and You Can Count on Me
