BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Samantha Morton, Judy Davis, Mira
Sorvino, Dianne Wiest — all got Oscar attention for turns in Woody
Allen films, so don't rule out Elaine May's talked-about spot as
Tracey Ullman's ditzy cousin in Small Time Crooks. The late
Madeline Kahn's final role in the well-reviewed indie Judy Berlinmight get some notice. As for the sterling supporting women of
Where the Heart Is — Stockard Channing, Joan Cusack — their chances
looked good on paper. Then the film came out. And when bad movies
happen to good actresses, the Academy generally takes a pass. ''It
should have been a Steel Magnolias-[caliber] ensemble film,'' says
Dergarabedian, citing the flick that earned Roberts a 1990
supporting nod. It wasn't.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Some real contenders here. Voters may
reward Joaquin Phoenix's hot-for-sister turn as Gladiator's
Emperor Commodus — but will more likely
endorse the late Oliver Reed in the same film. ''It was the first
time he'd been outstanding in so long,'' says a rival studio exec.
''Unfortunately he died, but we won't hold that against him.''
Quadruple nominee Albert Finney is favored for the Michael Caine
longevity nod as Erin Brockovich's stern-but-sweet boss. Bill
Murray — who was widely seen as robbed of a nom for 1998's
Rushmore — may get payback for his Polonius in Hamlet: ''Not only is
he due,'' says Hamlet producer Andrew Fierberg, ''he does just what
a supporting actor should do: support.''
AND THE REST
Tom Cruise's obscure art flick M:I-2 will probably
garner some technical nominations (sound, editing, visual
effects, etc.). Matthew McConaughey's sub drama, U-571, and the
magnificent Gladiator are players too — particularly in the aural
area. ''Anything of a war nature usually gets noticed for sound
because you have so much going on,'' says consultant Tony
Angellotti, president of the Angellotti Co. ''They really go to
town with those.'' And don't count out Norm Macdonald's Screwedfor Best Original Screenplay. The kidding never stops!
