In another sense, though, the best-picture nominees represent a tilt toward the conventional and the safe. The Talented Mr. Ripley,'' an edgy throwback to the sleek Hollywood glamour of old, but with a young cast and a felonious protagonist. Nominating the song ''Blame Canada'' from ''South Park'' will go only so far to accommodate the anti-establishment sentiments of younger audiences. Although ''The Green Mile'' was nominated, its director, Frank Darabont, was bypassed in favor of Spike Jonze, whose ''Being John Malkovich'' was shut out of the best-picture category. These discrepancies can be accounted for by the fact that each discipline within the Academy nominates its respective slates.
Directors nominate directors, actors nominate actors, etc.
But the entire membership of approximately 5,300 determines the best-picture nominees. Not surprisingly, given the membership overlap, the Academy's directing slate closely parallels that for the Directors Guild of America awards. The only difference is that the guild nominated Darabont while the Academy chose Hallstrom. Similarly, the Screen Actors Guild award candidates closely parallel the Academy picks. The best-actress slates are identical.