Well, the DreamWorks SKG and Miramax marketing teams are out in full force again this year, and it looks like we're headed for a showdown. That could be good news for The Sixth Sense, the most likely winner in a split-vote scenario. The other two competitors, The Insider and The Green Mile, don't have a prayer. Best Actor There never seems to be a shortage of male actors to nominate, but this year's batch is particularly quirky. Russell Crowe, who should have won for L.A. Confidential, once again showed his acting chops in The Insider - but his sublime and subtle performance is not likely to win an Oscar.
Voters never seem to notice quiet roles.
Speaking of odd choices, I'm still trying to figure out how Sean Penn's role in Sweet and Lowdown snuck into the line-up. Not because it was bad, mind you. I didn't see it. But then, neither did most of America. That's the point.