By Toussaint Smith, Staff Reporter
A battle scene from the movie 'Last Samurai' with actor Ken Watanabe.
ON FEBRUARY, 22, the Palace Amusement Circuit kicked off 'Oscar Week', with reruns of seven of the top films nominated for this year's Academy Awards.
The Oscar-nominated films selected to be shown again are Seabiscuit, 21 Grams, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, Lost in Translation, Mystic River, Last Samurai and the final of the epic trilogy, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
Seabiscuit attracted seven Oscar nominations, including the coveted 'Best Picture' nomination, and stars Toby McGuire, Jeff Bridges and Academy Award winner Chris Cooper. 21 Grams received two nominations, including 'Best Actress' for Naomi Watts. The film also stars Sean Penn and Academy Award winner Benecio Del Toro.
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World starring Oscar winner Russell Crowe pulled in 10 nominations, including for directing and 'Best Picture'.
Lost In Translation has created Oscar history, with Sofia Coppola being the first woman nominated as 'Best Director'. The film also received a 'Best Actor' nomination with Bill Murray, as well as for 'Best Picture' and Original Screenplay.
The Last Samurai received four nominations, including that for Art Direction. This is the second Academy Award nomination for Lilly Kilvert. Then there is 'Best Actor in a Supporting Role' (Ken Watanabe), 'Costume Design' (Ngila Dickson) and 'Sound Mixing' (Andy Nelson).
Mystic River got six nominations, including for Best Actor in Leading Role (Sean Penn), Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Tim Robbins), 'Best Actress in a Supporting Role' (Marcia Gay Harden), 'Directing', 'Best Picture' (Clint Eastwood) and Writing (Brian Helgeland).
The Lord of the Ring: The Return of the King is up for 11 nominations. These include 'Art Direction' (Grant Major), 'Costume Design' (Ngila Dickson), 'Directing' (Peter Jackson), 'Film Editing' (a first-time Academy Award nomination for Jamie Selkirk), 'Make-up' (Richard Taylor), 'Music' (Score) (Howard Shore), 'Music' (Song) (Fran Walsh), 'Best Picture' (Barrie M. Osborne), 'Sound Mixing' (Christopher Boyes), 'Visual Effects' (Jim Rygiel) and 'Writing' (Fran Walsh).
Melanie Graham, marketing manager at Palace Amusement Company, says "Oscar Week, which has been observed for a number of years in recognition of the Annual Academy Awards presentation and also in response to requests by patrons, who are keen on being on the cusp of activities, as the presentation draws close."
The Palace Amusement Oscar Week will continue until March 2 and can be viewed at Carib 5 (Cross Roads), Palace Cineplex (Liguanea) and Palace Multiplex (Montego Bay).
