Most of the Academy Award® discussion you see on TV or read in other print media focuses on "who will/who should win" an Oscar. We think it’s more important to discuss which of the nominated films and performances you might want to see and why. You can find the full reviews and interviews (with active links) with some of the actors and directors at our web site under "Best of the Year."

Of the more that 300 films that make it to local theaters each year, the Academy Award nominations whittle it down to a short list of only five picks per category. All are fine films with sometimes brilliant portrayals (certainly true this year), and while we agree that they are, each film is not a must see for everyone. You should see a film because it’s an excellent production but also because it’s of interest to you. For example, the film "Closer" has nominations for Best Supporting Actor and Actress (Clive Owens and Natalie Portman) yet it did not make either one of our lists for best films or acting this year. A movie that is similar in subject matter is "We Don’t Live Here Anymore," which we feel is much better. In spite of our apparently misguided conclusions Owens and Portman received Golden Globes for their performances. Seeing characters revealed in stressful situations and their motivations examined is one thing, but we don’t necessarily want to see people who are stuck on themselves and wallowing in their self-satisfied glory for two hours. A good film, yes, but not one that we’d recommend to people when they ask, "What should we see?"

We’ve all fallen for seeing a film because of the hype and an award nomination rather than reading a review to determine if it’s something of interest to us. We’ll take a quick look at the nominated pictures and performances this year to help you decide to see what may strike a chord with you. There are some wonderful choices from which to select.

Although we both picked "Hotel Rwanda" as our # 1 film of the year, it was not nominated as Best Picture. Of the five that were, we embraced all of them. Each of them could be best picture for different reasons. "The Aviator" is an epic story of Howard Hughes that’s just a marvel to watch because of its glimpse of American history (both industrial and movie) and its gee whiz production values. "Finding Neverland" is a must see for any Johnny Depp fan (‘That would be me,’ says Pam). Although one could make a remote connection between the story and The King of Pop, don’t let that stop you from seeing the film. "Million Dollar Baby" tends to be a hit or miss with people. It’s either a manipulative feminist film with boxing as a backdrop or it’s a masterpiece of subtlety, as Clint Eastwood also found in "The Bridges of Madison County," and here that he takes to a higher level. "Ray" is inspirational and anyone that likes the music of Ray Charles can’t help but have jaw-dropping respect for the acting in this film. On the lighter side, there is "Sideways," a wonderful romantic comedy.

Jamie Foxx has moved beyond outstanding to a performance that will likely stand the test of time as one of the best ever. The person that should have been on this list in place of Clint Eastwood is Paul Giamatti ("Sideways"). Eastwood is good, but he breaks no new ground as an actor in "Million Dollar Baby." Leonardo DiCaprio is outstanding in "The Aviator" and he should no longer be looked at as that young kid in the movie about the boat that sank after it hit an iceberg. Johnny Depp has the ability to raise the level of any movie at least a notch or two, and "Finding Neverland," the story about the creation of the character of Peter Pan, is enchanting. Don Cheadle steps out of his long history of supporting roles to be a lead actor with a riveting performance in "Hotel Rwanda."

Annette Bening of "Being Julia" lost to Hilary Swank ("Million Dollar Baby") when they faced off in the films "American Beauty" and "Boys Don’t Cry." Bening’s performance here is Oscar caliber but the film is not. Catalina Sandino Moreno of "Maria Full of Grace" is a first time actress in the story of a young woman who is a drug mule who transports heroin from Colombia to New York City. A film that has been embraced by some segments of both the Pro-Choice and Pro-Life movements is "Vera Drake." Imelda Staunton is stunning in her portrayal about this controversial subject. Hilary Swank is convincing in her up by the boot straps hillbilly girl who makes it big in the boxing ring. Kate Winslet is for those that like their movies with a cerebral edge in "Eternal sunshine of the Spotless Mind."

Alan Alda is the person we love to hate in "The Aviator," unless he’s your US Senator. He is chillingly realistic. Thomas Haden Church in "Sideways" is the most enjoyable role to watch, in a great romantic comedy without the usual cliches. Jamie Foxx was good enough in "Collateral" to make you anticipate seeing him in "Ray" in a lead role. We enjoyed the film but it’s very dark in tone with an ending that is over the top. Morgan Freeman is the glue that holds "Million Dollar Baby" together. Freeman fans will be pleased to see him in a role in which he’s not a cop or a servant. He’s somewhat like Jeff Bridges in that he makes things look so easy that he tends to be under appreciated.

Cate Blanchett in "The Aviator" hits the high note on being Katharine Hepburn in much the same way as Foxx does Ray Charles. Laura Linney in "Kinsey" is excellent but you have to be in a mood to see a movie about sexual repression and freedom in this country. Virginia Madsen is delightful in "Sideways." Sophie Okonedo was a knock-out in "Dirty Pretty Things" (a film about invisible immigrants) and she moves to center stage in "Hotel Rwanda." She’s an actress that can make you laugh and cry almost at the same time.

Clint Eastwood’s "Million Dollar Baby" will be enjoyed by those that like his directing style, subject to acceptance of a controversial medical decision that can stir as much emotion as the abortion issue dealt with in "Vera Drake." Do see "The Sea Inside" for a film that addresses the same subject and is based upon a true story. Taylor Hackford has taken the biopic to a new level with "Ray." Like Martin Scorsese’s "The Aviator," "Ray" tells much about American history and is entertaining. Alexander Payne, director of "Sideways," develops dialogue that is nothing short of brilliant. It’s life without clichés that we can all relate to. A must see movie for anyone who has a bottle of wine that is more than three years old and saving it for a special occasion. Mike Leigh’s "Vera Drake" tells a powerful story and features dynamic straight-ahead ensemble acting without special effects. Leigh has the ability to encourage his actors to communicate the height of emotions when they simply look at one another, and often when absolutely nothing is spoken. If you saw his film "Secrets and Lies" with Marianne Jean-Baptiste (from TVs "Without a Trace"), you’ll know exactly what we mean. Leigh and Eastwood have a lot in common regarding their directing style. Each of these films we intend to have in our home DVD collection.

Of the films discussed above, all are highly recommended, other than "Being Julia," which we both thought was somewhat weak. "Collateral" offers terrific action and fine performances by Foxx and Tom Cruise, and "Closer" gives us a look at a grown-up Natalie Portman, though the two films are less than stellar. We agree with the Academy that the following films and featured performances deserve to be on the short list of the best of 2004: "Ray," "Hotel Rwanda," "The Aviator," "Finding Neverland," "Sideways," "Vera Drake," "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" and "Maria Full of Grace."

Enjoy!