Every year the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences® clears their collective throat to the eager ears of the global film world, and hacks up a loogey of nominations, what they want us to believe are the brightest celluloid achievements for the past 365. And every year, commoners like you and me gripe about their selections. We feel we have as much right to complain as anybody since we pay the outlandish ticket prices to sit in a theater with our feet stuck to the floor and watch those flickering images truck by our greedy pupils. Well, as inaugurated two years ago, I'm once again rectifying the situation with Dr. Daniel's LoscarsTM. With the Loscars, we create recognition where it has been dubiously ignored. We give notice to the unnoticed. We make Oscar losers into Loscar winners. Below, at left, you will see a list of who and what the Academy deems superior -- and the Doc's prediction to win said category. At right, you will see my choice, the Loscar, a.k.a. the "Best of the Rest" -- or those who got left out, but still deserve attention.

The OSCARS Best Actor: Roberto Begnini, Life Is Beautiful Tom Hanks, Saving Private Ryan Ian McKellen, Gods and Monsters Nick Nolte, Affliction Edward Norton, American History X Dr. Daniel's Pick: Ian McKellen Best Supporting Actor: James Coburn, Affliction Robert Duvall, A Civil Action Ed Harris, The Truman Show Geoffrey Rush, Shakespeare in Love Billy Bob Thornton, A Simple Plan Dr. Daniel's Pick: James Coburn Best Actress: Cate Blanchett, Elizabeth Fernanda Montenegro, Central Station Gwyneth Paltrow, Shakespeare in Love Meryl Streep, One True Thing Emily Watson, Hilary and Jackie Dr. Daniel's Pick: Gwyneth Paltrow Best Supporting Actress: Kathy Bates, Primary Colors Brenda Blethyn, Little Voice Judi Dench, Shakespeare in Love Rachel Griffiths, Hilary and Jackie Lynn Redgrave, Gods and Monsters Dr. Daniel's Pick: Kathy Bates Best Director: Roberto Begnini, Life Is Beautiful John Madden, Shakespeare in Love Terrence Malick, The Thin Red Line Steven Spielberg, Saving Private Ryan Peter Weir, The Truman Show Dr. Daniel's Pick: Steven Spielberg Best Original Screenplay Bulworth by Beatty & Pikser Life Is Beautiful by Begnini & Cerami The Truman Show by Andrew Niccol Shakespeare in Love by Norman & Stoppard Saving Private Ryan by Robert Rodat Dr. Daniel's Pick: Shakespeare in Love Best Adapted Screenplay Gods & Monsters - Bill Condon Out of Sight - Scott Frank The Thin Red Line - Terrence Malick Primary Colors - Elaine May A Simple Plan - Scott B. Smith Dr. Daniel's Pick: Gods & Monsters Best Picture Elizabeth Life Is Beautiful Saving Private Ryan Shakespeare in Love The Thin Red Line Dr. Daniel's Pick: Saving Private Ryan

The LOSCARS Best Actor: Jeff Bridges, The Big Lebowski Jim Carrey, The Truman Show Michael Caine, Little Voice Ben Stiller, Permanent Midnight Denzel Washington, He Got Game And the Loscar goes to: Jeff Bridges Best Supporting Actor: Andre Braugher, City of Angels Matt Dillon, There's Something About Mary Steve Martin, The Spanish Prisoner Bill Murray, Rushmore John Travolta, Primary Colors And the Loscar goes to: Bill Murray Best Actress: Cameron Diaz, There's Something...Mary Jane Horrocks, Little Voice Emma Thompson, Primary Colors Christina Ricci, The Opposite of Sex Meg Ryan, You've Got Mail And the Loscar goes to: Jane Horrocks Best Supporting Actress: Joan Allen, Pleasantville Kimberly Elise, Beloved Lisa Kudrow, The Opposite of Sex Laura Linney, The Truman Show Catherine Zeta Jones, The Mask of Zorro And the Loscar goes to: Lisa Kudrow Best Director: Wes Anderson, Rushmore Farrellys, There's Something About Mary John Lasseter, A Bug's Life Sam Raimi, A Simple Plan Gary Ross, Pleasantville And the Loscar goes to: Wes Anderson Best Original Screenplay The Big Lebowski - the Coen Bros. Pleasantville - Gary Ross Rushmore - Anderson & Wilson The Spanish Prisoner - David Mamet There's Something...Mary - Farrelly Bros. The Loscar goes to: Rushmore Best Adapted Screenplay A Civil Action - Harr & Zaillian Fear and Loathing... - Gilliam et al The Horse Whisperer - Roth & LaGravenese Little Voice - Cartwright & Herman The X-Files - Carter & Spotnitz And the Loscar goes to: The X-Files Best Picture The Truman Show Pleasantville Rushmore A Simple Plan There's Something About Mary And the Loscar goes to: Rushmore

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