awards do-over: 1998, part 1

Now I hate to admit this, but there are definitely times when I've regretted past decisions when it comes to films. In fact, thinking back on how I felt, let's say, 12 years ago, not only have my tastes evolved, but I've seen countless more films than I had at the time. So in order to put things right and give myself a little update, it's time to talk about 1998 - and the changes that reflect the years that have passed since...

Best Picture

The Original Line-Up

Life is Beautiful, The Mask of Zorro [**WINNER**]

Meet Joe Black, Mulan, You've Got Mail

The New Top 5

American History X, Life is Beautiful [**WINNER**]

Mulan, The Truman Show, You've Got Mail

The Runners-Up

Central Station, The Opposite of Sex, A Bug's Life

Shakespeare in Love, Elizabeth, Gods and Monsters

Best Lead Actor

The Original Line-Up

Antonio Banderas (The Mask of Zorro)

Roberto Benigni (Life is Beautiful) [**WINNER**]

Tom Hanks (You've Got Mail), Brad Pitt (Meet Joe Black)

Robin Williams (Patch Adams)

The New Top 5

Roberto Benigni (Life is Beautiful), Jim Carrey (The Truman Show)

Tom Hanks (You've Got Mail), Ian McKellen (Gods & Monsters)

Edward Norton (American History X) [**WINNER**]

The Runners-Up
Joseph Fiennes (Shakespeare in Love)

Best Lead Actress

The Original Line-Up
Drew Barrymore (Ever After), Sandra Bullock (Hope Floats)
Natasha Richardson (The Parent Trap)
Meg Ryan (You've Got Mail) [**WINNER**]
Reese Witherspoon (Pleasantville)

The New Top 5
Cate Blanchett (Elizabeth), Sandra Bullock (Hope Floats)
Fernanda Montenegro (Central Station) [**WINNER**]
Meg Ryan (You've Got Mail), Meryl Streep (One True Thing)

The Runners-Up
Emily Watson (Hilary and Jackie), Christina Ricci (The Opposite of Sex)
Gwyneth Paltrow (Shakespeare in Love), Drew Barrymore (Ever After)
Reese Witherspoon (Pleasantville), Susan Sarandon (Stepmom)
Lindsay Lohan (The Parent Trap)