Oscar's Golden Glow

Di Caprio It's that time of year again, when Hollywood is abuzz about who will be rewarded for their efforts in the movies of '97. Yes, it's Oscar time, and who would have ever thought that a statuette of a somber (albeit naked) man could create such a fuss? That's the power of Oscar, a golden boy whose value will be mined by those lucky enough to make his personal acquaintance. The Academy Awards, set to be handed down on Monday, March 23rd, recognize excellence in cinema. The question is whether or not they will choose to recognize excellence at this year's box office as well. Titanic "Titanic," already the largest grossing film of all time, leads the nominations with fourteen. "Good Will Hunting," "As Good As It Gets," "The Full Monty" and "L.A. Confidential" round out the Best Picture nominees. Which categories will be the most fun? and what do the *stars* have to say about the nominees? Read on. The Best Actor category pits four guys over fifty against a young stud. Taurus Sign Taurean Jack Nicholson plays a politically-incorrect misanthrope who terrorizes sweet Greg Kinnear while romancing Helen Hunt in "As Good As It Gets." Nicholson's Virgo Moon indicates that he might not be that far off in real life from the obsessive-compulsive character he plays in the film! Nicholson Leo Sign Leo Dustin Hoffman is a manic Hollywood producer with a major tan scheming with Robert DeNiro in "Wag The Dog." With Mercury, Venus and Neptune all in Virgo, Hoffman's attention to detail is unmatched, no doubt why he's made such winning choices in his movie roles. Duvall Capricorn Sign Capricorn Robert Duvall is a hallelujah preacher who's not so nice to the newly-shorn Farrah Fawcett in "The Apostle." Born under a full Moon, Duvall's battle has been between being recognized and having a private life -- does this mean he'll chuck it all if he wins a second Oscar? Pisces Sign Piscean Peter Fonda is a beekeeper with a stinging family crisis on his hands in "Ulee's Gold." With his Jupiter in Pisces, Fonda is forever looking for the meaning of life, which can make for an interesting dichotomy between what he believes in and the movie roles he chooses. Fonda Libra Sign Rounding out the top five is Libra newcomer Matt Damon, who plays a brilliant but troubled young man from South Boston's mean streets in "Good Will Hunting." The affable Damon comes across as easygoing and personable thanks to that Libra Sun, but underneath is an ambitious soul who's got what it takes to get to the top. Look out, Hollywood! The Best Supporting Actress category features some of Hollywood's most luscious babes duking it out against a grand dame of the cinema. Bassinger Sagittarius Sign Sagittarian Kim Basinger plays a seductive gal with a heart of gold and a few choice suitors in "L.A. Confidential." This double Sag (Sun and Moon in Sagittarius) is a good-time gal who's made something of herself against early odds and is firm in her beliefs, whether they be animal rights or her politically-ambitious husband. Capricorn Sign Capricorn Julianne Moore is a fading porn star more than eager to mother hunky Mark Wahlberg in "Boogie Nights." Thanks to her Venus in Aquarius, Moore will try anything once, which may explain why she chose this juicy role. Aquarius Sign Aquarian Minnie Driver plays a perky co-ed with her eye on (duh!) Matt Damon in "Good Will Hunting." With a number of planets ruled by Sagittarius, Driver is very dogmatic -- could that be why her off-screen romance with co-star Matt Damon was short-lived? Libra Sign Libran Joan Cusack is about to marry the maybe-gay Kevin Kline in "In And Out." It's her Pisces Moon which makes this perky actress run on feelings and intuition rather than logic. Cusak Cancer Sign Bringing up the rear is Cancer Gloria Stuart, an 87-year-old whose been acting longer than most of us have been alive and plays a survivor of one of the world's greatest tragedies in "Titanic." Her Mars in Leo signals Stuart as quite the dramatic lady, something which may explain her staying power on the silver screen. Pretty boys Matt Damon and Ben Affleck teamed up on the screenplay for "Good Will Hunting," an effort so impressive that they have an Oscar nomination (Best Original Screenplay) to prove it. Will they win? More importantly, who will be their dates at the Awards?? We've got some ideas on Ben