Big ship, bigger stars highlight Oscar race

And they're off.

The 1998 Oscar race launched in the wee hours of yesterday morning, as agents and studio reps gathered anxiously in Los Angeles for the announcement of this year's nominees.

Like every other year, a few surprises popped up, both good and bad (especially in the acting categories.) But as expected, the ship -- in this case, a really big ship known as Titanic -- hit the fan. Fourteen times, to be exact.

But James Cameron's historical epic must compete with a motley crew of Best Picture nominees: a violence-prone math genius (Good Will Hunting), a group of hard-boiled 1940s detectives (L.A. Confidential), an obsessive-compulsive novelist with a fondness for cute dogs (As Good As It Gets) and even some flabby British male strippers (The Full Monty).

Most of the Best Picture nominees permeate the other categories, with a couple of odds and sods thrown in for good measure. Here's an analysis of who and what made the cut:

Most surprising nomination (good): Despite being snubbed in virtually every other deserving category, Quentin Tarantino's excellent Jackie Brown did sneak in one prominent nod for Supporting Actor contender Robert Forster.

As a mild-mannered bail bondsman, Forster delivered a subtle and nuanced performance, one that embedded the character in the viewer's mind. Forster was considered a long shot in the race, but his recognition proves that the pundits aren't always on the money.

Most surprising nomination (bad): Air Force One was a choppy mess. So how did it manage a Best Film Editing nomination? When stacked up against high-energy, ambitious films such as Boogie Nights, it doesn't make sense. Don't get off my plane -- get off my ballot.

Most deserving nomination: In these days of flashy, insubstantial screenplays, Paul Attanasio script for Donnie Brasco rang true. Using a few twists and turns and employing strong character development, Attanasio crafted a rarity: a gangster film with -- believe it or not -- some heart.

Least deserving nomination: L.A. Confidential has one of the finest ensemble casts in recent memory -- with the exception of Kim Basinger's over-hyped take on a '40s glam queen. Even though every critic praised the role (which landed her a Best Supporting Actress nomination) as a comeback, it was an exercise in showy overacting. The sad part is, she'll probably win.

Most over-nominated film: As Good as It Gets (with nine nods) may have appeared on just about every major critic's list, and perhaps with good reason: it boasts some amazing performances, particularly from the excellent Greg Kinnear. And yes, the dog was awfully cute.

But it was also one of the most disjointed mainstream dramas of the year, one that seemed to have been cut and pasted at the last minute (and don't even get me started about the ending.) Simply put, As Good as It Gets isn't good enough.

Overlooked: Pam Grier in Jackie Brown; Al Pacino in Donnie Brasco; everyone in L.A. Confidential; Boogie Nights director Paul Thomas Anderson; and Tarantino, as screenwriter and director, for the relentlessly underrated Jackie Brown.

Though it's too early to make stable predictions at this point, expect Titanic, which received a total of 14 nominations, to pick up a load of statues when the winners are announced March 23.

But then again, awards shows are known for their unpredictability.

Just ask Susan Lucci.