| |||
|
It's that time of year again: we can make ourselves some buttered popcorn, shlump ourselves on the couch, and hiss venomously at the red carpet outfits come February 27th. While we may not (and, more likely, will never) agree with the Academy's selection we always seem to glue ourselves to the seat and watch the show unravel.
Die-hards and curious cats alike will want to predict the winners this year. Unlike last year, the competition is high and intense for the 83rd Academy Awards. There are some interesting choices in the top categories, and while it's not necessarily a year for the underdogs, the Academy never fails to throw a few screwballs just for controversy's sake. No matter what the case there will be plenty of glamor, glitz, and poorly executed speeches to look forward to.
These are the movies that have been getting the most buzz. Really it's because they're nominated for the most coveted awards. It's interesting to see the range of topic listed here. We got royal pains, psychopaths, techie snobs, and same-sex parents. We also have some down-and-outs, cowboy spats, and dream invaders. I think this calls for a fantastic parody musical number by Anne Hathaway
.
 |
 |
 |
 |
This film was nominated for a whopping twelve awards and is pretty much locked to win Best Actor. It's less of a guarantee for Best Picture, but it has a sporting chance, given the right atmosphere in Hollywood. |
Right behind The King's Speech with ten nods comes this film. The Coen brothers are always an Academy favorite so don't expect anything less than three awards for them. |
With eight nominations it's safe to say this film will be going home with something.The big question is whether or not the Academy will part with tradition to give this modern film the recognition it deserves. |
A few months ago I would have said Annette Bening was a set winner for Best Actress; however, the SAG Awards and Golden Globes voted in favor of Natalie Portman. As much as I'm rooting along with them, it is a known fact that winning the Oscar with your first nomination is the kiss of death for young actresses. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Sadly, Mark Wahlberg was completely overlooked for The Fighter. That's a typical pompous Academy snub. Considering this film would never have been made without all his hard work, it's downright disgraceful that he won't be recognized. |
First off, Mia Wasikowska |
This is one of those films that when you see it, it will haunt you for days. Ironically, like a ghost it too is evanescent when it comes to winning awards. Its presence is somewhat there but overall invisible. What a shame for art. |
This is one of those films that will get all the technical awards when it should get recognition for the bigger ones. This is a classic case of "sci-fi is not a legitimate genre" Oscar mentality. |
| Nominees | ||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
in Biutiful |
in True Grit |
in The Social Network |
in The King's Speech |
in 127 Hours |
Who Should Win: James Franco. He carries the entire movie on his own in a very limited setting (a crevasse and a few flashbacks). Without his acting chops this movie would have been a total snore.
Prediction: Colin Firth. He is absolutely fantastic. He studied his subject very carefully and captures the essence of the real Prince Albert/King George VI. Throw in a British accent, a debilitating condition, and a defining life-changing moment, and you've got a shoe in.
| Nominees | ||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
in The Fighter |
in Winter's Bone |
in The Town |
in The Kids Are All Right |
in The King's Speech |
Who Should Win: Geoffrey Rush. He's not only earned his street cred, he's proven that he can play just about any character. And considering he's a class act it's amazing he plays a character so rough around the edges.
Prediction: Christian Bale. His doctor already told him he's going to die early if he keeps losing weight for roles like The Machinist
| Nominees | ||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
in The Kids Are All Right |
in Rabbit Hole |
in Winter's Bone |
in Black Swan |
|
Who Should Win: Natalie Portman. I know that the dark horse is Annette Bening who, to be fair, was absolutely lovely in The Kids Are All Right. Quite frankly, the depth of her character just isn't as complicated to play as Portman's. Natalie Portman not only embraced the insanity of her character, but also trained in ballet for months for this role.
Prediction: Natalie Portman. Anyone who knows anything about the Oscars knows that actresses that play sexually quizzical youths with psychological problems will probably win the Leading or Supporting Actress category. Here's to fellow winners Hilary Swank.
| Nominees | ||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
in The Fighter |
in The King's Speech |
in The Fighter |
in True Grit |
|
Who Should Win: Hailee Steinfeld. This newcomer is a dark horse for this category. Things that she has going for her are an amazingly strong debut performance, her young age (14 years old!), and the backing of the Coen brothers.
Prediction: Melissa Leo. She's been the front runner of the other award shows, and was nominated for Leading Actress in Frozen River
Nominees:
Who Should Win: Toy Story 3. Out of all of the movies listed this year this is the only screenplay that made me laugh, feel thrills, and cry (I know I'm not the only one who got misty towards the end of it). As "smart" as the other films may be, they don't hold a candle to an emotional ride like Toy Story 3.
Prediction: True Grit. The Coen brothers have an impeccable record with winning the screenplay categories. The darker the tone of the film, the higher the chances that they'll get the award. True Grit is about as dark as you can get.
Nominees:
Who Should Win: Inception. I dare anybody to write a script this complicated and convoluted and still have it make as much sense as this film does. This isn't the first time Nolan has played with chronology; he should have won for Memento
Prediction: The King's Speech, although The Kids Are All Right could be a pleasant surprise win. When you get as many nods as The King's Speech you're guaranteed to get some of the major awards. Since Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter may be overlooked it means this category could make up for the lack of a sweep.
| Nominees | ||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
for Black Swan |
for True Grit |
for The Social Network |
for The King's Speech |
for The Fighter |
Who Should Win: Darren Aronofsky. Black Swan's fairly straightforward story is interesting because of his stylistic directing choices. He is artistic in-and-out, with meticulous attention to detail. Also, he wasn't nominated for Best Director for The Wrestler
Prediction: David Fincher. He got the nod for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,,,
Nominees:
Who Should Win: Toy Story 3. Although this movie is extremely unlikely to win, I will stand by my early comments that it is one of the only films to have touched me all year. It doesn't need the brains and bravado. It's pure emotional evocation.
Prediction: This is a tough one. I'm between The Social Network and The King's Speech for the win, but I'm going to go with The Social Network because if it fails to collect other nominations it's an indicator it will win this category.
You can expect a whole lot of the usual from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The only thing that could potentially shift the expected winners out of the circle is if the Academy figures out that people are getting sick of cliches and decide to go with a slew of underdogs. I say, "Fat chance."
