Wooooooooooooooo!!!
On March 7th, you can have no doubt I won’t be at the movie theater; I’ll be in front of my television. Its time for the 82nd Annual Academy Awards, and it is like my Super Bowl. I spend so much time every year watching a ton of films; so much so that I end up being invested in who wins what award. Since 2003, I’ve been able to call what wins best picture each year. Its time to see if I can do it a seventh time!
Art Direction: Avatar. In fact, I’ll predict Avatar wins every technical and visual award. It was just that huge.
Cinematography: Avatar
Costume Design: The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
Documentary (Feature): Burma VJ (FYI this is totally a guess as I’ve not seen any documentaries this year)
Documentary (Short): The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant
Film Editing: Avatar
Foreign Language Film: El Secreto de Sus Ojos
Make-Up: Star Trek. Aw, why the hell not?
Music (Original Score): Avatar
Music (Original Song): “Almost There” from The Princess and the Frog. This movie has so many great songs; it completely rocked and took me back to my youth.
Short Film (Animated): The Lady and the Reaper
Short Film (Live Action): The New Tenants
Sound Editing: Avatar
Sound Mixing: Avatar
Visual Effects: um…duh? Avatar
Writing (Adapted Screenplay): Up in the Air. Its only real challenger is Precious: Based on the novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire, but the writing is solid enough to win.
Writing (Original Screenplay): Inglourious Basterds written by Quentin Taratino. He is first and fore most a writer, and this is his magnum opus.
Animated Feature Film: Up. You do NOT bet against Pixar. Plus, I don’t think Up will win best picture, and it deserves best animated.
Actress in a Supporting Role: Mo’Nique in Precious: Based on the novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire.
Mo’Nique shocked us all with her role as the mother in Precious. It isn’t her normal, comedic role; its something much darker. She dug down deep and gave an emotional performance that I believe is far better than any other of the actresses this year. And she is up against some stiff competition.
Actor in a Supporting Role: Christoph Waltz in Inglourious Basterds.
The role of Col. Hans Landa is one of the most memorable, fearsome, and intriguing characters of any film in the last year. Waltz brings the despicable Nazi Landa to life, and makes you hate him for every second he is on the screen.
Actress in a Leading Role: Sandra Bullock in The Blind Side.
I know what you’re thinking; Sandra Bullock?! Well, I said from day one she is the only leading lady I’ve seen this year that deserves it, andI think her performance is worthy of the award. Though for the life of me I don’t understand why The Blind Side is nominated for other categories, but that’s another topic…
Actor in a Leading Role: Morgan Freeman in Invictus.
Don’t get me wrong; I personally will be pulling for Jeff Bridges’ role in Crazy Heart, but the Academy has a history of going with leading men that portray historical figures, and Morgan Freeman plays the part of Nelson Mandela like it is the only thing he was born to do.
Best Director: James Cameron for Avatar.
I personally never considered Avatar best picture material, but what made the movie so compelling is the visuals, and how it is put together. Cameron is a master director; It says something that one can be out of the movie making business for nearly ten years, then come back and make the most profitable movie of all time. Kudos to you, Mr. Cameron, you should be the director of the year.
Best Picture: Okay, first off, let me just say that I think the ten nominee decision turned out to be a mistake. At first I thought it might do some good, then I found out who all the nominees were. The Blind Side, District 9, Precious: Based on the novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire, and A Serious Man are all ridiculous picks for Best Picture; I can think of other films that deserved it more this year.
For me, there is really only three competitors here: Avatar, The Hurt Locker, and Inglourious Basterds. I’ll automatically disqualify Avatar because you have to have a good, original story to win best picture, and Avatar just plain doesn’t. Plus, I do believe Cameron will get best director, so in most cases in the past, that frees up this category a bit.
So, it comes down to The Hurt Locker and Inglourious Basterds. I want, with all my heart, for Quentin Tarantino to take it home. He was overlooked for Pulp Fiction, and if he doesn’t get this award for Basterds, I don’t know that he ever will. He is a film maker worthy of a best picture Oscar.
However, the Academy has a soft spot for cheaply made, independant films about the political subject of war. When it comes down to it, my mind says the winner will be The Hurt Locker. And it certainly deserves it. I would be happy with a win by The Hurt Locker, but I will be pulling for Tarantino; and if Basterds pulls it off, I’ll be happy to see my best picture pick streak end.
Let me hear YOUR picks, and we’ll talk some more after March 7th.
2 Comments
Alright alright..lets talk movies. First of all, Kevin, 100 percent agree with you that Tarantino does deserve it this year, just not for best picture. I, rather, think he deserves the best director honor, even though he wont get it. I think ole Quent just has too much competition from Cameron and Bigelow(my prediction for best director) who just got the win from the DGA( strong indicator of who gets the academy award). But as good as Tarantino is, I’m sure he’ll get the award one of these years, just might need to be patient(ask Scorcese lol). As for best actor this year, I’m going with Jeff Bridges to win. He has just won too many awards not to. And although Jeff deserves it, I am going to be pulling for Jeremy Renner to win. Just thought he was outstanding in the Hurt Locker. Best actress is a toss-up between Sandra Bullock and Meryl Freakin Streep who gets nominated every year. Both are popular actresses, I give the edge to Bullock. But again, I would like to see a fresh face win, and am hoping that Carey Mulligan pulls it out, even though she won’t. Supporting awards WILL GO TO Waltz and Monique, enough said. Now to brass tax. The Best pic nominees. I agree with hurt locker,inglourious basterds,avatar,up in the air,up, precious, and district 9( I loved this movie lol). An education, serious man, and blind side( I screamed in a riotous outrage when they announced it) kinda baffeled me. I thought Star Trek, 500 days of Summer, and maybe Invictus should have been in those spots. My fave for the best pic is obviously hurt locker and I agree with you that it is most likely the one that will be announced on March 7. Later man.
Alright, here’s my comment. I was extremely dissapointed with the best picture nominees. Granted, I haven’t seen half of them, but there were far better movies released this year that could have been nominated, i.e. (500) Days of Summer. As far as the acting awards go, Christoph Waltz definitely deserves the best supporting actor win, and will get it. I personally am pulling for Jeremy Renner, even though I’m pretty sure he won’t get it. I can definitely see Sandra Bullock winning, she was pretty good in The Blind Side, even though that doesn’t deserve a Best Picture nomination. Supporting actress, I could care less about that seeing as how I haven’t seen any of the movies the ladies are nominated for. Best director will probably go to Cameron. My second guess would be Bigelow. I am personally rooting for Tarantino, but I just don’t see it happening. That goes for best picture, too. I would love to see Inglorious Basterds win. I see the Hurt Locker winning though. Hell, as long as it’s not Avatar I don’t care.