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Well, there’s less than a week to the big night when we’ll get answers to some big questions, like: Will Smurf Hulk war trump the Iraq war? Will commercial success (The Blind Side) win over acting chops (Meryl Streep)? Will there be any suspense when announcing the Oscar for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (the way I see it Cristoph Waltz should be standing up the moment they mention the category)? And, most important of all, will Steve Martin be better than Alec Baldwin, or will they both suck?
So, let me just tell you who I think will win.
Best Motion Picture of the Year
Nominees:
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Let’s just get this out of the way: there’s only two posibilities here – Hurt Locker or Avatar. And I have a feeling that, despite a chance of going home with only the technical awards, Avatar might get this one. Hurt Locker might be preferred among critics, but it doesn’t have the huge popular appeal that Avatar does. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love a surprise like Up winning the Best Picture award and paving the way for more animations to be recognized as top-notch cinema, and the Animation award becoming nothing more then another technical category, but I don’t think that will happen.
So, the Oscar goes to: Avatar
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Nominees:
Jeremy Renner for The Hurt Locker
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This one is pretty easy considering the rave reviews Jeff Bridges has been getting, not to mention that he’s well due an Oscar. None of the others stand too much of a chance, since their performances are very but somehow not that much of a standout.
So, the Oscar goes to: Jeff Bridges
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Nominees:
Meryl Streep for Julie & Julia
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This one is a tough call. On one hand you’ve got the huge success of The Blind Side, Sandra Bullock in the best performance of her career, not to mention the star power she apparently possesses, if you’re to look at 2 of her 3 films last year. On the other is the immensely talented and liked Meryl Streep (quick, see if you can think of anyone who doesn’t like her acting). The only issue here is that Streep already has 2 Oscars and the Academy somehow always tries not to let too many go to one person, even if deserved. The others stand little to no chance, considering new comers Carey Mulligan and Gabourey Sidibe are at their first showing, and Dame Helen Mirren has as recently as 2007 won her Oscar.
So, the Oscar goes to: Sandra Bullock (though I’d love a tie)
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Nominees:
Matt Damon for Invictus
Christoph Waltz for Inglourious Basterds
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There isn’t much to say here. I like all the actors nominated, they’re all good roles, I appreciate that Matt Damon got nominated, people too often think of him only as an action star. But, try as I might, I can’t picture anything else with the statuette in hand but Christoph Waltz screaming “That’s a Bingo!”
So, the Oscar goes to: Christoph Waltz
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Nominees:
Penélope Cruz for Nine
Mo’Nique for Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire
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This has to be the toughest one to call. People have their money on Mo’Nique, and I’m inclined to agree, even though I loved both Vera Farmiga and anna Kendrick in Up in the Air. Jeff Bridges’ performance might pull Maggie Gyllenhaal up for contention, but I don’t like her chances. Penelope Cruz already has her Oscar and Nine isn’t that great to begin with.
So the Oscar goes to : Mo’Nique
Best Achievement in Directing
Nominees:
James Cameron for Avatar
Quentin Tarantino for Inglourious Basterds
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As much as I’d like Quentin to be recognized for the great work he’s doing, or Jason Reitman take it home before he develops a frustration, there, again, just like in the Best Picture category, only two ways to go: former couple James “King of the World” Cameron and Kathryn “I like people drama”(I just made that up) Bigelow. And their styles couldn’t be more different. Bigelow goes for the introspective, while Cameron likes entertainment, big, blue 3D entertainment. I’d just like to say that can’t really decide, Cameron is just about everything the movies are as far as entertainment and technical achievement can go, but Bigelow managed to create a unique style, and with little action, but a lot of tension, keep me captivated. I don’t think either of them will walk home with both the best Picture and the Best Director award, so, they’ll find a way to split those two between them, but for this one, my money’s on Bigelow.
So the Oscar goes to: Kathryn Bigelow
Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen
Nominees:
The Hurt Locker (2008): Mark Boal
The Messenger (2009/I): Alessandro Camon, Oren Moverman
A Serious Man (2009): Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Up (2009): Bob Peterson, Pete Docter, Thomas McCarthy
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I’d go with Inglorious Basterds, it is the most original of the bunch, but I don’t know how the Academy likes changing history. The Coens might get it, but then again, they already have several. i don’t personally see Hurt Locker winning, the script was good, but ultimately the directing and acting made that movie great. Then again, why not a heartwarming script like Up’s? The set-up alone is wonderful.
So the Oscar goes to : Inglorious Basterds
Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published
Nominees:
District 9 (2009): Neill Blomkamp, Terri Tatchell
An Education (2009): Nick Hornby
Up in the Air (2009/I): Jason Reitman, Sheldon Turner
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Speaking of Reitman’s frustration, his movie might end up again winning a script award but losing the Best Director and Best Picture award, though considering the competition this year, I doubt he’ll hold a grudge. Precious has a strong chance, I know nothing of In the Loop, and it’s nice to see District 9 mentioned, even if that’s all it is, a mention. An Education might give Precious a run for its money, but I’m sticking to the movie based on the novel Push by Sapphire.
So the Oscar goes to: Precious:Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire
Posted on March 2nd, 2010 by MrWiseguy
Filed under: Movies
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