Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Ok, so the dust has settled and the Oscars are over. Wow, I was way off on my predictions. If it makes you feel any better, I didn't win anything either. I guess that's why I have a blog and not my own show on T.V. I'm just glad that "The Hurt Locker" won out over "Avatar" for best picture. It truly deserved it. "Avatar" took home a few technical awards which was fine. Although I was surprised that it took home the cinematography award? For a film that was mostly CGI, really?? It was also nice to see Kathryn Bigelow (the first woman) bring home the directing prize. Did you notice that they had Barbara Streisand give the award out? Do you think that the academy was projecting who might win? Outside of that though, I thought that this years Acadamy Award's program was one of the worst produced in a long time. Random shots of unknown people looking bored. Cameras swinging into position. Super close ups of award winners. It didn't feel like the Oscar's at all. I could go into more but I have to get back to work.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
2010 Oscar Predictions
Ok, I haven't had much time to write much lately but I figured with the Oscars coming up on Sunday what better subject then my Oscar predictions. Listen, Everyone else is giving their opinion so why not me? Now, these are the predictions that I'm going with in local pools. These are my best guesses. Take them for what they are and good luck.
Best Documentary Features
-Burma VJ
-The Cove
-Food Inc.
-The Most Dangerous Man In America: Daniel Ellsberg And The Pentagon Papers
-Which Way Home
I believe that this is a race between two films. "The Cove" and "Food Inc." Both powerful in their own right. I'm going with "The Cove." At times, it moved me to tears.
Best Animated Feature Film
-Coraline
-Fantastic Mr. Fox
-The Princess And The Frog
-The Secret Of Kells
-Up
This has to be one of the strongest years in memory for animated feature films. That being said, the momentum is behind the people at Pixar and their film "Up." The opening scene 10 to 15 minutes alone is just amazing.
Best Documentary Short Subject
-China's Unnatural Disaster: The Tears Of Sichuan Province
-The Last Campaign Of Governor Booth Gardinar
-The Last Truck: Closing Of A GM Plant
-Music By Prudence
-Rabbit A La Berlin
Tough one. I'm narrowing it down to two human interest stories. "China's Unnatural Disaster" and "The Last Truck." I'm leaning towards "China" but don't be surprised if voters go with a story closer to home about the American car industry.
Adapted Screenplay
-District 9
-An Education
-In The Loop
-Precious
-Up In the Air
I LOVED District 9. It was one of the most original movies of the year. But it just doesn't have the support from the Academy. "In the Loop" had some brilliantly funny moments but couldn't finish with the same spice it started with. I think that "Up In The Air" has this one in the bag. Smart from open to close. Plus, it's won most critic awards up until now.
Original Screenplay
-The Hurt Locker
-Inglourious Basterds
-The Messenger
-A Serious Man
-Up
Many believe that this is where Tarantino COULD sneak in and win an Oscar. Listen, I'm a big fan of his but I felt that "Basterds" was a decent film with brillint moments. As a whole, not Oscar winning worthy though. I'm going with "The Hurt Locker."
Achievement In Visual Effects
-Avatar
-District 9
-Star Trek
This is a lock for Avatar. No question.
Achievement In Film Editing
-Avatar
-District 9
-The Hurt Locker
-Inglourious Basterds
-Precious
It could be "Avatar" but I'm going with "The Hurt Locker."
Best Foreign Language Film
-Ajami
-El Secreto De Sus Ojos
-The Milk Of Sorrow
-Un Prophete
-The White Ribbon
This is another really tight race between two films. Between "Un Prophete" (France) and "The White Ribbon" (Germany). It could go either way. I'm going with "Un Prophete."
Best Live Action Short Film
-The Door
-Instead Of Abracadabra
-Kavi
-Miracle Fish
-The New Tenants
Some really moving films in this catagory but "Miracle Fish" stands out to me.
Best Animated Short Film
-Frech Roast
-Granny O'Grimm's Sleeping Beauty
-The Lady And The Reaper
-Logorama
-A Matter Of Loaf And Death
I'm going with "A Matter Of Loaf And Death." How can I not go with another Wallace and Gromit short from Nick Park.
Achievement In Sound Mixing
-Avatar
-The Hurt Locker
-Inglourious Basterds
-Star Trek
-Up
This one is all "Avatar."
Achievement In Sound Editing
-Avatar
-The Hurt Locker
-Inglourious Basterds
-Star Trek
-Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen
I'm going to split my vote on this one from sound mixing and move away from "Avatar" and go with "The Hurt Locker."
Achievement In Costume Design
-Bright Star
-Coco Before Chanel
-The Imaginarium Of Dr. Parnasus
-Nine
-The Young Victoria
There are 3 period dramas which could split the vote. I'm going with "Coco Before Chanel." Showing the transition of woman's apparel during Victorian times should win.
Achievement In Art Direction
-Avatar
-The Imaginarium Of Dr. Parnassus
-The Hurt Locker
-Sherlock Holmes
-The Young Victoria
The question is do I go with one of the period dramas or one of the fanatasy related films? I'm leaning towards one of the fantasy. Now, is it "Avatar" or "Dr. Parnassus?" The voters will probably go with "Avatar?" For me, I'm going with "Dr. Parnassus." It may be hard to believe but this films is unbelievable looking.
Achievement In Cinematography
-Avatar
-Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince
-The Hurt Locker
-Inglourious Basterds
-The White Ribbon
Again, I'm putting this as a two film race. "The Hurt Locker" or "The White Ribbon?" I'm going with "The Hurt Locker." "The White Ribbon" was a beautifully shot film in black and white but "The Hurt Locker" put you in the driver's seat so you felt like you were the one disarming bombs in Iraq.
Achievement In Make Up
-Il Divo
-Star Trek
-The Young Victoria
Come on Star Trek!! They have to get something?!?!? Honestly, they should have been in the best picture catagory istead of some of the others that made it. This would give "Star Trek" something.
Achievement In Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Song)
-Almost There from The Princess And The Frog
-Down In New Orleans from The Princess And The Frog
-Loin De Paname From Paris 36
-Take It All from Nine
-The Weary Kind from Crazy Heart
Again, the awards have been going to "Crazy Heart." It is the strongest of all the songs. "The Weary Kind" it is.
Achievement In Music For Motion Pictures (Original Score)
-Avatar
-Fantastic Mr. Fox
-The Hurt Locker
-Sherlock Holmes
-Up
With this one I'm going with "Up." From the comedic moments to the dramatic, Michael Giacchino's score keeps perfect pace with the film.
Performance By An Actor In A Leading Role
-Jeff Bridges in Crazy Heart
-George Clooney In Up In The Air
-Colin Firth In A Simple Man
-Morgan Freeman In Invictus
-Jeremy Renner In The Hurt Locker
Jeff Bridges has the momentum here.
Performance By An Actor In A Supporting Role
-Matt Damon In Invictus
-Woody Harrelson In The Messenger
-Christopher Plummer In The Last Station
-Stanley Tucci In The Lovely Bones
-Christoph Waltz In Inglourious Basterds
Christoph Waltz is a lock. For anyone else to win would be the upset of the century. He has won every award since last spring's Cannes Film Festival.
Performance By An Actress In a Leading Role
-Sandra Bullock In The Blind Side
-Helen Mirren In The Last Station
-Carey Mulligan In An Education
-Gabourey Sidibe In Precious
-Meryl Streep In Julie & Julia
Ok, many feel that Sandra Bullock has the momentum here and that she is going to win. Others feel that Ms. Streep hasn't won an award since the "Sophie's Choice" in the early 80's so she's due. I'm going WAY out on a limb and saying that Ms. Mulligan will win the best actress Oscar. I think that so much is going back and for for Bullock and Streep that they could split the vote and a newcomer could sneak in and win it? Carey Mulligan will win for best actress.
Performance By An Actress In A Supporting Role
-Penelope Cruz In Nine
-Vera Farmiga In Up In The Air
-Maggie Gyllenhaal In Crazy Heart
-Anna Kendrick In Up In The Air
-Mo'Nique In Precious
Like Mr. Waltz in his respective catagory Mo'Nique has this one in the bag. She has won just about every award since the film has been released.
Achievement In Directing
-James Cameron for Avatar
-Katheryn Bigelow for The Hurt Locker
-Quintin Tarantino for Inglourious Basterds
-Lee Daniels for Precious
-Jason Reitman for Up In The Air
All are deserving of their nominations but it's a race between the ex's. James Cameron and Katheryn Bigelow. I'm going with Ms. Bigelow. She deserves to win this award. (and it's not because Cameron already won for "Titanic.") "The Hurt Locker" is a much stronger film then "Avatar."
Best Motion Picture Of The Year
-Avatar
-The Blind Side
-District 9
-An Education
-The Hurt Locker
-Inglourious Basterds
-Precious
-A Serious Man
-Up
-Up In The Air
My favorite film was "District 9." Hands down. Smart, well told science fiction story which is a rarity. But the Academy voters liked the slick pretty pictures of "Avatar." My runner-up film of the year is the film I'm picking to win and that's "The Hurt Locker." It's biggest advatage is that its has an original story. "Avatar" is basically "Dances With Wolves" in space.
Best Documentary Features
-Burma VJ
-The Cove
-Food Inc.
-The Most Dangerous Man In America: Daniel Ellsberg And The Pentagon Papers
-Which Way Home
I believe that this is a race between two films. "The Cove" and "Food Inc." Both powerful in their own right. I'm going with "The Cove." At times, it moved me to tears.
Best Animated Feature Film
-Coraline
-Fantastic Mr. Fox
-The Princess And The Frog
-The Secret Of Kells
-Up
This has to be one of the strongest years in memory for animated feature films. That being said, the momentum is behind the people at Pixar and their film "Up." The opening scene 10 to 15 minutes alone is just amazing.
Best Documentary Short Subject
-China's Unnatural Disaster: The Tears Of Sichuan Province
-The Last Campaign Of Governor Booth Gardinar
-The Last Truck: Closing Of A GM Plant
-Music By Prudence
-Rabbit A La Berlin
Tough one. I'm narrowing it down to two human interest stories. "China's Unnatural Disaster" and "The Last Truck." I'm leaning towards "China" but don't be surprised if voters go with a story closer to home about the American car industry.
Adapted Screenplay
-District 9
-An Education
-In The Loop
-Precious
-Up In the Air
I LOVED District 9. It was one of the most original movies of the year. But it just doesn't have the support from the Academy. "In the Loop" had some brilliantly funny moments but couldn't finish with the same spice it started with. I think that "Up In The Air" has this one in the bag. Smart from open to close. Plus, it's won most critic awards up until now.
Original Screenplay
-The Hurt Locker
-Inglourious Basterds
-The Messenger
-A Serious Man
-Up
Many believe that this is where Tarantino COULD sneak in and win an Oscar. Listen, I'm a big fan of his but I felt that "Basterds" was a decent film with brillint moments. As a whole, not Oscar winning worthy though. I'm going with "The Hurt Locker."
Achievement In Visual Effects
-Avatar
-District 9
-Star Trek
This is a lock for Avatar. No question.
Achievement In Film Editing
-Avatar
-District 9
-The Hurt Locker
-Inglourious Basterds
-Precious
It could be "Avatar" but I'm going with "The Hurt Locker."
Best Foreign Language Film
-Ajami
-El Secreto De Sus Ojos
-The Milk Of Sorrow
-Un Prophete
-The White Ribbon
This is another really tight race between two films. Between "Un Prophete" (France) and "The White Ribbon" (Germany). It could go either way. I'm going with "Un Prophete."
Best Live Action Short Film
-The Door
-Instead Of Abracadabra
-Kavi
-Miracle Fish
-The New Tenants
Some really moving films in this catagory but "Miracle Fish" stands out to me.
Best Animated Short Film
-Frech Roast
-Granny O'Grimm's Sleeping Beauty
-The Lady And The Reaper
-Logorama
-A Matter Of Loaf And Death
I'm going with "A Matter Of Loaf And Death." How can I not go with another Wallace and Gromit short from Nick Park.
Achievement In Sound Mixing
-Avatar
-The Hurt Locker
-Inglourious Basterds
-Star Trek
-Up
This one is all "Avatar."
Achievement In Sound Editing
-Avatar
-The Hurt Locker
-Inglourious Basterds
-Star Trek
-Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen
I'm going to split my vote on this one from sound mixing and move away from "Avatar" and go with "The Hurt Locker."
Achievement In Costume Design
-Bright Star
-Coco Before Chanel
-The Imaginarium Of Dr. Parnasus
-Nine
-The Young Victoria
There are 3 period dramas which could split the vote. I'm going with "Coco Before Chanel." Showing the transition of woman's apparel during Victorian times should win.
Achievement In Art Direction
-Avatar
-The Imaginarium Of Dr. Parnassus
-The Hurt Locker
-Sherlock Holmes
-The Young Victoria
The question is do I go with one of the period dramas or one of the fanatasy related films? I'm leaning towards one of the fantasy. Now, is it "Avatar" or "Dr. Parnassus?" The voters will probably go with "Avatar?" For me, I'm going with "Dr. Parnassus." It may be hard to believe but this films is unbelievable looking.
Achievement In Cinematography
-Avatar
-Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince
-The Hurt Locker
-Inglourious Basterds
-The White Ribbon
Again, I'm putting this as a two film race. "The Hurt Locker" or "The White Ribbon?" I'm going with "The Hurt Locker." "The White Ribbon" was a beautifully shot film in black and white but "The Hurt Locker" put you in the driver's seat so you felt like you were the one disarming bombs in Iraq.
Achievement In Make Up
-Il Divo
-Star Trek
-The Young Victoria
Come on Star Trek!! They have to get something?!?!? Honestly, they should have been in the best picture catagory istead of some of the others that made it. This would give "Star Trek" something.
Achievement In Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Song)
-Almost There from The Princess And The Frog
-Down In New Orleans from The Princess And The Frog
-Loin De Paname From Paris 36
-Take It All from Nine
-The Weary Kind from Crazy Heart
Again, the awards have been going to "Crazy Heart." It is the strongest of all the songs. "The Weary Kind" it is.
Achievement In Music For Motion Pictures (Original Score)
-Avatar
-Fantastic Mr. Fox
-The Hurt Locker
-Sherlock Holmes
-Up
With this one I'm going with "Up." From the comedic moments to the dramatic, Michael Giacchino's score keeps perfect pace with the film.
Performance By An Actor In A Leading Role
-Jeff Bridges in Crazy Heart
-George Clooney In Up In The Air
-Colin Firth In A Simple Man
-Morgan Freeman In Invictus
-Jeremy Renner In The Hurt Locker
Jeff Bridges has the momentum here.
Performance By An Actor In A Supporting Role
-Matt Damon In Invictus
-Woody Harrelson In The Messenger
-Christopher Plummer In The Last Station
-Stanley Tucci In The Lovely Bones
-Christoph Waltz In Inglourious Basterds
Christoph Waltz is a lock. For anyone else to win would be the upset of the century. He has won every award since last spring's Cannes Film Festival.
Performance By An Actress In a Leading Role
-Sandra Bullock In The Blind Side
-Helen Mirren In The Last Station
-Carey Mulligan In An Education
-Gabourey Sidibe In Precious
-Meryl Streep In Julie & Julia
Ok, many feel that Sandra Bullock has the momentum here and that she is going to win. Others feel that Ms. Streep hasn't won an award since the "Sophie's Choice" in the early 80's so she's due. I'm going WAY out on a limb and saying that Ms. Mulligan will win the best actress Oscar. I think that so much is going back and for for Bullock and Streep that they could split the vote and a newcomer could sneak in and win it? Carey Mulligan will win for best actress.
Performance By An Actress In A Supporting Role
-Penelope Cruz In Nine
-Vera Farmiga In Up In The Air
-Maggie Gyllenhaal In Crazy Heart
-Anna Kendrick In Up In The Air
-Mo'Nique In Precious
Like Mr. Waltz in his respective catagory Mo'Nique has this one in the bag. She has won just about every award since the film has been released.
Achievement In Directing
-James Cameron for Avatar
-Katheryn Bigelow for The Hurt Locker
-Quintin Tarantino for Inglourious Basterds
-Lee Daniels for Precious
-Jason Reitman for Up In The Air
All are deserving of their nominations but it's a race between the ex's. James Cameron and Katheryn Bigelow. I'm going with Ms. Bigelow. She deserves to win this award. (and it's not because Cameron already won for "Titanic.") "The Hurt Locker" is a much stronger film then "Avatar."
Best Motion Picture Of The Year
-Avatar
-The Blind Side
-District 9
-An Education
-The Hurt Locker
-Inglourious Basterds
-Precious
-A Serious Man
-Up
-Up In The Air
My favorite film was "District 9." Hands down. Smart, well told science fiction story which is a rarity. But the Academy voters liked the slick pretty pictures of "Avatar." My runner-up film of the year is the film I'm picking to win and that's "The Hurt Locker." It's biggest advatage is that its has an original story. "Avatar" is basically "Dances With Wolves" in space.
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