While I hope to pick who I think will win a Golden Bald Man tomorrow evening, this entry will list who I think SHOULD win, which is much more important to all the nominees (ok, who am I kidding?).
Best Animated Film – Up. Hands down, the winner. Sorry Disney and your love-letter to New Orleans, Pixar has bested you once again. This is one of three races that need no other contestants.
Best Actor – Jeff Bridges. I really thought Clooney had another Oscar winning performance. However, the Academy has previously recognized him (albeit with a supporting actor win) and in this role many think he is simply playing “himself.” Bridges wins for a career of quality work. Plus, who doesn’t want to hear an acceptance speech from “The Dude” himself?
Best Actress – Who cares? This category is literally BORE-ING this year. Since I haven’t seen the Blind Side, I can’t say Bullock deserves to win (unfortunately, after seeing The Proposal last week it’s hard to root for her). Streep channels Julia masterfully, but if push comes to shove, nobody beats Gabourey Sidibe's gut-wrenching performance.
Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Christoph Waltz. Best performance of the year, in any category. In fact, this is one of the greatest performances of the past decade. This race was over when he won at Cannes after the film premiered.
Best Actress in a Supporting Role – Mo’Nique. Her performance ranks alongside Hopkin’s Hannibal Lecter and Charlize Theron’s Aileen (Monster) as one of the most villanous of the modern era. To think she’s a comedian, wait … she’s a comedian?!?! Her performance is so terrifying you hate her, but at the film’s conclusion, you feel sorry for her to too, which is a testament to her acting ability. Great work.
Best Screenplay – Inglourious Basterds. Who knew World War II was so hip and so cool? Only Tarantino could write such a unique tale about the war to ends all wars. His best script since Pulp Fiction. He deserves a bookend Oscar. (Can you say Bing-O?)
Best Adapted Screenplay – Up in the Air. Any other year this film would rack up several awards. Due to several incredibly good films (and one load of 3D crap), this may be the only statue this great film wins.
Best Film Editing – The Hurt Locker. A strong category. Basterds is as technically sound as anything in recent memory. Yet, The Hurt Locker is superior. So much of what makes this film great is the suspense, which is largely in part due to the editing of Bob Murawski and Chris Innis.
Best Cinematography – The Hurt Locker. While Avatar may boast a 3D wonderland, and may possibly win due to its groundbreaking visuals, The Hurt Locker is most deserving of this award. I wouldn’t be shocked to see Basterds sneak away with this, however.
Best Director – Kathryn Bigelow. Bigelow deserves this, and should make Oscar history as the first female to win a best director award. Many believe this is a competition between her and her ex-husband (Cameron). While Avatar is groundrbreaking on a visual level, if anyone deserves to steal this Oscar away from Bigelow, it’s Tarantino.
Best Film – The Hurt Locker. This isn’t a shocker if you’ve read this entire blog entry (which I doubt any of you have, unless you are married to me … thanks B!). If my memory is correct (and no, I am not THAT old), is this wins it will be the lowest grossing film to take home the Oscar. It’s a shame that so many have neglected to see this film (thank goodness for Netflix!), and maybe if it wins it will gain a greater audience. This film is the epitome of quality filmamaking.
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