I know I've been a little AWOL from here for the last six months or so, and for those of you who have continually clicked over from "A Pear to Remember," I appreciate you're unwavering support. However, my time of the year has arrived, and if I didn't at least try to keep this thing going, then I figured it was time to call it quits. So here it goes...
Best Picture: Just like last year between Avatar and Hurt Locker, we have another tight race between two highly acclaimed films. The historical drama, and also quite humerous, The King's Speech, as well as The Social Network. A month ago, it looked as if the Facebook movie was going to bring home the naked gold man, but tides have shifted. With King's Speech still picking up speed in some of the recent guilds, and Social Network losing some buzz, King George's stammering legacy could be movie that goes all the way. Still though, this one will be a coin toss, so let the excitement begin!
Best Director: David Fincher has swept nearly every award and guild leading up to the big night so it's impossible to see why he would be passed over by Oscar. Judging from his career thus far, he doesn't always make academy friendly material, so this will be their chance to reward him. Yet, he was passed over for Benjamin Button, but somehow I think they knew he could do better...and he did. The only possible spoiler could be Tom Hooper for King's Speech, and that's only if things really reach fever pitch with that film.
Best Actor: Colin Firth. He practically un-learned how to speak. His work is heartbreaking, comic, intimate. Also, he's a veteran, so there's no reason why this won't happen. If there is an upset, Colin should storm the stage. Any other year, this would have been Franco's oscar...just saying.
Best Actress: Another good race that is up in the air. Ever since the Golden Globes, Natalie Portman has spoiled Annette Benning's "lock" status. Although Natalie's performance was much more emotional and involved in the story, Anette still holds that veteran status that Oscar loves to reward. Much like many other recipients in the category, ala Kate Winslet in The Reader, it's sometimes not the performance but just because their due. It could go either way at this point. A spoiler to both would be if Natalie and Anette split their votes, and Helena Bonham Carter takes the trophy. This is also what I meant by "fever pitch" above. If Helena wins its an omen that Fincher is doomed, because the academy has gone King Speech crazy - it could happen. I personally do not want to see Bellatrix Lestrange win an Oscar.
Supporting Actor: This one is a definite lock. There is no reason why Christian Bale won't be awarded for his transformative performance in The Fighter. For those who have seen the film - enough said.
Supporting Actress: Another good coin toss between Melissa Leo, our hatable, control freak from The Fighter, and Hailee Steinfeld, the lovable protagonist from True Grit (who seriously showed some acting chops.) Why she is here and not in the actress category is a real head scratcher, but I suppose they knew she couldn't win against Natalie or Anette...which leads me to believe she might win for this. Only thing against Hailee is her age. If she's this good, there will be more opportunities to award her.
Original Screenplay: This is where Inception will finally get its due. Nolan was snubbed from the Director category in the thinking that it was more the writing and the effects that made the movie - not necessarily the directing. However, watch out for David Sedler's script for The King's Speech. Remember - fever pitch.
Adapted Screenplay: This is Aaron Sorkin's to lose. His writing was nothing short of brilliant: all the word play, the humork, the pace, storytelling...perfect.
Cinematography: A close race between Inception and True Grit. The Coen's last film shot out west was No Country for Old Men and that was seen as a lock, but it was snubbed. This time the only thing standing in the way is the truly inventive stuff seen in Inception. We shall see.
So, here are my picks for top ten of the year...argue if you wish!
1) The Social Network
2) 127 Hours
3) The King's Speech
4) The Fighter
6) Toy Story 3
7) Black Swan
8) The Town
9) True Grit
10) Inception
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