My Oscar Predictions
It’s that time of year again! The Oscars are nearly here and it’s time to predict the winners. Like last year, I’ll be choosing who I think will win and who I actually want to win.
This year has been a bit of a letdown, to be honest. I usually am quite revved up for the Oscars by this point, but the nominations were so disappointing (for the most part) that I’m only feigning enthusiasm at this point. Oh well, let’s soldier on!
Actor in a Leading Role
Who I think will win: Jean Dujardin, The Artist
Who I want to win: Gary Oldman, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. First, I have to say I’m completely annoyed about the Michael Fassbender snub. Did the Academy not see Shame? Or were they just thrown off by that inane NC-17 rating (don’t get me started on the MPAA)? Either way, I think Oldman should get this award. I’m always drawn to subtly in acting and, for me, believability in an actor’s face. While Dujardin definitely had both and I quite enjoyed him in The Artist, Oldman wins in my heart for his chameleon-like acting skills.
Actor in a Supporting Role
Who I think will win: Christopher Plummer, Beginners
Who I want to win: Kenneth Branagh, My Week with Marilyn. I loved Christopher Plummer in Beginners. In fact, Beginners was one of my favorite films of 2011! However, I don’t think many people give Branagh much credit for portraying a legend like Sir Laurence Olivier and he did it quite effortlessly. I’ll be happy if Plummer gets the award, but I definitely think it’s time Branagh garnered some more recognition.
Actress in a Leading Role
Who I think will win: Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady
Who I want to win: Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady. Now this is a close second for me with Glenn Close. If you haven’t seen Albert Nobbs then do because she churns out an exquisite and vulnerable performance. However, it’s about time Streep won herself another Oscar, not just because she ‘s freakin’ Meryl Streep and deserves all of the awards but because her performance merits one. I don’t agree with Maragaret Thatcher’s politics, but after seeing Streep portray her in this film, I’m quite sympathetic towards that ol’ gal! If anyone can do humanize Thatcher, then they definitely deserve the Oscar. I definitely would not be disappointed if Viola Davis won for her performance in The Help, even if I didn’t like the film, because there was this wonderful vulnerability about it. Plus, it’ll be a brilliant feat since Halle Berry is still the only African-American woman to win the award.
Actress in a Supporting Role
Who I think will win: Octavia Spencer, The Help
Who I want to win: Jessica Chastain, The Help. This was the toughest category for me to narrow down. I loved all the performances of all the ladies nominated. Melissa McCarthy was raw and hilarious in Bridesmaids; Janet McTeer was fearless and heartbreaking in Albert Nobbs; and Berenice Bejo was just electric in The Artist. But both Spencer and Chastain stole every scene that they were in. If either won, I’d be quite the happy camper, even if I didn’t like The Help.
Best Director
Who I think will win: Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist
Who I want to win: Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris. This is another category that I was completely annoyed with. Steve McQueen’s Shame is still one of the most directorially one of the strongest films of 2011 and the fact that he didn’t even get a nom seriously burns my cookie. If I had to choose though I’d really want Allen to win because Midnight in Paris harkens to the magic of Annie Hall. He’ll definitely win for Best Original Screenplay, but to take the script and have it come to life so charmingly as well as Allen’s ability to bring out the best in his actors (particularly Owen Wilson) is why I think Allen should win.
Best Picture
Who I think will win: The Artist
Who I want to win: The Artist. This category was the worst offender of all! What about Melancholia? Or Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy? Or Shame, Academy? Despite these snubs, I think The Artist should win. Overall, it was the only film that truly tried to push the current boundaries of film, ironically by returning to the past. I loved what Scorsese did with the 3D technology in Hugo, despite my aversion to 3D, but I don’t think the film as a whole was as strong as The Artist. Plus, wouldn’t it be fantastic if something as archaic as a silent black-and-white film won in the year 2012, nearly a century since the inception of sound on film?
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Well, there they are! I’m hoping to catch the ceremony at a friend’s house this year so I may or may not have a chance to live blog the awards again. How many of you will be watching live?
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