The 84th Academy Award Predictions
February 20, 2012 5 Comments
I love the Oscars. The Pomp and Circumstance. The dresses. The (rare) surprises. I will never not love the Academy Awards. They may be boring to those who have not seen the movies, but this is a simple pleasure – Let me have it!
Best Picture
“The Artist” Thomas Langmann, Producer
“The Descendants” Jim Burke, Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor, Producers
“Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close” Scott Rudin, Producer
“The Help” Brunson Green, Chris Columbus and Michael Barnathan, Producers
“Hugo” Graham King and Martin Scorsese, Producers
“Midnight in Paris” Letty Aronson and Stephen Tenenbaum, Producers
“Moneyball” Michael De Luca, Rachael Horovitz and Brad Pitt, Producers
“The Tree of Life” Nominees to be determined
“War Horse” Steven Spielberg and Kathleen Kennedy, Producers
Why are there only 9? 50/50 could have been nominated!
Who Should Win: The Artist – for the mere fact that it proves Silent movies aren’t dead. Who needs language when you can emote the hell out of a line? Not only did this movie surprise me and made me love the characters, but it was fashioned as a silent movie from the 1920s rather than a modern movies that is silent.
Who Will Win: The Help – This movie was too easy, predictable and boring. I found myself searching the Internet while watching this. But it makes the Academy look good for this kind of movie to win . . . so it will.
Who Would Be A Shocking Yet Awesome Win: The Tree of Life is too weird of a movie (complete with CGI Dinos) to win this kind of award, but that is the exact reason why it should. It’s too beautiful to ignore.
Actor in a Leading Role
Demián Bichir in “A Better Life”
George Clooney in “The Descendants”
Jean Dujardin in “The Artist”
Gary Oldman in “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy”
Brad Pitt in “Moneyball”
Who Should Win: Not only did Jean Dujardin carry this movie (his first in America) but also he made it believable! He made me want to watch him more – even though he only said one word.
Who Will Win: This one is a toss-up – Hollywood loves the friendship between Pitt and Clooney, so it would be easy press for one of them to win. They would both deserve it, but for other roles. The Academy is famous for this.
Who Would Be A Shocking Yet Awesome Win: I am shocked that Gary Oldman has not even been NOMINATED for an Oscar. He may also win, but also for his other roles. He is a little more of a gamble though.
Actor in a Supporting Role
Kenneth Branagh in “My Week with Marilyn”
Jonah Hill in “Moneyball”
Nick Nolte in “Warrior”
Christopher Plummer in “Beginners”
Max von Sydow in “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close”
I have only seen one of the movies in this list, but Jonah Hill should not win an Oscar for his role in Moneyball. Just because you talk slower and you have good chemistry with the main star (but honestly, who doesn’t have chemistry with Pitt) does not mean you deserve an Oscar.
Actress in a Leading Role
Glenn Close in “Albert Nobbs”
Viola Davis in “The Help”
Rooney Mara in “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”
Meryl Streep in “The Iron Lady”
Michelle Williams in “My Week with Marilyn”
Who Should Win: Viola Davis – I know I strongly dislike The Help, but Viola Davis needs to be known and be awarded for her very subtle acting in The Help. Under acting impresses me more in a leading role than someone who chews through the scenery.
Who Will Win: I hope the Academy is not as transparent as this but Glen Close might actually win for her gender-bending roll. It’s so predictable though.
Who Would Be A Shocking Yet Awesome Win: Rooney Mara is too new to win in this category and I almost don’t want her to because how will she top it in her young career?
Actress in a Supporting Role
Bérénice Bejo in “The Artist”
Jessica Chastain in “The Help”
Melissa McCarthy in “Bridesmaids”
Janet McTeer in “Albert Nobbs”
Octavia Spencer in “The Help”
Who Should Win: Melissa McCarthy – now on the other hand, a supporting role sin a movie is allowed a little more liberties than a leading role. Melissa actually made me cheer her on and laugh at her pooping in a sink. I judged myself harshly for that one, believe me. A poor thing deserves an Oscar for being so brave because we all know that little clip will play at her funeral.
Who Will Win: Octavia Spencer – it’s predictable but well-earned.
Who Would Be A Shocking Yet Awesome Win: Jessica Chastain – Why couldn’t the entire movie be about her character? She was so sweet and loving.
For the next couple of categories, I am just going to be giving who should win. I judge these based on if a thought flashes through my head about the score, costumes or other items.
Cinematography
“The Artist” Guillaume Schiffman
“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” Jeff Cronenweth
“Hugo” Robert Richardson
“The Tree of Life” Emmanuel Lubezki
“War Horse” Janusz Kaminski
Who Should Win: The Tree of Life, hands down. With the extreme close-ups and sweeping movements, the camera made the little suburban town in Texas seem like a far away dream land.
Side note and minor blow-up: How did Emmanuel Lubezki not win for Children of Men?! I am flabbergasted. Shame on you, Academy. Oh wait, Pan’s Labrynth won that year . . . ok, ok tough competition.
Costume Design
“Anonymous” Lisy Christl
“The Artist” Mark Bridges
“Hugo” Sandy Powell
“Jane Eyre” Michael O’Connor
“W.E.” Arianne Phillips
Who Should Win: Jane Eyre – the costumes did not overpower the characters but I did notice that they enhanced the viewing. Rochester was always disheveled, while Jane Eyre was tightly wound without a hair out of place.
Ron Swanson said it best: “I still think awards are stupid, but they would be less stupid if they went to the right people.”
Be sure to follow us (@thephosphene) on twitter on Oscar night! The Blonde will be live-tweeting the event!
About The Blonde
No prediction for Best Director?
Also, I think that either Hugo or The Artist will win Best Picture, because the Academy is all about self-congratulation. These are the kinds of movies (from what I’ve heard, having not seen them) that remind filmmakers that they are filmmakers and that what they do is important, especially to other filmmakers. But, seriously, I haven’t seen any of the films nominated for any of the big awards this year.The perils of having a child, I suppose. It’s much easier to listen to a record or watch some TV after bedtime. I’ll catch all these when they hit Netflix streaming…
I honestly couldn’t choose. I have difficulty with the director category.
Although I haven’t seen Hugo, I didn’t get the same read as you did on The Artist! I felt it was genuine. To be honest, the only movie you should actually make an effort to go see if The Tree of Life.
I only meant that films about the film industry are loved by the academy, not that The Artist is self congratulatory. Sorry for the confusion.
Also, Kung Fu Panda 2 is the only film I’ve seen that’s nominated for anything. So I really have no way of having any real informed opinion on anything.
I notice you mention someone who should win for Best Actor, but not the name. But otherwise I look forward to seeing if your choices win since I haven’t seen many of these films at all this year.
No Best Animated choices? That’s probably the only category I have seen more than one movie in though
I meant to say Jean Dujardin – thanks for pointing that out!
I haven’t seen any of the Best Animated choices this year – I know, right? I feel a little ashamed.