Ok I just realised I should have posted my Oscar predictions on here, then I could have done a comparative rant rather than just a plain rant, but I didn’t, so prepare yourselves. I’m not doing all of them, just the main ones otherwise you will probably lose interest. Tbh I have probably lost my already limited readership at the word rant, but its carthartic.
Best Motion Picture of the Year
Nominees:
127 Hours (2010): Christian Colson, Danny Boyle, John Smithson
Black Swan (2010): Mike Medavoy, Brian Oliver, Scott Franklin
The Fighter (2010): David Hoberman, Todd Lieberman, Mark Wahlberg
Inception (2010): Christopher Nolan, Emma Thomas
The Kids Are All Right (2010): Gary Gilbert, Jeffrey Levy-Hinte, Celine Rattray
The King’s Speech (2010): Iain Canning, Emile Sherman, Gareth Unwin
The Social Network (2010): Scott Rudin, Dana Brunetti, Michael De Luca, Ceán Chaffin
Toy Story 3 (2010): Darla K. Anderson
True Grit (2010): Ethan Coen, Joel Coen, Scott Rudin
Winter’s Bone (2010): Anne Rosellini, Alix Madigan
– I’m not really sure why they started nominating (i was just about to write nomineeing!!!) 10 best film candidates other than to generate a wider audience for the Academy Awards. I happen to think it just clogs up category, Toy Story 3 is by all means a brilliant film, but its been nominated in the animated film category also and will stand a far better chance winning there, so why bother nominating it twice? As always I make an ambitious effort to try and watch all the nominated films before the actual Oscar ceremony so when I make my post-Oscar rant (bet you’re looking forward to that) I can actually make informed opinions, unlike here where I’m basing a lot of what I say on the jungle drums. I’ve seen 5/10 and plan on see 3 more very recently, so I’m not doing too shabbily. Of what I’ve seen I completely agree they should all be nominated. Inception is a truly original masterpiece, Winter’s Bone is more of a character driven drama; I commend all of its performances but I think its weaker overall than several of its opponents. For me at the moment its a toss-up between The Social Network and Inception. I thought The King’s Speech was a relatively mediocre film peppered with some magical dialogue and acting and Toy Story 3 should win animated as aforementioned. However this could all change tomorrow when I get around to see 127 hours and later on Black Swan…
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Nominees:
Javier Bardem for Biutiful (2010)
Jeff Bridges for True Grit (2010)
Jesse Eisenberg for The Social Network (2010)
Colin Firth for The King’s Speech (2010)
James Franco for 127 Hours (2010)
– This is where I could start getting hypocritical, seeing as I’ve only seen two of these performances. Personally from the Oscar buzz and watching the trailer/clips I think Ryan Gosling has been snubbed. I also think DiCaprio deserved a nod for either Inception or Shutter Island, but then I can’t really say who he would replace… If I did believe in God it would be an amalgamation of Morgan Freeman and Jeff Bridges, so I’m really glad the latter is nominated. Would be pretty cool if he won to make it a double, but I have a feeling Firth or Franco is going to walk away with this one. I’d definately be interested to see what would happen if Franco won seeing as he’s also hosting. I loved Eisenberg as Zuckerberg in TSN but I think he’s somewhat overshadowed in this category. But you never know!
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Nominees:
Annette Bening for The Kids Are All Right (2010)
Nicole Kidman for Rabbit Hole (2010)
Jennifer Lawrence for Winter’s Bone (2010)
Natalie Portman for Black Swan (2010)
Michelle Williams for Blue Valentine (2010)
– Jennifer Lawrence was stunning in Winter’s Bone; unflinching, convincing and portrayed with such integrity that your heart can’t help but ache for her. I mostly agree with this category; there are no gaping holes. Based on the golden globe win I think Natalie Portman will take this one and it will no doubt be well deserved. Also glad to see Nicole Kidman back in the game, seeing as her movie choices have been less than abominable over recent times; I liked her in Nine, but ever since Cold Mountain she has decreased in my estimations especially after Bewitched. Although I must admit I harbour quite a glaring partiality simply because her name is Nicole. A very strong category!
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Nominees:
Christian Bale for The Fighter (2010)
John Hawkes for Winter’s Bone (2010)
Jeremy Renner for The Town (2010)
Mark Ruffalo for The Kids Are All Right (2010)
Geoffrey Rush for The King’s Speech (2010)
– Andrew Garfield has been robbed. I am quite apopletic. This is based entirely on prejudice because I haven’t even seen The Fighter but I don’t want Christian Bale to win, according to the Empire magazine review Mark Wahlberg gives just as good if not better turn as Bale’s brother, but there you go. Jeremy Renner was memorable in what was a standout cast and he’ll still be on the radar after last year’s Oscars. Personally I think its between Rush, Renner and unfortunately Bale. Hawkes is the Melissa Leo of last year’s actress category, a nod toward independent filmmaking but totally replaceable. I will go and hide under a rock if he wins for fear that my film knowledge reputation shall be forever muddied. I’m still seething about Andrew Garfield though.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Nominees:
Amy Adams for The Fighter (2010)
Helena Bonham Carter for The King’s Speech (2010)
Melissa Leo for The Fighter (2010)
Hailee Steinfeld for True Grit (2010)
Jacki Weaver for Animal Kingdom (2010)
– Hailee Steinfeld must be on cloud nine right now, not only was it her first ever feature film, but she got to work with the Coen Brothers, Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon and then she only goes and gets nominated. Yes this is the green-eyed monster talking…what a bitch. Kidding, I’m sure she’s absolutely lovely. I also love it when two people from the same movie are nominated in the same category, the tension is brilliant. I think HBC was classy as ever, but I reckon this one will be between Leo and Adams; I especially hope Adams, this is her third nomination and she is always turns in a powerhouse perfomance.
Best Achievement in Directing
Nominees:
Darren Aronofsky for Black Swan (2010)
Ethan Coen, Joel Coen for True Grit (2010)
David Fincher for The Social Network (2010)
Tom Hooper for The King’s Speech (2010)
David O. Russell for The Fighter (2010)
– This is where I really let rip, so thank you if you’ve stayed with this post until now. CHRISTOPHER NOLAN NOT NOMINATED!!! There are no words… surely that was the most visionary and authourial film of the year! He poured ten years of work into that genius of an idea and not only delivered but more than exceeded any preconception of how good it would be. Shocking. I think however Aronofsky is equally deserving of such high praise, you can tell from all the reviews and trailer that Black Swan is a well-directed piece. I also think Fincher and the Coen’s are in with a shout. Fincher especially. Also I know I haven’t posted this category on here, but if Aaron Sorkin doesn’t win for the screenplay, man, I’ll be angry. That script was delicious. I just can’t comprehend how something as mind-boggingly spectacular as Inception can be bested by The King’s Speech. I will concede however that this is another strong category and overall the Academy have got it just about right.
Cannot wait for the 27th of February 😀
Nicole Davis 