Monday, February 22, 2010

Oscar 2010 Predictions




BEST PICTURE


Overview: In a category that has been woefully cheapened by the Academy with ten nominee slots, only few stand in contention for the win.

"The Hurt Locker", though back in July around its release may have been considered a sleeper, is now garnering snowballing recognition with the surmounting of each award show and its wins up to this point. Its relevance for our times is certainly a factor I doubt the Academy will neglect.

In a more commercial sense, James Cameron's "Avatar" proved to be this year's most innovative technical attainment and a fantastic entertainment, but best film of the year? Not so sure. It will certainly be in the running, as one of its successes was its box office surpassing of Cameron's "Titanic" a film whose Best Picture win in 1997 was an embodiment of overrated over-the-top ballyhoo. Highest grossing does not mean highest value, however, let's hope the Academy agrees.

"Up In The Air" has been an on and off favorite for some time, territory that director Jason Reitman and his respective ensemble are not at all strangers to - HOWEVER - "Inglourious Basterds", Quentin Tarantino's World War II revisionist epic is an emerging dark horse that I particularly like as a possible steal for the win. Tarantino's screenplay is a beautifully crafted revenge fantasy that possesses everything this honor is worthy of, in a film that bests "Pulp Fiction", his only other previously Oscar-acknowledged effort.

BEST DIRECTOR



Projected Winner: Kathryn Bigelow

The precision and force of each and every adrenalized shot translates the film's idea of war as a "drug". Bigelow is poised to become the first female director to take the honor.

BEST ACTOR



Projected Winner: Jeff Bridges in "Crazy Heart"

Bridges has been overlooked by the Academy, this "Bridges-esque" role and shining moment in an already tremendous collection of work could and should be his first win.

BEST ACTRESS


Projected Winner: Sandra Bullock in "The Blind Side"

This year brought hardly any weight to the caliber of lead female performances, and Bullock's was quite good among the rest. Her chances will only be rivaled by Meryl Streep as Julia Child, though still unlikely given all circumstances; Streep's 16th nomination and potential 3rd win is unlikely to beat out Bullock in a performance that is outdone by others in her catalogue and featured in a project that was a warm, feel-good movie at best.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR



Projected Winner: Christoph Waltz in "Inglourious Basterds"

Tarantino once stated this film wouldn't have been made if he never found his ideal Hans Landa. Well, he found him. Waltz forged a performance so charismatic, chilling and commanding, the air thickens in the time he is on screen. Lock it down.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS



Projected Winner: Mo'Nique in "Precious"

A powerful and breakthrough performance for Mo'Nique (whose previous roles included a beer recipe thief in "Beerfest") in a largely important film. She's unrivaled in this category.


BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY



Projected Winner: Quentin Tarantino's "Inglourious Basterds"

The film's dialogue, arch of revenge, and wild re-imagining of history are simply what great films are made of. Tarantino's own signature on these elements and his loving attention to character details will garner his second Oscar win, hands down.


BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

Projected Winner: Jason Reitman's "Up In The Air"

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY



Projected Winner: "Avatar"

BEST FOREIGN FILM



Projected Winner: "The White Ribbon"

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE



Projected Winner: "Up"

BEST DOCUMENTARY

Projected Winner: "The Cove"

Although "The Cove" is my own final prediction, don't leave "Food, Inc." out of the question either. A toss up.

BEST FILM EDITING

Projected Winner: "The Hurt Locker"

BEST COSTUME DESIGN

Projected Winner: "The Young Victoria"

Those King/Queen movies always win, don't they?

BEST SOUND MIXING

Projected Winner: "Avatar"

BEST SOUND EDITING

Projected Winner: "The Hurt Locker"

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

Projected Winner: "Avatar"

BEST ART DIRECTION

Projected Winner: "Avatar"

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE

Projected Winner: Up

BEST ORIGINAL SONG

Projected Winner: "The Weary Kind" from "Crazy Heart"

BEST MAKEUP

Projected Winner: "Star Trek"

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