Oscar Picks

The time has come for my annual Oscar Picks post. By annual I obviously mean this is the first time I've ever  done one and hopefully I'll remember to do one next year. Anyway, let's get started.

Best Picture
Nominees:

The Artist
The Descendants
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
The Help
Hugo
Midnight in Paris
Moneyball
The Tree of Life
War Horse

Prediction: I think it will be The Artist. I just think it's the kind of a movie that the Academy folk likes. It's different than most of the stuff out there but it's not groundbreaking or way out there.

Actor in Leading Role
Nominees:

Demian Bichir
George Clooney
Jean Dujardin
Gary Oldman
Brad Pitt

Prediction: It's between Jean Dujardin and George Clooney  for me. Clooney is basically Mr. Hollywood. They like him as a spokesperson for the rich, famous and marginally talented so I think he would get the popular vote but  Dujardin is sort of the new charming intriguing guy at school so it could go to him.

Actress in a Leading Role
Nominees:

Glenn Close
Viola Davis
Rooney Mara
Meryl Streep
Michelle Williams

Prediction: Michelle Williams. Meryl Streep is always a good choice and she probably will get loads of votes but I think there is more buzz around Williams and I'm sure that Hollywood finds Marilyn Monroe more interesting than Margaret Thatcher.

Actor in Supporting Role
 Nominees:

Kenneth Branagh
Jonah Hill
Nick Nolte
Christopher Plummer
Max von Sydow

Prediction: Kenneth Branagh. Once again the charm of Marilyn Monroe will be the deciding factor here. Unless the academy tries prove that they're hip and go with Jonah Hill but I doubt it.

Actress in Supporting Role
Nominees:

Berenice Bejo
Jessica Chastain
Melissa McCarthy
Janet McTeer
Octavia Spencer

Prediction:  This one is tough. I think it will be between Spencer and McCarthy. Personally I didn't find either of those performances Oscar worthy but their characters are much beloved. I am leaning more towards Spencer on this one.

Animated Feature Film
Nominees:

A Cat in Paris
Chico and Rita
Kung Fu Panda 2
Puss in Boots
Rango

Prediction: I have not seen any of them. This category tends to be rather stupid for me because obviously there aren't many animated movies being made and so the Academy just throws in the ones they've heard of. I'm going to go with Chico&Rita  for the simple reason that the poster looks cute... I'm going to guess that that's how the Academy will be choosing a winner in this category as well. Or maybe they'll just pick Rango because Johnny Depp was in it.

Cinematography
Nominees:

The Artist
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Hugo
The Tree of Life
War Horse

Prediction: I am going with Hugo or War Horse.

Directing
Nominees:

The Artist- Michel Hazanavicius
The Descendants- Alexander Payne
Hugo- Martin Scorsese
Midnight in Paris- Woody Allen
The Tree of Life- Terrence Malick

Prediction: Well I think that it is a law that when nominated Scorsese and Allen  must win but I also think that the Academy will try to remedy the whole situation of The Artist winning Best Picture that they might award this to Alexander Payne. I know, my commitment to a decision is comparable to George Clooneys' commitment to a woman.


And that's about it. There obviously are other categories some of which are rather interesting but I'm not even going to attempt to guess the winners because I am that clueless. I do think it's safe to say that Iran will not win in the Foreign Film category.