I can’t remember how long it’s been since I’ve had so much trouble pre-picking the Oscars…
The odds for guessing the winners correctly in several big catagories Sunday are about as good as playing the slots.
Some of the major contests even have the Vegas Sports Books in a quandary.
Granted, when it comes to the top prize—Best Picture—it most likely will be coming down to between THE ARTIST and THE DESCENDANTS.
My pick: THE ARTIST
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THE ARTIST’s French director Michel Hazanavicius will also be named Best Director.
(Picture and director should—but don’t always—go hand in hand. After all, there is no picture without its director and vica versa.)
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But for Best Actor, the odds are almost dead even between George Clooney for THE DESCENDANTS and Jean Dujardin in THE ARTIST.
Sorry George but my pick: Jean Dujardin.
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Same close contest for Best Actress where Iron Lady and (twice) past Oscar winner Meryl Streep is in a tight battle with Viola Davis of THE HELP.
Making the call here is even tougher, since Streep’s portrayal of Margaret Thatcher has already won the Golden Globe while Viola Davis as one of THE HELP(ers) recently picked up the top Screen Actors Guild award.
My pick: This is Viola Davis’ year.
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Other major catagories may have a bit less suspense going into Sunday night’s 84th edition of the Academy Awards.
Like Best Supporting Actor where Christopher Plummer (BEGINNERS) seems to be the sentimental favorite.
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Another heated contest is brewing for Best Supporting Actress.
A threesome with THE HELP’s Octivia Spencer vs. THE HELP’s Jessica Chastain. Will they cancel each other out, leaving the Oscar to BRIDESMAID Melissa McCarthy?
I don’t think so.
My pick: Octivia Spencer.
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Next to the Olympics and the World Cup, the Academy Awards is probably the third most watched TV event—worldwide.
And the only sure thing about Sunday night will be Billy Crystal who stepped in to host when Eddie Murphy bailed.
Come to think of it slot machines may not be that bad of a gamble after all.
If I could I’d vote for Clooney
Clooney really deserves to win. If not just for “The Descendants” but also for “Ides Of March”. I hope the Academy comes to its senses.
Oh Jack, you know that Streep will get the Oscar, she always does, it has become a running joke… and I bet the fat chick from the girl fart movie will get the Oscar ala “My Cousin Vinny”…. plus Hollywood seems to be in love with fat chicks these day….. Clooney will be sitting front and center (ala Jack Nicholson) and get the Oscar…… I have no idea who gets best picture, but if they give it to a “black and white”/silent movie it will just confrim how upside down and backwards and out of touch Hollywod is these days
This is the weakest list of Best Picture nominees in a very long time. Weakest ever, maybe?
my picks
Remember guys ‘My Picks’ represent what I believe the Academy will choose. Not my own choices. If I had my way then ‘THE HELP” would be named Best Picture with “THE IDES OF MARCH” right behind it.
Running Joke?
Maybe the joke should be that she’s always NOMINATED but NEVER wins. Her two Oscars came out of her first 4 nominations and and one of those was as Best Supporting Actress. I haven’t seen The Iron Lady so I’m not sure if she’s deserving or not over Viola, but I would guess that at some point the Academy will actually breakdown and give Streep a second Best Actress trophy and maybe this will be that year.
The Artist is a nice piece of filmmaking but Best Picture it is not. Fortunately, it’s arguable the Oscars has lost a bit of its steam in recent years. Other awards shows are becoming more high profile, gaining more credibility and some, like the SAG awards, are seen as awards given “to artists by artists.”
The Help should win. It deserves it. If not that, then The Descendants, which isn’t a terribly remarkable film but then again this isn’t exactly a remarkable list of films that were nominated.
A true criminal offense that Drive wasn’t nominated for cinematography. Nearly every shot in that film is a postcard.
to merle…..
…thanks, I couldn’t have said it better myself.
“Drive” is the best film of the year.
imo
Jack…
What about Midnight in Paris? I thought that movie was the greatest! I believe it has some nominations.
A Criminal Offense
That Drive was overlooked in almost every category. Should have easily gained a BP nod when there were NINE other candidates. Direction, yes, cinematography, Albert Brooks as Supporting Actor and although maybe not for this film even though he was very good in his McQueenesque performance but Gosling should have been nominated (probably Ides of March) as Best Actor for his body of work (three distinct performances) this season. After a much-deserved nod for Half Nelson, Gosling’s fast achieving DiCaprio-level snubs by being shutout after excellent turns this year and with Lars and Blue Valentine. I don’t get, he should be exactly the type (looks, ability, some mainstream success) of young star that Hollywood should be pimping on its biggest night.