The time has come my little friends to think of how will win. FINALLY! After the continual steamrolling, The Artist is looking like more and more like a surefire winner, and like Slumdog Millionaire in 2008 no one seems to be bucking it. But Hugo has 11 nominations, where will it show up? Can Jean Dujardin charm his way past the A-listers? Will Viola finally vanquish La Streep? Let us find out.
Best Picture- The Artist
The Descendants
Extremely
Loud, and Incredibly Close
The
Help
Hugo
Midnight
in Paris
Moneyball
The
Tree of Life
War
Horse
Will Win: The Artist
Should Win: The Tree of Life/ Moneyball
It's The Artist. Done. Book it. Not really a contest anymore. Despite some really stellar other options (the flawed glory of "The Tree of Life" or the amazing storytelling of "Moneyball"), the film has the magical mix of well-made charm, old Hollywood glory, and that all-powerful warlock Harvey Weinstein running the show. It's the one to beat, and any the other film would be a huge surprise.
Should Win: The Tree of Life/ Moneyball
It's The Artist. Done. Book it. Not really a contest anymore. Despite some really stellar other options (the flawed glory of "The Tree of Life" or the amazing storytelling of "Moneyball"), the film has the magical mix of well-made charm, old Hollywood glory, and that all-powerful warlock Harvey Weinstein running the show. It's the one to beat, and any the other film would be a huge surprise.
Best Director- Woody Allen “Midnight
in Paris”
Michel Hazanavicius “The Artist”
Terrence
Malick “The Tree of Life”
Alexander
Payne “The Descendants”
Martin
Scorsese “Hugo”
Will Win: Michel Hazanavicius "The Artist"
Should Win: Terrence Malick "The Tree of Life"
In most cases, picture and director match, and this year will be no exception. The charming Frenchman will win because he made a great movie, and reintroduced silent films in such a cute and smart way. There's certainly love for Marty and his sumptuous "Hugo," and Alexander Payne and "The Descendants," but the Artist train is leaving the station and everyone else is standing on the platform watching them chug by.
Will Win: Michel Hazanavicius "The Artist"
Should Win: Terrence Malick "The Tree of Life"
In most cases, picture and director match, and this year will be no exception. The charming Frenchman will win because he made a great movie, and reintroduced silent films in such a cute and smart way. There's certainly love for Marty and his sumptuous "Hugo," and Alexander Payne and "The Descendants," but the Artist train is leaving the station and everyone else is standing on the platform watching them chug by.
Best Actor- Demian Bichir “A Better
Life”
George
Clooney “The Descendants”
Jean
Dujardin “The Artist”
Gary
Oldman “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy”
Brad
Pitt “Moneyball”
Will Win: Jean Dujardin "The Artist"
Could Win: George Clooney "The Descendants"
Should Win: Brad Pitt "Moneyball"
Hey! It's actually still a race. Early on, it looked as if it was going to be the battle of the A-List studs as George Clooney and Brad Pitt battled it out for the win. But then...as seems to be case in most categories this year, a pesky Frenchman who is just as studly and maybe even more charming than Clooney, Jean Dujardin has emerged not as some Roberto Benigni-like anomaly but as a genuine star ripe for a victory. Clooney still has his ardent supporters for sure, as does "The Descendants," so it still could be him, and I still think an Adrian Brody-like dark horse win could happen for Pitt too (especially after the year he just had). Oldman and Bichir nominations are their victory. It's still Dujardin...but it'll be close.
Will Win: Jean Dujardin "The Artist"
Could Win: George Clooney "The Descendants"
Should Win: Brad Pitt "Moneyball"
Hey! It's actually still a race. Early on, it looked as if it was going to be the battle of the A-List studs as George Clooney and Brad Pitt battled it out for the win. But then...as seems to be case in most categories this year, a pesky Frenchman who is just as studly and maybe even more charming than Clooney, Jean Dujardin has emerged not as some Roberto Benigni-like anomaly but as a genuine star ripe for a victory. Clooney still has his ardent supporters for sure, as does "The Descendants," so it still could be him, and I still think an Adrian Brody-like dark horse win could happen for Pitt too (especially after the year he just had). Oldman and Bichir nominations are their victory. It's still Dujardin...but it'll be close.
Viola Davis “The Help”
Rooney
Mara “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”
Meryl
Streep “The Iron Lady”
Michelle
Williams “My Week with Marilyn”
Will/Should Win: Viola Davis "The Help"
Could Win: Meryl Streep "The Iron Lady"
Her performance in "The Help" is one of those moments to cherish and just behold with glory, and in this case, with golden statuettes. The Best Picture nomination for the film assures her victory because the film itself has more overall support. Acting's First Lady Streep is certainly still a contender and has her supporters and ardent fans who are anxious for her to win her third Oscar, but the film's quite tepid response doesn't bode well. In another year, Michelle Williams might have been more of a contender, but not this year.
Will/Should Win: Viola Davis "The Help"
Could Win: Meryl Streep "The Iron Lady"
Her performance in "The Help" is one of those moments to cherish and just behold with glory, and in this case, with golden statuettes. The Best Picture nomination for the film assures her victory because the film itself has more overall support. Acting's First Lady Streep is certainly still a contender and has her supporters and ardent fans who are anxious for her to win her third Oscar, but the film's quite tepid response doesn't bode well. In another year, Michelle Williams might have been more of a contender, but not this year.
Best Supporting Actor- Kenneth
Branagh “My Week with Marilyn”
Jonah Hill
“Moneyball
Nick Nolte “Warrior”
Nick Nolte “Warrior”
Christopher
Plummer “Beginners”
Max Von Sydow
“Extremely Loud, and Incredibly Close”
Will/Should Win: Christopher Plummer "Beginners"
After a string of victories from critics prizes through to the Golden Globe, the SAG award, the BAFTA, and the Indie Spirit, a Plummer victory looks more than assured. Finally!!
And unlike other years, where this could feel like a "feel bad for the old guy" life achievement type prize, Christopher Plummer deserves it fully. His fully emotive, wistful performance is just stupendous. Can't wait for his speech. There are possible outliers who think Max Von Sydow has a chance, but the film (despite a Best Picture nomination) seems all but forgotten.
Will/Should Win: Christopher Plummer "Beginners"
After a string of victories from critics prizes through to the Golden Globe, the SAG award, the BAFTA, and the Indie Spirit, a Plummer victory looks more than assured. Finally!!
And unlike other years, where this could feel like a "feel bad for the old guy" life achievement type prize, Christopher Plummer deserves it fully. His fully emotive, wistful performance is just stupendous. Can't wait for his speech. There are possible outliers who think Max Von Sydow has a chance, but the film (despite a Best Picture nomination) seems all but forgotten.
Jessica
Chastain “The Help”
Melissa McCarthy “Bridesmaids”
Janet McTeer
“Albert Nobbs”
Octavia
Spencer “The Help”
Will Win: Octavia Spencer "The Help"
Could Win: Bernice Bejo "The Artist"
Should Win: Jessica Chastain "The Help"
The Oscars do love their feisty female sidekicks, and Octavia Spencer's mix of repressed fury and fierce funny is too good to pass up. I feel like if there's going to be a giant upset though, it could be here. If the Academy goes for "The Artist" in as big a way as they could...which could be momentous I think Bernice Bejo could easily Juliette Binoche in "The English Patient" herself to a victory. Personally though, after a string of amazing work last year in "The Tree of Life," "Take Shelter," and her nominated portrayal in "The Help," I'd love to see Spencer's costar Jessica Chastain win. Octavia seems like a landslide though.
Best Adapted Screenplay- The Descendants
Will Win: Octavia Spencer "The Help"
Could Win: Bernice Bejo "The Artist"
Should Win: Jessica Chastain "The Help"
The Oscars do love their feisty female sidekicks, and Octavia Spencer's mix of repressed fury and fierce funny is too good to pass up. I feel like if there's going to be a giant upset though, it could be here. If the Academy goes for "The Artist" in as big a way as they could...which could be momentous I think Bernice Bejo could easily Juliette Binoche in "The English Patient" herself to a victory. Personally though, after a string of amazing work last year in "The Tree of Life," "Take Shelter," and her nominated portrayal in "The Help," I'd love to see Spencer's costar Jessica Chastain win. Octavia seems like a landslide though.
Best Adapted Screenplay- The Descendants
Hugo
The Ides of March
Moneyball
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
Will Win: "The Descendants"
Should Win: "Moneyball"
In many cases, the Oscars are a way to spread the wealth around to a number of other films that they like. They think...where can I honor that movie rather than giving everything to one film. So, if George Clooney doesn't get their vote in Best Actor, maybe they feel they'll give it to "The Descendants" here with this sturdy script by Alexander Payne and his co-writers. Similar feelings could be shared upon "Moneyball" a film that is based on a non-fiction book about statistics and created a narrative of pace and fervor. "The Descendants" recently won the Writers Guild Award in the same category, so I'm giving it the edge, despite "Moneyball" being a just plain better script.
Will Win: "The Descendants"
Should Win: "Moneyball"
In many cases, the Oscars are a way to spread the wealth around to a number of other films that they like. They think...where can I honor that movie rather than giving everything to one film. So, if George Clooney doesn't get their vote in Best Actor, maybe they feel they'll give it to "The Descendants" here with this sturdy script by Alexander Payne and his co-writers. Similar feelings could be shared upon "Moneyball" a film that is based on a non-fiction book about statistics and created a narrative of pace and fervor. "The Descendants" recently won the Writers Guild Award in the same category, so I'm giving it the edge, despite "Moneyball" being a just plain better script.
Best
Original Screenplay- The Artist
Bridesmaids
Margin
Call
Midnight
in Paris
A
Separation
Will Win: Midnight in Paris
Could Win: The Artist
Should Win: A Separation
Woody Allen owns this category. With 15 nominations in original screenplay he is their king, and with a film they really enjoy, "Midnight in Paris," seems like a winner. But those pesky French...they could easily just punch another win for "The Artist" despite not having any dialogue. If there's any justice though, "A Separation" really deserves it. It juggles so many different balls in the air at once without any of them feeling contrived or ignored. But I think it's still Woody.
Will Win: Midnight in Paris
Could Win: The Artist
Should Win: A Separation
Woody Allen owns this category. With 15 nominations in original screenplay he is their king, and with a film they really enjoy, "Midnight in Paris," seems like a winner. But those pesky French...they could easily just punch another win for "The Artist" despite not having any dialogue. If there's any justice though, "A Separation" really deserves it. It juggles so many different balls in the air at once without any of them feeling contrived or ignored. But I think it's still Woody.
Best
Art Direction- The Artist
Harry Potter and
the Deathly Hallows Part II
Hugo
Midnight in Paris
War Horse
Will Win: Hugo
Could Win: The Artist
Should Win: Harry Potter 7.2
Will Win: Hugo
Could Win: The Artist
Should Win: Harry Potter 7.2
Best
Cinematography- The Tree of Life
The Artist
War Horse
The Girl with
the Dragon Tattoo
Hugo
Will Win: "Hugo"
Could Win: Any of them sans "The Girl w/ The Dragon Tattoo"
Should Win: "The Tree of Life"
Will Win: "Hugo"
Could Win: Any of them sans "The Girl w/ The Dragon Tattoo"
Should Win: "The Tree of Life"
Best
Costume Design- Anonymous
The Artist
Hugo
Jane Eyre
W.E.
Will Win: Hugo
Could Win: The Artist
Should Win: Jane Eyre
Will Win: Hugo
Could Win: The Artist
Should Win: Jane Eyre
Best
Film Editing- The Artist
The Descendants
The Girl with the
Dragon Tattoo
Hugo
Moneyball
Will Win: The Artist
Could Win: Hugo
Should Win: Moneyball
Will Win: The Artist
Could Win: Hugo
Should Win: Moneyball
Best Makeup- Albert
Nobbs
Harry Potter and the
Deathly Hallows Part II
The Iron Lady
Will Win: The Iron Lady
Should Win: Harry Potter 7.2
Will Win: The Iron Lady
Should Win: Harry Potter 7.2
Best Original Score- The
Adventures of Tintin
The Artist
Hugo
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
War Horse
Will/Should Win: "The Artist"
Will/Should Win: "The Artist"
Best Original Song- “Man or Muppet” The Muppets
“Real
in Rio” Rio
Will Win: The Muppets "Man or Muppet"
Should Win: None of them...the category is just pathetic.
Will Win: The Muppets "Man or Muppet"
Should Win: None of them...the category is just pathetic.
Best Sound Mixing- The Girl with the Dragon
Tattoo
Hugo
Moneyball
Transformers: The Dark of the Moon
War Horse
Will Win: Hugo
Could Win: War Horse
Should Win: Moneyball
Will Win: Hugo
Could Win: War Horse
Should Win: Moneyball
Best Sound Editing- Drive
The
Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Hugo
Transformers:
Dark of the Moon
War
Horse
Will Win: Hugo
Could Win: War Horse
Should Win: Drive
Will Win: Hugo
Could Win: War Horse
Should Win: Drive
Best Visual Effects- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II
Hugo
Real
Steel
Rise
of the Planet of the Apes
Transformers:
The Dark of the Moon
Will Win/Should Win: Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Could Win: Hugo
Will Win/Should Win: Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Could Win: Hugo
Best Animated Feature- A Cat in Paris
Chico & Rita
Kung
Fu Panda 2
Puss
in Boots
Rango
Will/Should Win: Rango
Will/Should Win: Rango
Best Documentary Feature- Hell and Back Again
If a Tree Falls: The Story of the Earth
Liberation Front
Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory
Pina
Undefeated
Will Win: Hell and Back Again
Should Win: Pina
Will Win: Hell and Back Again
Should Win: Pina
Best Foreign Language Film- Bullhead-Belgium
Footnote – Israel
In Darkness- Poland
Monsieur Lazhar – Canada
A Separation – Iran
Will/Should Win: A Separation
Could Win: Monsieur Lazhar
A Separation – Iran
Will/Should Win: A Separation
Could Win: Monsieur Lazhar
Best
Documentary Short Subject- God
is the Bigger Elvis
The Barber of
Birmingham: Foot Soldier of the Civil Rights Movement
Incident in New Baghdad
Saving Face
The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom
Will Win: Saving Face
Could Win: The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom
Incident in New Baghdad
Saving Face
The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom
Will Win: Saving Face
Could Win: The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom
Best Animated Short Film-Dimanche/Sunday
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris
Lessmore
La Luna
A Morning Stroll
Wild Life
Will Win: The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore
Could Win: La Luna/ A Morning Stroll
A Morning Stroll
Wild Life
Will Win: The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore
Could Win: La Luna/ A Morning Stroll
Best
Live Action Short Film- Pentecost
Raju
The
Shore
Time
Freak
Tuba
Atlantic
Will Win: Tuba Atlantic
Could Win: Time Freak, The Shore
Will Win: Tuba Atlantic
Could Win: Time Freak, The Shore
