Cornwall ON – It’s Oscar night. For film makers it’s that once a year that can change your life. It’s a time when unless your Meryl Streep you rarely get a chance at. I know because for one night I got to wait and see if something I created won.
That moment when Diane Lane gently opened that envelope and uttered….Michael Moore was tragically poignant, but something I’d never trade except for having my project win.
I may never see a moment in my film career again like that. Most only get that one chance. For tonight many of them are going to have theirs.
Here are my fearless predictions.
Actor in a leading Role:
- Javier Bardem in “Biutiful”
- Jeff Bridges in “True Grit”
- Jesse Eisenberg in “The Social Network”
- Colin Firth in “The King’s Speech”
- James Franco in “127 Hours”
My pick goes to Jeff Bridges. Everyone loves a winner and nice guy and Jeff Bridges is that. They also love the Coen Brothers who have become masters of the art of making truly fun movies of amazing depth and quality….or feel like you’re watching old Warner Brothers cartoons on weed… Colin Firth I’m sure had a lot of votes, but my money is on Mr. Bridges bringing home Oscar.
Actor in a Supporting Role:
- Christian Bale in “The Fighter”
- John Hawkes in “Winter’s Bone”
- Jeremy Renner in “The Town”
- Mark Ruffalo in “The Kids Are All Right”
- Geoffrey Rush in “The King’s Speech”
To me it’s a toss up between one of my faves in Geoffrey Rush and Christian Bale in The Fighter. I think Rush will get the nod, but would not be surprised if Bale wins.
Actress in a Leading Role:
- Annette Bening in “The Kids Are All Right”
- Nicole Kidman in “Rabbit Hole”
- Jennifer Lawrence in “Winter’s Bone”
- Natalie Portman in “Black Swan”
- Michelle Williams in “Blue Valentine”
Kudos to all of the actresses this year. More than one deserves to win, but I think it comes down to Nicole Kidman for Rabbit Hole.
Actress in a Supporting Role:
- Amy Adams in “The Fighter”
- Helena Bonham Carter in “The King’s Speech”
- Melissa Leo in “The Fighter”
- Hailee Steinfeld in “True Grit”
- Jacki Weaver in “Animal Kingdom”
Another really tough category. Historical voting trends make this a crap shoot. My head says Helena, but my gut is telling me Hailee who gave a truly stunning performance in True Grit.
Animated Feature Film:
- “How to Train Your Dragon” Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois
- “The Illusionist” Sylvain Chomet
- “Toy Story 3” Lee Unkrich
I’m going to go with Toy Story 3 on this one.
Cinematography:
- “Black Swan” Matthew Libatique
- “Inception” Wally Pfister
- “The King’s Speech” Danny Cohen
- “The Social Network” Jeff Cronenweth
- “True Grit” Roger Deakins
I think this is a toss up between Danny Cohen and Matthew Libatique.
Costume Design:
- “Alice in Wonderland” Colleen Atwood
- “I Am Love” Antonella Cannarozzi
- “The King’s Speech” Jenny Beavan
- “The Tempest” Sandy Powell
- “True Grit” Mary Zophres
Colleen owns this award as she usually does having won a few times. And she’s a Canuck!
Director:
- “Black Swan” Darren Aronofsky
- “The Fighter” David O. Russell
- “The King’s Speech” Tom Hooper
- “The Social Network” David Fincher
- “True Grit” Joel Coen and Ethan Coen
A lot of fire power here. I’m leaning towards David Fincher for The Social Network as he made a one trick pony story dance the whole film. I love David O’ Russell for The Fighter as well, and of course the Coen’s are always there.
Best Picture:
- “Black Swan” Mike Medavoy, Brian Oliver and Scott Franklin, Producers
- “The Fighter” David Hoberman, Todd Lieberman and Mark Wahlberg, Producers
- “Inception” Emma Thomas and Christopher Nolan, Producers
- “The Kids Are All Right” Gary Gilbert, Jeffrey Levy-Hinte and Celine Rattray, Producers
- “The King’s Speech” Iain Canning, Emile Sherman and Gareth Unwin, Producers
- “127 Hours” Christian Colson, Danny Boyle and John Smithson, Producers
- “The Social Network” Scott Rudin, Dana Brunetti, Michael De Luca and Ceán Chaffin, Producers
- “Toy Story 3” Darla K. Anderson, Producer
- “True Grit” Scott Rudin, Ethan Coen and Joel Coen, Producers
- “Winter’s Bone” Anne Rosellini and Alix Madigan-Yorkin, Producers
King’s Speech, True Grit, or The Fighter. The Academy votes in trends. If the buzz was to give some of the other big awards to one film or the other it could tip voting. My gut is telling me King’s Speech. (My wife say’s it will win too and you know you should always listen to your wife 🙂
And my favorite category which is in two parts.
Best Original Screenplay:
- “Another Year” Written by Mike Leigh
- “The Fighter” Screenplay by Scott Silver and Paul Tamasy & Eric Johnson;
Story by Keith Dorrington & Paul Tamasy & Eric Johnson - “Inception” Written by Christopher Nolan
- “The Kids Are All Right” Written by Lisa Cholodenko & Stuart Blumberg
- “The King’s Speech” Screenplay by David Seidler
I’m giving the nod to The King’s Speech. I mean, making a film on that subject matter and making it works deserves two Oscars!
Best Adapted Screenplay:
- “127 Hours” Screenplay by Danny Boyle & Simon Beaufoy
- “The Social Network” Screenplay by Aaron Sorkin
- “Toy Story 3” Screenplay by Michael Arndt; Story by John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton and Lee Unkrich
- “True Grit” Written for the screen by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen
- “Winter’s Bone” Adapted for the screen by Debra Granik & Anne Rosellini
True Grit. To remake a John Wayne movie, and one of his greatest took a lot of testicular fortitude and they hit it out of the park. I’m sure wherever the Duke is now, if he stops wrassling and carousing with Robert Mitchum for a second, he’s doff his hat and send the Coen’s a belt buckle.
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And those dear viewers are my humble selections. Post yours and let’s see who’s right!
