So here they are, what many people talk about for a year after the last Academy Award ceremony. First the list of nominees (or at least the major awards):
Best Picture:
Black Swan
The Fighter
Inception
The Kids are All Right
127 Hours
The Social Network
Toy Story 3
True Grit
Winter's Bone
Actor in a Leading Role:
Javier Bardem "Biutiful"
Jeff Bridges "True Grit"
Jesse Eisenberg "Social Network"
Colin Firth "King's Speech"
James Franco "127 Hours"
Actor in a Supporting Role:
Christian Bale "The Fighter"
John Hawkes "Winter's Bone"
Jeremy Renner "The Town"
Mark Ruffalo "The Kids Are Alright"
Geoffrey Rush "King's Speech
Actress in a Leading Role:
Annette Benning "The Kids Are Alright"
Nicole Kidman "Rabbit Hole"
Jennifer Lawrence "Winter's Bone"
Natalie Portman "Black Swan"
Michelle Williams "Blue Valentine
Actress in a Supporting Role:
Amy Adams "The Fighter"
Helena Bonham Carter "King's Speech"
Melissa Leo "The Fighter"
Hailee Statfield "True Grit"
Jacki Weaver "Animal Kingdom"
Directing:
Darren Aronofsky "Black Swan"
David O'Russell "The Fighter"
Tom Hooper "King's Speech"
David Fincher "Social Network"
Joel and Ethan Coen "True Grit"
While there are many other categories, I feel as though there is no serious need to name them all. In looking at some of them, I think it's pretty safe to say that Toy Story 3 will win for Animated Feature Film and besides not as many people care about the Foreign Film, Costume Design, and a few other categories. Yes it is cool to see your personal favorite movie win, but when the person gets up there to give their speech do you really pay attention? Alright so onto the big awards.
Best Picture: Now this year might be one of the biggest years for the best picture category with 9 nominees, all in my opinion, worthy nominees. Now I never take what happens at the Golden Globes into account w/ the Oscars because I ultimately like to think the right movie will win. I always try to make it a point to see all of the Best Picture nominated films, this year I've seen: "Social Network", "True Grit", "Toy Story 3", "Inception", and "the Fighter". I have intentions of seeing the "Kings Speech" but the others for some reason I have no motivation. Based on my opinion and those of people who I deem to be "movie experts" I boil the race down to two movies: "King's Speech" and "The Fighter". There are many who won't agree with me but that's okay. Colin Firth in the "Kings Speech" was simply outstanding, with a phenomenal supporting cast, that makes the entire movie magnificent. However I do ultimately think that Academy will vote "The Fighter" as it hits home to American society with the blue-collar boys from Lowell, MA and the struggle with crack addiction. Winner: The Fighter. (A surprise upset could come from The Social Network).
Directing: Some newcomers in the category this year and some returning. Many people have dubbed the Coen Brothers as some of the best directors ever with their films and they deserve it. This year especially with "True Grit". They're remastered version of the classic John Wayne Western is stunning. When watching the movie you feel as though you are there with the characters, while John Wayne and the original may not be topped ever, they did a phenomenal job. The most popular director and movie in the category, David Fincher w/ the "Social Network". Facebook is one of the most popular websites, ever, but it's more than that. Going behind the scenes and really divulging into the drama and scandal behind it all, Fincher does a phenomenal job capturing the emotions, stress, anger and resentment between all the "founding" parties. A real snub this year in the nominations is directed towards Christopher Nolan for "Inception". The movie is a Best Picture nominee, yet Nolan did not receive a Directing nod. Something is not right in this equation. Nolan's film is mind-blowing and without him in the director's chair it wouldn't even come close to the film it turned out to be. Winner: Joel and Ethan Coen "True Grit"
Actor in a Leading Role: Now there are a lot of talks as to why Marky Mark was snubbed for this award and as well for Bale only getting a Supporting Actor nod. Both men were brilliant and near spot on in their portrayals of the loyal Lowell brothers, while Wahlberg may have not been as flashy as Bale, but those were the guys in real life, and they played them perfectly. Jeff Bridges' nod is well deserved, he could surprise people and pull out the win. Jesse Eisenberg's performance in "The Social Network" was mesmerizing playing the arrogant, brilliant, un-emotional, and socially awkward Facebook Co-Founder Mark Zuckerberg. A downright shame was Ryan Gosling's snub for "Blue Valentine" his performance was far superior to Javier Bardem's. But then we look at Colin Firth and there may not have been a better performance of the year. Winner: Colin Firth "King's Speech" (surprise upset: Jesse Eisenberg)
Actor in a Supporting Role: How can the Academy nominate Christian Bale for his role as Dicky Eklund in "The Fighter" and not Mark Wahlberg for his as Mickey Ward? While I believe they were both lead roles, if you're going to nominate one you need to nominate the other. Both of them had Oscar-worthy performances. I have failed to see the other films nominated in the category but Geoffrey Rush's performance I've heard is nothing short of spectacular as Firth's speech adviser. After seeing the "King's Speech" I can report back. I do think despite the other performances I can confidently say that Bale is going to win. In the minutes during the credits where we see Dickey in real life you can see just how good Bale was. Winner: Christian Bale "The Fighter"
Actress in a Leading Role: Majority of the movie going population who has seen "The Kids Are Alright" will agree that Annette Benning deserves this Oscar more than anyone else. Even in only the parts I've seen of her in previews she does an outstanding job. If she doesn't win I think it will rock Oscar nation. I am quite surprised that Michelle Williams got a nod for her role in "Blue Valentine". She was good, but Ryan Gosling was better. The underdog however in this category goes to Natalie Portman in "Black Swan". She stole the Golden Globe this year and could surprise everyone with the upset at the Academy Awards. I still stand by my original pick though. Winner: Annette Benning "The Kids Are Alright".
Actress in a Supporting Role: One of the biggest snubs of the nominations this year is Hailee Statfield's nomination in this category for her role in "True Grit". Not only was she in about 95% of the frames in the movie, a main character in the story, she was also the movies narrator. Her voice was perfect for the film as was her acting in the young girl out to find revenge for her father's death. The least the Academy could do after that snub of not giving her a lead actress nod is give her this award. The only other nominees who could steal this trophy from her would be the leading ladies of "The Fighter". Amy Adams and Melissa Leo played their parts well as the spirited girlfriend of Mickey Ward and the domineering but loving mother of Eklund and Ward. Both of these ladies showed the movie world what it was like to live with this family and the crazy that went along with it. No one else in this category even comes to close to what these 3 ladies did. Winner: Hailee Statfield "True Grit".
It'll be interesting who comes up with what statue to say the least. I hope I'm at least right on a few of these so I don't look like too much of an idiot.
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