2012 is the first year ever that I was able to see every film nominated for Best Picture. I am usually pretty good at picking the Best Picture when I walk out of the theater but not this year. There was not a film that was just a run away. This year seemed wide open on the surface until the Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild, and the Directors Guild awards played out to show the clear favorites.
These are not necessarily the films I would like to see win but the ones I think will score the gold. So here are my picks for whatever they are worth:
Best Picture: Life of Pi
Sure Argo, which makes Hollywood types look like heroic patriots, isn’t the make up artist from the original Planet of the Apes (1968), played by John Goodman no less, already a national hero?, is a clear favorite with Lincoln second but after figuring Pi wins a fistful of Oscars, Directing, Cinematography, Best Adapted Screenplay,Editing, etc, I am going with an “upset”. Remember how Bugsy back in 1991 was supposed to sweep? Shameless rationalization.
Actor in a Leading Role: Daniel Day Lewis
You knew this one was a no brainer BEFORE you saw the film. My call was when I heard it was coming out.
Actress in a Leading Role: Jennifer Lawrence
Emmanuelle Riva (a potential upset) and Quvenzhane Wallis had much better performances but Hollywood wants to regain its #1 spot in Awards Season and get people under 40 to tune in. Giving awards to French speakers (2012’s The Artist) or Britishers (2011 The King’s Speech) has many Americans saying “Who?”, “What movie?”, “The must be Socialists that hate the 2nd Amendment”. Lawrence was in the ca$h cow, The Hunger Games, and she’s going to be making Hollywood plenty of dough the next few years with its sequels.
Actor in a Supporting Role: Christoph Waltz
This is an open field. I could see Robert De Niro winning or even Tommy Lee Jones (why? I don’t know)
Actress is a Supporting Role: Anne Hathaway
Hollywood likes prostitutes winning this award and pretty women making themselves look as bad as possible. They should have given her a few missing teeth to really get that “Faces of Meth” look going on
Animated Feature: Wreck It Ralph
Brave was the money maker I think so don’t be surprised I am wrong on this one
Cinematography: Life of Pi
I have seen quite a buzz for Skyfall (this year’s theme is 50 Years of James Bond) but, Life of Pi is a visual treat on the same level as 2001:A Space Odyssey, almost
Costume Design: Anna Karenina<
A guess….spreading the wealth I suppose. Why should any film go home empty handed?
Directing: Ang Lee
See Cinematography. This was a genuinely original film and some have said that the book could not be made into a movie but damned if he didn’t, Lee pulled it off.
Documentary Feature: Searching for Sugar Man
The reason I make this call is because it has been out since the summer and was in quite a few theaters. I think more people have seen it than The Invisible War which is another film that has been getting a bit of buzz of late. Maybe too late? For you punters, a “pick ’em” in my book
Documentary Short Subject: Open Heart
Yet another guess
Film Editing: Life of Pi
See Cinematography and Directing for my input on this film
Foreign Language Film: Amour
No brainer here
Make up: The Hobbit:An Unexpected Journey
Versus Hitchock and Les Miz? Duh
Music, Original Score: Life of Pi
No stand outs here but I wouldn’t rule out Lincoln as Hollywood likes that John Williams tragic yet uplifting stuff (he still deserves to be punished for the overkill in Warhorse)
Music, Original Song: Skyfall
Adele is has written and sings the title theme for a James Bond movie when the theme of the Oscars this year is “50 Years of James Bond”. Once again, Hollywood trying to get more people under 40 interested. No brainer on this one.
Production Design: Life of Pi
Are we noticing a trend on my picks this year?
Short Film, Animated: Paperman
Yet another guess
Short Film, Live Action: Curfew
A suicidal man baby sitting and it’s the only one in Engish
Sound Editing: Life of Pi
I’m am betting ona big night
Sound Mixing: Les Miserables
It’s a musical
Visual Effects: Life of Pi
A 3D film that’s worth the extra admission. Can you say that for 3D films other than Avatar?
Writing, Adapted Screenplay: Life of Pi
Many said it couldn’t be made into a movie.
Writing, Original Screenplay: Zero Dark Thirty
Nobody should go home empty handed but I am rooting for Django Unchained for this award
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