Month: February 2011
Colin Firth and Natalie Portman are the King and Queen of the Oscars
Oscar Winners 2011
Achievement in Art Direction
Alice in Wonderland
Achievement in Cinematography
Inception
Actress in a Supporting Role
Melissa Leo, The Fighter
Animated Short
The Lost Thing
Animated Feature
Toy Story 3
Adapted Screenplay
Aaron Sorkin, The Social Network
Original Screenplay
David Siedler, the King’s Speech
Foreign Language Film
In a Better World
Actor in a Supporting Role
Christian Bale, the Fighter
Original Score
Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, The Social Network
Sound Mixing
Inception
Sound Editing
Inception
Achievement in Makeup
The Wolfman
Costume Design
Alice in Wonderland
Documentary Short
Strangers No More
Live Action Short
God of Love
Documentary Feature
Inside Job
Achievement in Visual Effects
Inception
Achievement in Film Editing
The Social Network
Original Song
“We Belong Together”, Toy Story 3
Director
Tom Hooper, The King’s Speech
Actress in a Leading Role
Natalie Portman, Black Swan
Actor in a Leading Role
Colin Firth, The King’s Speech
Motion Picture
The King’s Speech
Oscar Predictions 2011
Sorry I’m late!
Best Picture
Should Win: The Social Network
While feeling is all good and well for the excellent King’s Speech, the layered story of greed and betrayal in the digital age should take the prize for it’s relentless script, it’s powerful and astute characterizations and its relevant “social” commentary.
Will Win: the King’s Speech
I’m not actually sure who will win. The Social Network was the early favorite, taking every critic’s prize as well as the Golden Globe for Best Picture – Drama. But The King’s Speech swept the guild awards (Actors, Directors, Producers), a feat which has only been accomplished 6 times, and five of tem went on to win Best Pic. It depends on how the Academy votes: with their heads or with their hearts.
Best Actor
Should and Will Win: Colin Firth, The King’s Speech
Rarely has there been such an eloquent, pained performance on the screen that inspires and evokes emotions of happiness, sympathy, and wonder. Firth’s King George VI is sure to take the prize, which will perhaps be a double win from Firth’s loss last year for Tom Ford’s A Single Man.
Best Actress
Should and Will Win: Natalie Portman, Black Swan
The extraordinary performance by Portman is sure to win, even beating Annette Bening’s in The Kids Are All Right. As the determined and eventually psychotic prima ballerina, Portman defies all expectations and allows the audience to descent into madness with her.
Best Supporting Actor
Should and Will Win: Christian Bale, The Fighter
Bale may have a mysterious persona, but his performance as the real guy behind the Fighter, Dicky Eklund shall take the prize, just like the one he failed to win in real life.
Best Supporting Actress
Should Win: Hailee Steinfield, True Grit
The young girl, in her first role no less, took on her character with gravitas and a no hold barred performance. She may or may not pull a surprise win.
Will Win: Melissa Leo, The Fighter
Having swept the critics prizes and the SAG Awards and the Globes, Leo is probably going to win the award, if her self funded campaign doesn’t mar her chances.
Best Director
Should and Will Win: David Fincher, The Social Network
Considering the man has swept every award, except the Directors Guild, the man should definitely be confident tonight. His visual style is usually bombastic and almost cumbersome, but he controlled the film with nuance and power.
Best Orignal Screenplay
Will Win: David Siedler, The King’s Speech
The voters will probably go for the “true story”, “heart warming”, yada yada thing. But, truly, this film is nuanced and beaiitufl….though not enough to win Best Picture.
Best Adapted Screenplay
Should and Will Win: Aaron Sorkin, The Social Network
The race is dubbed “Aaron Sorkin and the four screenplays that will lose to him”. The fast talking, brainy script will surely win.
Best Documentary Feature: Exit Through the Gift Shop
Maybe they’ll vote for this just to see Banksy…
Best Animated Feature: Toy Story 3
Why bother even asking?
Best Foreign Language Film: In a Better World
And the rest of the races…
Documentary Short: Killing in the Name
Cinematography: Inception
Makeup: The Wolfman
Art Direction: Alice in Wonderland
Animated Short: Day & Night
Live Action Short: God of Love
Visual Effects: Inception
Costume Design: Alice in Wonderland
Film Editing: The Social Network
Sound Mixing and Sound Editing: Inception
Original Score: The Social Network
Original Song: “I See the Light”, Tangled
I Like Things That Look Like Mistakes 