Oscar season. One of my favorite times of the year. Often referred to as my second Christmas, it brings together some of the best movie making of the past year and reminds us why we go to the movies. It also brings with it controversy on the nominations. Who is deserving? Who got snubbed? Who simply should not have been nominated at all? The 8 major awards are what everybody talks about: Best picture, director, screenplay, adapted screenplay, actor, actress, supporting actor, and supporting actress. And they are the ones people want to hear about.
Will win: Christopher Plummer
Should win: Christopher Plummer
Christopher Plummer's performance in "Beginners" is outstanding! Playing a man who learns he has terminal cancer who also comes out as a gay man he brought heart and nuance to a great story. He absolutely deserves this nomination and the win as well. His other major competition this year is Jonah Hill for his performance in "Moneyball". Any other year this award would have gone to Jonah Hill.
Next up is another great category: Best supporting actress.
Will win: Octavia Spencer
Should win: Octavia Spencer
This year in this category, I wish everyone could win. Every performance in this category is worthy of the win, which makes it tough to pick just one. That would be the case if Octavia Spencer weren't in this category. Her performance as Minny Jackson is overwhelming and near-perfection. Bringing attitude, energy, and heart to life she embodies her character and all we see is Minny Jackson on screen. Just incredible.
Best Screenplay:
Will win: The Artist
Should win: The Artist
A throwback similar to 2005s "Good Night, and Good Luck," this silent film has taken the awards season by storm and it deserves everything. The screenplay was amazing! A beautiful story, expertly crafted and wonderfully acted. There is not much more to say about this except that no other screenplay this year comes even close to the wonder created by this script!
Best Adapted Screenplay:
Will win: Hugo
Should win: Hugo
Easily the best adapted story of the year. The way it captivates and enthralls the viewer is incredible. Characters who are relatable make movies better, and that all starts with the screenplay. If you're a dreamer and enjoy stories about following your dreams and taking the punches life throws your way, you'll love this movie and screenplay!
Best Director:
Will win: Michel Hazanavicius
Should win: Michel Hazanavicius
Again, "The Artist" simply cannot be matched by any other movie. The only movie that could come close in this category is "Hugo" and Martin Scorsese. But I don't see how the Academy could possibly not give this award to Hazanavicius. It is almost unbelievable to watch this movie unfold and the way it is all put together is outstanding! I can't say anything bad about "The Artist" and hope it wins many of the awards.
Best Actress:
Will win: Meryl Streep
To be honest I'm not sure I even agree with my own picks on this one. I've only seen two of the performances, but have heard enough about the other to hopefully have picked correctly. A category that splits the will/should win picks, the performances are too diverse to pick the right one. Hearing everything I have about "The Iron Lady" and Meryl Streep is the obvious choice, but seeing "The Help" makes me think the best choice is Viola Davis. Both stellar performances from two unforgettable actresses. So honestly it will be a toss up between these two for who will win. Meryl is the more obvious choice due to her 17 nominations, but Viola Davis' performance is exceptional.
Best Actor:
Will win: Jean Dujardin
Should win: Jean Dujardin
Absolutely undeniably the best acting of the year. The other performances are good, but pale in comparison to Jean Dujardin in "The Artist." George Clooney playing one of his two stock characters, Gary Oldman in a slow-moving and convoluted story, Brad Pitt in a sports movie about more than just baseball, and Demián Bichir in a decent story of redemption make Dujardin the obvious frontrunner. In a time where acting is based on vocal performance more than actual acting ability "The Artist" takes the acting standard and flips it on its head. It brings us back to a simpler time of movie watching.
And finally Best Picture:
Will win: The Artist
Should win: The Artist
In a time of movies full of language, sound, color, and special effects, "The Artist" brings Hollywood back to its humble beginnings. Jumping back in time to 1927 there are simply not enough words to describe how incredible this movie is. Worth multiple viewings, which I'm sure get better every time. It is a standalone picture and the best one of the year. Being a silent movie it stands apart from all other movies in recent memory. Had this movie come out in any of the past 10 years, I think without question, it would win best picture in all of them. Possibly could be the best movie of this new decade. The best made, best acted, and best written. If this doesn't win, something is seriously wrong with the Academy.
Award for the biggest snub of the night is "Drive." This movie has been under wraps since it was first in theaters. The Academy didn't recognize it the way it should have. Hands down the best cinematography of the year. Just beautiful. And the character of the Driver, was played masterfully by Ryan Gosling. Due to its' major indie status, "Drive" would never be considered for Best Picture, but that doesn't mean it didn't deserve some recognition.
Either way the winner of the night will be "The Artist" without a doubt.
If you haven't already seen it, get out and see it as soon as you can because you will not be disappointed!!
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