The Oscar Race 2012: Nominees and Predictions

The Oscars are only a month away and with all the politics and ridiculousness that comes along with everything I've decided to have my predictions anyway. I still watch the award shows, and sometimes the people who actually deserve to win do, but unfortuneately for the most part it's the people who promote themselves the most that win. It shouldn't work that way, but it does. However this year I think some unexpected people are going to take home the gold. Or not. You never know, so let's get on with the nominees.

Best Picture
The Artist
The Descendents
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
The Help
Hugo
Midnight In Paris
Moneyball
The Tree of Life
War Horse

What Should Win: The Artist
What Will Probably Win: The Artist

For those of you who haven't seen The Artist yet, you are really missing out. Not only was it probably one of the best movies of the year, it's probably one of the best movies of all time. Never have I been so enthralled with a piece of cinema before. The Artist is everything a movie should be, and will more than likely be taking the trophy home. It's biggest competition is The Descendents and The Help. More than likely though they won't be able to live up to the black and white silent film. Another possibility is Hugo, which has the most nominations with 11. Hugo will probably take home the visual effects and directing categories and leave The Artist with this one, which has 10 nominations.

Actor In A Leading Role

Demián Bichir - A Better Life

George Clooney - The Descendents

Jean Dujardin - The Artist

Gary Oldman - Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Brad Pitt - Moneyball

Who Should Win: Jean Dujardin - The Artist
Who Will Probably Win: George Clooney - The Descendents

Both Clooney and Dujardin took home the Globes for best actor in drama and comedy or musical roles, but the edge could go to Clooney. A big friend of the Academy Clooney being nominated multiple times may edge him out and the prize could also go to Dujardin. His portrayal of the silent film star George Valentine was impeccable, and the power and expressiveness of his face and prescence certainly makes him the stand out. It would be a delightful surprise if he wins, and while the performances from Pitt, Oldman, and Bichir are no doubt wonderful, Bichir may be too much of a curveball having such little known recognition, while Oldman's spy drama hasn't been doing that well this season. As for Pitt, it's still just not his year. Although his Moneyball nomination is certainly more deserving than his nom for Benjamin Button.

Actress In A Leading Role

Glenn Close - Albert Nobbs
Viola Davis - The Help
Rooney Mara - The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
Meryl Streep - The Iron Lady
Michelle Williams - My Week With Marilyn

Who Should Win: Viola Davis - The Help
Who Will Probably Win: Meryl Streep - The Iron Lady

Meryl Streep has now been nominated 17 times for this coveted prize and the last time she won was in 1983 for Sophie's Choice. Almost 20 years later she may just win again for her marvelous transformation into Margaret Thatcher. The fan favorite is Viola Davis' riveting turn as a maid in The Help, and she's definitely a strong contender, but I'm gonna give the edge to Streep.

Actor In A Supporting Role

Kenneth Branagh - My Week With Marilyn
Jonah Hill - Moneyball
Nick Nolte - Warrior
Christopher Plummer - Beginners
Max von Sydow - Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

Who Should Win: Christopher Plummer - Beginners
Who Will Probably Win: Christopher Plummer - Beginners

It's about time the academy gave Plummer his dues, and with his enthralling turn as a man who comes out to his son after his wife's passing, he will no doubt take home the prize. He's been cleaning up the award shows and the other nominees don't even stand a chance. Sorry Jonah Hill.

 

Actress In A Supporting Role

 

Bérénice Bejo - The Artist

Jessica Chastain - The Help

Melissa McCarthy - Bridesmaids

Janet McTeer - Albert Nobbs

Octavia Spencer - The Help

It's about damn time the academy gave Christopher Plummer his due, and with his capitivating performance as a man who comes out to his son after his wife of many years passes, he's a certainty in receiving the Oscar. He's been cleaning up at all the other major awards and there's is definitely no competition here. Sorry Jonah Hill.

 

Actress In A Supporting Role

 

Who Should Win:
Who Will Probably Win:

Who Should Win: Octavia Spencer - The Help

Who Will Probably Win: Octavia Spencer - The Help

Not only does she deserve this award wholeheartedly, but being a voter favorite she definitely has the edge to take home the prize. While Chastain is remarkable in her own right, Spencer has a big advantage over her. McTeer is a long shot in this, as well as McCarthy. While it's fantastic that McCarthy was nominated for the crude summer smash, it's an improbability she'll be taking home the award. Bejo would be a strong contender, but unfortuneately hasn't been doing well with the awards, seeing as how Spencer has been cleaning up.

Directing

The Artist - Michel Hazanavicious

The Descendents - Alexander Payne

Hugo - Martin Scorsese

Midnight In Paris - Woody Allen

The Tree of Life - Terrence Malick

Who Should Win: The Artist - Michel Hazanavicious

Who Will Probably Win: Hugo - Martin Scorsese

The dazzling and daring French director for The Artist could take home the coveted prize, but unfortuneately Scorsese has been cleaning up the prize and will most likely take it home again. At least this time it would be deserving because The Departed was an overrated, awful, boring piece of cinema. Sorry, soapbox moment.

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

The Descendants - Screenplay by Alexander Payne and Nat Faxon & Jim Rash

Hugo - Screenplay by John Logan

The Ides of March -Screenplay by George Clooney & Grant Heslov and Beau Willimon

Moneyball -Screenplay by Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin. Story by Stan Chervin

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy - Screenplay by Bridget O'Connor & Peter Straughan

 

 

Who Will Win: The Descendants by Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon, and Jim Rash

Dean Pelton for the win! I love how he's the Dean a ling ling on one of my all time favorite shows and is most likely going to take home the Oscar with Alexander Payne and Nat Faxon.

Writing (Original Screenplay)

The Artist - Written by Michel Hazanavicius

Bridesmaids - Written by Annie Mumolo & Kristen Wiig

Margin Call - Written by J.C. Chandor

Midnight in Paris - Written by Woody Allen

A Separation - Written by Asghar Farhadi

Who Will Win: Midnight In Paris by Woody Allen

While Annie Mumolo and Kristen Wiig deservedly so, are in this category, chances are they won't be seeing Oscar gold, but Allen's whimsical journey through Paris is definitely the delight that will win.

So, those are my predictions and their nominees. So many snubs this year, but then again what year is someone not snubbed? I mean what the hell does Ryan Gosling have to do here?! With that being said, hopefully the right people will win this year, and joy and parties in Hollywood will be had.

 

Who Will Win: Midnight In Paris by Woody Allen

 

Even though Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo wrote an amazing screenplay, chances are they won't be seeing Oscar Gold in their future. The award will most likely go to Allen, whose whimsical journey through Paris was pure delight.

Looking Back: An Homage to Wisteria Lane

For the past eight years Susan, Lynette, Bree, and Gaby have become four of the most iconic names for women on television. Love it or hate it Desperate Housewives has become a big part of TV history. Without it I don't think many shows would exist today, or maybe not be as well received. Some say it's gotten too ridiculous and while I admit the girls have had their nice and not so nice moments, as a whole Desperate fans can agree that it has always entertained. Even though I may have had my opinions on the last few seasons, when news hit that season 8 would be the last, my heart broke. Originally the girls were going to keep living on the lane until season 9, but because of the business being what it is in Hollywood, my lovely ladies have been snubbed right out of tinsel town, and alas come May it will be a true goodbye.

That goes without saying that as sad as it is for me that one of my all time favorite shows is coming to an end, I couldn't think of any better way to pay homage than to write about it. Now how can I sum up the Housewives in just one blog? I can't. It would be impossible. So instead I've decided to do a whole collection of blogs, at least one for each season, some dedicated to characters, villians, and what have you. It's the only way I could pay homage in a proper way. How the hell can you sum up Edie Britt in one paragraph? Exactly. So for now I am leaving with this small summary of what is to come in the impending months. Things are going to get crazy. It has come out recently that one of the major characters on the lane will die come March. In the DH world that could be anybody, because they've pulled the 'major character death' before and it has never been one of the girls, or their fellas. Okay maybe a husband took a couple stabs before, literally, but that aside with the way things are on the lane it could actually be one of them. And my reaction to whoever takes the fall? NO!! WHY??!! HOW COULD YOU??! Until then, enjoy this beautiful day. We get so few of them.

- Tori -