.

.

With the 82nd Annual Academy Awards hitting this coming Sunday, and our Oscar party imminent, I’m going to throw out my picks for who I think (or should I say hope in some cases) will take home the gold statue.  Obviously, I’m not a wizard, and can’t say I’ll be right, but let’s see how close I come Sunday night!

.

Best Motion Picture of the Year
Avatar (2009): James Cameron, Jon Landau
The Blind Side (2009): Nominees to be determined
District 9 (2009): Peter Jackson, Carolynne Cunningham
An Education (2009): Finola Dwyer, Amanda Posey
The Hurt Locker (2008): Nominees to be determined
Inglourious Basterds (2009): Lawrence Bender
Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire (2009): Lee Daniels, Sarah Siegel-Magness, Gary Magness
A Serious Man (2009): Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Up (2009): Jonas Rivera
Up in the Air (2009/I): Daniel Dubiecki, Ivan Reitman, Jason Reitman

My choice – At one point, I would have bet UP IN THE AIR would take it without a doubt.  Now, I’m not so sure.  Though UP IN THE AIR was on just about every critic’s top ten list for 2009, so was THE HURT LOCKER, and let’s face it, Kathryn Bigelow’s triumph seems to be what’s on everyone’s minds lately.  I’m thinking THE HURT LOCKER will get the win, though a surprise victory from PRECIOUS would be interesting as well.  If UP IN THE AIR gets it, I’ll know to always go with my gut.

.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Jeff Bridges for Crazy Heart (2009)
George Clooney for Up in the Air (2009/I)
Colin Firth for A Single Man (2009)
Morgan Freeman for Invictus (2009)
Jeremy Renner for The Hurt Locker (2008)

My choice – This has got to go to Jeff Bridges, right?  Clooney got his Oscar not long ago, Renner (though great) is probably still a little too new and unknown to voters (though he’s certainly not new to the business), Colin Firth was great but I’m not sure if enough people saw A SINGLE MAN, and Morgan Freeman can be so much better that what he did in INVICTUS.  Bridges seems to have universal love from everyone in the industry, and he’s definitely overdue for this.  Jeff gets it… and least he really, really should.

.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Sandra Bullock for The Blind Side (2009)
Helen Mirren for The Last Station (2009)
Carey Mulligan for An Education (2009)
Gabourey Sidibe for Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire (2009)
Meryl Streep for Julie & Julia (2009)

My choice – I’m thinking Sandra Bullock.  I loved her in THE BLIND SIDE, she really transformed herself with that role, and showed everyone she could turn in an Oscar-caliber performance… and let’s face it, who knew?  Meryl Streep has enough of these things anyway, and I’m afraid the other nominees’ films may not have been widely enough seen to have a chance.  I could be wrong, but I’m betting on Bullock.

.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Matt Damon for Invictus (2009)
Woody Harrelson for The Messenger (2009/I)
Christopher Plummer for The Last Station (2009)
Stanley Tucci for The Lovely Bones (2009)
Christoph Waltz for Inglourious Basterds (2009)

My choice – Christoph Waltz, all the way.  I loved Stanley Tucci’s performance in THE LOVELY BONES, but the film itself was a little too uneven, and that can really sway the voters.  Damon in INVICTUS was (in my opinion) horribly miscast – that role should have been a no name.  Plummer is great, but THE LAST STATION (at least in these parts) came out way too late in the game, too late to make the proper impression.  Harrelson also suffers from the “no one saw it” syndrome.  I knew more critics that watched a screener of THE MESSENGER at home than saw it in theaters.  And hey, let’s face it, Waltz turned in what was easily one of the most impressive supporting performances in years.  He deserves it, he’ll get it.

.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Penélope Cruz for Nine (2009)
Vera Farmiga for Up in the Air (2009/I)
Maggie Gyllenhaal for Crazy Heart (2009)
Anna Kendrick for Up in the Air (2009/I)
Mo’Nique for Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire (2009)

My choice – As much as I wish with all my heart that Anna Kendrick would get this, but it’s going to be Mo’Nique.  Let’s face it, as great as Kendrick was in UP IN THE AIR, Mo’Nique transformed herself in a way no one expected for PRECIOUS… and that’s why she’ll take it home.

.

Best Achievement in Directing
Kathryn Bigelow for The Hurt Locker (2008)
James Cameron for Avatar (2009)
Lee Daniels for Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire (2009)
Jason Reitman for Up in the Air (2009/I)
Quentin Tarantino for Inglourious Basterds (2009)

My choice – This is a tough one.  I love Jason Reitman, and I wish he’d win this, but he’s probably not as respected as he should be… and that’s a shame, but he needs more time.  Tarantino is probably a little too rebel for the level of respect he needs to get this.  Lee Daniels could be the sleeper, only because I think PRECIOUS is sadly going to get snubbed on a lot of other awards.  But if you asked me for the safe bet?  I’d say Kathryn Bigelow… and I’m fine with that.

.

Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen
The Hurt Locker (2008): Mark Boal
Inglourious Basterds (2009): Quentin Tarantino
The Messenger (2009/I): Alessandro Camon, Oren Moverman
A Serious Man (2009): Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Up (2009): Bob Peterson, Pete Docter, Thomas McCarthy

My choice – Mark Boal, THE HURT LOCKER

.

Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published
District 9 (2009): Neill Blomkamp, Terri Tatchell
An Education (2009): Nick Hornby
In the Loop (2009): Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell, Armando Iannucci, Tony Roche
Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire (2009): Geoffrey Fletcher
Up in the Air (2009/I): Jason Reitman, Sheldon Turner

My choice – Geoffrey Fletcher, PRECIOUS

.

Best Achievement in Cinematography
Avatar (2009): Mauro Fiore
Das weisse Band – Eine deutsche Kindergeschichte (2009): Christian Berger
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009): Bruno Delbonnel
The Hurt Locker (2008): Barry Ackroyd
Inglourious Basterds (2009): Robert Richardson

My choice – Barry Ackroyd, THE HURT LOCKER

.

Best Achievement in Editing
Avatar (2009): Stephen E. Rivkin, John Refoua, James Cameron
District 9 (2009): Julian Clarke
The Hurt Locker (2008): Bob Murawski, Chris Innis
Inglourious Basterds (2009): Sally Menke
Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire (2009): Joe Klotz

My choice – Sally Menke, INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS

.

Best Achievement in Art Direction
Avatar (2009): Rick Carter, Robert Stromberg, Kim Sinclair
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009): David Warren, Anastasia Masaro, Caroline Smith
Nine (2009): John Myhre, Gordon Sim
Sherlock Holmes (2009): Sarah Greenwood, Katie Spencer
The Young Victoria (2009): Patrice Vermette, Maggie Gray

My choice – Patrice Vermette, Maggie Gray, THE YOUNG VICTORIA

.

Best Achievement in Costume Design
Bright Star (2009): Janet Patterson
Coco avant Chanel (2009): Catherine Leterrier
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009): Monique Prudhomme
Nine (2009): Colleen Atwood
The Young Victoria (2009): Sandy Powell

My choice – Colleen Atwood, NINE

.

Best Achievement in Makeup
Il divo (2008): Aldo Signoretti, Vittorio Sodano
Star Trek (2009): Barney Burman, Mindy Hall, Joel Harlow
The Young Victoria (2009): John Henry Gordon, Jenny Shircore

My choice – Barney Burman, Mindy Hall, Joel Harlow, STAR TREK

.

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score
Avatar (2009): James Horner
Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009): Alexandre Desplat
The Hurt Locker (2008): Marco Beltrami, Buck Sanders
Sherlock Holmes (2009): Hans Zimmer
Up (2009): Michael Giacchino

My choice – Being a big time scorehead, this is tough for me.  I think Hans Zimmer will win for SHERLOCK HOLMES, because of his popularity in the industry, but the more-deserving effort is Michael Giacchino for UP… and I say that despite loving the work of Zimmer.

.

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song
Crazy Heart (2009): T-Bone Burnett, Ryan Bingham(“The Weary Kind”)
Faubourg 36 (2008): Reinhardt Wagner, Frank Thomas(“Loin de Paname”)
Nine (2009): Maury Yeston(“Take It All”)
The Princess and the Frog (2009): Randy Newman(“Down in New Orleans”)
The Princess and the Frog (2009): Randy Newman(“Almost There”)

My choice – T-Bone Burnett, Ryan Bingham (“The Weary Kind”) CRAZY HEART

.

Best Achievement in Sound Mixing
Avatar (2009): Christopher Boyes, Gary Summers, Andy Nelson, Tony Johnson
The Hurt Locker (2008): Paul N.J. Ottosson, Ray Beckett
Inglourious Basterds (2009): Michael Minkler, Tony Lamberti, Mark Ulano
Star Trek (2009): Anna Behlmer, Andy Nelson, Peter J. Devlin
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009): Greg P. Russell, Gary Summers, Geoffrey Patterson

My choice – Paul N.J. Ottosson, Ray Beckett, THE HURT LOCKER

.

Best Achievement in Sound Editing
Avatar (2009): Christopher Boyes, Gwendolyn Yates Whittle
The Hurt Locker (2008): Paul N.J. Ottosson
Inglourious Basterds (2009): Wylie Stateman
Star Trek (2009): Mark P. Stoeckinger, Alan Rankin
Up (2009): Michael Silvers, Tom Myers

My choice – Christopher Boyes, Gwendolyn Yates Whittle, AVATAR

.

Best Achievement in Visual Effects
Avatar (2009): Joe Letteri, Stephen Rosenbaum, Richard Baneham, Andy Jones
District 9 (2009): Dan Kaufman, Peter Muyzers, Robert Habros, Matt Aitken
Star Trek (2009): Roger Guyett, Russell Earl, Paul Kavanagh, Burt Dalton

My choice – Joe Letteri, Stephen Rosenbaum, Richard Baneham, Andy Jones, AVATAR

.

Best Animated Feature Film of the Year
Coraline (2009): Henry Selick
Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009): Wes Anderson
The Princess and the Frog (2009): John Musker, Ron Clements
The Secret of Kells (2009): Tomm Moore
Up (2009): Pete Docter

My choice – Pete Docter, UP – can a Pixar film get nominated in this category and not win??

.

Best Foreign Language Film of the Year
Ajami (2009)(Israel)
Das weisse Band – Eine deutsche Kindergeschichte (2009)(Germany)
El secreto de sus ojos (2009)(Argentina)
Un prophète (2009)(France)
La teta asustada (2009)(Peru)

My choice – Un prophète

.

Best Documentary, Features
Burma VJ: Reporter i et lukket land (2008): Anders Østergaard, Lise Lense-Møller
The Cove (2009): Nominees to be determined
Food, Inc. (2008): Robert Kenner, Elise Pearlstein
The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers (2009): Judith Ehrlich, Rick Goldsmith
Which Way Home (2009): Rebecca Cammisa

My choice – The Cove

.

Let us know your choices in the comments below!

Be Sociable, Share!

• 
•