This Oscar-related post is written by guest blogger Jen.
More predictions here. Also, please read Francis’s equivalent picks in the blog post following.
Best Actress
Enough already with Cate Blanchett! Does she have to get nominated every time she puts on a wig? I don’t think she has a chance this year, at least not for Best Actress. She will probably win for Best Dress on the Red Carpet. I love Laura Linney, but she was better in You Can Count On Me. That leaves our three real contenders-Ellen Page, Julie Christie and Marion Cotillard. I really liked Juno but does the Academy really want to give this 21-year old newbie an Oscar? Let’s see what her acting chops really are first (Mira Sorvino, anyone?). While I think many people loved this movie, I was personally a little put off by her snappy little comebacks after every single darned line. How many teen-agers are like this? How many 40-year old women even talk like this? I’m torn between Cotillard and Christie. Julie Christie was incredibly moving in Away From Her and it’s been 42 years since her last win. Exactly. Has she been seen enough lately for people to even realize how great she was in this movie? Marion Cotillard gave a breakthrough performance in La Vie en Rose and The Academy loves the bio pics of singers lately- especially those who either have a sibling who dies a tragic chainsaw-related death or who are raised in a brothel or by a sadistic parent. One point for the brothel connection in La Vie en Rose. The anonymous Hollywood actress (rumored to be Kate Hudson) who tells us how she voted in Entertainment Weekly’s Oscar edition says Cotillard’s performance blew her away. And you just know Kate’s talking it up over lattes at Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.
My personal favorite: Julie Christie, Away from Her
My prediction: Marion Cotillard, La Vie en Rose
Best Actor
Viggo Mortensen basically should have won Best Actor Ever for every performance he gave in all three Lord of the Rings movies. C’mon…could Daniel Day-Lewis or Johnny Depp carry that off? And he was amazing in Eastern Promises but I think he blew his chances with that magenta tuxedo at the SAGs. Johnny Depp could be a dark horse for Sweeney Todd but if the Academy really loved him, wouldn’t they have given it to him for Pirates of the Caribbean? I like his 2009 chances better, when he’ll be playing John Dillinger in a new Michael Mann movie. I loved George Clooney for his nuanced performance in Michael Clayton and the Academy obviously loves this movie, witness all of the nominations for it in just about every major category. But I’m not sure they’re willing to give him his second Oscar within two years. But then again, Hilary Swank has two Oscars. Tommy Lee Jones could be the real shocker in this category for In the Valley of Elah which would be an award for this and his great supporting performance in No Country for Old Men. But every critic and Oscar pundit seems to be predicting Daniel Day-Lewis. Now seeing a 2-1/2 hour long movie filmed in Marfa, TX with no romance or comedy (even No Country for Old Me had its comedic moments…) is not my idea of a fun night at the local suburban Cineplex, so I have yet to see There Will Be Blood. Still, his touching homage to Heath Ledger at the SAGs should have nailed a victory for him. The Academy knows this son of a Poet Laureate will gave the best speech of the night.
My personal favorite: Viggo Mortensen, Eastern Promises
My prediction: Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood
Best Picture
Definitely not Atonement - hated it! Keira Knightly’s scrawny frame had me gasping with concern, for all the wrong reasons. I have yet to meet one person who actually liked There Will Be Blood and I’m guessing there are lots of the same types of people in the Academy. Juno doesn’t have a lot of steam behind it. Where’s the nomination for Jennifer Garner or Allison Janney? I think Michael Clayton could be a real contender. Great white collar thrillers don’t come along every day, and this one feels like a great throwback to movies of this genre in the 70s. But I think No Country for Old Men will continue its juggernaut here (even though my favorite performances in the film, Josh Brolin’s and Tommy Lee Jones’ didn’t even make the cut).
My personal favorite: Michael Clayton
My prediction: No Country for Old Men
Recent Comments