I meant to do a full Oscar preview this week, but I got sick and spent all the free time I could in bed, sleeping. Never managed to summon the energy. Anyway, the show starts in 25 minutes, so here are my picks:
Best Picture: The Hurt Locker
If this film beats Avatar, that will be the biggest win of the night for me. You might remember this piece, when it still seemed like Avatar was a runaway winner and I pleaded for Oscar voters to reconsider.
Best Director: Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker
Most of you already know this, since this piece of information has been everywhere, but Bigelow is only the fourth woman to be nominated for an Oscar in directing, a group that no woman has ever won. She's the first woman to ever really have a chance at it, too, so I'm pulling for her. That said, a victory for her here doesn't actually open any doors for women, it probably just puts a band-aid on the fact that it's tough - much too tough - for a woman to grab a directing gig in Hollywood. And James Cameron blew me away as a director on Avatar, so... I'm hopeful Bigelow, but not devastated if she doesn't land the prize.
Best Actor: Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart
Didn't see it, but he's the favorite.
Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz, Inglorious Basterds
Easy choice - the clear frontrunner and a stunningly good turn in Basterds.
Best Actress: Sandra Bullock, The Blind Side
In five years, this'll become, "hey, do you remember when Sandra Bullock won Best Actress?" "Nope."
Best Supporting Actress: Mo'Nique, Precious
Didn't see it, but she's the clear winner here.
Best Documentary Feature: The Cove
It's that or Food, Inc., though to be fair, it's often a surprise who wins this category. That said, The Cove was the buzziest documentary of the year by a long shot.
Documentary Short: The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant
I'm gonna pick economic depression over all other topics as the this year's cause-winner.
Animated Feature: Up
People are pushing Fantastic Mr. Fox as a possible upset here - and it's a very deserving pick - but Up was a Best Picture nom and it's going to win this running away.
Foreign Language Film: The White Ribbon, Germany
Sure, this is a tough category because so few voters see all five foreign language films, but The White Ribbon had Oscar buzz, and none of the other films did. Possible upset: Un prophète, the French film about... something or other. Possibly something about a prophet. It is French film, so there's no guarantee.
Original Screenplay: Quentin Tarantino, Inglorious Basterds
Look for strong pushes from the Coen Brothers and maybe Mark Boal for Hurt Locker, but I think Basterds was so strong that people will want to honor Tarantino in a year where he's certainly not going to win anything else.
Adapted Screenplay: Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner, Up In The Air
I think this one's a clear selection, none of the other screenplays jump out.
Cinematography: Avatar
The consolation prize.
Art Direction: Avatar
Has to be Avatar, that movie was, if nothing else, a triumph of art direction.
Animated Short Film: Logorama
I dunno. It sounds fun.
Live Action Short Film: Kavi
Sure.
Visual Effects: Avatar
Duh.
Costume Design: The Young Victoria
Because, I dunno, history.
Film Editing: The Hurt Locker
You have to win this category to win Best Picture, plus that thing was edited razor-sharp.
Sound Mixing: The Hurt Locker
Sound Editing: The Hurt Locker
Someone is winning both, and it's probably Avatar or this. Wouldn't it be fun if Transformers won, though, the same day as winning a Razzie? That'd be fantastic.
Original Score: Up
Maybe? I love Michael Giacchino, so I'm going with this. I have no confidence here.
Original Song: "The Weary Kind," Ryan Bingham
Really, the only possible winner here.
Makeup: Star Trek
Finally wins something, mostly for making Rachel Nichols green.
Alright, I'll check my win total at the end of the night. Here's my list of who I'd like to win
Best Picture: Hurt Locker
Best Director: Kathryn Bigelow
Best Actor: Jeremy Renner
Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz
Best Actress: Carey Mulligan
Best Supporting Actress: Anna Kendrick
Best Documentary Feature: The Cove
Best Documentary Short: Ditch the category
Animated Feature: Up and Fantastic Mr. Fox tie
Foreign Language Film: Take your films back, foreigners!
Original Screenplay: Quentin Tarantino, Inglorious Basterds
Adapted Screenplay: Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner, Up In The Air
Cinematography: The Hurt Locker
Art Direction: Avatar
Animated Short Film: A Matter of Loaf and Death
Live Action Short: Why is this even a thing?
Visual Effects: Star Trek
Costume Design: The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
Film Editing: The Hurt Locker
Sound Mixing: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Sound Editing: The Hurt Locker
Original Score: Michael Giacchino, Up
Original Song: Throw out all of the current contestants except for Ryan Bingham, then start over. Then, just give the award to Bingham anyway.
Makeup: Star Trek