feature: nicola-t’s Oscar predictions 2010

March 2, 2010   //    No Comment

If you’re looking for an Oscar prediction ballot form for 2013, I have one right over here – 2013 Oscar Ballot Form.

So the 82nd Academy Awards are less than a week away, they really crept up on me this year… It’s probably about time I did my predictions. For ease (mine, of course) I’m going stick to the categories I have on the printable Oscar ballot form I did on the day the nominations came out. There’s 14 categories on it so plenty for voting on or using for a prediction competition at your Oscar party, if you’re into that kind of thing…

Anyway, here are my predictions:

Best Adapted Screenplay
District 9
An Education
In the Loop
Precious Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire
Up in the Air

Up in the Air has really dropped out of the Oscar running lately, I haven’t heard about it in weeks… but I do think if it still has a chance at anything it’s this one. Personally I’d give it to Precious but I think it’ll be Up in the Air.

Best Original Screenplay
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
The Messenger
A Serious Man
Up

I’m not sure how much damage The Hurt Locker did with that whole e-mail controversy… I still think it’s going to pick up some awards though and I imagine this is one of them. I hope Inglourious Basterds wins though, my favourite film of last year. Not my favourite film at the Oscars because most of them only came out here in 2010 but certainly the best film I saw last year.

Best Art Direction
Avatar
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
Nine
Sherlock Holmes
The Young Victoria

I’m surprised A Single Man isn’t nominated here to be honest… I think Avatar will be winner here.

Best Cinematography
Avatar
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
The White Ribbon

The Hurt Locker has a great chance here… but I’m gonna go with Avatar. Actually no. I’ve changed my mind. It’ll be The Hurt Locker.

Best Original Song
Almost There (The Princess and the Frog) – Randy Newman
Down in New Orleans (The Princess and the Frog) – Randy Newman
Loin de Paname (Paris 36) – Reinhardt Wagner and Frank Thomas
Take It All (Nine) – Maury Yeston
The Weary Kind (Crazy Heart) – Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett

I can’t see beyond The Weary Kind here, I loved that song. Then again I haven’t heard any of the other songs… I might have to change my mind when I hear them at the ceremony.

Best Costume Design
Bright Star
Coco Before Chanel
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
Nine
The Young Victoria

I’m going to go with The Young Victoria here, the period dramas always win the costume and make-up awards…

Best Animated Feature Film
Coraline
Fantastic Mr. Fox
The Princess and the Frog
The Secret of Kells
Up

It’ll have to be Up. I really liked Fantastic Mr. Fox though.

Best Film Editing
Avatar
District 9
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
Precious Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire

Just to shake it up I’m going to say Inglourious Basterds. It’ll probably be The Hurt Locker though.

Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Matt Damon – Invictus
Woody Harrelson – The Messenger
Christopher Plummer – The Last Station
Stanley Tucci – The Lovely Bones
Christoph Waltz – Inglourious Basterds

If The Lovely Bones was a better film I’d say Stanley Tucci. It wasn’t a very good film so Christoph Waltz, come on down!

Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Penelope Cruz – Nine
Vera Farmiga – Up in the Air
Maggie Gyllenhaal – Crazy Heart
Anna Kendrick – Up in the Air
Mo’Nique – Precious Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire

I didn’t think this was a particularly good year for female roles, Precious had two of the best performances though and I think Mo’Nique has this.

Best Actor in a Leading Role
Jeff Bridges – Crazy Heart
George Clooney – Up in the Air
Colin Firth – A Single Man
Morgan Freeman – Invictus
Jeremy Renner – The Hurt Locker

I’d be amazed… AMAZED if Jeff Bridges doesn’t win this. I have actually seen all the performances in this category though and I really think Colin Firth deserves it. He won’t get it though. Jeff Bridges will.

Best Actress in a Leading Role
Sandra Bullock – The Blind Side
Helen Mirren – The Last Station
Carey Mulligan – An Education
Gabourey Sidibe – Precious Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire
Meryl Streep – Julie & Julia

This is a tough one, especially since I’ve only seen one of the films. I’m gonna go for Gabourey Sidibe though. I just can’t really believe that they’d give Sandra Bullock an Oscar for her first real Oscar contending role. She’s been in some awful films and I just think you have to do more to get an Oscar. Then again I’m led to believe that America loves her. Mind you, Meryl Streep hasn’t won an Oscar since 1983… maybe it’s her turn again…

Best Director
James Cameron – Avatar
Kathryn Bigelow – The Hurt Locker
Quentin Tarantino – Inglourious Basterds
Lee Daniels – Precious Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire
Jason Reitman – Up in the Air

Provided they aren’t too mad about that e-mail, Kathryn Bigelow will probably get this.

Best Picture
Avatar
The Blind Side
District 9
An Education
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
Precious Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire
A Serious Man
Up
Up in the Air

I know this might be a contentious choice but I think Avatar has to win this. It’s undeniable that it has changed cinema and it’s made a fortune for Hollywood. Sure it’s not a great story but so what? Film isn’t just about telling stories, it’s about taking people to another world – you can’t say Avatar didn’t do that. I really hope it wins. Stick it to those naysayers! I’m not saying The Hurt Locker isn’t a good film… but it’s just another film. Next year there’ll be some other film that everyone will be in a tizzy about saying it’s an unflinching portrayal of … there won’t be another film that pushes the envelope like Avatar for years to come and I really hope that the Academy recognises that.

If you want to know what I thought about Avatar in more detail you can read my review here.

So that’s my guessing done. What do you reckon yourself?