feature: BAFTA Awards predictions 2012
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The Orange BAFTA awards are almost upon us and I thought it was about time I wrote about them.
Also Orange wanted me to, so it made sense all around… Orange are massive supporters of cinema and with their sponsorship of the BAFTAs they're front and centre for promoting film-going in the UK. Not so much in Ireland… if only one of our mobile operators would pick up on what Orange is doing…
Anyway, Orange's two big offerings for film fans are their 2-for-1 Orange Wednesdays for Orange customers – it's been going for years now, since 2003, and it's been a huge success. I mean, who doesn't want a free cinema ticket every week? Also they've recently launched the Orange Film To Go app for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. It allows you to view great films on your Apple mobile devices and also get a free film rental every week. Each week it's a different film so check the Orange Film To Go microsite for more details on that. You'll need a code to access these offers so make sure you visit the sites to see how to get them.
To celebrate the BAFTAs they're also offering extra prizes to those avail of their Orange Wednesday's or Orange Film To Go codes. Check out the Orange Film Pulse page on the BAFTA website to find out more about what you have to do to enter. The prize this week is VIP tickets to the BAFTA awards, pretty cool hey? As far as I know there's a new prize up for grabs on Monday so check back to see what that is.
The Orange Film Pulse page itself is actually a little more interesting that just a competition site. I'd probably be talking about even if they hadn't asked me to. What it does is it's collating… the… "buzz" about films and giving the film a rating. So it's looking at tweets, facebook likes, ratings on film sites etc. Could be a handy tool if you're wondering what film to see this weekend? For example, the top film right now on Film Pulse is Chronicle with 94/100, compared to 72/100 for Man on a Ledge, the highest other new release this week. Worth keeping an eye on.
However, onto the BAFTAs themselves.
BAFTA PREDICTIONS 2012
In case you haven't noticed, the awards season is in full swing and one of the big indicators for the Oscars are, of course, the Orange BAFTA awards. It's said that some 10% of the Oscar academy are also members of the BAFTA jury so that's a reasonable swing right there. That said, if you look back at past winners, there's obviously a bias toward UK productions and films with UK interest, same as the Oscars and US interest.
But without further ado, here are my predictions. Be sure to let me know yours in the comments!
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
- Jessica Chastain for The Help
- Carey Mulligan for Drive
- Judi Dench for My Week with Marilyn
- Melissa McCarthy for Bridesmaids
- Octavia Spencer for The Help
Personally… I'm not a fan of Carey Mulligan and I didn't like Drive. But I think she has a strong shot at a BAFTA here. Drive was critically very well received, especially in the UK, but it was oddly passed over at the Oscar nominations. I don't know if this makes it more likely that she'll pick up a BAFTA instead but certainly the fact that she's English does. That said, Judi Dench was better in My Week with Marilyn.
However, if I'm going on performance, I'd give it to Octavia Spencer. So that's my prediction.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
- Christopher Plummer for Beginners
- Jim Broadbent for The Iron Lady
- Jonah Hill for Moneyball
- Kenneth Branagh for My Week with Marilyn
- Philip Seymour Hoffman for The Ides of March
Momentum is behind Christopher Plummer at the moment and it was definitely a good enough performance, in a solid film, to warrant it. However… I think the novelty of Kenneth Branagh as Sir. Laurence Olivier might swing it for him here. Jim Broadbent was great, as usual, but in a poor film, Jonah Hill feels a bit like filler and Philip Seymour Hoffman could play that role in his sleep.
So… it's a tight one, but I'm calling it for…. Christopher Plummer…. no, Kenneth Branagh, Kenneth Branagh.
BEST LEADING ACTRESS
- Bérénice Bejo for The Artist
- Meryl Streep for The Iron Lady
- Michelle Williams for My Week with Marilyn
- Tilda Swinton for We Need to Talk About Kevin
- Viola Davis for The Help
I'm suprised to see Bérénice Bejo in here. I wouldn't have thought the role of Peppy Miller was a leading one and she's up for supporting for the Oscars. I'm split here between Meryl Streep and Tilda Swinton, mainly because The Iron Lady was such a disappointment. I wonder if the BAFTAs will see fit to award it anything. Tilda Swinton had such a presence in We Need to Talk About Kevin and it was a better film. No doubt Maggie Thatcher being such a controversial political icon will have some effect on the voting… I just have no idea what that effect will be.
Another tight one but I'm calling it for… Tilda Swinton. I'm fairly sure I'm wrong though.
BEST LEADING ACTOR
- Brad Pitt for Moneyball
- Gary Oldman for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
- George Clooney for The Descendants
- Jean Dujardin for The Artist
- Michael Fassbender for Shame
Aside from Brad Pitt, all of these guys are in with a shout as they were all great performances. I'm gonna call Gary Oldman though because Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy it was an excellent film and I think the BAFTAs are the only place it's going to be rewarded, and they know it. That said, I'm fairly certain it's Clooney who'll be walking away with the little golden man at the end of the month.
BEST BRITISH FILM
As much as I'd love to see Senna pick this one up, I think it will be Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. Don't get me wrong though, like I said earlier, Tinker Tailor is an excellent film – it was in my top 10 of 2011. It's just that Senna was higher. I just think that the chances of a documentary about a Brazilian F1 driver taking home a BAFTA over Tinker Tailor or We Need to Talk About Kevin are slim to none.
BEST FILM
With Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy picking up Best British Film, the way here is clear for The Artist to win Best Film. The buzz for this film is immense and I think it's going to take it home here.
That's it for the predictions, what do you think yourself? Have I got them completely wrong? I've probably got them completely wrong. I guess we'll find out on Feb 12th.
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