Movies' Biggest Night

With the Oscars a fortnight away, it's time to start making predictions. Now you may be asking, "Junkie, Oscar nominations have been out for weeks now, why did you wait so long to start making predictions?" and the answer to that is simple. I waited til 2 weeks before the ceremony in order to use the word 'fortnight' in my blog. Don't worry, I'm only gonna predict the good ones...

Visual Effects:
Predicted Winner-Avatar
Deserving Winner-Avatar

The film was too groundbreaking in this area to be otherwise although I do wish Star Trek would have come out a year earlier to have given it the proper chance it deserved.

Animated Film:
Predicted Winner-Up
Deserving Winner-Fantastic Mr. Fox

Pixar's submission to this category was great. It just lacked a "wow" factor that Fox possesed. Amazing stop-motion animation and very original. Fantastic job Mr. Wes Anderson.

Original Score:
Predicted Winner-Avatar
Deserving Winner-Sherlock Holmes

Two words: Hans friggin Zimmer

Original Song:
Predicted Winner-either Randy Newman song
Deserving Winner-The Weary Kind (from Crazy Heart)

The Academy looooooves Randy. Its bad enough that U2 got snubbed for their song "Winter"

Cinematography:
Predicted Winner-Avatar (sigh)
Deserving Winner-Inglorious Basterds

The amazing retro look that Quentin pleased our eyes with should not go unrewarded.

Screenplay Written for Screen:
Predicted Winner-Inglorious Basterds
Deserving Winner-Inglorious Basterds

Give Tarantino an Oscar for this movie. Please.

Director:
Predicted Winner-Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker)
Deserving Winner- Quentin Tarantino (Inglorious Basterds)

Supporting Actress:
Predicted Winner-Mo'Nique (Precious)
Deserving Winner-Mo'Nique (Precious)

What's that? You don't watch Oprah so you haven't heard of this movie? No, Precious isn't a Lord Of the Rings Spinoff.

Supporting Actor
Predicted Winner-Christopher Waltz (Inglorious Basterds)
Deserving Winner-Christopher Waltz (Inglorious Basterds)

When an unheard can upstage the great Brad Pitt, it must go rewarded. He will go down in the books as one of Tarantino's greatest characters.

Best Actress:
Predicted Winner-Meryl Streep (Julie & Julia)
Deserving Winner-Meryl Streep (Julie & Julia)

The most nominated actress ever.

Best Actor:
Predicted Winner-George Clooney (Up In The Air)
Deserving Winner-Morgan Freeman (Invictus)

Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela. You can't ask for better casting. Although I do wish I could create another category for Jeff Bridges who did a great job.

BEST PICTURE:
Predicted Winner-The Hurt Locker
Deserving Winner-probably the Hurt Locker, but who i want to win is Inglorious Basterds.

There ya have it. Place your bets at your office pool. March 7th the Academy is in session. If you didn't catch it from the predictions, i think that Avatar is highly overrated and over-hyped. Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin will be co-hosting the ceremony. Alec Baldwin I am excited about since he showed us with 30 Rock that he has impeccable comedic timing. Steve Martin on the other hand hasn't come up with a decent flick since 'Bowfinger' in 1999, and his last really great performance was 'Planes, Trains & Automobiles' in 1987 (you may be thinkin, "that can't be right", but it is. I dare you to think of a great lead performance by Martin since then.). Let's hope he shows us the stuff that made him a legend and not his lousy Inspector Clouseau impression

Mel's Return

Despite the sad turn that Mel Gibson's personal life has taken in the last few years (the post-Passion days), I believe it is my duty (as is every moviegoer's) to distinguish his personal from professional. He is still a damn fine actor. His most recent film, Edge of Darkness is a must-see. His first major starring role since 2002's "Signs", its a triumphant return.

This film is dark and sometimes gruesome. A suspenseful thriller, that is based on an old BBC television series, of a cop who is trying to solve his daughter's murder. I will not go into the storyline too much because I urge you to watch it for yourself. There are characters a-plenty. Every main character is complex and memorable. The line of right and wrong becomes a nice shade of gray. Mel brought his A-game to this film with top of the line acting. The desperation can be seen in his eyes, sparks of insanity linger on his face, and that deep raspy voice sets the tone. The ensemble that is Mel Gibson comes together to bring you a revenge-driven mystery with twists and turns. Specifically watch for the scenes of Mel Gibon's character, Thomas Craven, trying to really keep himself together and hold back tears. The true work of a veteran. Go see this movie. A superior film than it's box office conquerer "Avatar".

8.5/10 stars