It's Oscar time again, a time when movie buffs can rejoice in a cinematic choir of enthusiasm, as the best films of the year and those involved in making them are honored at the annual ceremony known as the Academy Awards.
It's been an interesting year for film. It started off rather slow and forgettable, all leading into a slam-bang finish that included the release of the new highest grossing film of all time, James Cameron's "Avatar."
All in all, the films from 2009 were increasingly diverse, and the Academy's decision to honor 10 Best Picture nominees instead of the typical five definitely captured the year that was.
Here are my picks and predictions for the top awards at this year's Oscars, which air tonight at 8 on ABC:
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"
WHAT WILL WIN: The battle for Best Picture has come down to one between "Avatar" and "The Hurt Locker." When push comes to shove, "The Hurt Locker" should walk away with the top honor for being one of the most authentic movies made about the war in Iraq and a brilliant, moving film to boot. If "Avatar" wins, the Academy will be awarding its massive box office gross, rather than its actual cinematic credentials.
WHAT SHOULD WIN: Pixar's 10th film, the magnificent "Up," is only the second animated film to receive a Best Picture nomination (the first being "Beauty and the Beast"); why not make it the first to win? In my opinion, "Up" surpasses all other nominees on the list for being wholly imaginative and strikingly mature and moving, despite its animated presentation and kid-friendly plot.
WHAT SHOULDN'T BE HERE: "The Blind Side." What was the Academy thinking? The inspirational, underdog sports biopic has been told countless times, and "The Blind Side" does not even do that great a job with it. The movie was made as a showcase for Sandra Bullock and her character, and this nomination is nowhere near deserved.
WHAT WAS LEFT OUT: The nomination for the thought-provoking sci-fi "District 9" was a fantastic surprise, but where's the love for "Star Trek", an entertaining, intelligent, and all-around great blockbuster?
BEST ACTOR
Jeff Bridges, "Crazy Heart"
George Clooney, "Up in the Air"
Colin Firth, "A Single Man"
Morgan Freeman, "Invictus"
Jeremy Renner, "The Hurt Locker"
WHO WILL AND SHOULD WIN: Every nomination in this category is duly deserved. Colin Firth nearly brought me to tears with his painful portrait of loss in "A Single Man", Morgan Freeman completely embodied Nelson Mandela in "Invictus", and George Clooney combined charm, comedy and drama flawlessly with "Up in the Air." But the Oscar statue will eventually lie in the hands of Jeff Bridges for his stirring performance as a down-and-out country singer in "Crazy Heart." The only person who could possibly pull off an upset is Jeremy Renner, for his intense yet subtle performance in "The Hurt Locker."
BEST ACTRESS
Sandra Bullock, "The Blind Side"
Helen Mirren, "The Last Station"
Carey Mulligan, "An Education"
Gabourey Sidibe, "Precious"
Meryl Streep, "Julie & Julia"
WHO WILL WIN: I hate to say it, but it does appear like Sandra Bullock is set to win this one. It is a shame that the Academy is going to award Bullock for an obnoxious bit of southern twang.
WHO SHOULD WIN: Meryl Streep completely embodied Julia Child, while young newcomers Carey Mulligan and Gabourey Sidibe dominated the screen with their roles in "An Education" and "Precious," respectively. I honestly hope I am wrong with this category's prediction, and that one of these other worthy nominees steals the prize from Bullock. That will be the ultimate "Blind Side."
WHO SHOULDN'T BE HERE: I think I have already clarified how I feel about Bullock being in the category, let alone being the front-runner. Sadly, in a weak year, I do not see any actress who could have filled her spot.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Matt Damon, "Invictus"
Woody Harrelson, "The Messenger"
Christopher Plummer, "The Last Station"
Stanley Tucci, "The Lovely Bones"
Christoph Waltz, "Inglourious Basterds"
WHO WILL AND SHOULD WIN: Christoph Waltz, no doubt about it. The actor has been gaining buzz ever since early 2009, and his performance as a Nazi villain in Quentin Tarantino's film was strikingly terrifying. This one is a lock.
WHO SHOULDN'T BE HERE: Stanley Tucci for "The Lovely Bones." If wearing creepy green contacts and mumbling your lines is enough to get someone an Oscar nomination, something isn't right. Besides, the movie was so bad that anyone involved should be eliminated from consideration.
WHO WAS LEFT OUT: The monologue delivered by Anthony Mackie near the conclusion of "The Hurt Locker" is one of the film's many emotional high points.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Penelope Cruz, "Nine"
Vera Farmiga, "Up in the Air"
Maggie Gyllenhaal, "Crazy Heart"
Anna Kendrick, "Up in the Air"
Mo'Nique, "Precious"
WHO WILL AND SHOULD WIN: Another guaranteed lock; there have been raves about Mo'Nique's chilling performance since the festival circuit. The typically comedic actress completely transformed for her role as an abusive mother, and the result was painfully realistic. All other nominees should accept the honor of being noticed and move on.
BEST DIRECTOR
James Cameron, "Avatar"
Kathryn Bigelow, "The Hurt Locker"
Quentin Tarantino, "Inglourious Basterds"
Lee Daniels, "Precious"
Jason Reitman, "Up in the Air"
WHO WILL AND SHOULD WIN: Reminiscent of the Best Picture category, it seems to be a battle between "Avatar's" James Cameron and "The Hurt Locker's" Kathryn Bigelow. Ironically, the two filmmakers were once husband and wife. Despite Cameron's amazing dedication to making "Avatar" as beautiful and stunning as possible, Bigelow should become the first female ever to win Best Director.
THE REST
Best Animated Feature: In an ideal world, "Fantastic Mr. Fox" would take the honor and "Up" would wind up getting Best Picture. Alas, "Up" will obviously nab this award and succumb to the simplification of just being an animated film. Also, where on earth is Miyazaki's "Ponyo?"
Best Animated Short Film: Shot in the dark. Eenie, meenie, minie, "The Lady and the Reaper."
Best Art Direction: Most certainly the visually stunning "Avatar."
Best Cinematography: I would say "The Hurt Locker," but I predict "Avatar" will end up nabbing this one.
Best Costume Design: This is a tough one. I always end up guessing the puffy, period drama costumes, so I'll just go ahead and say "The Young Victoria."
Best Documentary Feature: "The Cove"
Best Documentary Short Subject: Another shot in the dark. I'll say "Music by Prudence." It just sounds like a winning title, don't you think?
Best Film Editing: The meticulous editing of "The Hurt Locker" was key to its suspenseful success and pulse-driven flow. Plus, this almost always matches up with Best Picture.
Best Foreign Language Film: I would say Michael Haneke's "The White Ribbon", though I have been hearing wondrous things about "A Prophet," the French nominee.
Best Live Action Short Film: These shorts are killing me. I'll guess "Miracle Fish."
Best Makeup: "Star Trek," with what looks like its only win.
Best Original Score: I'm praying for Michael Giacchino's score for "Up." Let's hope my prayers are answered. I believe they will be.
Best Original Song: "The Weary Kind (Theme from Crazy Heart)". It's too bad the producers decided to axe the musical performances this year. This would have been fantastic to see.
Best Sound Editing: Hmm... how about "Inglourious Basterds?"
Best Sound Mixing: I'll go with "Basterds" again, but what on earth is "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" doing nominated for an Oscar?
Best Visual Effects: If "Avatar" doesn't get this, I'll be shocked.
Best Writing — Adapted Screenplay: "Up in the Air" seemed to be the front-runner for Best Picture upon its well-received release. Unfortunately, the witty and moving film will have to settle for its one win in this category.
Best Writing — Original Screenplay: I'm furious that "(500) Days of Summer" is without a nomination here, but I'll be pretty happy if Quentin Tarantino wins for "Inglourious Basterds." "The Hurt Locker's" Mark Boal could pull an upset, though.
