The Oscars: 10 Picks

Hey geeks–it’s that time of year! Just like last year, Oscar noms came out yesterday and I’ve been itching to tell you my 10 big category predictions, so, without further ado, here they are:

BEST SONG

 

 

 

My pick to win: “I See the Light” from Tangled, Alan Menken and Glenn Slater

Other nominees: “Coming Home,” Country Strong, Tom Douglas, Troy Verges & Hillary Lindsey; “If I Rise,” 127 Hours, A.R. Rahman, Dido, & Rollo Armstrong; “We Belong Together,” Toy Story 3, Randy Newman

Blame me being part of the Disney Princess generation, but I was impressed by the vocals of Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi in this ballad, and even more touched at the sweet setting. Mandy Moore was never much of a pop star, but her underdeveloped but saccharine soprano worked for this song. Not to mention, I firmly believe you don’t mess with Disney in the “Best Song” category–they’ve been churning out winners forever. That being said, the same could be true for Randy Newman’s “We Belong Together” from Toy Story 3, which is far more likely to win.

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
My pick to win: The Social Network, Aaron Sorkin
Other nominees: 127 Hours, by Danny Boyle & Simon Beaufoy; Toy Story 3, Michael Arndt, John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton, & Lee Unkrich; True Grit, Joel Coen & Ethan Coen; Winter’s Bone, Debra Granik & Anne Rosellini.

Hot off of its sweep of the Globes, The Social Netwok is a shoe-in for this because it can’t technically win Best Original Screenplay, though I think there may be a dark horse in True Grit just because the Academy loves the Coen brothers so much.  

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

 

 

 

 

My pick to win: Inception
Other nominees: Another Year, Mike Leigh; The Fighter, Scott Silver, Paul Tamasy, Eric Johnson & Keith Dorrington; The Kids Are All Right, Lisa Cholodenko & Stuart Blumberg; The King’s Speech, David Seidler.

It would be criminal if Inception didn’t win this. Chris Nolan (yes, I call him Chris) got snubbed for directing so it seems due, and honestly, as much as the other nominees were great, what was more original than Inception?

BEST DIRECTOR
My pick to win: David Fincher, The Social Network
Other nominees: Darren Aronofsky, Black Swan; Joel & Ethan Coen, True Grit; Tom Hooper, The King’s Speech; David O. Russell, The Fighter

I’m thinking Fincher is a lock for this one, especially riding the Golden Globe high, though there is a slight chance the Academy could go for Hooper should they choose The King’s Speech over The Social Network for Best Picture.

BEST ANIMATED FILM

 

 

 

 

My pick to win: Toy Story 3
Other nominees: How to Train Your Dragon; The Illusionist

I’m pretty sure anyone reading this who saw Toy Story 3 agrees with me on this one being a sure thing. Once again, Pixar outdid themselves, proving that they just don’t make bad movies.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
My pick to win: Melissa Leo, The Fighter
Other nominees: Amy Adams, The Fighter; Helena Bonham Carter, The King’s Speech; Hailee Steinfeld, True Grit; Jacki Weaver, Animal Kingdom

This year’s looking to be pretty predictable at the Oscars. Unless there’s a giant upset, I’m pretty sure Melissa Leo will take home the little guy, unless the Academy goes for youngin’ Hailee Steinfeld–though all the ladies deserve it.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
My pick to win: Christian Bale
Other nominees: John Hawkes, Winter’s Bone; Jeremy Renner, The Town; Mark Ruffalo, The Kids Are All Right; Geoffrey Rush, The King’s Speech

Bale might have an opponent in Rush or even Ruffalo, but considering his performance as crack-addict Dicky Ecklund, I’d wager he’s going to win the Oscar the same as he did the Golden Globe.

BEST ACTRESS

 

 

 

 

My pick to win: Natalie Portman, Black Swan
Other nominees: Annette Bening, The Kids Are All Right; Nicole Kidman, Rabbit Hole; Jennifer Lawrence, Winter’s Bone; Michelle Williams, Blue Valentine

It’s Natalie’s year. She’s engaged, pregnant, and the only way she’s not winning this one is if the Academy opts to pay Bening her due or they take too long a look at No Strings Attached. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen, because Portman should’ve won for Closer ages ago.

BEST ACTOR
My pick to win: Colin Firth, The King’s Speech
Other nominees: Javier Bardem, Biutiful; Jeff Bridges, True Grit; Jesse Eisenberg, The Social Network; James Franco, 127 Hours

Just like Natalie, Mr. Firth is on the fast-track to Oscar with his beautiful role as the stammering King George VI, affectionately known as Bertie. After losing for A Single Man last year to Jeff Bridges in Crazy Heart, it’s safe to say there won’t be an upset for this category–and nor should there be, as wonderful as the other performances were.

BEST PICTURE

 

 

 

 

My pick to win: The King’s Speech
Other nominees: 127 Hours; Black Swan; The Fighter; Inception; The Kids Are All Right; The Social Network; Toy Story 3; True Grit; Winter’s Bone

As always, the Best Picture category is a little trickier. Out of all of these films, I love Toy Story 3 the most for its heart, but there’s no way it’ll win, especially since it’s going to win Best Animated Film. So, I’m forced to choose between the two powerhouses–The Social Network and The King’s Speech, and though The Social Network is timely, I think the Academy will opt for the more traditional choice, despite the fact that The Social Network took home the prize at the Globes.

Well geeks, tell me what you think! Do you think we’ll have many surprises or that this year’s ceremony will be as by-the-book as predicted? Comment and let me know! Here’s the full list of nominations.

May the geek be with you,

Lindsay