This Sunday sees the return of the ‘greatest show on Earth’ as the 85th Annual Academy Awards finally take place in Los Angeles. The glitz and glamour of Hollywood all come together for another epic night of twists and turns though there is bound to be some predictability somewhere (*cough* Best Picture *cough*). This time last year, the Oscars rewarded The Artist with five wins including the important Best Picture prize though there was also technical success for Martin Scorsese’s Hugo. We also saw Meryl Streep finally secure her third Oscar for her performance as British prime minister Margaret Thatcher while General Aladeen ‘accidentally’ dropped Kim Jong Il’s ashes all over Ryan Seacrest! They can be mad at these awards….
But the main point of the Oscars is to celebrate the creative and incredible work that has gone into this year with nine excellent films battling it out for the top prize. There are also fascinating performances that could land their actors with respective gongs though debate has also been made since the nominations were first announced about the performers and workers who aren’t recognised at the ceremony. While other award guilds have made their mark on the awards race including the Golden Globes and BAFTA, you just can’t deny the sheer brilliance and excitement of the Oscars. Once again, I focus on the nominees as well as giving my opinion on who I believe will win, who should win and who should have been nominated. Sunday is only a few nights away….*
*P.S. Apologies for not previewing the likes of Foreign Language and Documentary, there are only so many categories that I can get through on this page!
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BEST PICTURE
AMOUR
ARGO
BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD
DJANGO UNCHAINED
LES MISERABLES
LIFE OF PI
LINCOLN
SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK
ZERO DARK THIRTY
Overview
Without doubt, this is the strongest Best Picture category that the Academy have had in a long, long time. Various themes are spread across this year’s nominees including death, courage, discovery, revenge, redemption, survival, defiance and love. However, each of these fantastic films have appealed to many audiences over the past year and while I was only rooting for a couple of them in 2012, this year there are far too many to support. Going by the awards consensus, Ben Affleck’s Argo is looking unstoppable after landing key wins at the Golden Globes, PGA, SAG and BAFTA as well as adding a WGA to its trophy cabinet. But its Best Director snub for Affleck could still prove a problem which may allow leading Best Picture nominee Lincoln to pounce especially as it has the crucial Director nod. But momentum is also with Life of Pi and Silver Linings Playbook as they both received a high number of noms. Django, Les Miserables and Zero Dark Thirty all missed out on mentions for their directors while Amour and Beasts are considered too small to triumph.
WILL WIN? – ARGO – Has won all the important awards even without Affleck’s director nod. Driving Miss Daisy’s record is about to be broken.
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BEST DIRECTOR
MICHAEL HANEKE – AMOUR
ANG LEE – LIFE OF PI
DAVID O. RUSSELL – SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK
STEVEN SPIELBERG – LINCOLN
BENH ZEITLIN – BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD
Overview
This year, the Academy made a bold choice in nominating Haneke and Zeitlin for their audacious and innovative work yet they snubbed Kathryn Bigelow, Tom Hooper and most shocking of all, Ben Affleck! But while the Argo film-maker has been enjoying success at the other guilds, he won’t be rewarded here. Instead, this looks like the strongest chance for Steven Spielberg to land his third Oscar win for Lincoln though his competition is still tough with Ang Lee and David O.Russell being solid opponents. Haneke and Zeitlin will just be happy to be in this category. But whoever wins may just reignite their film’s chances of a Best Picture upset.
SHOULD WIN? – STEVEN SPIELBERG – He’s Steven Spielberg! The greatest director of all time deserves to be a three-time winner.
IGNORED? – BEN AFFLECK – Argo is running away with every Best Picture award yet the Academy snub his directing?! Epic fail….
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BEST ACTOR
BRADLEY COOPER – SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK
DANIEL DAY-LEWIS – LINCOLN
HUGH JACKMAN – LES MISERABLES
JOAQUIN PHOENIX – THE MASTER
DENZIL WASHINGTON – FLIGHT
Overview
There are some truly brilliant performances nominated this year though whenever Daniel Day-Lewis is involved, you know its going to be a tad predictable. However it doesn’t deny the fact that he is the best British actor of our generation and any film he stars in, he delivers. Given his comfortable wins in awards season, there is surely no way that he’ll miss out on a third Oscar. There could yet be support for Hugh Jackman for his stirring performance in Les Mis which did win him the Golden Globe while the much-ridiculed Joaquin Phoenix might garner votes from the more passionate academy members. Despite his great comeback, Denzil already has two awards to his name (plus the film failed to land major attention elsewhere) while Brad Cooper will just be glad to be nominated.
SHOULD WIN? – HUGH JACKMAN – The physicality and powerful vocals he put into his performance deserved more than just a Globe win.
IGNORED? – JEAN-LOUIS TRINTIGNANT – While Riva was naturally effective, her male co-star dominated nearly every scene of Amour with his heart-breaking turn.
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BEST ACTRESS
JESSICA CHASTAIN – ZERO DARK THIRTY
JENNIFER LAWRENCE – SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK
EMMANUELLE RIVA – AMOUR
QUVENZHANE WALLIS – BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD
NAOMI WATTS – THE IMPOSSIBLE
Overview
Just like last year, this category is coming right down to the wire as young and old go head-to-head. Before the BAFTA winners were announced, Jennifer Lawrence was looking a comfortable favourite to win for Silver Linings. But Emmanuelle Riva’s surprise triumph has given the French veteran a late chance to pull off an unlikely win even when people feared she wouldn’t get nominated back in January. However Lawrence’s popularity should be enough to secure her the Oscar though one can only hope that Jessica Chastain sneaks out of nowhere and wins (despite the controversy over her film). Maybe not this year Jess! Naomi Watts has been unfortunate to be competing in such a strong year for Best Actress as her film was harshly ignored elsewhere by the Academy. Youngster Wallis will charm everyone with her presence and will love every minute of being nominated for her role in Beasts.
SHOULD WIN? – JESSICA CHASTAIN – Even more talented, Jessica gave a compelling performance in ZD30. She surely must win an Oscar eventually!
IGNORED? – MARION COTILLARD – Like Tilda Swinton last year, Cotillard secured crucial nods elsewhere for her gritty portrayal but missed out here. Must have been because of that awful death scene in The Dark Knight Rises….
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BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
ALAN ARKIN – ARGO
ROBERT DE NIRO – SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK
PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN – THE MASTER
TOMMY LEE JONES – LINCOLN
CHRISTOPH WALTZ – DJANGO UNCHAINED
Overview
Unlike last year’s sentimental win for Christopher Plummer, this category is anyone’s game with at least three men in contention (all of whom being previous winners). For now, I’m going with Tommy Lee Jones’s humble portrayal in Lincoln. Considering his busy year which also included Hope Springs and Men in Black 3, you can’t deny his versatility in the films he stars in. Waltz has the main momentum right now with his triumphs at the Globes and BAFTAs but he only won recently in 2009. De Niro has been campaigning hard for Silver Linings and given his reputation, he deserves the title of having a third Oscar to his name. Hoffman is also a recent winner who is probably just happy to be nodded again while Arkin’s nom was justifiable given Argo’s success but has been ridiculed by many.
WILL WIN? – TOMMY LEE JONES – A respected actor who enjoyed his busiest year yet and would be a lot more deserving of the win compared to his 1993 one.
SHOULD WIN? – CHRISTOPH WALTZ – If it wasn’t for his Inglorious Basterds success, the silver-tongued devil would be a worthy winner.
IGNORED? – JAVIER BARDEM/LEONARDO DI-CAPRIO – Two prestige actors giving despicable performances that sadly weren’t enough to be nominated. Damn it Arkin!
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BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
AMY ADAMS – THE MASTER
SALLY FIELD – LINCOLN
ANNE HATHAWAY – LES MISERABLES
HELEN HUNT – THE SESSIONS
JACKI WEAVER – SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK
Overview
As with the previous four years, this category is all but wrapped up nicely for Anne Hathaway who gives a limited but emotionally-stunning performance as the tragic Fantine. Her rendition of ‘I Dreamed a Dream’ has sealed the win for her with the constant guild awards confirming her ease towards glory. This essentially means that Sally Field will lose out on an Oscar win for the first time even if she already has two wins to her name. Helen Hunt is also a previous winner whose film didn’t get more notice (though she certainly caught our eye!) while the lovely Amy Adams will have to make do with a fourth nom without a win. Her time will come eventually. Jacki Weaver’s bizarre mention was more of a way to recognise Silver Lining’s immaculate cast.
WILL WIN? – ANNE HATHAWAY – Her dominance in awards season is reminiscent of previous winners in this category including Mo’Nique and Octavia Spencer.
SHOULD WIN? – ANNE HATHAWAY – A dream is about to be dreamed for Anne as the Oscar finally goes to her.
IGNORED? – SAMANTHA BARKS – The pretty young thing showed she could act as well as sing especially with her touching rendition of ‘On My Own’.
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BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
MICHAEL HANEKE – AMOUR
QUENTIN TARANTINO – DJANGO UNCHAINED
JOHN GATINS – FLIGHT
WES ANDERSON & ROMAN COPPOLA – MOONRISE KINGDOM
MARK BOAL – ZERO DARK THIRTY
Another tight category that could come down to three films. Quentin Tarantino may land his second win for his fierce script though the racist language may tarnish his chances. However its Golden Globe and BAFTA win shouldn’t be overlooked nor should Mark Boal’s recent WGA victory. But I’m predicting that the Academy go foreign with the bleak and subtle screenplay of Michael Haneke as they did with Pedro Almodovar’s script for Talk to Her in 2002.
WILL WIN? – AMOUR – Very tight to predict but it seems more to the Academy’s taste than Django’s.
SHOULD WIN? – ZERO DARK THIRTY – Mark Boal has become one of the best screenwriters in the industry with his informative depiction of the hunt for Bin Laden.
IGNORED? – THE MASTER – While it wasn’t his best film, Paul Thomas Anderson put together a crisp and vindictive screenplay that deserved some mention.
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BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
CHRIS TERRIO – ARGO
LUCY ALIBAR & BENH ZEITLIN – BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD
DAVID MAGEE – LIFE OF PI
TONY KUSHNER – LINCOLN
DAVID O. RUSSELL – SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK
Given Ben Affleck’s shock snub and that it is likely to secure Best Picture, the Academy will want to reward Argo with more than just one win. Chris Terrio’s rivetting script landed the crucial WGA the other night which is seen as a key precursor. However Tony Kushner’s masterful screenplay could benefit Lincoln if it wins here and many believe it should be the deserved victor. Russell shouldn’t be ruled out after landing the BAFTA for his funny yet gritty story. Magee and the Beasts duo will just be glad to be nodded.
WILL WIN? – ARGO – The rest of the nominees can AR-GO f**k themselves!
SHOULD WIN? – LINCOLN – A brilliantly detailed and powerful script that has sadly lost momentum in recent weeks.
IGNORED? – THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL – The charming and emotional script failed to really get mentioned anywhere even at BAFTA.
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BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
ANNA KARENINA
THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY
LES MISERABLES
LIFE OF PI
LINCOLN
Sarah Greenwood’s glorious production backgrounds should win here especially as the film is a visionary effort from everyone involved. Les Mis has the BAFTA which could help it while Life of Pi has a lot of support in most of the other technical categories. Lincoln’s colour was considered too dull while The Hobbit is in the shadow of Lord of the Rings.
WILL WIN? – ANNA KARENINA
SHOULD WIN? – LIFE OF PI
IGNORED? – DJANGO UNCHAINED – The depiction of the old West and its use of costumes wasn’t enough to impress voters.
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BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
ANNA KARENINA
DJANGO UNCHAINED
LIFE OF PI
LINCOLN
SKYFALL
The vibrant camera-shots for various scenes in Life of Pi might just carry it towards victory here especially after its BAFTA win last week. However sentimentality could see Roger Deakins finally rewarded for his incredible work on Skyfall which was regarded as the best looking Bond film ever. Anna Karenina is a likely dark horse while Lincoln and Django are filler nods.
WILL WIN? – LIFE OF PI
SHOULD WIN? – SKYFALL
IGNORED? – LES MISERABLES – Though it had its critics, the long range shots of 19th Century France were at times mesmerising to watch.
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BEST COSTUME DESIGN
ANNA KARENINA
LES MISERABLES
LINCOLN
MIRROR MIRROR
SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN
Jacqueline Durran should ease to a win here and will have Keira Knightley to thank for being the latest costume designer to be guided to an Oscar because of her stunning dresses. Les Mis and possibly even Mirror Mirror could be potential spoilers while Lincoln and Snow White both have dark and uninspiring costumes.
WILL WIN? – ANNA KARENINA
SHOULD WIN? – ANNA KARENINA
IGNORED? – DJANGO UNCHAINED – Like Production Design, the Old West was represented colourfully by the costumes worn by various characters.
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BEST MAKE-UP AND HAIR
HITCHCOCK
THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY
LES MISERABLES
After its BAFTA win, Les Mis should secure the Oscar here for its artistic use of ageing and period make-up particularly for the work on Hugh Jackman, Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen. The Hobbit is a case of deja-vu with Lord of the Rings having won here twice while Hitchcock received a few negatives for Anthony Hopkins’s facial features.
WILL WIN? – LES MISERABLES
SHOULD WIN? – LES MISERABLES
IGNORED? – LINCOLN – One category that everyone thought it would get nominated wasn’t to be the case despite the realistic representation of Lincoln and his cabinet.
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BEST EDITING
ARGO
LIFE OF PI
LINCOLN
SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK
ZERO DARK THIRTY
Again, BAFTA made an important contribution to this category by rewarding Argo which will surely win Best Picture if it lands the gong here. Suspense was created brilliantly here though Zero Dark Thirty could still upset with its instrumental editing used in the final half hour. Life of Pi is a possible spoiler while Lincoln and Silver Linings don’t stand much of a chance.
WILL WIN? – ARGO
SHOULD WIN? – ZERO DARK THIRTY
IGNORED? – DJANGO UNCHAINED – Crisply edited but lacking the suaveness of the late Sally Menke.
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BEST SOUND EDITING
ARGO
DJANGO UNCHAINED
LIFE OF PI
SKYFALL
ZERO DARK THIRTY
The Academy like their loud, vibrant films which is why I feel the shipwreck sequence and the use of animal sounds will help Life of Pi succeed. The other four nominees all feature guns which could split votes between them.
WILL WIN? – LIFE OF PI
SHOULD WIN? – SKYFALL
IGNORED? – THE AVENGERS – The box-office juggernaut deserved more than one nomination.
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BEST SOUND MIXING
ARGO
LES MISERABLES
LIFE OF PI
LINCOLN
SKYFALL
Musicals tend to do well in this category which should mean a triumph for Les Mis. But 18-time nominated sound mixer Greg P. Russell will be hoping to end his barren spell by winning for his thunderous work on Skyfall. Maybe just maybe?
WILL WIN? – LES MISERABLES
SHOULD WIN? – SKYFALL
IGNORED? – THE DARK KNIGHT RISES – How one of the most explosive blockbusters of 2012 failed to be even nominated is beyond belief.
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BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
THE AVENGERS
THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY
LIFE OF PI
PROMETHEUS
SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN
The gloriously-spectacular work on Life of Pi will help it cruise towards the win here as the other nominees are all similar to previous work that was already recognised by the Academy e.g. Avengers to Iron Man and The Hobbit to Lord of the Rings.
WILL WIN? – LIFE OF PI
SHOULD WIN? – LIFE OF PI
IGNORED? – CLOUD ATLAS – The visually-impressive film was another major production that was overlooked despite its stunning features.
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BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
http://youtu.be/NTQ9Cw0a7IY
DARIO MARIANELLI – ANNA KARENINA
ALEXANDRE DESPLAT – ARGO
MYCHAEL DANNA – LIFE OF PI
JOHN WILLIAMS – LINCOLN
THOMAS NEWMAN – SKYFALL
Overview
The sombre and beautiful music from Mychael Danna is another highlight of Life of Pi’s technical genius and should win this category. However the legendary John Williams is again in contention for his work on Lincoln while Thomas Newman is overdue and will hopefully win an Oscar eventually. Marianelli and Desplat will have to just settle for their respective nominations.
WILL WIN? – LIFE OF PI
SHOULD WIN? – LIFE OF PI
IGNORED? – THE DARK KNIGHT RISES – It’s disappointing that Hans Zimmer never received any Oscar attention for his work on the Batman trilogy.
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BEST ORIGINAL SONG
CHASING ICE – “BEFORE MY TIME”
LES MISERABLES – “SUDDENLY”
LIFE OF PI – “PI’ LULLABY”
SKYFALL – “SKYFALL”
TED – “EVERYBODY NEEDS A FRIEND”
While I may not be Adele’s biggest fan, she is one of the most popular people on the planet and given the extraordinaery success she has had, an Oscar win would be the icing on the cake for the British singer. And it would actually be deserved for her haunting rendition of ‘Skyfall’. Les Mis’s musical factor could help its chances while it would be nice to see the peaceful Pi’s Lullaby cause an upset. Ted’s nomination is both random yet hilarious (Oscar nominee Seth MacFarlane!) while Chasing Ice’s mention is random full stop.
WILL WIN? – SKYFALL
SHOULD WIN? – LIFE OF PI
IGNORED? – THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY – “SONG OF THE LONELY MOUNTAIN” – A humble rendition that was in the same league as the previous Lord of the Rings songs.
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BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
BRAVE
FRANKENWEENIE
PARANORMAN
THE PIRATES: BAND OF MISFITS
WRECK-IT-RALPH
Disney are in for a real tussle as three of their nominees battle it out for the top prize. A few weeks back, Ralph was looking a sure-fire winner but Pixar’s okayish Brave landed key wins at the Globes and BAFTA which could help the studio towards another victory. However I still predict that Ralph will nab this. But there is the possibility that Tim Burton could finally land an Oscar for his terrific work on Frankenweenie whose dark features overshadowed a similar nominee in ParaNorman. The Pirates was a surprise selection which shows how popular Aardman are with the Academy.
WILL WIN? – WRECK-IT-RALPH
SHOULD WIN? – FRANKENWEENIE
IGNORED? – THE PAINTING – Considering they nominated two foreign animations last year, it was a surprise that this didn’t at least make the cut.
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