The 83rd Annual Academy Awards are set to dazzle your television screen on Feb. 27, with quite an interesting group of nominees.
Every year, I wish I had an Oscar “bookie” so I could place bets on who will walk away with the prestigious golden statute. The Academy Awards is MY Super Bowl! With just a few days until the big ceremony, I’ve decided to share my secrets with you. If you are fortunate enough to have someone to take bets on this year’s Academy Awards, take my picks because I can almost guarantee victory!
The lengthy award show features 24 categories but most viewers are only interested in the likes of Best Actress or Actor, Best Actress or Actor in a Supporting Role, Best Director and – drum roll, please – Best Picture. Even though the Golden Globes and other awards can be rather predictable, the Academy Awards have a penchant for being incredibly unpredictable.
Best Actor Nominees
Javier Bardem — “Biutiful”
Jeff Bridges — “True Grit”
Jesse Eisenberg — “the Social Network”
Colin Firth — “The King’s Speech”
James Franco — “127 Hours”
Upon hearing the nominations, I was shocked that Mark Wahlberg was left off this list. His portrayal of Micky Ward, a former boxer in the film “The Fighter” was so profound. Unfortunately, he was over-shadowed by Christian Bale’s remarkable performance as Wahlberg’s drug addicted brother in the film.
However, my prediction of a winner in this category goes to none other than Colin Firth for his accurate portrayal of King George VI in the critically acclaimed “The King’s Speech.” Colin Firth is a tremendous actor, and deserves the title of Best Actor this year.
Best Actor in a Supporting Role Nominees
Christian Bale — “The Fighter”
John Hawkes — “Winter’s Bone” (a film no one has probably heard of or seen)
Jeremy Renner — “The Town,” (If you saw The Town, I’m sure you are confused about his nomination in this category)
Mark Ruffalo — “The Kids are Alright” (great performance but I wouldn’t necessarily say it is Oscar worthy)
Geoffrey Rush — “The King’s Speech”
Supporting roles are a key component of the Academy Awards, and tend to offer a better performance than Best Actor or Best Actress. The obvious competition in this category is between Christian Bale and Geoffrey Rush. My money is on Christian Bale. If you have not seen, “The Fighter,” I would highly recommend you finish reading this article and then run out to the nearest theater. Christian Bale proves yet again what an astounding actor he is. His portrayal of Dicky Eklund, a former boxer with a drug habit that would put Lindsey Lohan to shame is outstanding and deserves recognition. Bale took home the Golden Globe, and I anticipate him taking home the Academy Award.
Best Actress Nominees
Natalie Portman — “Black Swan”
Annette Benning — “The Kids are Alright”
Nicole Kidman — “Rabbit Hole”
Jennifer Lawrence — “Winter’s Bone”
Michelle Williams — “Blue Valentine”
My favorite category this year is Actress in a leading role, mostly because I was blown away by Natalie Portman’s performance in “Black Swan,” my favorite picture thus far. She plays a ballerina in New York City who suffers a severe nervous breakdown after winning the performance of a lifetime in Swan Lake. If Portman isn’t a sure winner, Benning may have had a shot. Even so, it should be an easy victory for Natalie Portman. I hate to sound biased but let’s be realistic here, for those of you who have seen “Black Swan,” it may not be the best film ever made, but you can’t overlook the mind-blowing performance she gave as Nina Sayers.
Best Actress in a Supporting Role Nominees
Amy Adams — “The Fighter”
Helena Bonham Carter — “The King’s Speech”
Melissa Leo — “The Fighter
Hailee Steinfel — “True Grit”
Jacki Weaver — “Animal Kingdom”
I am definitely not the only one who is shocked that Mila Kunis is not on this list for her supporting role in “Black Swan” after being nominated at every other award show this season. Regardless, my prediction in this category goes to Melissa Leo for her performance as Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale’s over-bearing and eccentric mother in “The Fighter.” Melissa Leo has received plenty of accolades for her prior performance in “Frozen River,” and is anticipated to win this year’s award.
Best Direction Nominees
Darren Aronofsky — “Black Swan”
David O. Russell — “The Fighter”
Tom Hooper — “The King’s Speech”
David Fincher — “The Social Network”
Joel Coen and Ethan Coen — “True Grit”
Direction tends to be overlooked in film, but it’s an important element that should be recognized. David Fincher won the Golden Globe this year for Best Direction, but that doesn’t mean he is guaranteed an Academy Award. However, the amount of buzz surrounding “The Social Network,” makes him the most likely contender. Although I am biased because of my admiration for all things “Black Swan,” I would love to see Darren Aronofsky get recognized for his direction. That being said, I think his chances of winning are quite slim.
Best Picture Nominees
Black Swan
The Fighter
Inception
The Kids are Alright
The King’s Speech
127 Hours
The Social Network
Toy Story 3
True Grit
Winter’s Bone
The Oscars always conclude with the most highly anticipated award of the evening, “Best Picture.” Each February, Hollywood executives yearn to take home this prestigious title; there are ten nominees this year. I expected “Inception” to receive more nominations other than this category, and the nomination of “Toy Story 3” is laughable. “The Social Network” has won every award for Best Picture that it has been nominated for this season, and will most likely take home an Oscar, too.
Even if you don’t care who takes home the prestigious golden statue, at least tune in to see what everyone is going to wear. Award shows are unpredictable not only because of who will take home the award, but also because ANYTHING can happen on live television! So gather up your friends and family, stock the refrigerator with your favorite snacks and beverages and make a night of this year’s 83rd Annual Academy Awards. Be sure to let me know if my predictions won you great fortunes!