In preparation for the 2013 Academy Awards, I watched 32 full length films and 11 short films, and listened to 5 songs. I was unable to watch 8 nominees: One Documentary Feature (The Gatekeepers), 3 Foreign Language Films (No, Kon-Tiki, and War Witch), and 4 Documentary Short Subjects (Mondays at Racine, Kings Point, Open Heart and Redemption), because I was not able to obtain copies or see them in the theater, try as I might -those foreign films and documentary shorts are frustratingly elusive. Well, I did my best. Here are my picks for who I think should win (and who I think will win):
Best Picture
Amour
Argo
Beasts of the Southern Wild
Django Unchained
Les Miserables
Life of Pi
Lincoln
Silver Linings Playbook
Zero Dark Thirty
There are some good choices this year, and I have a hard time picking just one. Lincoln was originally the popular favorite, but Argo has become the new favorite (it is winning at all the other major award shows). I am going to predict an upset, however, and guess that Zero Dark Thirty will win. Who should win? So tough, and I change my mind all the time. It is between Argo and Zero Dark Thirty (with Les Miserable and Django Unchained close behind). It's so close, but today I pick Argo.
DirectingMichael Haneke, Amour
Benh Zeitlin, Beasts of the Southern Wild
Ang Lee, Life of Pi
Steven Spielberg, Lincoln
David O. Russell, Silver Linings Playbook
The race really should be between Kathryn Bigelow (Zero Dark Thirty), Ben Affleck (Argo), and Quentin Tarantino (Django Unchained), but alas, no justice this year. Badly done, Academy voters! As it is, I would give the award to David O. Russell for Silver Linings Playbook. Spielberg is the favorite, however.
Actor in a Leading Role
Bradley Cooper in Silver Linings Playbook
Daniel Day-Lewis in Lincoln
Hugh Jackman in Les Miserables
Joaquin Phoenix in The Master
Denzel Washington in Flight
Obviously Daniel Day-Lewis is going to win, which actually makes it a rather dull category. I thought Bradley Cooper was amazing in Silver Linings Playbook, and would like to see him win, but he really doesn't stand a chance.
Actress in a Leading Role
Jessica Chastain in Zero Dark Thirty
Jennifer Lawrence in Silver Linings Playbook
Emmanuelle Riva in Amour
Quevenzhane Wallis in Beasts of the Southern Wild
Naomi Watts in The Impossible
I am voting for Jennifer Lawrence. Tyler is voting for Jessica Chastain (he hasn't seen Silver Linings, but I imagine he would still vote for her). I am thinking Jessice Chastain will win, though Jennifer Lawrence seems to be the popular choice.
Actor in a Supporting Role
Alan Arkin in Argo
Robert De Niro in Silver Linings Playbook
Philip Seymour Hoffman in The Master
Tommy Lee Jones in Lincoln
Christoph Waltz in Django Unchained
This is the tightest race, as all have previously won and it's been across the board at the other award shows. I would give it to Christoph Waltz.
Actress in a Supporting Role
Amy Adams in The Master
Sally Field in Lincoln
Anne Hathaway in Les Miserables
Helen Hunt in The Sessions
Jackie Weaver in Silver Linings Playbook
Anne Hathaway is the favorite, and I think she would and shall win. Helen Hunt was sure great in The Sessions, though.
Writing Adapted Screenplay
Argo
Beasts of the Southern Wild
Life of Pi
Lincoln
Silver Linings Playbook
I think Argo should win, but kudos to Life of Pi for managing dialogue between a boy and a tiger trapped at sea.
Writing Original Screenplay
Amour
Django Unchained
Flight
Moonrise Kingdom
Zero Dark Thirty
Django Unchained had an amazing screenplay, but Zero Dark Thirty might edge it out based on the massive research required to write the script.
Animated Feature Filn
Brave
Frankenweenie
ParaNorman
The Pirates! Band of Misfits
Wreck-It Ralph
Brave is the favorite, but I vote Wreck-It Ralph.
Cinematography
Anna Karenina
Django Unchained
Life of Pi
Lincoln
Skyfall
Django Unchained has amazing cinematography and is my pick, but I think Life of Pi will win.
Costume Design
Anna Karenina
Les Miserables
Lincoln
Mirror Mirror
Snow White and the Huntsman
Mirror Mirror, because the costumes were so fun. I think Lincoln will win, because everybody just seems to love Lincoln.
Documentary Feature
5 Broken Cameras
The Gatekeepers
How to Survive a Plague
The Invisible War
Searching for Sugar Man
The Invisible War. Though I haven't seen The Gatekeepers, so I can't really say between those two. The Gatekeepers looks great.
Documentary Short Subject
Inocente
Kings Point
Mondays at Racine
Open Heart
Redemption
Well, I'd have to go with Inocente, because I wasn't able to see the other 4, try as I might.
Film EditingArgo
Life of Pi
Lincoln
Silver Linings Playbook
Zero Dark Thirty
It's Argo vs. Zero Dark Thirty again. I'll vote Argo -it was never dull. The raid scene in Zero Dark Thirty was sure flawless, though.
Foreign Language Film
Amour, Austria
Kon-Tiki, Norway
No, Chile
A Royal Affair, Denmark
War Witch, Canada
Amour, because it is the only one also nominated for Best Picture, so obviously the Academy likes it best. I have only seen Amour and A Royal Affair, and both were good, but I would give the award to Amour.
Makeup and Hairstyling
Hitchcock
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Les Miserables
The Hunger Games. Okay, it's not nominated, but it should have been. I think Les Miserables will win. I don't know why, just a guess.
Music Original Score
Anna Karenina
Argo
Life of Pi
Lincoln
Skyfall
I will vote Argo, but I can't say any of the scores really stuck with me. I'm surprised that Zero Dark Thirty wasn't nominated.
Music Original Song
"Before My Time" from Chasing Ice
"Everybody Needs a Best Friend" from Ted
"Pi's Lullaby" from Life of Pi
"Skyfall" from Skyfall
"Suddenly" from Les Miserables
I am not a music reviewer, but it seems already decided that "Skyfall" will win -because the critics love Adelle. All of the songs seemed pretty good, but none out of this world.
Production Design
Anna Karenina
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Les Miserables
Life of Pi
Skyfall
I will vote The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey -it should win something! I don't really have any idea which will win.
Short Film Animated
Adam and Dog
Fresh Guacamole
Head Over Heels
Maggie Simpson in "The Longest Daycare"
Paperman
I think Paperman should and will win -it's a new style of animation, and it was cute.
Short Film Live Action
Asad
Buzkashi Boys
Curfew
Death of a Shadow (Dood van een Schaduw)
Henry
Curfew was my favorite, and Asad would be my second choice.
Sound Editing
Argo
Django Unchained
Life of Pi
Skyfall
Zero Dark Thirty
I don't know what sound editing is, but I will vote for Zero Dark Thirty.
Sound MixingArgo
Les Miserables
Life of Pi
Lincoln
Skyfall
I also don't know what sound mixing is, but I will vote for Les Miserables.
Visual Effects
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Life of Pi
Marvel's The Avengers
Prometheus
Snow White and the Huntsman
I think Life of Pi will win. They were all good.
I'm ready to enjoy the Oscars tomorrow! We have our costumes ready, the ballots printed, and are raring to go. Should be a fun party at my mom's house. Hopefully will be a fun show, and the fashion will be spectacular.
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