tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23979675136608641192024-02-08T02:26:34.550-08:00Movie junky!Movies from the perspective of a young, South African, MOVIE JUNKY!Thomaashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05712389924098770377noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2397967513660864119.post-31356511298637712602019-02-23T14:55:00.000-08:002019-02-23T14:55:10.690-08:00Oscar Predix 2019 Part 2<div class="MsoNormal">
Part 2 coming right at you!</div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>Best Actor<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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- Christian Bale – Vice as Dick Cheney*<o:p></o:p></div>
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- Bradley Cooper – A Star Is Born as Jackson "Jack" Maine*<o:p></o:p></div>
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- Willem Dafoe – At Eternity's Gate as Vincent van Gogh<o:p></o:p></div>
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- Rami Malek – Bohemian Rhapsody as Freddie Mercury*<o:p></o:p></div>
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- Viggo Mortensen – Green Book as Frank "Tony Lip" Vallelonga*<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">Will Win: Rami Malek has won everything needed to come out on top here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ed7d31; mso-themecolor: accent2;">Could Win: Christian Bale won the other Golden Globe, but his chances faded after Malek won the screen actors guild and BAFTA award. If there was a split there, he’d have more of a chance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">Should Win: I really enjoyed Bradley Cooper’s performance, but my heart always seems to go out to addicts. Christian Bale is great, as always, and Malek’s performance is fantastic, but I can’t help but agree with some voices crying out that he is basically portraying a charicature of Freddy instead of embodying him. I’d vote for Cooper.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b>Best Actress<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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- Yalitza Aparicio – Roma as Cleodegaria "Cleo" Gutiérrez*<o:p></o:p></div>
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- Glenn Close – The Wife as Joan Castleman<o:p></o:p></div>
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- Olivia Colman – The Favourite as Anne, Queen of Great Britain*<o:p></o:p></div>
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- Lady Gaga – A Star Is Born as Ally Maine*<o:p></o:p></div>
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- Melissa McCarthy – Can You Ever Forgive Me? as Lee Israel<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">Will Win: Glenn Close – for this performance and the many that preceded it<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ed7d31; mso-themecolor: accent2;">Could Win: Olivia Coleman and Yalitza Aparico are in close second and third respectively. But many conscider Coleman’s performance to be a supporting act which could count against her. If Aparico wins here, Roma is winning picture and director and you can go to bed because you won’t be missing anything.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">Should Win: Gaga was an early lead in the way Emma Stone was a couple of years ago. She carries the film in an almost effortless fashion, but, unlike Stone, she lost momentum when she lost the Globe and I suspect that there’s not much more to her range than what this role displays. Out of the films I’ve seen, I enjoyed Aparico’s understated performance the most.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b>Best Supporting Actor<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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- Mahershala Ali – Green Book as Don Shirley*<o:p></o:p></div>
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- Adam Driver – BlacKkKlansman as Philip "Flip" Zimmerman*<o:p></o:p></div>
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- Sam Elliott – A Star Is Born as Bobby Maine*<o:p></o:p></div>
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- Richard E. Grant – Can You Ever Forgive Me? as Jack Hock<o:p></o:p></div>
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- Sam Rockwell – Vice as George W. Bush*<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">Will Win: Mahershala Ali<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ed7d31; mso-themecolor: accent2;">Could Win: a very small chance Richard E. Grant upsets here, but it’s unlikely<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">Should Win: For me, understated roles are often the most deserving at the Oscars, and Sam Elliot’s role was golden in my books, but Mahershala Ali sealed it with that scene in the rain in the middle of the road – broken! I well-deserved second win in three years!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b>Best Supporting Actress<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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- Amy Adams – Vice as Lynne Cheney* <o:p></o:p></div>
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- Marina de Tavira – Roma as Sofía*<o:p></o:p></div>
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- Regina King – If Beale Street Could Talk as Sharon Rivers<o:p></o:p></div>
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- Emma Stone – The Favourite as Abigail Masham, Baroness Masham*<o:p></o:p></div>
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- Rachel Weisz – The Favourite as Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough*<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">Will Win: Though Regina King wasn’t nominated by her peers at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, she’s the favourite to win here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ed7d31; mso-themecolor: accent2;">Could Win: Amy Adams is always the bridesmaid, but never the bride, and alas, she finds herself in third place this year. Rachel Weisz is number two.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">Should Win: Stone, Weisz and Coleman form a trio that you can’t keep your eyes off in the favourite but out of the three I’ve seen, I’d give it to Adams for the (say it with me now) <i>understated</i> performance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b>Best Original Screenplay<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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- The Favourite – Written by Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara*<o:p></o:p></div>
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- First Reformed – Written by Paul Schrader<o:p></o:p></div>
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- Green Book – Written by Nick Vallelonga, Brian Currie and Peter Farrelly*<o:p></o:p></div>
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- Roma – Written by Alfonso Cuarón*<o:p></o:p></div>
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- Vice – Written by Adam McKay*<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">Will Win: Green Book and The Favourite are neck-and-neck in this race, but I think Green Book has the edge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ed7d31; mso-themecolor: accent2;">Could Win: The Favourite (or Vice or First Reformed). This is (along with the sound prizes) one of the only categories Roma is <i>not</i> likely to win. That said, if it does, it’s the sign of a sweep for Roma!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">Should Win: I <i>really</i> enjoyed Vice, and I honestly though part of what makes Green Book so great is its ability to balance the narrative, so that it only skims the edges of clich</span><span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">é</span><span style="color: red;">dom without entering into it. That said, The Favourite is brilliant too! I would vote for Green Book only for variety purposes (as I would’ve voted for McKay in the Best Director category already.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b>Best Adapted Screenplay<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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- The Ballad of Buster Scruggs – Screenplay by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen; based on the short stories All Gold Canyon by Jack London, The Gal Who Got Rattled by Stewart Edward White, and short stories by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen<o:p></o:p></div>
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- BlacKkKlansman – Screenplay by Charlie Wachtel & David Rabinowitz and Kevin Willmott & Spike Lee; based on the book by Ron Stallworth*<o:p></o:p></div>
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- Can You Ever Forgive Me? – Screenplay by Nicole Holofcener and Jeff Whitty; based on the book by Lee Israel<o:p></o:p></div>
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- If Beale Street Could Talk – Screenplay by Barry Jenkins; based on the book by James Baldwin<o:p></o:p></div>
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- A Star Is Born – Screenplay by Eric Roth, Bradley Cooper & Will Fetters; based on the 1954 screenplay by Moss Hart and the 1976 screenplay by Joan Didion, John Gregory Dunne & Frank Pierson; based on a story by Robert Carson & William A. Wellman*<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">Will Win: Blackkklansman, probably.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ed7d31; mso-themecolor: accent2;">Could Win: Beale Street could (smooth) talk its way to a win here too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">Should Win: Having only seen two of these, it’s hard to give an opinion. Though keeping a screenplay fresh after it’s third re-telling is quite a feat, Blackkklansman is so brilliantly and blatantly Spike Lee, I’d award it to him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b>Best Animated Feature Film<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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- Incredibles 2 – Brad Bird, John Walker and Nicole Paradis Grindle*<o:p></o:p></div>
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- Isle of Dogs – Wes Anderson, Scott Rudin, Steven Rales and Jeremy Dawson<o:p></o:p></div>
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- Mirai – Mamoru Hosoda and Yūichirō Saitō<o:p></o:p></div>
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- Ralph Breaks the Internet – Rich Moore, Phil Johnston and Clark Spencer*<o:p></o:p></div>
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- Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse – Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller*<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">Will Win: Spider-man<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ed7d31; mso-themecolor: accent2;">Could Win: Incredibles 2 – beware the Pixar machine!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">Should Win: I can’t believe I’ve yet to see Isle of Dogs! That said, Spider-man was fresh, entertaining, moving, exciting and a bunch of other colourful adjectives! It totes deserves this!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b>Best Live Action Short Film<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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- Detainment – Vincent Lambe and Darren Mahon<o:p></o:p></div>
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- Fauve – Jérémy Comte and Maria Gracia Turgeon<o:p></o:p></div>
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- Marguerite – Marianne Farley and Marie-Hélène Panisset<o:p></o:p></div>
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- Mother – Rodrigo Sorogoyen and María del Puy Alvarado<o:p></o:p></div>
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- Skin – Guy Nattiv and Jaime Ray Newman<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">Seeing these and the Animated Shorts on Sunday, so they’ll be a last minute addition – look out for a brief overview on Sunday just before the Oscars!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Best Animated Short Film<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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- Animal Behaviour – Alison Snowden and David Fine<o:p></o:p></div>
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- Bao – Domee Shi and Becky Neiman-Cobb<o:p></o:p></div>
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- Late Afternoon – Louise Bagnall and Nuria González Blanco<o:p></o:p></div>
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- One Small Step – Andrew Chesworth and Bobby Pontillas<o:p></o:p></div>
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-Weekends – Trevor Jimenez<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Best Director<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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- Spike Lee – BlacKkKlansman*<o:p></o:p></div>
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- Paweł Pawlikowski – Cold War<o:p></o:p></div>
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- Yorgos Lanthimos – The Favourite*<o:p></o:p></div>
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- Alfonso Cuarón – Roma*<o:p></o:p></div>
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- Adam McKay – Vice*<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">Will Win: Alfonso Cuarón is at least a stroke ahead of the other swimmers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ed7d31; mso-themecolor: accent2;">Could Win: Spike Lee – that title of “first black man to win the Oscar for Best Director” is still up for grabs, and Spike Lee not only produced a fantastic film this year, but has a stellar record of productions behind his name to convince others to give him 1<sup>st</sup> prize.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">Should Win: I thought the way Adam McKay handled Vice was fantastic – a balance of facts, with fiction, a blend of styles and gut punching truth – postmodern film making at its absolute finest! But once again my heart remains split. If I was an Oscar voter and I had to choose just one, if would change daily. Today it’s Adam McKay – which even surprised me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b>Best Picture*<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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- Black Panther – Kevin Feige<o:p></o:p></div>
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- BlacKkKlansman – Sean McKittrick, Jason Blum, Raymond Mansfield, Jordan Peele and Spike Lee<o:p></o:p></div>
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- Bohemian Rhapsody – Graham King<o:p></o:p></div>
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- The Favourite – Ceci Dempsey, Ed Guiney, Lee Magiday and Yorgos Lanthimos<o:p></o:p></div>
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- Green Book – Jim Burke, Charles B. Wessler, Brian Currie, Peter Farrelly and Nick Vallelonga<o:p></o:p></div>
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- Roma – Gabriela Rodríguez and Alfonso Cuarón<o:p></o:p></div>
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- A Star Is Born – Bill Gerber, Bradley Cooper and Lynette Howell Taylor<o:p></o:p></div>
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- Vice – Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Adam McKay and Kevin J. Messick<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">Will win: Roma is the golden child not many films can touch at the moment. The critics are all predicting it to win BUT there’s one glaring hurdle in its way – Netflix. Streaming has replaced traditional television watching in many homes around the globe, and the old white men who once ruled the Academy might not be willing to part with the traditional ways of showcasing the best the industry has on offer. Will they be willing to ride the new wave of film and television into an era that’s sure to be full of interesting surprises? We’ll know by Monday morning.</span><span style="color: #ed7d31; mso-themecolor: accent2;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ed7d31; mso-themecolor: accent2;">Could Win: Green Book won the all-important Producers Guild Award, which is important because this is the only other industry award with the preferential ballot voting system which means that it might not be people’s number one choice, but it’s high enough on their lists for it to count! (See <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPohsrs0cCA">here</a> for a fantastic explanation of this fascinating voting system). Then there’s the audience choice. The movie that became a cultural phenomenon and ushered in an exciting new phase of the superhero genre. It was a leap forward in representation and showed the world that superhero films can also be superbly crafted pieces of art – and show their audiences a dang good time in the process!</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">Should Win: I can think of at least two reasons why each of these fine films deserves the top award. Even Bohemian Rhapsody (which is last on most predictors’ lists) has 1. A great cast and 2. Was one heck of a lot of fun to watch – I remember being on a high for several hours after watching it, falling for Queen’s iconic music all over again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">Vice is the pinnacle of biting satire and is a superbly-written, wonderfully performed “comedy” – though I laughed at it the same way I laughed at Blackklansman – with much angst and concern for the world and the ‘normal people’ who inhabit it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">A few years ago (2015) I said that I didn’t really mind who won and immediately regretted the statement when Spotlight was declared Best Picture… I hope I don’t regret saying that again this time, so I won’t. Roma.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Its been one heck of a weird ride this year, so let's see how it all pans out shall we. See you at the Oscars!</div>
Thomaashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05712389924098770377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2397967513660864119.post-25145708911696718142019-02-22T14:02:00.000-08:002019-02-23T14:56:54.103-08:00Oscar Predix (Wouldda Couldda Shouldda) 2019 Part 1<div class="MsoNormal">
Hello Fuzzbuckets! It's here! Oscar weekend 2019! And there are already too many exclimation marks in this paragraph! But who cares, here's another for good measure! Below are my annual "Wouldda, couldda shouldda" predictions, informing you of where to put your money, where you could put your money, and where my heart is in each category. This is part 1 only, with part 2 to follow later this weekend. Let's get started shall we:<br />
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**Quick note: the films marked with a * are the ones I've seen. If I've watched all in that category, the category contains a star**</div>
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<b>Best Foreign Language Film<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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- Capernaum (Lebanon) in Arabic – Directed by Nadine Labaki<o:p></o:p></div>
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- Cold War (Poland) in Polish and French – Directed by Paweł Pawlikowski<o:p></o:p></div>
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- Never Look Away (Germany) in German – Directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck<o:p></o:p></div>
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- Roma (Mexico) in Spanish and Mixtec – Directed by Alfonso Cuarón*<o:p></o:p></div>
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- Shoplifters (Japan) in Japanese – Directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">Will Win: Roma<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ed7d31; mso-themecolor: accent2;">Could Win: Cold War – in an absurd, shocking Game of Thrones WTF kind of way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">Should Win: I’d abstain from this having not seen the others, but I’d love to see them all at some stage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
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<b>Best Documentary – Feature<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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- Free Solo – Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Jimmy Chin, Evan Hayes and Shannon Dill<o:p></o:p></div>
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- Hale County This Morning, This Evening – RaMell Ross, Joslyn Barnes and Su Kim<o:p></o:p></div>
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- Minding the Gap – Bing Liu and Diane Quon<o:p></o:p></div>
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- Of Fathers and Sons – Talal Derki, Ansgar Frerich, Eva Kemme and Tobias N. Siebert<o:p></o:p></div>
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- RBG – Betsy West and Julie Cohen<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">Will Win: Free Solo<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ed7d31; mso-themecolor: accent2;">Could Win: RGB<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red;">Should Win: Having not seen a single one of these, it’s really hard to say<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Best Documentary – Short Subject<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Black Sheep – Ed Perkins and Jonathan Chinn<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- End Game – Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Lifeboat – Skye Fitzgerald and Bryn Mooser<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- A Night at the Garden – Marshall Curry<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Period. End of Sentence. – Rayka Zehtabchi and Melissa Berton<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">Will Win: Black Sheep (according to a reputable source)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #ed7d31; mso-themecolor: accent2;">Could Win: ??<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red;">Should Win: If you’ve read my previous Oscar predictions you’d know by now how I decide this category. It’s all in the name! What’s the one that <i>sounds </i>the coolest. Period. End of Sentence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Best Original Score<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Black Panther – Ludwig Göransson*<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- BlacKkKlansman – Terence Blanchard*<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- If Beale Street Could Talk – Nicholas Britell<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Isle of Dogs – Alexandre Desplat<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Mary Poppins Returns – Marc Shaiman*<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">Will Win: Tough call, as Globe Winner, First Man, was not nominated (a crime if you ask me). I’d say Beale Street, though Black Panther could surprise here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #ed7d31; mso-themecolor: accent2;">Could Win: Black Panther<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red;">Should Win: Despite it’s rich visual elements, the first thing I noticed about Black Panther was it’s lively score. I would vote for this one here – though I suspect the duo of Desplat and Anderson in Isle of Dogs is stellar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Best Original Song<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- "All the Stars" from Black Panther – Music by Mark Spears, Kendrick Lamar Duckworth and Anthony Tiffith; Lyrics by Kendrick Lamar Duckworth, Anthony Tiffith and Solána Rowe*<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- "I'll Fight" from RBG – Music and Lyrics by Diane Warren<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- "The Place Where Lost Things Go" from Mary Poppins Returns – Music by Marc Shaiman; Lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman* </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- "Shallow" from A Star Is Born – Music and Lyrics by Lady Gaga, Mark Ronson, Anthony Rossomando and Andrew Wyatt*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- "When a Cowboy Trades His Spurs for Wings" from The Ballad of Buster Scruggs – Music and Lyrics by David Rawlings and Gillian Welch<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">Will Win: Shallow<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #ed7d31; mso-themecolor: accent2;">Could Win: Like, if it snowed in Joburg, All the Stars<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red;">Should Win: The Place where Lost Things Go is tenderly beautiful (and I can’t wait for Bette Midler’s rendition on Oscar night!), this category should be called “Shallow and its competitors”, because it’s the unstoppable juggernaut that’s still being played excessively on the radio… and our Spotify playlists!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Best Sound Editing*<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Black Panther – Benjamin A. Burtt and Steve Boeddeker<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Bohemian Rhapsody – John Warhurst and Nina Hartstone<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- First Man – Ai-Ling Lee and Mildred Iatrou Morgan<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- A Quiet Place – Ethan Van der Ryn and Erik Aadahl<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Roma – Sergio Díaz and Skip Lievsay<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">Will Win: I feel like First Man and A Quiet Place have the upperhand here, but Bohemian won the precursor to this award, which complicates things slightly. I’d go with First Man as its only win for the evening.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #ed7d31; mso-themecolor: accent2;">Could Win: A Quiet Place or Bohemian<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red;">Should Win: A Quiet Place (or First Man)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Best Sound Mixing*<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Black Panther – Steve Boeddeker, Brandon Proctor and Peter J. Devlin<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Bohemian Rhapsody – Paul Massey, Tim Cavagin and John Casali<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- First Man – Jon Taylor, Frank A. Montaño, Ai-Ling Lee and Mary H. Ellis<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Roma – Skip Lievsay, Craig Henighan and José Antonio Garcia<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- A Star Is Born – Tom Ozanich, Dean Zupancic, Jason Ruder and Steve A. Morrow<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">Will Win: Bohemian Rhapsody<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #ed7d31; mso-themecolor: accent2;">Could Win: First Man, Black Panther or A Star is Born, really…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red;">Should Win: First Man<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Best Production Design*<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Black Panther – Production Design: Hannah Beachler; Set Decoration: Jay Hart<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- The Favourite – Production Design: Fiona Crombie; Set Decoration: Alice Felton<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- First Man – Production Design: Nathan Crowley; Set Decoration: Kathy Lucas<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Mary Poppins Returns – Production Design: John Myhre; Set Decoration: Gordon Sim<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Roma – Production Design: Eugenio Caballero; Set Decoration: Bárbara Enríquez<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">Will Win: The Favourite – the Academy loooooves those period pieces in this category<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #ed7d31; mso-themecolor: accent2;">Could Win: Black Panther or First Man<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red;">Should Win: Black Panther! The sleek technological world blended with the African landscape was something unique and beautiful to behold.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Best Cinematography<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Cold War – Łukasz Żal<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- The Favourite – Robbie Ryan*<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Never Look Away – Caleb Deschanel<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Roma – Alfonso Cuarón*<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- A Star Is Born – Matthew Libatique*<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">Will Win: Roma <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #ed7d31; mso-themecolor: accent2;">Could Win: Cold War (because black and white film making is like, very in this year)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red;">Should Win: Roma was shot so beautifully! Though A Star is Born captured the drama of stardom more than any episode of American Idol ever could.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Best Makeup and Hairstyling<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Border – Göran Lundström and Pamela Goldammer<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Mary Queen of Scots – Jenny Shircore, Marc Pilcher and Jessica Brooks<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Vice – Greg Cannom, Kate Biscoe and Patricia Dehaney*<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">Will Win: Vice (always look to the category with more than one nominees for this category)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #ed7d31; mso-themecolor: accent2;">Could Win: I don’t even know what Border is, TBH<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red;">Should Win: *shoulder shrug emoji* Black Panther wasn’t nominated here – and it should’ve been!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Best Costume Design<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- The Ballad of Buster Scruggs – Mary Zophres<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Black Panther – Ruth E. Carter*<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- The Favourite – Sandy Powell*<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Mary Poppins Returns – Sandy Powell*<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Mary Queen of Scots – Alexandra Byrne<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">Will Win: The Favourite (just like production design, period pieces often win just because they’re period pieces – and replicating history is hard)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #ed7d31; mso-themecolor: accent2;">Could Win: Black Panther<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red;">Should Win: Black Panther<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Best Film Editing*<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- BlacKkKlansman – Barry Alexander Brown<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Bohemian Rhapsody – John Ottman<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- The Favourite – Yorgos Mavropsaridis<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Green Book – Patrick J. Don Vito<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Vice – Hank Corwin<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">Will Win: Bohemian Rhapsody and The Favourite won the precursor awards and Vice won the BAFTA, so it’s between them… Bo Rap is actually very poorly edited though, and I don’t really consider The Favourite to be a standout in terms of its editing. I’d go with Vice<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #ed7d31; mso-themecolor: accent2;">Could Win: the other two<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red;">Should Win: Vice<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Best Visual Effects<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Avengers: Infinity War – Dan DeLeeuw, Kelly Port, Russell Earl and Dan Sudick*<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Christopher Robin – Christopher Lawrence, Michael Eames, Theo Jones and Chris Corbould<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- First Man – Paul Lambert, Ian Hunter, Tristan Myles and J. D. Schwalm*<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Ready Player One – Roger Guyett, Grady Cofer, Matthew E. Butler and David Shirk*<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Solo: A Star Wars Story – Rob Bredow, Patrick Tubach, Neal Scanlan and Dominic Tuohy*<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #548235; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">Will Win: People are betting on Avengers: Infinity War, but I’m not so sure. A few years ago I thought Mad Max: Fury Road had this in the bag, but Ex Machina won. This suggested to me that even when you have a fantastic blockbuster contender (which this category is known to be filled with) the academy would still vote for a smaller, indie-type film. For that reason, I’m picking First Man here<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #ed7d31; mso-themecolor: accent2;">Could Win: Avengers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red;">Should Win: Avengers (and if it does, it will – along with Black Panther – be the first academy award win for the MCU – a bizarre fact considering the amazing accomplishments of this franchise… but that’s another article all on its own.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Stay tuned tomorrow for Part 2!</div>
Thomaashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05712389924098770377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2397967513660864119.post-61151342159287022142014-03-01T14:49:00.000-08:002014-03-01T14:52:16.241-08:00Best Picture 2014 - predictions<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Well, here we are again. A year later with a brand new slate of films to
scrutinize, celebrate, ridicule and fall completely in love with! Three month
of Oscar tracking and it comes down to one encompassing evening. Tomorrow
night. That being said, let’s get right to it shall we. My 2014 Oscar
Predictions! Enjoy.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Best picture</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">“12 Years
a Slave” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">“American
Hustle” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">“Captain
Phillips” </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">“Dallas
Buyers Club” </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">“Gravity”
</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">“Her” </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">“Nebraska” </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">“Philomena” </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">“The Wolf
of Wall Street” </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">The sitch: I’m
quite proud of myself for catching 7 of the 9 best picture nominees before the
big night (the other two are still to be released in SA, although a big thank
you to Ster Kinekor for arranging pre-release screenings for the hardcore enthusiasts
that had time on their hands this week. I know they kind of say this every year,
but man, what a line up of incredible films! What makes it more incredible
though is that in the best picture category (and most other categories this
year) the slate of talent is so top notch, that I really don’t mind who wins –
most of them are that good! Oscar voters get told to rank this category from
most to least favourite. They can fill in 1 film, or 9, its up to them. If I
were a voter (please, Lord, one day) my list would look something like this:</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">1. 12 Years a Slave*<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2. Gravity* <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>3. Dallas Buyers Club <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>4. Her<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>5. American Hustle<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>6. The Wolf
of Wall Street<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>7. Philomena<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>8. Nebraska<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>9. Captain Phillips</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">From the bottom up:
I really didn’t like the way Captain Phillips celebrated the navy’s rescue of
the captain. It felt like “oh look at how great we are as Americans”. It was a
good movie, no doubt, but not a fantastic one. Haven’t seen Nebraska or
Philomena, but I recon I would still like them a lot more than Phillips. Wall
Street was a very interesting film, with some great moments, but hell, was it
long! If it was half an hour shorter it would be in my top three. American
Hustle had a great cast with a great concept, but my goodness, so many people
scamming the other that it was so flippen difficult to keep track. What made
the film were definitely its actors! The concept behind Spike Jonez’ Her is
just incredible. So well thought out and brilliantly executed it was definitely
one of my favourites of the year. I only saw Dallas Buyers Club today. Had I written
this entry yesterday, it would have been number 8. But its just such a
fantastic film, that literally took everything to make it (just google “Dallas
Buyers Club making of” and you’ll see what I’m talking about). The performances
also carry this story so well, its just amazing – I didn’t think that after
having HIV/AIDS shoved down my throat by the South African education system
(OBE days) for 7 years, that I could ever feel this way about a film about the
disease. Then there’s Gravity, a film that did what Avatar did for visual
effects-driven films 4 years ago and then some. It has a brilliant concept,
with enough depth to keep the philosophers and critics happy and enough special
effects and action to keep audiences happy. To have a 3D film as a front-runner
in the Best picture race is truly remarkable, and definitely a step forward
when it comes to the snobbery of the awards and those who vote for them. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Then
there’s my #1 film of the year. 12 Years a Slave. Is it the most brilliant
movie ever made, no. Is it an important film, absolutely! Everything about this
film is so incredibly solid. It feels like a machine in which all the parts
come together so well that there’s really no tearing it apart. The one and only
thing that bothered me about the film was Brad Pitt playing the role of the
hero towards the end of the film – it felt like Solomon’s freedom was not as
powerful because of it, which really hurt its chances of being #1 in my books.
Having said that, I have actually changed my mind again: Gravity is actually my
#1 which, if you talk to my lecturers, might illustrate my reputation to change
my mind too often, but could also illustrate how close this race truly is!</span><br />
</div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">What will win: 12
Years a Slave (Gravity and American Hustle would be spoilers)</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">What should win: If
Gravity wins, I’ll be happy. If slaves wins I’ll be happy. Both are solid, both
can comfortably wear the label of ‘best’ of the year!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">(Stay tuned for the
other category break-downs later today!!!)</span></div>
Thomaashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05712389924098770377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2397967513660864119.post-4599288353035968642013-04-10T00:51:00.001-07:002013-04-10T00:51:52.127-07:002013 - A year in films, at a glance (a VERY brief glance)So the Oscars it=s long gone and so has Sundance (which I missed reporting on, but did take note of nonetheless). Here's a list of blockbusters that i can't wait for, along with some potential Oscar nominees for next year (oh Lord, it never ends!)<br />
<br />
Okay so I've already seen Oz: The Great and Powerful, which was excellent it its art direction, viz effects and homages to the original. Story was kinda of weird, but that may have stemmed from the fact that the original is not really my favourite, and doesn't hold the same kind of precious, classic value as most film fanatics (I'll watch it again one day when I'm bored to confirm or retract this statement).<br />
<br />
Also saw Identity Thief... Meh! It couldn't decide whether it was a comedy or a drama. Jason Bateman's character got a huge promotion in the beginning, but for a while you just didn't believe it because is seemed to break conventions of comedy - they're down and out and only at the end do they get the metaphorical/literal promotion. Having said that, it has some moments of comedy, but really isn't anything to rave about, and doesn't reach the levels of the director's (sorry, I don"t know your name) previous hit, Horrible Bosses.<br />
<br />
Still deciding whether or not i want to see "The Croods" on big screen. I'd like to, but life... so hectic!<br />
<br />
Totally keen for Jurassic Park in 3D!! Having only been two when it was originally released, i first saw it on VHS many years later. I want to see it for the sheer magnitude of the screen, sound and score trifecta! 3D aside.<br />
<br />
In May, The States gets 3 weeks of awesomeness in a row! Ironman BOOM! The Great Gatsby BOOM ! Star Trek BOOM! Can't wait to see these films, a few friends and i were actually thinking of dressing up for Gatsby on Opening night ;)<br />
<br />
Man of Steel and The Heat (Sandra Bullock/ Melissa McCarthy cop comedy - so what if it sounds like Miss Congeniality 2 all over again) hit US screens in June, with RED 2 and The Lone Ranger in July. (those two I'm less enthusiastic about though, they'll both be maybe's on my list for now), The Wolverine, however is a definite, hell yeah!<br />
<br />
August seems to be the month of (usually second-rate) action films. This year we have the 300 sequel, Percy Jackson, Kick Ass 2, and Elysium. If i only see Elysium out of these titles, I'll die a happy man. What Niel Blomkamp did in 2009 with District 9 was incredible, and the newly released trailer (just yesterday) sells it perfectly!!<br />
<br />
Then of course there's all those animated films that i can't wait to see either: Epic, Monster's University, Turbo, Despicable Me 2 and more. Only one i'm totally pretending doesn't exist at this point is Planes (why oh why, Pixar!?!?).<br />
<br />
So that's the summer covered, hopefully I'll get some free time between English Modernism and Drama and Film lectures to take us to the end of the year, and then we can get along to the possible awards season front-runners. Till then<br />
<br />
Peace, Love and other things.Thomaashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05712389924098770377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2397967513660864119.post-20325534897245832622013-02-24T04:19:00.002-08:002013-02-24T04:22:06.363-08:00Oscars - Final CutSo here it is, the last of the Oscar predictions. Enjoy!<br />
(As a side note, i am aware of the fact that the links on the previous post - as well as this one - come from Wikipedia. They are accurate, I'm sorry if this does not suit referencing standards or whatever, I was looking for quick and easy!)<br />
<br />
Best Animated Feature:<br />
<br />
<ul style="background-color: #f9f9f9; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brave_(2012_film)" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080;" title="Brave (2012 film)">Brave</a></i> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Andrews_(filmmaker)" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: initial;" title="Mark Andrews (filmmaker)">Mark Andrews</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brenda_Chapman" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: initial;" title="Brenda Chapman">Brenda Chapman</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankenweenie_(2012_film)" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: initial;" title="Frankenweenie (2012 film)">Frankenweenie</a></i> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Burton" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: initial;" title="Tim Burton">Tim Burton</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ParaNorman" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: initial;" title="ParaNorman">ParaNorman</a></i> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Fell" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: initial;" title="Sam Fell">Sam Fell</a> and Chris Butler</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pirates!_Band_of_Misfits" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: initial;" title="The Pirates! Band of Misfits">The Pirates! Band of Misfits</a></i> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Lord" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: initial;" title="Peter Lord">Peter Lord</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wreck-It_Ralph" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: initial;" title="Wreck-It Ralph">Wreck-It Ralph</a></i> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rich_Moore" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: initial;" title="Rich Moore">Rich Moore</a></li>
</ul>
<br />
One of my FAVOURITE categories! I haven't yet seen Frankenweenie... OR ParaNorman, so that's sad... Anyway the category is really filled with meaty dishes this year and so for a change there isn't really a distinct (Pixar) winner. As much as i loved the animation in Brave, I didn't enjoy the story half as much. Pirates! is fantastic in its humour, animation and story, but just doesn't have enough momentum to win. Then i saw Ralph and it totally blew me away. It has everything a great animated film requires: appeal for adults and kids alike, gamers and non gamers too. It's funny, it's beautifully animated, it plucks the heart strings and comes together in a solid clump of awesomeness! In case you haven't realised it, I want Ralph to win this.<br />
<br />
Best Film Editing:<br />
<br />
<ul style="background-color: #f9f9f9; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argo_(2012_film)" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080;" title="Argo (2012 film)">Argo</a></i> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Goldenberg" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: initial;" title="William Goldenberg">William Goldenberg</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_of_Pi_(film)" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: initial;" title="Life of Pi (film)">Life of Pi</a></i> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Squyres" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: initial;" title="Tim Squyres">Tim Squyres</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_(2012_film)" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: initial;" title="Lincoln (2012 film)">Lincoln</a></i> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Kahn_(film_editor)" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: initial;" title="Michael Kahn (film editor)">Michael Kahn</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_Linings_Playbook" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: initial;" title="Silver Linings Playbook">Silver Linings Playbook</a></i> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Cassidy" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: initial;" title="Jay Cassidy">Jay Cassidy</a> and Crispin Struthers</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zero_Dark_Thirty" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: initial;" title="Zero Dark Thirty">Zero Dark Thirty</a></i> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dylan_Tichenor" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: initial;" title="Dylan Tichenor">Dylan Tichenor</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Goldenberg" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: initial;" title="William Goldenberg">William Goldenberg</a></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">I have a feeling Argo's taking this along with best picture. The others are all good, but Argo is possibly a few centimeters ahead (yes, we use centimeters here).</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">Best Cinematography:</span></span><br />
<br />
<ul style="background-color: #f9f9f9; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Karenina_(2012_film)" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080;" title="Anna Karenina (2012 film)">Anna Karenina</a></i> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seamus_McGarvey" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: initial;" title="Seamus McGarvey">Seamus McGarvey</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Django_Unchained" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: initial;" title="Django Unchained">Django Unchained</a></i> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Richardson_(cinematographer)" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: initial;" title="Robert Richardson (cinematographer)">Robert Richardson</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_of_Pi_(film)" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: initial;" title="Life of Pi (film)">Life of Pi</a></i> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claudio_Miranda" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: initial;" title="Claudio Miranda">Claudio Miranda</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_(2012_film)" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: initial;" title="Lincoln (2012 film)">Lincoln</a></i> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janusz_Kami%C5%84ski" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: initial;" title="Janusz Kamiński">Janusz Kamiński</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skyfall" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: initial;" title="Skyfall">Skyfall</a></i> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Deakins" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: initial;" title="Roger Deakins">Roger Deakins</a></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">I loved Life of Pi! But part of me feels its cheating to use so much green screen (you're left with a kind of "is it cinematography or special effects" kind of dilemmas). Because of this I'm gonna <i>want</i> Skyfall to win, even though I <i>think</i> it's going to go to Pi.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">Best Original Screenplay:</span></span></div>
<ul style="background-color: #f9f9f9; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amour_(2012_film)" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080;" title="Amour (2012 film)">Amour</a></i> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Haneke" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: initial;" title="Michael Haneke">Michael Haneke</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Django_Unchained" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: initial;" title="Django Unchained">Django Unchained</a></i> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quentin_Tarantino" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: initial;" title="Quentin Tarantino">Quentin Tarantino</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flight_(2012_film)" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: initial;" title="Flight (2012 film)">Flight</a></i> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Gatins" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: initial;" title="John Gatins">John Gatins</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moonrise_Kingdom" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: initial;" title="Moonrise Kingdom">Moonrise Kingdom</a></i> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wes_Anderson" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: initial;" title="Wes Anderson">Wes Anderson</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Coppola" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: initial;" title="Roman Coppola">Roman Coppola</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zero_Dark_Thirty" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: initial;" title="Zero Dark Thirty">Zero Dark Thirty</a></i> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Boal" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: initial;" title="Mark Boal">Mark Boal</a></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">Because Flight and Moonrise have few nominations, they are sort of at the back of the pack. Either one of the remaining three could take it. As of today i have still only seen Django, so i think this category is out for me in terms of who should win. Who i think will win? Django, with Amour and ZDT in tie for second - but it is STILL anyone's to take really...</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Best Adapted Screenplay:</span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Argo – Chris Terrio from The Master of Disguise by Antonio J. Mendez & The Great Escape by Joshuah Bearman</li>
<li>Beasts of the Southern Wild – Lucy Alibar and Benh Zeitlin from Juicy and Delicious by Lucy Alibar</li>
<li>Life of Pi – David Magee from Life of Pi by Yann Martel</li>
<li>Lincoln – Tony Kushner from Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin</li>
<li>Silver Linings Playbook – David O. Russell from The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick</li>
</ul>
Whoever takes Best Picture <em>should</em> take this one too, whether its Argo, Licoln, Silver Linings Playbook or even Life of Pi. Beasts still has a chance, but unfortunately they don't have the bulk support of the academy behind it. Lincoln's screenplay is AMAZING, and Tony Kushner should be the one making a speech tonight, but i have a feeling that its gonna be now front-runner, Argo instead. Silver Linings could come from behind and produce an upset too though.<br />
<br />
Best Supporting Actor:<br />
<ul>
<li>Alan Arkin – Argo as Lester Seigel</li>
<li>Robert De Niro – Silver Linings Playbook as Pat Solitano Sr.</li>
<li>Philip Seymour Hoffman – The Master as Lancaster Dodd</li>
<li>Tommy Lee Jones – Lincoln as Thaddeus Stevens</li>
<li>Christoph Waltz – Django Unchained as Dr. King Schultz</li>
</ul>
On Awardsdaily, this category was voted the most unpredictable category of the evening. I'm rooting for Waltz, just because I enjoyed his performance so thouroughly. But it's really anyone's game. If Lincoln manages to pull off this win for Lee Jones, then they have a shoe in for their other categories too. If Arkin wins, its all over, and you could probably call it for Argo right at the start of things, before the event even gets going. Hoffman and De Niro are also brilliant (leaning towards Hoffman out of the two of them, but then again Hoffman reminded me very much of the mysterious Father Flynn in Doubt...). This will definitely be an interesting one!<br />
<br />
Best Supporting Actress:<br />
<ul>
<li>Amy Adams – The Master as Peggy Dodd</li>
<li>Sally Field – Lincoln as Mary Todd Lincoln</li>
<li>Anne Hathaway – Les Misérables as Fantine</li>
<li>Helen Hunt – The Sessions as Cheryl Cohen-Greene</li>
<li>Jacki Weaver – Silver Linings Playbook as Dolores Solitano</li>
</ul>
This category is Hatheway's to lose. She's won countless precursors and is set to win the gold in a couple of hours. The only possible upset is Fields (who's performance was absolutely phenominal). That said, it would be awesome for Silver Linings to take all of the Acting awards, but as you're about to see, that is kind of a longshot.<br />
<br />
Best Actor:<br />
<ul>
<li>Bradley Cooper – Silver Linings Playbook as Pat Solitano Jr.</li>
<li>Daniel Day-Lewis – Lincoln as Abraham Lincoln</li>
<li>Hugh Jackman – Les Misérables as Jean Valjean</li>
<li>Joaquin Phoenix – The Master as Freddie Quell</li>
<li>Denzel Washington – Flight as William "Whip" Whitaker</li>
</ul>
Danile Day-Lewis. That is all.<br />
okay, as much as i'd love to leave it there, i have so say something about the other performances I've seen: Cooper certainally surprised a few people with his ability to balance the dramatic and the comic, Jackman was also amazing, but perhaps a little too melodramatic for some voters. Pheonix is also incredible, and if Day-Lewis doesn't get it, I'd possibly vote for him. Haven't seen Flight yet.<br />
<br />
Best Actress:<br />
<ul>
<li>Jessica Chastain – Zero Dark Thirty as Maya</li>
<li>Jennifer Lawrence – Silver Linings Playbook as Tiffany Maxwell</li>
<li>Emmanuelle Riva – Amour as Anne</li>
<li>Quvenzhané Wallis – Beasts of the Southern Wild as Hushpuppy</li>
<li>Naomi Watts – The Impossible as Maria Bennett</li>
</ul>
Two weeks ago Lawrence was 9 tenths of the way to a lock, then Riva won the BAFTA which totally messed with the heads of voters (not to mention my head too). As much as Jennifer Lawrence and I have a scret love affrair (whoops!) and as much as I loved her in the film, I'd rather Riva gets it as a "life Time Achievement Award" kind of thing. Castain (so I've hear) is also phenominal, but I think she'd take home the bronze if this were an Olympic event.<br />
<br />
and finally...<br />
<br />
Best Director:<br />
<ul>
<li>Michael Haneke – Amour</li>
<li>Ang Lee – Life of Pi</li>
<li>David O. Russell – Silver Linings Playbook</li>
<li>Steven Spielberg – Lincoln</li>
<li>Benh Zeitlin – Beasts of the Southern Wild</li>
</ul>
With Ben Afflck's snub (the most talked about travesty this awards season), and his momentum in the BP category, who on earth wins this!? I believe most would call it for Spielberg, but lately I've been reading that some would'nt want him to win it because, well, you don't hand a 'god' a prize for being a god. If it's not him, it could be Silver Linings or Pi. But then again either of the other two could shock the way they did at the nominee announcement. My vote would be for Spielberg, with Zeitlin in second, just because Beast's was unlike anything I've seen before on cinema. It was this year's "Tree of Life" on creative steroids! The script was incredible, solid performances and score to boot. It's my film of the year...Thomaashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05712389924098770377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2397967513660864119.post-8248861022050353032013-02-18T06:33:00.000-08:002013-02-18T06:34:42.571-08:00Okay! So with less than a week to go before the world (for a very small percentage of us) will revert back to normal and we'll hang up our Oscars thinking caps after our celebration (of post mortem) reports are written. With best Picture covered already, i move on to those "lower categories" before we have a look at the remaining "big ones:<br />
<br />
Best Documentary Short:<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><ul style="line-height: 1.5em; list-style-image: url(data:image/png; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.3em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inocente" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Inocente">Inocente</a></i> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sean_Fine" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Sean Fine">Sean Fine</a> and Andrea Nix Fine</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kings_Point_(film)" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Kings Point (film)">Kings Point</a></i> – Sari Gilman and Jedd Wider</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mondays_at_Racine" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Mondays at Racine">Mondays at Racine</a></i> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynthia_Wade" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Cynthia Wade">Cynthia Wade</a> and Robin Honan</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Heart_(film)" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Open Heart (film)">Open Heart</a></i> – Kief Davidson and Cori Shepherd Stern</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redemption_(2012_film)" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Redemption (2012 film)">Redemption</a></i> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_Alpert" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Jon Alpert">Jon Alpert</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_O%27Neill_(filmmaker)" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Matthew O'Neill (filmmaker)">Matthew O'Neill</a></li>
</ul>
</span>Can't comment on, haven't seen or heard about any of them<br />
<br />
Best Live Action Short:<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><ul style="line-height: 1.5em; list-style-image: url(data:image/png; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.3em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asad_(film)" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Asad (film)">Asad</a></i> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bryan_Buckley" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Bryan Buckley">Bryan Buckley</a> and Mino Jarjoura</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buzkashi_Boys" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Buzkashi Boys">Buzkashi Boys</a></i> – Sam French and Ariel Nasr</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curfew_(2012_film)" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Curfew (2012 film)">Curfew</a></i> – Shawn Christensen</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i>Death of a Shadow</i> (<i>Dood Van Een Schaduw</i>) – Tom Van Avermaet and Ellen De Waele</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_(2012_film)" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Henry (2012 film)">Henry</a></i> – Yan England</li>
</ul>
</span>Ditto, South Africa needs to jack up plans to bring these to deep, dark Africa.<br />
<br />
Best Animated Short:<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><ul style="line-height: 1.5em; list-style-image: url(data:image/png; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.3em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_and_Dog" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Adam and Dog">Adam and Dog</a></i> – Minkyu Lee</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fresh_Guacamole" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Fresh Guacamole">Fresh Guacamole</a></i> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PES_(director)" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="PES (director)">PES</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_over_Heels_(2012_film)" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Head over Heels (2012 film)">Head over Heels</a></i> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timothy_Reckart" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Timothy Reckart">Timothy Reckart</a> and Fodhla Cronin O'Reilly</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Longest_Daycare" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="The Longest Daycare">The Longest Daycare</a></i> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Silverman" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="David Silverman">David Silverman</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paperman" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Paperman">Paperman</a></i> – John Kahrs</li>
</ul>
</span>I've only seen one of them, twice actually, and it was so beautiful! Paperman is able to take you on such a relatable journey, adding their dose of magic to a love story. The animation is unique and making most of the film in black and white helped The Artist win an award last year (you know, a few little trinkets), which i think helps Paperman stand out amongst the competition. I'm planning to view Head over Heals today though, so i'll let you know if that alters my opinion...<br />
<br />
Best Documentary Feature:<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><ul style="line-height: 1.5em; list-style-image: url(data:image/png; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.3em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5_Broken_Cameras" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="5 Broken Cameras">5 Broken Cameras</a></i> – Emad Burnat and Guy Davidi</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gatekeepers_(film)" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="The Gatekeepers (film)">The Gatekeepers</a></i> – Dror Moreh, Philippa Kowarsky, and Estelle Fialon</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_to_Survive_a_Plague" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="How to Survive a Plague">How to Survive a Plague</a></i> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_France_(writer)" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="David France (writer)">David France</a> and Howard Gertler</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Invisible_War" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="The Invisible War">The Invisible War</a></i> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirby_Dick" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Kirby Dick">Kirby Dick</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amy_Ziering" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Amy Ziering">Amy Ziering</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Searching_for_Sugar_Man" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Searching for Sugar Man">Searching for Sugar Man</a></i> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malik_Bendjelloul" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Malik Bendjelloul">Malik Bendjelloul</a>and Simon Chinn</li>
</ul>
</span>Although i haven't seen any of them, several people i have spoken to regard Searching for Sugarman as the best of this lot. However, South African's <i>do</i> have a slight bias seeing as though our country is featured in the film. There's also a large amount of internet buzz for this film, not to mention it has already won a few of the major precursors (BAFTA, Critics Choice, Special Jury Prize and Audience Award at Sundance last year). How to Survive a Plague is also incredibly compelling (again, so I've heard), but Sugarman should take this.<br />
<br />
Best Original Song:<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><ul style="line-height: 1.5em; list-style-image: url(data:image/png; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.3em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;">"Before My Time" from <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chasing_Ice" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Chasing Ice">Chasing Ice</a></i> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._Ralph" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="J. Ralph">J. Ralph</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;">"Everybody Needs a Best Friend" from <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_(film)" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Ted (film)">Ted</a></i> –<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Murphy" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Walter Murphy">Walter Murphy</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seth_MacFarlane" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Seth MacFarlane">Seth MacFarlane</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;">"<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pi%27s_Lullaby" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Pi's Lullaby">Pi's Lullaby</a>" from <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_of_Pi_(film)" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Life of Pi (film)">Life of Pi</a></i> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mychael_Danna" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Mychael Danna">Mychael Danna</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombay_Jayashri" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Bombay Jayashri">Bombay Jayashri</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;">"<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skyfall_(song)" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Skyfall (song)">Skyfall</a>" from <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skyfall" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Skyfall">Skyfall</a></i> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adele_(singer)" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Adele (singer)">Adele Adkins</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Epworth" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Paul Epworth">Paul Epworth</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;">"Suddenly" from <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Mis%C3%A9rables_(2012_film)" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Les Misérables (2012 film)">Les Misérables</a></i> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claude-Michel_Sch%C3%B6nberg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Claude-Michel Schönberg">Claude-Michel Schönberg</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbert_Kretzmer" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Herbert Kretzmer">Herbert Kretzmer</a>, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alain_Boublil" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Alain Boublil">Alain Boublil</a></li>
</ul>
</span>Okay, so with Skyfall winning the Golden Globe for its title song, many would think that this is in the bag for Adele. yet, i can't seem to shake the feeling that the Academy is going to do something incredibly stupid this year (like they did last year with Man or Muppet - but that's a whole 'nother post all on its own), i feel like Ted could get this, and maybe even Suddenly. I'm rooting for Skyfall, but don't feel comfortable betting on it to win.<br />
<br />
Best Sound Mixing:<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"></span><br />
<ul style="line-height: 1.5em; list-style-image: url(data:image/png; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.3em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argo_(2012_film)" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Argo (2012 film)">Argo</a></i> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_T._Reitz" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="John T. Reitz">John Reitz</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregg_Rudloff" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Gregg Rudloff">Gregg Rudloff</a>, and Jose Antonio Garcia</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Mis%C3%A9rables_(2012_film)" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Les Misérables (2012 film)">Les Misérables</a></i> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Nelson_(sound_engineer)" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Andy Nelson (sound engineer)">Andy Nelson</a>, Mark Paterson, and Simon Hayes</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_of_Pi_(film)" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Life of Pi (film)">Life of Pi</a></i> – Ron Bartlett, D. M. Hemphill, and Drew Kunin</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_(2012_film)" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Lincoln (2012 film)">Lincoln</a></i> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Nelson_(sound_engineer)" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Andy Nelson (sound engineer)">Andy Nelson</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Rydstrom" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Gary Rydstrom">Gary Rydstrom</a>, and<a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronald_Judkins" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Ronald Judkins">Ronald Judkins</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skyfall" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Skyfall">Skyfall</a></i> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Millan" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Scott Millan">Scott Millan</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_P._Russell" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Greg P. Russell">Greg P. Russell</a>, and<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuart_Wilson_(sound_engineer)" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Stuart Wilson (sound engineer)">Stuart Wilson</a></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Both Sound categories are tricky (heck, i have know idea what was intended to be heard and and blotted out, mixed together and balanced properly), however, I do think that Les Mis and Skyfall are stand outs here, along with possibly Argo. In the end I think if Argo gets Best Picture, its gonna need other awards to provide backing as to what makes it <i>the </i>Best Picture. if not, I'm backing Les Mis.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Best Sound Editing:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<ul style="line-height: 1.5em; list-style-image: url(data:image/png; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.3em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argo_(2012_film)" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Argo (2012 film)">Argo</a></i> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erik_Aadahl" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Erik Aadahl">Erik Aadahl</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethan_Van_der_Ryn" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Ethan Van der Ryn">Ethan Van der Ryn</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Django_Unchained" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Django Unchained">Django Unchained</a></i> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wylie_Stateman" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Wylie Stateman">Wylie Stateman</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_of_Pi_(film)" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Life of Pi (film)">Life of Pi</a></i> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugene_Gearty" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Eugene Gearty">Eugene Gearty</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_Stockton" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Philip Stockton">Philip Stockton</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skyfall" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Skyfall">Skyfall</a></i> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Per_Hallberg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Per Hallberg">Per Hallberg</a> and Karen Baker Landers</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zero_Dark_Thirty" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Zero Dark Thirty">Zero Dark Thirty</a></i> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_N._J._Ottosson" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Paul N. J. Ottosson">Paul N. J. Ottosson</a></li>
</ul>
<div>
Argo, Skyfall and Pi, feature in both categories which I think gives them a leg up. In the end I'm going with Skyfall (because I'd really hate to see them walk home with nothing if Ted wins song).</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Best Visual Effects:</div>
<div>
<ul style="line-height: 1.5em; list-style-image: url(data:image/png; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.3em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hobbit:_An_Unexpected_Journey" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey">The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey</a></i> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Letteri" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Joe Letteri">Joe Letteri</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Saindon" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Eric Saindon">Eric Saindon</a>, David Clayton, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._Christopher_White" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="R. Christopher White">R. Christopher White</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_of_Pi_(film)" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Life of Pi (film)">Life of Pi</a></i> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Westenhofer" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Bill Westenhofer">Bill Westenhofer</a>, Guillaume Rocheron, Erik-Jan De Boer, and Donald R. Elliott</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Avengers_(2012_film)" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="The Avengers (2012 film)">Marvel's The Avengers</a></i> – Janek Sirrs, Jeff White, Guy Williams, and Dan Sudick</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prometheus_(film)" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Prometheus (film)">Prometheus</a></i> – Richard Stammers, Trevor Wood, Charley Henley, and Martin Hill</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snow_White_and_the_Huntsman" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Snow White and the Huntsman">Snow White and the Huntsman</a></i> – Cedric Nicolas-Troyan, Philip Brennan, Neil Corbould, and Michael Dawson</li>
</ul>
<div>
If the Academy is looking for a film which best integrates the real with the unreal, then they'd go with Prometheus or The Hobbit. If they're looking for a special-effects-driven commercial film, then they'd go with Snow White or The Avengers, but The Academy is the Academy, and i feel as though Pi is a few strokes ahead of its competitors. Although some of the visuals are quite noticeably unreal, they way the film was able to tell an incredible story utilising the many advances of visual effects in recent years the way Martin Scorsese and David Fincher used them for Hugo and Benny Button, tells me that Pi is almost certain to win (a Best Picture nomination, solid usage of 3D and over 500 million at the box office don't hurt its chances either).</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Best Make up and Hairstyling:</div>
<div>
<ul style="line-height: 1.5em; list-style-image: url(data:image/png; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.3em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitchcock_(film)" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Hitchcock (film)">Hitchcock</a></i> – Howard Berger, Peter Montagna, and Martin Samuel</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hobbit:_An_Unexpected_Journey" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey">The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey</a></i> – Peter Swords King, Rick Findlater, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tami_Lane" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Tami Lane">Tami Lane</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Mis%C3%A9rables_(2012_film)" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Les Misérables (2012 film)">Les Misérables</a></i> – Lisa Westcott and Julie Dartnell</li>
</ul>
<div>
Let's ask ourselves an important question here: why is Hitchcock even here? Last time i checked anyone could put on a prosthetic nose and a fat suit and it wouldn't be considered marvelous film-making, but then again i haven't managed to see the film yet (it's due out in SA within the month). The Hobbit (like Benny Button) is able to blurr the boundaries between what is make up and what is special effects, which actually may work as a disadvantage. In terms of realistic make up, Les Mis wins, if its pushing the boundaries of what could be done with a brush, please voters, give it to The Hobbit!</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Best Costume Design:</div>
<div>
<ul style="line-height: 1.5em; list-style-image: url(data:image/png; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.3em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Karenina_(2012_film)" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Anna Karenina (2012 film)">Anna Karenina</a></i> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacqueline_Durran" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Jacqueline Durran">Jacqueline Durran</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Mis%C3%A9rables_(2012_film)" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Les Misérables (2012 film)">Les Misérables</a></i> – Paco Delgado</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_(2012_film)" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Lincoln (2012 film)">Lincoln</a></i> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joanna_Johnston" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Joanna Johnston">Joanna Johnston</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirror_Mirror_(film)" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Mirror Mirror (film)">Mirror Mirror</a></i> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eiko_Ishioka" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Eiko Ishioka">Eiko Ishioka</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snow_White_and_the_Huntsman" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Snow White and the Huntsman">Snow White and the Huntsman</a></i> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colleen_Atwood" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Colleen Atwood">Colleen Atwood</a></li>
</ul>
<div>
I'm just discarding Mirror Mirror and Snow White and the Huntsman straight off the bat because, if I'm honest, i really did not like either of them enough to give them ANY award (sorry costumers, but great job anyway). I'd like to say Les Mis, or Lincoln because of the sheer mass of costumes and detailing that went into producing them - heck, Mary Todd's ball gown was replicated from scratch - beads, buttons and ugly frilly things in between. But i have a feeling Anna Karenina will sneak in here and walk away out the back door with an award in hand.</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Best Production Design:</div>
<div>
<ul style="line-height: 1.5em; list-style-image: url(data:image/png; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.3em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Karenina_(2012_film)" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Anna Karenina (2012 film)">Anna Karenina</a></i> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Greenwood" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Sarah Greenwood">Sarah Greenwood</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katie_Spencer" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Katie Spencer">Katie Spencer</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hobbit:_An_Unexpected_Journey" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey">The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey</a></i> – Dan Hennah, Ra Vincent, and Simon Bright</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Mis%C3%A9rables_(2012_film)" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Les Misérables (2012 film)">Les Misérables</a></i> – Eve Stewart and Anna Lynch-Robinson</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_of_Pi_(film)" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Life of Pi (film)">Life of Pi</a></i> – David Gropman and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Pinnock" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Anna Pinnock">Anna Pinnock</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_(2012_film)" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Lincoln (2012 film)">Lincoln</a></i> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Carter" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Rick Carter">Rick Carter</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Erickson" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Jim Erickson">Jim Erickson</a></li>
</ul>
<div>
This is one impressive category, which could really go 20/20/20/20/20. In the end i feel like whoever gets costume design will get Production design as well. however, I'm hoping for The Hobbit to come out from the back row of the theatre and collect.</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Best Foreign Language Film:</div>
<div>
<ul style="line-height: 1.5em; list-style-image: url(data:image/png; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.3em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amour_(2012_film)" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Amour (2012 film)">Amour</a></i> (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austria" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Austria">Austria</a>)</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kon-Tiki_(2012_film)" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Kon-Tiki (2012 film)">Kon-Tiki</a></i> (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norway" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Norway">Norway</a>)</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_(2012_film)" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="No (2012 film)">No</a></i> (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chile" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Chile">Chile</a>)</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Royal_Affair" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="A Royal Affair">A Royal Affair</a></i> (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denmark" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Denmark">Denmark</a>)</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_Witch" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="War Witch">War Witch</a></i> (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Canada">Canada</a>)</li>
</ul>
<div>
Do we even need to debate this one? Amour is nominated for four other awards including Best Picture... (BUUUUUT The Academy does some stupid things, and many people could say that Amour's many nominations, award them automatically? - Stranger things have happened)</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The other awards to be posted by the end of the week (I say this with great hope and faith in my horrid time management skills)</div>
<div>
Peace, Love and Other Things</div>
</div>
Thomaashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05712389924098770377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2397967513660864119.post-87227283097211673732013-02-15T02:03:00.001-08:002013-02-15T02:05:36.074-08:00Golden Globe Predix Part 1Best Picture – Drama<br />
Django Unchained<br />
Lincoln<br />
Argo<br />
Zero Dark Thirty<br />
Life of Pi<br />
Who should win: This is an impressive set of nominees, with each one being different from the one before. I’ve only seen Argo and Pi, (gave both 9/10), but the buzz for Argo and Lincoln is very strong. Bottom line, I’m cool with anyone of them taking home the gold.<br />
Who will win: Heck! I have no clue. On a Global HFPA level, 4 out of the 5 are films about American history, which tells us something (what, I’m not quite sure yet). Lincoln has Spielberg going for it, and Argo has Affleck, the journalists also may feel that they did Katherine Bigelow out of a win for both picture and director in 2008 with The Hurt Locker. So its pretty much anyone’s for the taking.<br />
<br />
Best Picture – Musical or Comedy<br />
Silver Linings Playbook<br />
Les Miserables<br />
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel<br />
Moonrise Kingdom<br />
Salomon Fishing in the Yemen<br />
Who should win: The category says it all. Do we go for musical or a comedy? Its down to either SLP or Les Mis. The reviews for the former are much stronger than the latter, but that won’t necessarily translate into a win (if the HFPA could nominate Burlesque two years ago, they could hand a trophy to a more likeable musical). Having seen SLP the other day, I was not as blown away as I thought I would be (perhaps a second viewing will remedy that). Les Mis only comes out in SA on the 18th, so I can’t really say who should win this one.<br />
Who will win: Tough call… Les Mis<br />
*sidenote: Although I didn’t entirely enjoy The Best Exotic, I must say I’m glad to see it in there, along with the surprise Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (which I actually enjoyed more than Best Exotic. It was charming, and it never pushed to be anything that it wasn’t.<br />
Best Actor – Drama<br />
Daniel Day-Lewis – Lincoln<br />
John Hawkes – The Sessions<br />
Joaquin Pheonix – The Master<br />
Denzel Washinton – Flight<br />
Richard Gere – Arbitrage<br />
Who should win: Daniel Day-Lewis
Who will win: Daniel Day-Lewis. I haven’t seen any of these films, but his reputation and buzz precede him. Of his previous Oscar wins, he one only for There Will be Blood in 2008. He’s now playing an iconic president for heaven’s sake! I hope they have no problem giving it to him again – the man is brilliant and should definitely take home the globe.<br />
Best Actress – Drama<br />
Jessica Chastain – Zero Dark Thirty<br />
Naomi Watts – The Impossible<br />
Rachel Weisz – The Deep Blue Sea<br />
Marion Cotillard – Rust and Bone<br />
Helen Mirren – Hitchcock<br />
Who should win: Jessica Chastain<br />
Who will win: Even though there is definitely a solid group of women in this category, it almost seems like a done deal for Chastain. She’s won numerous awards since we first found out that she was the lead in ZDT. Her closest competition is probably Watts, but that’s just going on internet buzz.<br />
<br />
Best Actor – Musical or Comedy<br />
Bradley Cooper – Sliver Linings Playbook<br />
Hugh Jackman – Les Miserables<br />
Jack Black – Bernie<br />
Ewan McGregor – Salmon Fishing in the Yemen<br />
Bill Murray – Hide Park on Hudson<br />
Who should win: Hugh Jackman has been going at it for a few years now, and I feel that maybe this one could be it. The role is meaty and the little that I have seen of the movie captured my attention immediately.<br />
Who will win: I feel like its between Cooper and Jackman. Cooper seems to give something new and interesting in his role as Pat, its borderline bad, yet never seems to tip the scale into OTT disaster. Maybe journo’s think he did a better job.<br />
Best Actress – Musical or Comedy<br />
Judi Dench – The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel<br />
Jennifer Lawrence – Silver Linings Playbook<br />
Emily Blunt – Salmon Fishing in the Yemen<br />
Maggie Smith – Quartet<br />
Meryl Streep – Hope Springs<br />
Who should win: For the work that she does for the age that she is, Lawrence’s performance as Tiffany is completely engaging for the mere fact that you have no idea what this woman is going to do next (invite you to bed, slap you, kiss you, use your shoulder to cry on, or all of the above).<br />
Who will win: Following her win for Iron Lady last year sort of excludes Streep (although she was once again absolutely brilliant in Hope Springs). Judi Dench is brilliant, as is Maggie Smith, but I can’t help but think that all these women (including the ‘surprise’ nomination for Blunt), were just fillers so that Jennifer Lawrence had competition on paper.
Thomaashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05712389924098770377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2397967513660864119.post-38362604222419588092013-02-15T01:45:00.001-08:002013-02-15T02:06:44.729-08:00Best Picture (maybe should've saved this for last)So, 10 days to go till the big night, and what a race its shaping out to be (in some categories). While critics and Oscarologists are pretty much handing Argo a statue for Best Picture, other categories are wide oopen. Let's have a looksee:<br />
Best Picture (with their total nominations attacted):<br />
Lincoln (12)<br />
Life of Pi (11)<br />
Les Miserables (8)<br />
Silver Linings Playbook(8)<br />
Argo (7)<br />
Django Unchained (5)<br />
Zero Dark Thirty (5)<br />
Amour (5)<br />
Beasts of the Southern Wild (4)<br />
First off, its great to see such a rich category of BP nominees. The last two years we've had the outliers of Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close and The Blind Side with only two nominations (one being BP). This year, even those on the low end of nominations have huge pluses with screenplay and directing nods to back them up, which tells, no, screams at the public that if there was ever a time to be watching films, its now!<br />
Also, there is such a variety of films, everything from musicals to Tarantino and History to modern History, there truly is something for everyone here.<br />
I still haven't managed to see Les Mis or Amour, and Zero Dark Thirty was only released in SA this morning. Out of those that i have seen, my favourite are in this order: Pi, Beasts, Argo, Django, Lincoln (which may move up to first after a second viewing), Silver Linings.<br />
All stand out because of varying attributes, Pi for its visuals blending so beautifully with its story, Silver Linings for its actors, Lincoln for its sheer epic nature and attention to detail, Beasts for its ability to capture poetry on film, and Argo for being able to capture both the critics and the worldwide audience (having a well-known actor behind the camera and another beloved actor producing seriously doesn't hurt its appeal either!).<br />
From what I've heard from the other three, Les Mis was incredible in its capturing the essence of musical theatre for the screen, Zero Dark Thirty is another Bigelow masterpiece and Amour not only pulls at the heart strings, but yanks at them with a chainsaw, which we as art house lovers consume with the guilty pleasure of a chocolate sundae!
So who wins?<br />
If you were to randomly select a date from Mid October to now, you would notice the front-runner has changed several times, with Lincoln, Zero Dark Thirty, Les Mis, Argo and Silver Linings Playbook each getting their chance to test out the top spot (even Beasts got a chance when it won at Sundance a year ago). I honestly don't think I'd mind ANY of these wining the top prize... except for the now front-runner, Argo! I saw it again last week, and having LOVED it the first time, I find myself still thinking its a great film, but not THE Best Picture of 2012. That belongs to a film with greater craft, appeal, story, visuals, greater... SOMETHING, other than the fact that your producers are famous and know all over the world.<br />
There's bound to be an upset in one category this year, because of all the talent. Here's hoping that one shows up in the big category, and instead of people going "OMG!, that sucks!!! *cough cough, Crash* people around the world will be cheering! The Oscar race will have returned to some reasonable sense of honour and reality...Thomaashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05712389924098770377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2397967513660864119.post-6696960237901205082013-02-14T23:07:00.001-08:002013-02-14T23:07:22.558-08:00Oscars Analysis to followOkay, so after correctly predicting all four best acting awards and the best director/picture combo, its time for a look at the final stages of the oscar race. Blogging has been min this year (in what year isn't it) but hopefully things will change soon. Look out for an Oscar analysis over the weekend. Peac, and other things...Thomaashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05712389924098770377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2397967513660864119.post-74395832904580969262013-01-10T05:14:00.001-08:002013-01-10T05:17:49.484-08:00Golden Globe Predix Predictions Part 2Part 2 aaaaaaaaand GO!<br />
<br />
<br />
Best Picture – Drama<br />
Django Unchained<br />
Lincoln<br />
Argo<br />
Zero Dark Thirty<br />
Life of Pi<br />
Who should win: This is an impressive set of nominees, with each one being different from the one before. I’ve only seen Argo and Pi, (gave both 9/10), but the buzz for Argo and Lincoln is very strong. Bottom line, I’m cool with anyone of them taking home the gold.<br />
Who will win: Heck! I have no clue. On a Global HFPA level, 4 out of the 5 are films about American history, which tells us something (what, I’m not quite sure yet). Lincoln has Spielberg going for it, and Argo has Affleck, the journalists also may feel that they did Katherine Bigelow out of a win for both picture and director in 2008 with The Hurt Locker. So its pretty much anyone’s for the taking.<br />
<br />
Best Picture – Musical or Comedy<br />
Silver Linings Playbook<br />
Les Miserables<br />
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel<br />
Moonrise Kingdom<br />
Salomon Fishing in the Yemen<br />
Who should win: The category says it all. Do we go for musical or a comedy? Its down to either SLP or Les Mis. The reviews for the former are much stronger than the latter, but that won’t necessarily translate into a win (if the HFPA could nominate Burlesque two years ago, they could hand a trophy to a more likeable musical). Having seen SLP the other day, I was not as blown away as I thought I would be (perhaps a second viewing will remedy that). Les Mis only comes out in SA on the 18th, so I can’t really say who should win this one.<br />
Who will win: Tough call… Les Mis<br />
*sidenote: Although I didn’t entirely enjoy The Best Exotic, I must say I’m glad to see it in there, along with the surprise Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (which I actually enjoyed more than Best Exotic. It was charming, and it never pushed to be anything that it wasn’t.<br />
<br />
Best Actor – Drama<br />
Daniel Day-Lewis – Lincoln<br />
John Hawkes – The Sessions<br />
Joaquin Pheonix – The Master<br />
Denzel Washinton – Flight<br />
Richard Gere – Arbitrage<br />
Who should win: Daniel Day-Lewis<br />
Who will win: Daniel Day-Lewis. I haven’t seen any of these films, but his reputation and buzz precede him. Of his previous Oscar wins, he one only for There Will be Blood in 2008. He’s now playing an iconic president for heaven’s sake! I hope they have no problem giving it to him again – the man is brilliant and should definitely take home the globe.<br />
<br />
Best Actress – Drama<br />
Jessica Chastain – Zero Dark Thirty<br />
Naomi Watts – The Impossible<br />
Rachel Weisz – The Deep Blue Sea<br />
Marion Cotillard – Rust and Bone<br />
Helen Mirren – Hitchcock<br />
Who should win: Jessica Chastain<br />
Who will win: Even though there is definitely a solid group of women in this category, it almost seems like a done deal for Chastain. She’s won numerous awards since we first found out that she was the lead in ZDT. Her closest competition is probably Watts, but that’s just going on internet buzz.<br />
<br />
Best Actor – Musical or Comedy<br />
Bradley Cooper – Sliver Linings playbook<br />
Hugh Jackman – Les Miserables<br />
Jack Black – Bernie<br />
Ewan McGregor – Salmon Fishing in the Yemen<br />
Bill Murray – Hide Park on Hudson<br />
Who should win: Hugh Jackman has been going at it for a few years now, and I feel that maybe this one could be it. The role is meaty and the little that I have seen of the movie captured my attention immediately.
Who will win: I feel like its between Cooper and Jackman. Cooper seems to give something new and interesting in his role as Pat, its borderline bad, yet never seems to tip the scale into OTT disaster. Maybe journo’s think he did a better job.<br />
<br />
Best Actress – Musical or Comedy<br />
Judi Dench – The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel<br />
Jennifer Lawrence – Silver Linings Playbook<br />
Emily Blunt – Salmon Fishing in the Yemen<br />
Maggie Smith – Quartet<br />
Meryl Streep – Hope Springs<br />
Who should win: For the work that she does for the age that she is, Lawrence’s performance as Tiffany is completely engaging for the mere fact that you have no idea what this woman is going to do next (invite you to bed, slap you, kiss you, use your shoulder to cry on, or all of the above).<br />
Who will win: Following her win for Iron Lady last year sort of excludes Streep (although she was once again absolutely brilliant in Hope Springs). Judi Dench is brilliant, as is Maggie Smith, but I can’t help but think that all these women (including the ‘surprise’ nomination for Blunt), were just fillers so that Jennifer Lawrence had competition on paper.
<br />
<br />
That Said, we'll see which way Oscar swings with its nominations... 17 mins to go!!!Thomaashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05712389924098770377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2397967513660864119.post-54040209687039610852013-01-10T05:09:00.000-08:002013-01-10T05:09:30.025-08:00Slap Dash Oscar Predictions"Slap Dash" not because I haven't given much thought to them, but because these are all written in abbreviated form (hope everyone can understand all of them), it was a mad rush, but I wanted to make sure I had actual predictions in before nominations were actually announced. Categories with an asterix next to them are ones I'm rather winging, alternatives are in parenthesis) Enjoy! <br />
<br />
Picture:<br />
Lincoln<br />
Pi<br />
SLP<br />
Les Mis<br />
Django<br />
Argo<br />
Zero Dark Thirty<br />
Beasts of the Southern Wild<br />
(Moonrise Kingdom)<br />
<br />
Director:<br />
Spielberg<br />
Bigelow<br />
Affleck<br />
Lee<br />
Tarantino<br />
(Russell)<br />
<br />
Actress:<br />
Lawrence<br />
Chastain<br />
Watts<br />
Cotillard<br />
Mirren<br />
(Wallis)<br />
<br />
Actor:<br />
Day-Lewis<br />
Phoenix<br />
Cooper<br />
Jackman<br />
Hawkins<br />
(Washington)<br />
<br />
Supp. Actor:<br />
Jones<br />
Hoffman<br />
Di Caprio<br />
Waltz<br />
De Niro<br />
(Henry)<br />
<br />
Supp. Actress:<br />
Hatheway<br />
Hunt<br />
Dowd<br />
Fields<br />
Adams<br />
(Kidman)<br />
<br />
Art Direction:<br />
Lincoln<br />
Cloud Atlas<br />
Argo<br />
Anna Karenina<br />
Django<br />
(Pi)<br />
<br />
Score:<br />
Lincoln<br />
Beasts<br />
Pi<br />
The Master<br />
Argo<br />
(Skyfall)<br />
<br />
Sound Editing:<br />
Skyfall<br />
The Avengers<br />
TDKR<br />
Zero Dark Thirty<br />
Brave<br />
(Lincoln)<br />
<br />
Sound Mixing:<br />
Skyfall<br />
The Avengers<br />
Zero Dark Thirty<br />
Lincoln<br />
Argo<br />
(TDKR)<br />
<br />
Cinematography:<br />
Pi<br />
Lincoln<br />
Skyfall<br />
The Hobbit<br />
The Master<br />
(Beasts)<br />
<br />
Vis Effects:<br />
TDKR<br />
The Hobbit<br />
Pi<br />
The Avengers<br />
Snow White and The Huntsman<br />
(Prometheus)<br />
<br />
Foreign Language*:<br />
The Intouchables<br />
Amour<br />
Rust and Bone<br />
A Royal Affair<br />
No<br />
(Kon Tiki)<br />
<br />
Animated Feature:<br />
Brave<br />
Frankenweenie<br />
ParaNorman<br />
Wreck-it-Ralph<br />
Rise of the Guardians<br />
(The Painting)<br />
<br />
Original Screenplay:<br />
Django<br />
Zero Dark Thirty<br />
The Master<br />
Amour<br />
Moonrise Kingdom<br />
(Middle of Nowhere)<br />
<br />
Adapted:<br />
Pi<br />
SLP<br />
Lincoln<br />
Argo<br />
Beasts<br />
(Skyfall)<br />
<br />
Documentary*:<br />
Searching for Sugarman<br />
This is not a Film<br />
Bully<br />
The Invisible War<br />
The Gatekeeper<br />
(How to Survive a Plague)<br />
<br />
Documentary Short: ---<br />
Animated Short: ---<br />
<br />
Best Make Up and Hair Styling:<br />
Lincoln<br />
Les Mis<br />
The Hobbit<br />
(Cloud Atlas)<br />
<br />
Best Costume Design:<br />
Lincoln<br />
Les Mis<br />
Argo<br />
Django<br />
Anna Karenina<br />
(Cloud Atlas)<br />
<br />
Bes Editing:<br />
ZDT<br />
Lincoln<br />
Argo<br />
Django<br />
Pi<br />
(SLP)<br />
<br />
Song:<br />
Skyfall<br />
Learn Me Right<br />
Suddenly<br />
(Song of the Lonely Mountain)Thomaashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05712389924098770377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2397967513660864119.post-56731223576270280942013-01-03T16:14:00.001-08:002013-01-03T16:46:58.118-08:00Golden Globes Predix Part 1So I was browsing online last night and it hit me that next week are the Golden Globes!!! That said, I need to start compiling my list of who should win and who will win [<i>Films I have seen</i>]:<br /><br />
Best Supporting Actor<br />
Tommy Lee Jones – Lincoln<br />
Phillip Seymour Hoffman – The Master<br />
<i>Alan Arkin – Argo</i><br />
Leonardo diCaprio – Django Unchained<br />
Christoph Waltz – Django Unchained<br />
Who should win: DiCaprio took on his first villain role ever, yet he shares this category with four previous Oscar and Golden Globe winners (3 of which won in this category – Hoffman has only won lead, although he has been nominated for his supporting roles too). All of these are phenomenal actors and any one of them should win. I’d like to give it to DiCaprio.<br />
Who will win: Tommy Lee Jones has been receiving a bucket load of attention(and critics awards) for his role as Thaddeus Stevens. In a race that’s very much 20-20-20-20-20 I’m tossing a coin and going to go with him.<br /><br />
Best Supporting Actress<br />
Sally Fields – Lincoln<br />
Anne Hatheway – Les Miserables<br />
Helen Hunt – The Sessions<br />
Nicole Kidman – The Paperboy<br />
Amy Adams – The Master<br />
Who should win: I’d love to see Hatheway win for her collective work on Les Mis and TDKR. This past year was amazing for her, with two roles that she seems to have slaughtered despite scientism from critics for both (heck, I didn’t think that she could pull off Catwoman, but she did). Give her a globe, give her something to sing about…<br />
Who will win: again we have a category filled with previous winners and nominees, and although I don’t think it’s as close as the men’s race equivalent, its still pretty close. In the end, I think Hatheway takes it.<br /><br />
Best Director<br />
Katherine Bigelow – Zero Dark Thirty<br />
Steven Spielberg – Lincoln<br />
<i>Ben Affleck – Argo</i><br />
Quinton Tarantino – Django Unchained<br />
<i>Ang Lee – Life of Pi</i><br />
Who should win: Wow! What a category, matching up exactly to the Best Picture – Drama nominees. Its tough. Spielberg and Lee have both won twice, Bigelow and Tarantino have been nominated once before. I’m hoping Affleck wins. Argo was completely exhilarating, and the pacing was perfect!<br />
Who will win: it’s really anybody’s game. I feel that Bigelow is slightly ahead (as seen by her critic award wins) but critics are not by any means the deciding vote. I don’t want to bet on anything, but if it was mandatory, I’d go with Affleck.<br /><br />
Best Screenplay<br />
Mark Boal – Zero Dark Thirty<br />
Tony Kushner – Lincoln<br />
Quinton Tarantino – Django Unchained<br />
<i>Chris Terrio – Argo<br />
David O. Russell – Silver Linings Playbook</i><br />
Who should win: All the candidates are adapted screenplays (which I haven’t come across before) which makes it difficult for me to even try to predict. Having only seen two makes it even more tricky. I’m going to go with Argo or Lincoln, although any one of these films could take it and I wouldn’t mind – they’re all winners.
<br />Who will win: Most probably Lincoln or Argo, but be prepared for anything.<br /><br />
Best Original Score<br />
Dario Marianelli – Anna Karenina<br />
<i>Alexanrde Desplat – Argo</i><br />
John Williams – Lincoln<br />
<i>Mychael Danna – Life of Pi</i><br />
Tom Tykwer, Johnny Klimek and Reinhold Heil – Cloud Atlas<br />
Who should win: Alexandre Desplat<br />
Who will win: Its hard to say. I’ve seen 3 of them and yet, I can’t really remember any of them with great enthusiasm. I’d go with Desplat, just because he did so many other amazing film scores this year (Rise of the Guardians, Zero Dark Thirty, Moonrise Kingdom and even foreign competitor Rust and Bone!). Come on, not even Spielberg worked that hard!<br /><br />
Best Original Song<br />
“For You” (Keith Urban and Michael McDevitt) – Act of Valour<br />
“Not Running Anymore” (Jon Bon Jovi) – Stand Up Guys<br />
<i>“Safe and Sound” (Taylor Swift and the Civil Wars) – The Hunger Games<br />
“Skyfall” (Adele Adkins and Paul Epworth) – Skyfall</i><br />
“Suddenly” (Claude-Michel Schonberg, Alain Boubil and Herbert Kretzmer) – Les Miserables<br />
Who should win: We all loved Skyfall even before we saw the film, and it along with the song, became a mega-hit. <br />
Who will win: Last year Madonna won, maybe they’ll honour another legend this year, but maybe that legend turns out to be Taylor Swift or Jon Bon Jovi. Suddenly also has a great chance the way “Listen” had with Dreamgirls, but that one didn’t win. Skyfall.<br /><br />
Best Animated Feature<br />
<i>Brave</i><br />
Frankenweenie<br />
<i>Hotel Transylvania</i><br />
Wreck-it-Ralph<br />
<i>Rise of the Guardians</i><br />
*Sidenote: ParaNorman was sidelined for Hotel Transylvania. I haven’t seen Norman in action, but judging from internet buzz (and my brother), the Globes got it wrong.<br />
Who should win: Not Brave. I’m such an avid Pixar fan, but I must say, this time they missed to plot slightly. It was beautifully rendered, but the story was weak. Hotel T? No. Rise of the Guardians, maybe. Like Brave (but better) it was beautifully shot, but the plot was slightly lacking in places. If the other two are as impressive as their trailers, then I hope Ralph takes it – its about time Disney won something without the help of Pixar.<br />
Who will win: With ParaNorman out of the picture, I’m thinking Frankenweenie, with Ralph and Guardians in a close second. Brave = a possible upset<br /><br />
Best Foreign Language Film<br />
Amour<br />
The Intouchables<br />
Rust and Bone<br />
A Royal Affair<br />
Kon-Toki<br />
Who should win: Critically, it should be Amour (which has a foot-in for best picture at the Oscar nominations announcement next week) or Rust and Bone (which has Cotillard nominated for actress already). It must also be said though, that The Intouchables is one of the highest grossing French films ever produced and is also well-liked by critics. I’m thinking, for the globes, The Intouchables should take it and leave Amour to win the Oscar<br />
Who will win: Its between the first 3. I’m thinking The Intouchables – because the Globes seem to take the audience into consideration at least some of the time…
<br /><br />
Part 2 (with the major awards) to follow soon! ;)
Thomaashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05712389924098770377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2397967513660864119.post-70734426565653904192013-01-02T15:20:00.000-08:002013-01-02T15:24:02.691-08:00A Long-Delayed Wrap Up of 2011, Going into Preliminaries of Awards Season 2012so I've been so busy WATCHING films this year, that i haven't had the chance to blog about most of them. Sure, my new twitter account helped me provide the briefest of reviews (140 characters - take that, 2000 word english essay!), but there's nothing quite like being able to fully explain your thoughts on a movie you just came out of that completely blew your mind! Having said that, I'm in the process of compiling my "best of 2012" list, but i'm stuck between deciding on films that were released in South Africa in the past year, or going with the flow of the Oscar calendar which would possibly be the more sensible option. Right then, let's do this:
I saw The Artist in April this year and was completely blown away with its whimsical, feel-good homage to the medium it belonged to and thought it fully deserved the top award last year. While Hugo was still quite charming, I don't think it was successful in reaching as many main stream audiences as was needed to bring home the gold. Instead, the silver seemed like a fitting position. Yet, with these two brilliant films, I have to say that my pick for #1 of 2011 has to be The Help - a film which makes me cry a little more each time (next screening is poised to be a flat out balling session!). With that sorted i have one more point to make to wrap up the 2011 season (a bit late, don't you think, Thomas??), and that is this:
Although 2011 was considered by many critics to be a total disappointment for film making (more specifically, the awards season), i have to disagree entirely. I think that the year before last was a moment in cinematic history where we as audiences needed to hit the pause button and reflect on where we were as a global society. Its crime, its global warming, its the rhinos, its the end of the freaking world! So what the best picture contenders said to me, when I watched Warhorse, the last of the Best Picture nominees, in July, was that because all these films brought back these "Silver Linings", feel-good encouraging messages they were rejected for being good, but not going all the way, pushing the boundaries of film making, being controversial, blah blah blah (look at how brilliant Girl with the Dragon Tattoo was... it could be said to justify my point). Sometimes we need these charming years. years in which narratives are not about excessive violence, full on nudity and sex scenes to boot, Hell, if No Country for Old Men won year after year, I'd probably commit suicide after 5 or so cycles.
This past year we found ourselves with such an interesting mix of films, its really going to be difficult to choose our favourites: We had the poetry of Beasts of the Southern Wild, the sleek brilliance of Bond and the ever-reliable Steven Spielberg with a biopic about one of the most world-renound presidents of all time (which we in SA have yet to see). If last year (2011) was 'exciting', then this year would possibly be 'just another year' in cinema, instead critics are abuzz with predictions, guild and critics awards upsets and triumphs, with everyone guessing, who will it be!?!?
Who will it be indeed... 2012 list to follow shortly.
Thomaashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05712389924098770377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2397967513660864119.post-33301078405012026972012-02-19T08:56:00.001-08:002012-02-19T08:56:57.432-08:002012 Oscar PredictionsWell, its that time of the year again. Here are my predictions for the 84th Annual Academy Awards. Please feel free to post feedback. Would love to hear from you<br /><br /> <br /><br />For a full list of the nominees: http://oscar.go.com/nominees<br /><br /> <br /><br />Best Picture<br /><br />Who will win: The Artist - Although the first official South African screening is only tonight, this picture is almost set to win the ultimate prize.<br /><br />Who should win: This is a tough one. There is such a variety of films nominated this year, from fantasy to comedy to drama and a black and white silent film! I love The Help, and Hugo was a beautiful piece of art, however, after just seeing the trailer to The Artist, I think it would be most deserving of the top honour<br /><br /> <br /><br />Best Director<br /><br />Who will win: Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist - Its not easy to make a silent film so incredibly enjoyable and critically acclaimed in 2012. He apparently did the impossible.<br /><br />Who should win: In terms of directing? Hmmm... Martin Scorsese, because Hugo was truly an artwork put together by meticulously by a fine artist. (No pun intended).<br /><br /> <br /><br />Best Actress<br /><br />Who will win: I STILL DON'T KNOW! Streep or Davis?? I'm gonna say Davis, because the Academy loves to nominate Meryl Streep, but not actually give her a prize.<br /><br />Who should win: Up until last night I was fully behind Davis. I love The Help and the character of Abileen is so beautifully acted by Viola Davis, but Meryl Streep's performance was possibly the best I have ever seen by an actor.n GIVE THE WOMAN A FRIKKEN OSCAR!!! 29 years is a long enough wait!<br /><br /> <br /><br />Best Actor<br /><br />Who will win: That guy from the artist... Jean Dujardin<br /><br />Who should win: Geoge Clooney is amazing, but something about Brad Pitt in Moneyball was so interesting. So different from anything he has done before, i think he or should be rewarded for it.<br /><br /> <br /><br />Best Supporting Actress<br /><br />Who will win: Octavia Spencer. She was such a colourful Minnie Jackson in The Help and brought life to the story in the way few characters can in an emotional racial drama.<br /><br />Who should win: Melissa McCarthy was absolutely hilarious in Bridesmaids and Bernice Bujo looks rather brilliant in The Artist too, but I'm fully behind Ms. Spencer in the end!<br /><br /> <br /><br />Best Supporting Actor<br /><br />Who will win: Between the old guys, Max von Sydow and Christopher Plummer. I'm thinking Plummer just because von Sydow's name hardly even come up until the academy's nominees were announced last month<br /><br />Who should win: Jonah Hill totally surprised me in Moneyball, with a break from his usual over-the-top comic fare. Wait, Plummer has never won and Oscar!? What, please give the man a trophy!!<br /><br /> <br /><br />Best Adapted Screenplay<br /><br />Who will win: I'd say The Descendants, because it was so truthful and beautifully subtle in its execution of storytelling<br /><br />Who should win: Clooney's adaption of The Ides of March was powerful, and Moneyball was incredible, and so was Hugo... Gee, it's rather tough.... I'd go with Ides of March.<br /><br /> <br /><br />Best Original Screenplay<br /><br />Who will win: Best Pictures usually win because of their stories, but this year might prove different. I predict Midnight in Paris to be the victor. Its Woody Allen's highest grossing film ever and the critics loved it too.<br /><br />Who should win: Bridesmaids was the guilty treat of last year, and look, a foreign language film is also in the mix, but I believe that writing film with no spoken words is an incredible feat which deserves recognition! The Artist should win.<br /><br /> <br /><br />Best Original Score<br /><br />Who will win: The Artist - It won the golden globe and music is essential for silent film making.<br /><br />Who should win: Hugo's music was beautiful, and Tin Tin's amazing visual adventure was heightened by John Williams' exciting score. I'd go with The Artist, even though I haven't seen it, which doesn't make much sense...<br /><br /> <br /><br />Best Cinematography<br /><br />Who will win: Hugo produced some amazing shots and brilliantly utilized 3D technology the way Avatar did two years ago. It will probably be the winner here.<br /><br />Who should win: Its a tough call again. Tree of Life was a stunning visual treat for audiences, but so was Hugo? ... hmmm... Tree of Life<br /><br /> <br /><br />Best Art Direction<br /><br />Who will win: Hugo... Its beautiful<br /><br />Who should win: All five films nominated are amazing in terms of their design and decor. I would say Hugo, possibly The Artist, or even Midnight in Paris? No wait, no sitting on the fence... Hugo. done!<br /><br /> <br /><br />Best Visual Effects<br /><br />Who will win: Planet of the Apes - although you could sometimes tell what was real and what wasn't, the shots of the climatic bridge scene were magnificent!<br /><br />Who should win: Harry Potter has never won an Oscar, and its such a phenomenal film series, i can't help feeling that it should win SOMETHING! But I would actually say Hugo's effects were most contributing to the film as a whole, and that for me is most important.<br /><br /> <br /><br />The other "less interesting awards" will follow on during the week in Part 2.Thomaashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05712389924098770377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2397967513660864119.post-78589057052086505632010-07-13T01:25:00.001-07:002010-07-13T01:32:14.017-07:00#99 Gangs of New YorkI was at an acquaintence's house yesterday and stumbled upon this well-known Martin Scorsese flick. Gangs of New York. Unable to finish the entire film at once. I watched it in two parts. The rise and fall of Amsterdam and then the rise of the dead rabbits. The movie as a whole was everything a good epic should be: dramatic, historic, large sets, fancy costumes, great cast and longer than 2 and a half hours. I must compliment Cameron Diaz on a good performance that sees her do more than just look good and smile. Daniel Day-Lewis is, however, on a whole different level! His performance as "The Butcher" is truely remarkable. As always, i paid close attention to the story. When Amsterdam is taken under the Butcher's wing, you know that at some stage, he will fall! When he does you are then almost certain that The Butcher will fall... So the plot was okay. A simple story mixed with an epic stage = an above average picture that falls just short of expectations. The movie deserved its 10 oscar nominations and maybe if it wasn't up against other great films like Chicago and The Pianist, it would've won a few. Audiences should be aware that this is not a "pretty picture". There's explicit violence, language, blasphemy and some sex and nudity too, after all, this is New York... 7/10Thomaashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05712389924098770377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2397967513660864119.post-3329767896485285692010-06-14T14:30:00.000-07:002010-06-14T14:33:55.118-07:00UpdateHi there everybody, It's been a long while since i've written, and for a very good reason. I committed the ultimate sin for a blogger and actually forgot my web address. I found it by chance last month and i'm so ver glad i did. Even though this blog hasn't had any comments posted or any followers, it still means a great deal to me. I will continue writing until, maybe one day, someone passes by and reads what i have to say... Blog again sooonThomaashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05712389924098770377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2397967513660864119.post-78688564537113961492009-10-03T15:51:00.001-07:002009-10-03T15:51:46.149-07:00#100. Driving Miss Daisy.This classic movie looks at the relationship between a stubborn, old jewish woman and her sweet, black driver. The story takes us to a place where we have been taken to many times in film. America, 1948, a time where not everyone was treated equally. Yet we are able to see a different perspective on the topic, in that the movie shows how some white people treated people of other races with respect. Performances by Jessica Tandy and Morgan Freeman are memorable with her snappy comments and his smile-enducing laugh, it is easy to see why each of them were nominated for an Oscar (with Tandy winning). It's the kind of movie which moves at just the right pace and makes you want to watch it as a semi annual occasion. The movie is great viewing and southern American story telling. It deserves a nod and 8/10!Thomaashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05712389924098770377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2397967513660864119.post-7630088321118682092009-09-21T17:37:00.001-07:002009-09-21T17:37:52.804-07:00Pop corn: Wall-ENow i am a sucker for animation! I love the way it provides an escape to another world that most of us don't even have the imagination to even think about. In the last 20years animation has certainally grown in leaps and bounds with the disney renassense (sorry i know my spelling is shocking, i hope u'r able to recognise what i'm trying to spell there), starting in 1989 with The Little Mermaid, the introduction (and almost total reliance) of computer animation from the classic Toy Story, and the creation of rivals, dreamworks animation, and sony pictures (the ice age films) to combat the long running disney dominance. I would like to take this opportunity to talk about one of my new favourites in this genre: Wall-E!<br />One of Pixar's latest offerings and possibly one of the top 5best animated films ever! We meet Wall-E (waste allocation load lifter - Earth class) 700 years into the future. We find the earth overrun with rubbish and the humans have fled to space for safety. Wall-E then hitches a ride to space when his dream bot (EVE) captures his attention, leading him on the journey of a life time! <br />what makes this story so special and captivating is not just the animation, the characters, the story, the score or the brilliant sound the film produces, it's a combination of all of the above. My favourite scene from the movie is (stop reading if u haven't watched it people) when EVE has fixed Wall-E and is waiting for him to respond. Nothing. He stares blankly into space and carries on with his job. You're heart almost breaks for the robot you have so come to adore over the last hour and a half. You find yourself saying "please please please, come on, come on" encouraging the screen to give u a positive outcome... And it does. When Wall-E doesn't let go of EVE's hand, then moves his eyes up and down, a smile broadens my face and all is well again.<br />It's brilliance also lies very much within the incredible sounds the robots make use of in order to speak. I must say that the movie's only fault is the human design. I found it too "plain" for the rest of the movie and felt that it was nearly too different from the seamless animation of the rest me the film, however, there are just too many good points for me to dwell on the negative. Well done Pixar. U did it again. Wall-E scores a 9/10Thomaashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05712389924098770377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2397967513660864119.post-5089958299656102512009-09-21T17:00:00.000-07:002009-09-21T17:08:19.431-07:00#101. SyrianaThis is an engaging drama about the oil trade and has a very intricate plot. It follows the lives of several men involved with this billion dollar industry which kills many people each year. I don't have much else to say about it except that i did not entirely appreciate the bad language used in the George Clooney torture scene, nor the very complicated "snip-bit style" way of story telling. In the end though, there is no denying that is deserved the critical attention it received, as well as the oscar nomination for Clooney. I give it 7/10.Thomaashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05712389924098770377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2397967513660864119.post-60266878282493346672009-09-21T16:52:00.000-07:002009-09-21T17:41:11.530-07:00An introductionHey there all you movie go-ers. I'm an 18year old guy living in South Africa and i'm absolutely obsessed with movies (but then again who isn't nowadays). My intension for this blog is to review my personal list of 101 movies i wanna see (before i die obviously). I would also like to share a few of my particular interests within the movie industry (animation (esp. Pixar, musicals, and anything with an orginal plot line). Because of my like for new, original and interesting stories, most of the movies on my list are oscar nominees for best original or adapted screenplay. I hope that i am able to discuss, criticise and even argue about films. I'm just hoping people are out there who want to listen...Thomaashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05712389924098770377noreply@blogger.com0