Oscar 2011 Thoughts
This year I actually managed to watch most of the notable movies nominated this year at the Oscars. There are about 5 or so that I still want to see before Sunday, but I probably won't get to them beforehand. But, this is how I see some of the categories, just my personal opinion, not what I think will actually win.
For once there's no one movie that I am stanning for, or even a category that I outright want one nomination to win really badly...well, except maybe Bale. So, I have a tier list of the hopefuls. Basically, I'd be cool with any in the top tier winning.
Actress (Supporting)
1. Hailee Steinfeld
2. Helena Bonham Carter = Melissa Leo = Amy Adams
Crap, Animal Kingdom was a movie I've been meaning to see. Maybe I will fit it in before the show, because Weaver is apparently deliciously evil in it. I really wasn't left with a strong impression by Carter's performance in The King's Speech and I think Leo's is overrated, way too hyped. She, like everyone else, was completely overshadowed by Bale. Adams was fine, I could see her nominated over the other two.
Steinfeld was terrific in True Grit, and I hope she wins. By far the most memorable out of all the nominees (Weaver may be the exception). Her age may discourage the voters, unfortunately.
Actress (Leading)
1. Natalie Portman = Jennifer Lawrence
I have no desire to see Rabbit Hole, but I want to finish Kids and see Blue Valentine. Good on Kidman, though, for the nom. Both Portman and Lawrence completely owned their roles, but I guess I'd give the edge to Portman, whose role was more memorable. It would be quite the upset if she didn't win at this point.
Actor (Supporting)
1. Christian Bale = John Hawkes
2. Geoffrey Rush
I loved Renner in The Hurt Locker, so I need to see The Town at some point. I absolutely loved John Hawkes's performance in Winter's Bone and Bale completely owned The Fighter...he was by far the best part of it. Rush was excellent, and should be in the same tier, but I'd rather see the other two get the recognition, not only b/c I am fans of them both, but they played more interesting roles. I especially want to see Bale win, as he is one of my favorite actors.
Actor (Leading)
1. Colin Firth = James Franco = Jesse Eisenberg
2. Jeff Bridges
I have not seen Biutiful, and don't really plan on seeing it unless it wins something. Firth is probably a lock, but I thought Franco and Eisenberg were terrific and elevated their respective films. Bridges was good, but pales against the others.
Best Animated Film
1. Toy Story 3
2. How to Train Your Dragon
I have not seen The Illusionist; it was one I have been meaning to see. I really didn't like Hiccup in HtTYD and, since he was the lead, it really affected my opinion of the movie as a whole. It is gorgeous and parts of it are great, but Toy Story has it beat.
Music (Original Score)
1. Inception = 127 Hours = How to Train Your Dragon
2. The Social Network
3. King's Speech
As much praise as TSN's score gets (and I did enjoy it myself), it didn't strike me as the top tier did. I'm pulling for Inception above all.
Cinematography
1. Inception = Black Swan = The King's Speech
2. TSN = True Grit
Hard for me to judge True Grit fairly (bad quality video). Go Inception!
Best Picture
1. The Social Network = 127 Hours = Inception
2. Winter's Bone = Black Swan = King's Speech
3. Toy Story 3 = The Fighter = True Grit
I would be fine with any in the top two tiers winning. I'm going by pure enjoyment, here. Nothing nominated pisses me off, but nothing gets me terribly excited, either, in terms of rooting for a film. It seems to be between TSN and TKS, which I am totally OK with. A Black Swan or Inception upset would be welcome, though.
Quick Hits
Adapted Screenplay: The Social Network, 127 Hours
Original Screenplay: Inception
Director: Fincher (TSN), Aronofsky (BS), or Hooper (TKS) (No Nolan or Boyle...sigh)
I definitely won't get to all the films in Foreign and Documentary, but I will see Exit Through the Giftshop at some point and I saw Dogtooth and it was horrifying in its own way, but it was also very good and I'm glad it got recognition. I'll try to see a lot of the documentaries nominated b/c they sound excellent.
For once there's no one movie that I am stanning for, or even a category that I outright want one nomination to win really badly...well, except maybe Bale. So, I have a tier list of the hopefuls. Basically, I'd be cool with any in the top tier winning.
Actress (Supporting)
1. Hailee Steinfeld
2. Helena Bonham Carter = Melissa Leo = Amy Adams
Crap, Animal Kingdom was a movie I've been meaning to see. Maybe I will fit it in before the show, because Weaver is apparently deliciously evil in it. I really wasn't left with a strong impression by Carter's performance in The King's Speech and I think Leo's is overrated, way too hyped. She, like everyone else, was completely overshadowed by Bale. Adams was fine, I could see her nominated over the other two.
Steinfeld was terrific in True Grit, and I hope she wins. By far the most memorable out of all the nominees (Weaver may be the exception). Her age may discourage the voters, unfortunately.
Actress (Leading)
1. Natalie Portman = Jennifer Lawrence
I have no desire to see Rabbit Hole, but I want to finish Kids and see Blue Valentine. Good on Kidman, though, for the nom. Both Portman and Lawrence completely owned their roles, but I guess I'd give the edge to Portman, whose role was more memorable. It would be quite the upset if she didn't win at this point.
Actor (Supporting)
1. Christian Bale = John Hawkes
2. Geoffrey Rush
I loved Renner in The Hurt Locker, so I need to see The Town at some point. I absolutely loved John Hawkes's performance in Winter's Bone and Bale completely owned The Fighter...he was by far the best part of it. Rush was excellent, and should be in the same tier, but I'd rather see the other two get the recognition, not only b/c I am fans of them both, but they played more interesting roles. I especially want to see Bale win, as he is one of my favorite actors.
Actor (Leading)
1. Colin Firth = James Franco = Jesse Eisenberg
2. Jeff Bridges
I have not seen Biutiful, and don't really plan on seeing it unless it wins something. Firth is probably a lock, but I thought Franco and Eisenberg were terrific and elevated their respective films. Bridges was good, but pales against the others.
Best Animated Film
1. Toy Story 3
2. How to Train Your Dragon
I have not seen The Illusionist; it was one I have been meaning to see. I really didn't like Hiccup in HtTYD and, since he was the lead, it really affected my opinion of the movie as a whole. It is gorgeous and parts of it are great, but Toy Story has it beat.
Music (Original Score)
1. Inception = 127 Hours = How to Train Your Dragon
2. The Social Network
3. King's Speech
As much praise as TSN's score gets (and I did enjoy it myself), it didn't strike me as the top tier did. I'm pulling for Inception above all.
Cinematography
1. Inception = Black Swan = The King's Speech
2. TSN = True Grit
Hard for me to judge True Grit fairly (bad quality video). Go Inception!
Best Picture
1. The Social Network = 127 Hours = Inception
2. Winter's Bone = Black Swan = King's Speech
3. Toy Story 3 = The Fighter = True Grit
I would be fine with any in the top two tiers winning. I'm going by pure enjoyment, here. Nothing nominated pisses me off, but nothing gets me terribly excited, either, in terms of rooting for a film. It seems to be between TSN and TKS, which I am totally OK with. A Black Swan or Inception upset would be welcome, though.
Quick Hits
Adapted Screenplay: The Social Network, 127 Hours
Original Screenplay: Inception
Director: Fincher (TSN), Aronofsky (BS), or Hooper (TKS) (No Nolan or Boyle...sigh)
I definitely won't get to all the films in Foreign and Documentary, but I will see Exit Through the Giftshop at some point and I saw Dogtooth and it was horrifying in its own way, but it was also very good and I'm glad it got recognition. I'll try to see a lot of the documentaries nominated b/c they sound excellent.