...and the nominees are....
It's my favorite time of year. The time when I feel all warm and fuzzy inside. No, I am not talking about Christmas. I'm talking about Oscar season! The time of year when the stockings are filled with amazing films, and those critic awards are strewn underneath the manicured tree. Can't you just smell it? I'm sure nobody cares about these posts, but I post them for my own fun. I finally narrowed down what I think the nominations will be this year. I'll provide a brief description after each short list.
Best Picture
The Queen
The Departed
Letters from Iwo Jima
Little Miss Sunshine
Dreamgirls
This has been THE toughest year ever. Not because there are so many great films. But because there hasn't really been enough. However, after some debate, I chose the films that ultimately stood out (Granted, I had to look at precursor awards for some advice - I haven't yet seen 'Letters' and 'Dreamgirls'). Alas, I had to leave out 'Little Miss Sunshine' and 'Little Children' because it just wasn't a "Little" year; for the Academy anyway (but don't discount Little Miss Sunshine!). But I wouldn't be surprised if the 9/11 film 'United 93' snuck in there edging out one of the five. Critics have either loved Babel, or despised it. But one thing's for sure, every critic has LOVED 'Little Miss Sunshine'. Damnit! I LOVED 'Babel'!
+Edit: Saw Dreamgirls, loved it. Deserves to be in this category. ALSO, it pains me to admit this, but I'm trading out Babel for 'Little Miss Sunshine'. That little, indie flick has been unstoppable, and I think they Academy is gonna bite.
Best Director
-Martin Scorcese (The Departed)
-Clint Eastwood (Letters from Iwo Jima)
-Stephen Frears (The Queen)
-Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu (Babel)
-Bill Condon (Dreamgirls)
Dear Santa. Please finally give Martin Scorcese his fucking Oscar. If Eastwood, albeit a great Director, pulls another Oscar circa 2004 (winning for 'Million Dollar Baby' instead of Scorcese for 'The Aviator'), some rabid dog will be feasting on the Academy's danglers! In other words, Frears and Condon are locks. But it's my Alejandro who may be edged out by Paul Greengrass for 'United 93'. I thought the Direction in 'Babel' was spec-tacular. And I think Inarritu deserves a nod fo' sho!
+Edit: Although I think Condon still will get a nod, it wasn't amazing direction. In fact, I think the movie kinda directed itself. It was definitely no 'Chicago'/Rob Marshall where Marshall was oh-so-great!
Actor
-Forest Whitaker (The Last King of Scotland)
-Peter O'Toole (Venus)
-Leonardo DiCaprio (The Departed)
-Will Smith (The Pursuit of Happyness)
-Ryan Gosling (Half Nelson)
I remember it was three months ago, and a preview for 'The Last King of Scotland' appeared on the big screen. Immediately, I was blown away by Forest Whitaker and turned to my friend and told her, he will win an Oscar for that role. Low and behold.....he will. Not the surest best of the night because Peter O'Toole and Leo will give him a run for his money, but it's pretty close to definite. The fillers, respectively, are Big Willie himself (his best performance to date) and Mickey Mouse Club's Ryan Gosling.
Actress
-Helen Mirren (The Queen)
-Judi Dench (Notes from a Scandal)
-Meryl Streep (The Devil Wears Prada)
-Penelope Cruz (Volver)
-Kate Winslet (Little Children)
HERE is the surest bet of the evening. Helen Mirren will win for 'The Queen' and deserves it. Finally, an older, talented woman taking home the Best Actress tropy! Yes, this should have happened 2 years ago when Imelda Staunton SHOULD have won for 'Vera Drake' over Hilary Swank's "been there, done that" performance in 'Million Dollar Baby'. But can't cry over spilled milk, right? In other old news, Judi Dench and Meryl Streep will both get deserving nominations. While Penelope and the ever so talented Kate Winslet may snag the last two spots (however, I'd keep an eye out for Maggie Gylenhaal. I hear after her brother's nomination last year, she's out for one herself for 'Sherrybaby')
Supporting Actor
-Michael Sheen (The Queen)
-Djimon Hounsou (Blood Diamond)
-Jack Nicholson (The Departed)
-Brad Pitt (Babel)
-Eddie Murphy (Dreamgirls)
Could there BE more amazing Supporting Actor performances this year? I could not decide who would make the short list for the life of me. This will probably be the most messed up category of the bunch because Jack, Michael, and Eddie are the only sure locks. The rest are up for grabs. I wasn't really convinced of Brad Pitt's meaky performance in 'Babel' (although I loved the film). And Hounsou was great, but his performance in 'In America' was oh-so-much-better. The other men glaring for that spot are Mark Whalberg (The Departed), Alan Arkin (Little Miss Sunshine), and Hollywoodland's Ben Affleck. (Coule this category BE more Hollywood?) The only Darkhorse of the bunch is Jackie Earle Haley (Little Children) who just may take one of these Movie Star's spots.
Supporting Actress
-Jennifer Hudson (Dreamgirls)
-Adriana Barraza (Babel)
-Rinko Kikuchi (Babel)
-Cate Blanchet (Notes on a Scandal)
-Abigal Breslin (Little Miss Sunshine)
This is, without a doubt, my favorite category of them all. This is seriously my dream nomination list right here because if any of these actress' win (Cate Blanchet notwithstanding - she already won for 'The Aviator'), I'd be a very happy person. I'm not convinced Abigal Breslin will get nominated because she hasn't had much precursor love. Her spot may be filled by Catherine O'Hara (For Your Consideration).....but it's an improv, Guest film which isn't really Oscar friendly. Although Rinko did amazing, I would LOVE LOVE LOVE Adriana (Babel) to take home the gold. Her performance as the Nanny/illegal immigrant was stunning, breathtaking, and inspiring. On another note, I have not yet seen 'Dreamgirls' but if an ex-American Idol runner-up could take home an ACADEMY AWARD, I'd be thrilled....plus, I've heard she's amazing.
+Edit: She is amazing! Scene stealer + The clear lead in the film + spectacular voice = Oscar nod (and maybe the win)
Best Picture
The Queen
The Departed
Letters from Iwo Jima
Little Miss Sunshine
Dreamgirls
This has been THE toughest year ever. Not because there are so many great films. But because there hasn't really been enough. However, after some debate, I chose the films that ultimately stood out (Granted, I had to look at precursor awards for some advice - I haven't yet seen 'Letters' and 'Dreamgirls'). Alas, I had to leave out 'Little Miss Sunshine' and 'Little Children' because it just wasn't a "Little" year; for the Academy anyway (but don't discount Little Miss Sunshine!). But I wouldn't be surprised if the 9/11 film 'United 93' snuck in there edging out one of the five. Critics have either loved Babel, or despised it. But one thing's for sure, every critic has LOVED 'Little Miss Sunshine'. Damnit! I LOVED 'Babel'!
+Edit: Saw Dreamgirls, loved it. Deserves to be in this category. ALSO, it pains me to admit this, but I'm trading out Babel for 'Little Miss Sunshine'. That little, indie flick has been unstoppable, and I think they Academy is gonna bite.
Best Director
-Martin Scorcese (The Departed)
-Clint Eastwood (Letters from Iwo Jima)
-Stephen Frears (The Queen)
-Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu (Babel)
-Bill Condon (Dreamgirls)
Dear Santa. Please finally give Martin Scorcese his fucking Oscar. If Eastwood, albeit a great Director, pulls another Oscar circa 2004 (winning for 'Million Dollar Baby' instead of Scorcese for 'The Aviator'), some rabid dog will be feasting on the Academy's danglers! In other words, Frears and Condon are locks. But it's my Alejandro who may be edged out by Paul Greengrass for 'United 93'. I thought the Direction in 'Babel' was spec-tacular. And I think Inarritu deserves a nod fo' sho!
+Edit: Although I think Condon still will get a nod, it wasn't amazing direction. In fact, I think the movie kinda directed itself. It was definitely no 'Chicago'/Rob Marshall where Marshall was oh-so-great!
Actor
-Forest Whitaker (The Last King of Scotland)
-Peter O'Toole (Venus)
-Leonardo DiCaprio (The Departed)
-Will Smith (The Pursuit of Happyness)
-Ryan Gosling (Half Nelson)
I remember it was three months ago, and a preview for 'The Last King of Scotland' appeared on the big screen. Immediately, I was blown away by Forest Whitaker and turned to my friend and told her, he will win an Oscar for that role. Low and behold.....he will. Not the surest best of the night because Peter O'Toole and Leo will give him a run for his money, but it's pretty close to definite. The fillers, respectively, are Big Willie himself (his best performance to date) and Mickey Mouse Club's Ryan Gosling.
Actress
-Helen Mirren (The Queen)
-Judi Dench (Notes from a Scandal)
-Meryl Streep (The Devil Wears Prada)
-Penelope Cruz (Volver)
-Kate Winslet (Little Children)
HERE is the surest bet of the evening. Helen Mirren will win for 'The Queen' and deserves it. Finally, an older, talented woman taking home the Best Actress tropy! Yes, this should have happened 2 years ago when Imelda Staunton SHOULD have won for 'Vera Drake' over Hilary Swank's "been there, done that" performance in 'Million Dollar Baby'. But can't cry over spilled milk, right? In other old news, Judi Dench and Meryl Streep will both get deserving nominations. While Penelope and the ever so talented Kate Winslet may snag the last two spots (however, I'd keep an eye out for Maggie Gylenhaal. I hear after her brother's nomination last year, she's out for one herself for 'Sherrybaby')
Supporting Actor
-Michael Sheen (The Queen)
-Djimon Hounsou (Blood Diamond)
-Jack Nicholson (The Departed)
-Brad Pitt (Babel)
-Eddie Murphy (Dreamgirls)
Could there BE more amazing Supporting Actor performances this year? I could not decide who would make the short list for the life of me. This will probably be the most messed up category of the bunch because Jack, Michael, and Eddie are the only sure locks. The rest are up for grabs. I wasn't really convinced of Brad Pitt's meaky performance in 'Babel' (although I loved the film). And Hounsou was great, but his performance in 'In America' was oh-so-much-better. The other men glaring for that spot are Mark Whalberg (The Departed), Alan Arkin (Little Miss Sunshine), and Hollywoodland's Ben Affleck. (Coule this category BE more Hollywood?) The only Darkhorse of the bunch is Jackie Earle Haley (Little Children) who just may take one of these Movie Star's spots.
Supporting Actress
-Jennifer Hudson (Dreamgirls)
-Adriana Barraza (Babel)
-Rinko Kikuchi (Babel)
-Cate Blanchet (Notes on a Scandal)
-Abigal Breslin (Little Miss Sunshine)
This is, without a doubt, my favorite category of them all. This is seriously my dream nomination list right here because if any of these actress' win (Cate Blanchet notwithstanding - she already won for 'The Aviator'), I'd be a very happy person. I'm not convinced Abigal Breslin will get nominated because she hasn't had much precursor love. Her spot may be filled by Catherine O'Hara (For Your Consideration).....but it's an improv, Guest film which isn't really Oscar friendly. Although Rinko did amazing, I would LOVE LOVE LOVE Adriana (Babel) to take home the gold. Her performance as the Nanny/illegal immigrant was stunning, breathtaking, and inspiring. On another note, I have not yet seen 'Dreamgirls' but if an ex-American Idol runner-up could take home an ACADEMY AWARD, I'd be thrilled....plus, I've heard she's amazing.
+Edit: She is amazing! Scene stealer + The clear lead in the film + spectacular voice = Oscar nod (and maybe the win)