This year, the Best Picture category returns to a 10-nominee set as hosts Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin tag team for comedy amid several costume changes as they hope to keep the ball rolling from Hugh Jackman’s varied hosting work last year. The 82nd Annual Academy Awards will be televised live on Sunday, March 7 on ABC. Here are my winning picks (in bold).
Best Picture
- Avatar
- The Blind Side
- District 9
- An Education
- The Hurt Locker
- Inglourious Basterds
- Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire
- A Serious Man
- Up
- Up in the Air
The first year since 1944 with more than five nominees can make everyone happy with a nice mix of realism and escapism. Blind Side was a surprise as Star Trek didn’t make the cut. No Julie & Julia or (500) Days of Summer either. Avatar is the front runner here. Avatar accomplished filmmaking breakthroughs and represents a modern rarity, which Pixar and a few other studios follow — taking the time to make a great film. The pressure should lie with the end product and the storytelling. Yes, Avatar does not have a screenplay nomination here and has received harsh criticism for unoriginality in a derivative story written by director/producer James Cameron, but it's still the best picture this year.
Best Animated Film
- Coraline
- Fantastic Mr. Fox
- The Princess and the Frog
- The Secret of Kells
- Up
Many didn’t see Secret, while the obvious five-nomination front runner Up also got a much deserved best picture nomination. The other three nominees are very unique, but Up combines strong filmmaking, music, storytelling, setting, and characters into an unforgettable and highly entertaining story. Will Pixar’s incredible string of hits ever end?
Director
- James Cameron, Avatar
- Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker
- Quentin Tarantino, Inglourious Basterds
- Lee Daniels, Precious…
- Jason Reitman, Up in the Air
Clint Eastwood didn’t make the cut while Bigelow hopes to be the first female directing winner. Cameron’s already king of the world with a statue for Titanic and Bigelow almost has a guaranteed win by getting the Director's Guild award.
Actress
- Sandra Bullock, The Blind Side
- Helen Mirren, The Last Station
- Carey Mulligan, An Education
- Gabourey Sidibe, Precious
- Meryl Streep, Julie & Julia
British actresses swapped as Mirren replaced Emily Blunt for Young Victoria as Last Station gets some much deserved attention. Streep is the closest contender to Bullock who gets her first nomination and likely win, perhaps by popular vote because Blind Side also got a Best Picture nod. Bullock's longevity and appealing persona boost her chances along with her cumulative work.
Supporting Actress
- Penelope Cruz, Nine
- Vera Farmiga, Up in the Air
- Maggie Gyllenhaal, Crazy Heart
- Anna Kendrick, Up in the Air
- Mo'Nique, Precious
Cruz got the only major nomination for the high profile, but little seen musical Nine while Up in the Air had a double dose of great actresses. Kendrick has a great future while Farmiga cements herself at the top of the actress talent pool. Mo’Nique’s realistic and dramatic portrayal is the best here, an achievement which adds some credibility to "crossover" actresses and actors coming from stand-up or music.
Article comments
1 - Victor Lana
I agree with you almost across the board, except in two cases:
I think Hurt Locker wins Best Picture.
Morgan Freeman wins Best Actor.
2 - Tall Writer
Yes, it's going to be close for Best Picture. Locker's been gaining momentum and it's not impossible for a release on home video to win now...it might be better. Freeman was the only casting choice for that role; Mandela even mentioned him by name. Just wish Eastwood would have got nominated for Best Director.
3 - El Bicho
Interesting pick of winners, but not clear about a few things.
"Avatar is the front runner here."
Not sure where you get that. The buzz and many of the awards given out already make it "Hurt Locker"
"British actresses swapped as Mirren replaced Emily Blunt"
How were they swapped? Didn't hear Blunt got nominated for an Oscar.
"Bullock who gets her first nomination and likely win, perhaps by popular vote"
Other than Best Pic with its weighted voting, I am pretty sure everyone wins an Oscar by popular vote.
"an achievement which adds some credibility to "crossover" actresses and actors coming from stand-up or music."
With past winners like Whoopi Goldberg, Robin Williams, and Jennifer Hudson is there really a need to add credibility?
4 - El Bicho
Freeman will absolutely not win Best Actor.
5 - Tall Writer
Yes, interesting. It's an opinion remember. Mirren got nominated instead of Blunt who deserves some recognition for The Young Victoria. As mentioned, other factors seem to influence Bullock's vote beyond basic merit of the performance. Mo'Nique definitely adds to that "crossover" credibility. Hopefully that "clears things up". Can't wait until Sunday.
6 - Lisa E
It's going to be a great Oscars. Like the picks. Makes me think about the politics and business, but the artistic and creative elements as well.
7 - Jeff
Wow! Great picks. Think you only missed best picture and adapted screenplay on the first three pages!
8 - Jeff
...and sound editing and costume design missed on the 4th page. Wow! Only missed 4 out of 18! Good choices. Best picture was a surprise, but not too many Oscars for sci-fi in the past either. Star Wars got nominated for best pic, but didn't win either.