Actor
- Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart
- George Clooney, Up in the Air
- Colin Firth, A Single Man
- Morgan Freeman, Invictus
- Jeremy Renner, The Hurt Locker
Bridges is long overdue for a win after multiple nominations while newcomer Renner gets a much deserved nomination. Bridges' singing talents come through, but his ability to perform and permeate audiences with his characters fuel this win.
Supporting Actor
- Matt Damon, Invictus
- Woody Harrelson, The Messenger
- Christopher Plummer, The Last Station
- Stanley Tucci, The Lovely Bones
- Christoph Waltz, Inglourious Basterds
A great set including men who could also headline any film. Plummer caps off an incredible year, but Waltz’s mesmerizing performance wins out here. His beginning dialogue scene in the Frenchman's house is enough. Tarantino again showcases an extraordinary performance in an extended role, which pushes a deserving actor into the spotlight.
Best Original Screenplay
- Mark Boal, The Hurt Locker
- Quentin Tarantino, Inglourious Basterds
- Alessandro Camon & Oren Moverman, The Messenger
- Joel Coen & Ethan Coen, A Serious Man
- Bob Peterson, Pete Docter & Tom McCarthy, Up
Boal won the Writers Guild Award and has good momentum. Up continues Pixar’s screenplay recognition as Messenger and Serious get deserved attention. Tarantino has his sole win with Roger Avary for Pulp Fiction. Boal succeeds with the first modern Iraq war movie, which balances taut realism and shocking scenarios as audiences follow along side military characters instead of being dragged along.
Best Adapted Screenplay
- Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell, District 9
- Nick Hornby, An Education
- Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell, Armando Iannucci & Tony Roche, In the Loop
- Geoffrey Fletcher, Precious
- Jason Reitman & Sheldon Turner, Up in the Air
Loop gets some nice recognition with their only nomination. Directors Blomkamp, Iannucci, and Reitman stretch their creative skills here while Reitman also gets a directing nod for a well-timed and personal film. Reitman and Turner also won the Writers Guild award. The generational conflicts, modern work environment and personal searches for life satisfaction balance well within each character.
Best Cinematography
- Avatar
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
- The Hurt Locker
- Inglourious Basterds
- The White Ribbon
Bruno Delbonnel (Prince) has three nominations under his belt while Robert Richardson (Basterds) has six plus two wins for JFK and The Aviator. Look for first time nominee Mauro Fiore to take the prize here.
Best Editing
- Avatar
- District 9
- The Hurt Locker
- Inglourious Basterds
- Precious
Editing enhanced Locker to a high level, though District 9 and Precious bring a similar intensity. Avatar and Basterds have longer running times.
Best Original Score
- James Horner, Avatar
- Alexandre Desplat, Fantastic Mr. Fox
- Marco Beltrami and Buck Sanders, The Hurt Locker
- Hans Zimmer, Sherlock Holmes
- Michael Giacchino, Up
Still humming Giacchino’s memorable score. Desplat stays on a roll from last year’s The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. If Avatar gets on a roll, Horner could add to his mantle of two, but things are looking Up for Pixar.
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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.