Friday, February 24, 2012
The Best of the Best
It's the final day of Awards Week, and there are just three categories left...
Animated Feature Film
A Cat in Paris
Chico & Rita
Kung Fu Panda 2
Puss in Boots
Rango
Honestly? I'm at a loss this year. With no major Pixar nominee, predicting this category is tougher than usual. But, in the end, I think Gore Verbinski will win with Rango.
Directing
The Artist, Michel Hazanavicius
The Descendants, Alexander Payne
Hugo, Martin Scorsese
Midnight in Paris, Woody Allen
The Tree of Life, Terrence Malick
These are all deserving directors. And all of their films were nominated for Best Picture, which really means any one of them could win.
People love Woody Allen. And Paris.
Terrence Malick brings a vision to film-making that others only dream of.
Scorsese shows his range by creating a masterpiece of a film that is not about gangsters and is not rated R.
Alexander Payne uses the natural beauty and slower pace of the Hawaiian tropics, as well as the natural talents of gifted actors to unveil a sad story that is not depressing.
And Michel Hazanavicius transports us back in time to the world of silent films and the bygone days of glamorous Old Hollywood.
It's a tough category. But, in the end, I really think Michel Hazanavicius is going to win. His film is creative and beautiful and blended to near perfection. Plus, it'll be fun to hear people trying to pronounce his name.
And that brings us to....
Best Picture
The Artist
The Descendants
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
The Help
Hugo
Midnight in Paris
Moneyball
The Tree of Life
War Horse
As of this moment, I've seen 6 of the 9 nominees. Between today and tomorrow, I'm hoping to get in 2 more. So close to seeing all 9, but it just wasn't meant to be this year, I suppose. Out of the 6 I've watched, I'm convinced I've already seen the winner. But let's take a look.
The Artist--It's no secret that I loved and adored this movie. Definitely one of my favorites of 2011, and probably one of my favorite movies ever. I laughed. I nearly cried (and would have if I'd been emotionally capable). The magic of cinema was recaptured in this beautiful film and I think everyone should see it.
The Descendants--This was a good movie. There's no question about that. It's sad and lovely and hopeful and emotional and deals with some very important and painful topics. It is well acted. The setting is beautiful. The pace is very Alexander Payne. This would also be a fine choice for the top award.
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close--I'm still kind of shocked that this managed to sneak it's way into the list of Best Films of the year, but it did. I haven't seen it yet and don't know if I will, but it's not going to win anyway. Being shut out of nearly every category except Best Picture isn't usually very promising.
The Help--Funny and moving and a story about the Civil Rights Movement that I didn't feel like I've seen a hundred times. Well acted. Well written. Beautiful. I can watch it again and again. But this movie's recognition will go to its fine actresses, and not to the film as a whole.
Hugo--I'll be seeing this tomorrow night. There seems to have been a big surge in support over the past couple of weeks and I've heard it's a beautiful film. It just might surprise everyone. Especially if Scorsese wins Best Director.
Midnight in Paris--In a different year, I think this would be a shoe-in. Definitely one of Woody Allen's best. It's imaginative and fun, and a story that we can all relate to. Who hasn't pictured the "ideal" time period to live in and dreamed of going there? The characters are familiar, in a good way, and Paris has never looked more glamorous.
Moneyball--I went into this movie already knowing the outcome of the 2002 baseball season. (Spoiler Alert: The Anaheim Angels won the World Series that year and not Billy Beane's Oakland A's.) So I wasn't sure how this story could possibly play out in a way that made sense. But it did. And it was great. And made me fall in love with baseball and Brad Pitt all over again.
The Tree of Life--Easily one of the most polarizing films of the year, and a surprise to many that it was even nominated for Best Picture. But there are some definite Terrence Malick fans among the voting members of the Academy. However, since there weren't any acting nominations in a film that stars people like Brad Pitt and Oscar-darling Sean Penn, I think we can safely say this isn't going to take home the big award.
War Horse--This was a heavy favorite early in the season, but probably peaked too early. And since Spielberg was overlooked for the Best Directing category, I think the chances of winning Best Picture are very, VERY slim.
My prediction for Best Picture is The Artist. And, just so you know, I've correctly predicted every Best Picture winner since 2001. So there's that. But there's still a very good chance The Descendants or Hugo might sneak in there and surprise everyone. I guess we'll see.
The Oscars are on THIS SUNDAY NIGHT! And you can bet I'll be doing my annual play-by-play. Although, it'll be a little delayed this time around since I'm also having my Second Annual Oscar/Birthday Party.
Good times!
How many of the Best Picture nominees have you seen? Which ones do you want to? And who do YOU think is going to win the night?
You are awesome. And if you share this post, you'll be even awesomer!
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I think it'll be The Artist for sure!
ReplyDeleteReally, you've been right every year since 2001? Cool!
Agree with you on Rango - nothing else comes close.
ReplyDeleteOf all the Best Picture nominees, I've only seen two: The Help and The Artist. So, I guess I can't make a very informed decision. But just the same, I agree that The Artist is the top contender. Mostly because it's so different from the other nominees.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to be very interested in your opinion of Hugo. I think right now the top spot needs to go to The Artist. But I hope George Clooney takes best actor. Great job with that role.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read your play-by-play of Sunday's award show!!!
ReplyDeleteCan you believe the only movie I've seen on this list is The Help? I really want to see The Descendants now!
This is the first time in a really long time that I have not paid attention to the Oscars and not made an effort to see all the Best Picture films. I am a nightmare right now, Karen. Let me know how it goes and thanks for the reviews.
ReplyDeleteI have seen none of the movies nominated this year, except part of Rango. I disliked it so much, I couldn't finish watching, which is too bad because I like Johnny Depp.
ReplyDeleteTypical of my life...I've seen almost all the animated movies, but only one of the non-animated ones. I didn't like Rango. It's a shame that Pixar had nothing this year. I'm hoping that Brave is going to be awesome!
ReplyDeleteTypical for me, I've seen almost all the animated films, but only one non-animated one. I didn't like Rango. There are no great options for animated. What a shame Pixar didn't have something great this year. I have high hopes for Brave this summer!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read your real-time run down of The Oscars! I doubt I'll be watching. When BK and Bug get up from their nap, we'll be watching Puss n Boots, which we rented from Red Box this morning. And, of course, I'll be watching Walking Dead tonight!
ReplyDeleteI only saw 'The Help', so I am pitiful. I watched all of them last year, and I hope to again but my movie 'date' just had a baby, so we took a break this year. Enjoying watching the show right now. Already did my fashion recap. :)
ReplyDelete