It’s Oscar night! I have to admit I’m not as excited for it as usual … I don’t think there were many films I really loved this Oscar year. But I wanted to do a post like this last year when there were several films I adored, but *ahem* lost track of time and forgot.

So I’m going to post my picks and favourites really quickly, last minute, for this year…

In short, rooting for Tree Of Life, The Descendants, The Artist and Jessica Chastain!

Best Picture
“The Artist”
“The Descendants”
“Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close”
“The Help”
“Hugo”
“Midnight in Paris”
“Moneyball”
“The Tree of Life”
“War Horse”

For me, I think Tree Of Life is the most deserving for the title. It is a film that is exactly what cinema should be – unique, visual, original, creative, and making you think. I got totally lost in the movie when watching it, it was beautiful. It’s probably a bit too unique for the Oscars though. Besides that, I think The Artist would also be a very worthy winner, for similar reasons – it was so unique, as well as very charming and such a great experience to watch. The Descendants was another one of my favourites of the year because it felt so real. Hugo and Midnight In Paris wins would make me happy too.

 

Actor in a Leading Role
Demián Bichir – “A Better Life”
George Clooney – “The Descendants”
Jean Dujardin – “The Artist”
Gary Oldman – “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy”
Brad Pitt – “Moneyball”

This is a good category! I love Brad and George, although I haven’t seen Moneyball yet. I was pleasantly surprised by George Clooney in The Descendants – for the first time since Michael Clayton I actually saw the character, not just ‘George Clooney playing…’ and it was a mature, heartfelt performance. I can’t say anything bad about Jean DuJardin either though, his face was so expressive and told the story, and I think that’s one of the markers of a great actor.

 

Actor in a Supporting Role
Kenneth Branagh – “My Week with Marilyn”
Jonah Hill – “Moneyball”
Nick Nolte – “Warrior”
Christopher Plummer – “Beginners”
Max von Sydow – “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close”

I have no real preference here…

 

Actress in a Leading Role
Glenn Close – “Albert Nobbs”
Viola Davis – “The Help”
Rooney Mara – “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”
Meryl Streep – “The Iron Lady”
Michelle Williams – “My Week with Marilyn”

This is a tough category! Normally I would be yelling ‘Meryl Streep for the win!’ from the rooftop, but the film was so dreadful I’m in two minds about her winning. Her performance was good, but I don’t think a win for Iron Lady would sit well alongside her previous wins for such amazing films. It feels like they are in a different league. I would like to see her win though, mainly to hear another speech from her because they are always hilarious. I wouldn’t mind Michelle Williams sneaking in a win.

 

Actress in a Supporting Role
Bérénice Bejo – “The Artist”
Jessica Chastain – “The Help”
Melissa McCarthy – “Bridesmaids”
Janet McTeer – “Albert Nobbs”
Octavia Spencer – “The Help”

ANYONE but Octavia ‘I’m so surprised!’ Spencer. She was good in The Help, but I hate hearing her fake surprise in her speeches. I would love to see Jessica Chastain or Berenice Bejo win … they were both brilliant, I thought Jessica was the highlight of her movie.

 

Animated Feature Film
“A Cat in Paris”
“Chico & Rita”
“Kung Fu Panda 2″
“Puss in Boots”
“Rango”

It’s Raannngoo. Rango was actually one of my favourite movies from the last year, it was so original, smart and funny!

 

Cinematography
“The Artist” Guillaume Schiffman
“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” Jeff Cronenweth
“Hugo” Robert Richardson
“The Tree of Life” Emmanuel Lubezki
“War Horse” Janusz Kaminski

Can you really look past Tree Of Life for this?

 

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
“The Descendants” Screenplay by Alexander Payne and Nat Faxon & Jim Rash
“Hugo” Screenplay by John Logan
“The Ides of March” Screenplay by George Clooney & Grant Heslov and Beau Willimon
“Moneyball” Screenplay by Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin. Story by Stan Chervin
“Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” Screenplay by Bridget O’Connor & Peter Straughan

Loved both The Descendants and The Ides Of March, but I thought Descendants was particularly well written so I’m gonna root for that.

 

Writing (Original Screenplay)
“The Artist” Written by Michel Hazanavicius
“Bridesmaids” Written by Annie Mumolo & Kristen Wiig
“Margin Call” Written by J.C. Chandor
“Midnight in Paris” Written by Woody Allen
“A Separation” Written by Asghar Farhadi

I think Michel Hazanavicius said recently that some people thought that a silent movie wouldn’t have a script, so I think that is a testament to the excellent script that it does have.

 

Directing
“The Artist” Michel Hazanavicius
“The Descendants” Alexander Payne
“Hugo” Martin Scorsese
“Midnight in Paris” Woody Allen
“The Tree of Life” Terrence Malick

Eeee another tough one! Must say Terrence Malick, for the reasons I said for Best Picture because it was just so good, but I also loved The Artist and The Descendants. You can’t go wrong with Scorsese, and it would be nice to see him honoured for a film like this. And I’ve loved Woody Allen’s last two films.