2011 Oscar Predictions

He just found out that Melancholia didn't get a nomination.

The official list is out and as I feared, Melancholia didn't get a single nomination. I believe that the Academy snubbed Melancholia because of Lars von Triers controversial statements at Cannes. It can't be undone so I guess I should just move forward. Here are my picks for this year's Oscars.




Lead Actor: Jean Dujardin (for The Artist)
Dujardin was perfect as silent film star George Valentin. It takes a very talented actor to tell a story without using his voice. The facial expressions, body language and even his stride should propel Dujardin to the Oscar this year.
2nd Choice: George Clooney (for The Descendants)
Clooney's performance is not undeserving. Also, he's an American whereas Dujardin is french. Make no mistake, the Academy favors American actors. It wouldn't surprise me if Clooney got the nod based on his performance and his citizenship status.
[Other nominees Demian Bichir(A Better Life), Gary Oldman (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy), Brad Pitt (Moneyball)]

Lead Actress: Meryl Streep (for The Iron Lady)
I've not seen The Iron Lady but it has gotten a lot of buzz. Not all of it good. However, the Academy loves Streep and has nominated her countless times. With no clear frontrunner this could be her year. I'm not confident in this however. My personal pick would have been Kirsten Dunst for Melancholia, but since she's not nominated......
[Other nominees Michelle Williams (My Week With Marilyn), Viola Davis (The Help), Rooney Mara (Dragon Tattoo), Glen Close (Albert Nobbs)]

Supporting Actor: Nick Nolte (for Warrior)
I think the field is weak for this category, but Nick Nolte is probably the most deserving. He plays a MMA trainer who is trying to make amends for being an abusive alcoholic during his children's formative years. The performance has an emotional range that shows Nolte's skill as an actor.
[Other nominees Max Von Sydow (Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close), Jonah Hill (Moneyball), Christopher Plummer (Beginners), Kenneth Branagh (My Week With Marilyn)]


Supporting Actress: Berenice Bejo (for The Artist)
There's been a swell of support for Melissa McCarthy so don't be surprised if I'm wrong. Personally, I think Bejo deserves the award for all the same reasons as Dujardin. The Artist couldn't have been made without a talent like Bejo.
[Other nominees Octavia Spencer (The Help), Jessica Chastain (The Help), Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids), Janet McTeer (Albert Nobbs)]

Best Director: Terence Malick (for The Tree of Life)
As an achievment in directing, its hard to argue against The Tree of Life. The birth of the universe is a sequence that warrants a nomination all its own. This film was expected to get many more nominations that it did, which leads me to believe that it's going to win something big. Every nominee in this category is deserving.
[Other nominees Martin Scorcese (Hugo), Alexander Payne (The Descendants), Woody Allen (Midnight in Paris), Michael Hazanavicius (The Artist)]

Best Original Screenplay:  Woody Allen (for Midnight in Paris)
I think Allen stands well above the competition in this category. The dialogue is filled with Allen's unique wit and it's one of his best pictures in years. I'd be shocked if his enchanting screenplay didn't win this category.
[Other nominees A Separation, Bridesmaids, Margin Call, The Artist)

Best Adapted Screenplay:  Alexander Payne, Jim Rash and Nat Faxon (for The Descendants)
The Descendants is a beautiful story. It takes an excellent screenplay to make such a depressing topic bearable. The movie takes you to emotional extremes without ever being gimmicky or melodramatic. The characters are genuine and the performances stunning.
[Other nominees Hugo, Moneyball, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy]

Best Picture: The Artist
If a silent film takes the world by storm in the year 2011, then you know it must be something special. Everything aspect of The Artist is masterful and that is what sets it apart from its competition. All of the nominees have something going for them but none of the rest have the total package. The sets, costumes, acting, directing, cinematography, music and story are so wonderful that they make the dialogue unnecessary.
[Other nominees The Tree of Life, Moneyball, Hugo, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, The Help, The Descendants, Midnight in Paris, War Horse,