Oscar Season: Jack's Predictions pt. 3

Hello folks, well another day, another round of my predictions for the Oscars. I picked today to be best Original Score and Documentary because I think they are some of the more suspenseful categories in that they nominees each have a fair chance of winning, that being said, lets take a look at the nominees:

Best Original Score:

127 Hours- A.R. Rahman

How to Train Your Dragon- John Powell

Inception- Hans Zimmer

The King’s Speech- Alexander Desplat

The Social Network- Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross

Initial Thoughts: Strong lineup, I have seen all but How to Train, but from what I have heard on youtube, it’s a well deserved nominee, but I am not liking its chances for the fact that its up against stiff competition and it’s the only one without a Best Picture Nomination. A.R. Rahman’s score was very strong, but he had already won for Slumdog Millionaire (a deserved win if you ask me), and I don’t think the Academy is looking to award him again so soon, he has a better shot in the song category with Dido. I really liked Hans Zimmer’s score, it had a very classical, yet modernized tone to it. However, I don’t think it was as strong as the other two, which I felt fit their respective films perfectly.

Prediction: Its going to be a close one, and King’s Speech has been getting hype for a sweep, which may include this category. However, I am not fully convinced that this was the best Score of the year. Granted, I thought it was a strong score, but I don’t think it has the same effect as Reznor’s and Ross’s score has on the film. Their score has a very strong pace to it that helps elevate the scene beyond what it simply going on right in front of us. I think they have the most effective score of the bunch, and they are my pick to win. I am sticking by this choice, but again don’t count out the King’s Speech, if I am wrong, which in this category, I hope I am not.

Best Documentary:

Exit Through the Gift Shop- Banksy and Jaime D’Cruz

Gasland- Josh Fox and Trish Adlesic

Inside Job- Charles H. Ferguson and Audrey Marrs

Restrepo- Tim Hetherington and Sebastian Junger

Wasteland- Lucy Walker and Angus Aynsley

Initial Thoughts: I think the biggest surprise is the omission of Waiting for Superman, which was dominating the award scene. I had my doubts cause the material didn’t sound too groundbreaking, so the Academy might be looking for a different tone as far as the winner goes. Gasland and Wasteland haven’t had as much of an award run as the other three and Restrepo, while I have heard nothing but good things, has been hit or miss as far as many critic’s and academy voter’s choice, especially compared to the other two.

Prediction: I personally think it is a race between Inside Job and Exit Through the Gift Shop because Inside Job has been getting a lot of strong buzz and strong reviews, making it the safe bet to vote for. However, I feel like Gift Shop has a better shot than many think it does. Now while I consider this to be an upset if it happens, I am picking Gift Shop for this one, cause I think it is not only a strong documentary (many found this debatable, I think its true), its also a great film. If anything, we might even get a video from the legendary Banksy for his acceptance which would be awesome. So yeah, Gift Shop is my pick

Come back tomorrow for my pick as I do a quick rundown of the technical categories (film editing/sound/visual), don’t worry, this will be very quick compared to the other ones

Oscar Season: Jack's Predictions pt. 2

Welcome back, everyone. Today, for my Oscar predicting, I shall be looking at the nominees in the supporting categories of both actor and actress. That being said, here are the nominees:

Outstanding Supporting Actor:

-Christian Bale- The Fighter

-John Hawkes-Winter’s Bone

-Jeremy Renner-The Town

-Mark Ruffalo- The Kids are All Right

-Geoffery Rush- The King’s Speech

Initial Thoughts: This is probably my favorite category for two reasons: 1) I have seen all of these films, 2) This is a solid lineup in my book (Sorry Andrew Garfield, you were my number 6). I am ecstatic John Hawkes got nominated, this was well earned considering its from such a small film. The same can be said about Ruffalo, they are two of my favorites of the year. So was Jeremy Renner, who delivers some of the best lines in The Town (Sadly, this was the film’s sole nomination, so his chaces are slim).

Prediction: I would give it to any of those men, but they haven’t received as much awards attention as Rush or Bale. These are terrific performances, and all odds arelaced on Bale to win. However, I have been slowly gaining doubt, and there could be the possibility that Firth can overtake him. Granted, I think Bale has the showier performance, but if the King’s Speech gets the amount of love its expected to get, Rush might upset. It’s a tough choice, but I am giving it to Bale because he is beyond due and Rush has already won an Oscar for Shine back in 96. Still, I have my doubts, but its too hard to tell.

Outstanding Supporting Actress:

-Amy Adams- The Fighter

-Helena Bonham Carter- The King’s Speech

-Melissa Leo- The Fighter

-Hailee Steinfeld- True Grit

-Jacki Weaver- Animal Kingdom

Initial Thoughts: Glad to see Weaver get nominated, but I think it ends there, for I think this is one of those, “Man, good for her, maybe I should go check it out now.” Also great to see Carter in a more subdue role than we have seen before. Now, I might have mentioned that there is a potential for her film to sweep. Be that as it may, her chances of winning are probably a lot more slimmer and if she pulls the win, I think it’s a sure fired bet there will be a sweep. Not saying its bad, but I think its more of a three way race at this point.

Prediction: I, like many I assume, consider Steinfeld to be more of a lead in the film, but by putting her in this category, she has a better shot. While its considered to be Leo’s to lose, don’t be so sure it’s the safe bet. If there is a category filled with upsets, its this one (see Mira Sorvino or Marisa Tomei). That being said, her role seems more showier than Adams which might give her the edge. However, I really liked Adams’ performance, in fact her’s and Steinfeld’s were some of my favorite for the year. There is also the possibility that Adams’ and Leo might split (which is often the case for two people nominated for the same film), which may give Steinfeld the edge. Still, the safe money is on Leo, but don’t be surprised if I am wrong.

Come back tomorrow for my picks for Best Original Score and Best Documentary