David’s 2010 Oscar Picks: “Should Win” and “Will Win”
In honor of the “Super Bowl of Hollywood” coming up this Sunday, KEEPING IT REEL thought it might be nice if we lead your thoughts going into any office or party Oscar pools you may be involved in. Even while out of town, David’s spirit stays with us as he is bestowing his Oscar pics upon all of you. In choosing our Oscar winners, we thought it appropriate to make clear who we think will win, and who should win. Enjoy!
Best Picture
Will Win: “Avatar”
Should Win: “The Hurt Locker”
Yeah, that’s how it will end up. I mean, come on…at this point, watching “Avatar” could probably heal the lame, right? So sad… I really don’t feel there is any need to explain why Kathryn Bigelow’s taut war thriller succeeds on all levels. I hope Cameron eats it come Oscar night but that’s highly doubtful.
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Actor in a Leading Role
Will Win: Jeff Bridges — “Crazy Heart”
Should Win: Jeremy Renner — “The Hurt Locker”
This is the one acting category where there could be a surprise. Freeman is out. Firth could be an upset. Clooney already won. Bridges is already winning awards for this role and while he does give a fine performance, I’d prefer the Academy holds off and give it to him for his next film, the Coen brother’s adaptation of “True Grit”.
That leaves Renner and wouldn’t it be cool to see a fairly unheard of actor who’s been around get recognized for an outstanding job? I think his would be the most exciting acceptance speech.
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Actor in a Supporting Role
Should & Will Win: Christoph Waltz — “Inglourious Basterds”
This is a lock. Both Supporting Actor categories are locks this year, which is fine since the golden guy will be going to some golden performances. The rest of these actors were solid in their roles, some were stuck in less than stellar movies (Tucci) while others gave fair performances (Damon). I predict Harrelson has an Oscar coming to him in the future at some point and Plummer should’ve won one a while ago. That leaves Waltz as the lock. An easy lock to a fantastic performance.
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Actress in a Leading Role
Will Win: Sandra Bullock — “The Blind Side”
Should Win: Gabourey Sidibe — “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire”
Everyone is sweet on Bullock and since this is the only award her film will win….she’ll go home with an Oscar, but there is no other “wow” debut performance as that of Sidibe’s role as Precious. Just amazing.
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Actress in a Supporting Role
Should & Will Win: Mo’Nique — “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire”
Another lock. When I watched this film, I was blown away by her and it was the first time in a long time where I really wanted to reach into the screen and open a can on a character in a film. She was that vile.
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Animated Feature Film
Should & Will Win: “Up” — Pete Docter
It’s nice that it was nominated in the Best Picture category but we all know it will take the gold here.
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Art Direction
Should & Will Win: “Avatar” — Rick Carter, Robert Stromberg, and Kim Sinclair
That’s a given.
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Cinematography
Will Win: “Avatar” — Mauro Fiore
Should Win: “Inglourious Basterds” — Robert Richardson
Yeah, I know what will win but I also know what should win.
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Costume Design
Will Win: “Nine” — Colleen Atwood
Should Win: “Coco Before Chanel” — Catherine Leterrier
I really could care less about this category. Atwood usually wins when she is nominated so I’ll vote against her.
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Directing
Will Win: “Avatar” — James Cameron
Should Win: “The Hurt Locker” — Kathryn Bigelow
There is no logical reason for Cameron to win. None. Bigelow deserves it. She has delivered some amazing films in the past but this one is her best and it was amazing what she did here with what little she had.
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Documentary (Feature)
Will Win: “The Cove” — Louie Psihoyos
Should Win: “The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers” — Judith Ehrlich and Rick Goldsmith
Haven’t seen either of these but I’m guessing the most popular one will win.
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Documentary (Short Subject)
Should Win: “The Last Campaign of Governor Booth Gardner” — Daniel Junge and Henry
Will Win: “Music by Prudence” — Roger Ross Williams and Elinor Burkett
I have no clue. Just guessing here.
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Film Editing
Will Win: “Avatar” — Stephen Rivkin, John Refoua and James Cameron
Should Win: “The Hurt Locker” — Bob Murawski and Chris Innis
It’s not easy to edit a film together in a way where evrything makes sense, characterizarion remains and continuity is intact.
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Foreign Language Film
Will Win: “The White Ribbon” — Germany
Should Win: “Un Prophète” — France
Germany’s entry already won a Golden Globe and it’s generating huge buzz but I’d like this seldom-seen French film to win instead.
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Makeup
Should Win: “Star Trek” — Barney Burman, Mindy Hall and Joel Harlow
Will Win: “The Young Victoria” — Jon Henry Gordon and Jenny Shircore
… because a green-skinned lady is cooler to look at than frou-frou dresses!
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Music (Original Score)
Will Win: “Avatar” — James Horner
Should Win: “Up” — Michael Giacchino
A good percentage of the success of “Up” was Giacchino, who has continuosly delivered incredible scores for both film and TV (Alias & Lost). He deserves here considered he’s one of the reasons the film’s first 10 or so minutes was so moving.
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Music (Original Song)
Will & Should Win: “The Weary Kind (Theme from Crazy Heart)” from “Crazy Heart” — Music and Lyric by Ryan Bingham and T-Bone Burnett
The music that weaved it’s way throughout this film brought the film’s heart to the forefront.
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Short Film (Animated)
Will & Should Win: “A Matter of Loaf and Death” — Nick Park
I’m really at a loss here, but Nick Park is awesome.
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Short Film (Live Action)
Will Win: “The Door” — Juanita Wilson and James Flynn
Should Win: “Miracle Fish” — Luke Doolan and Drew Bailey
Just a shot in the dark here.
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Sound Editing
Will Win: “Avatar” — Christopher Boyes and Gwendolyn Yates Whittle
Should Win: “The Hurt Locker” — Paul N.J. Ottosson
Another “Avatar” sweep (just because) but I’m rootin’ for the ex-wife again.
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Sound Mixing
Will Win: “Avatar” — Christopher Boyes, Gary Summers, Andy Nelson and Tony Johnson
Should Win: “The Hurt Locker” — Paul N.J. Ottosson and Ray Beckett
Rinse and Repeat.
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Visual Effects
Will & Should Win: “Avatar” — Joe Letteri, Stephen Rosenbaum, Richard Baneham and Andrew R. Jones
This is the only area where the film actually excelled.
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Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
Will & Should Win: “Up in the Air” — Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner
This is likely the only award this film will get and it really was the best aspect of the film. Sure the actors were great and that’s because of the script they had to work with.
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Writing (Original Screenplay)
Will Win: “Inglourious Basterds” — Quentin Tarantino
Should Win: “A Serious Man” — Joel Coen & Ethan Coen
I’d be fine if either one of these one but the Coen brothers made me want to return to their film more times than I’d want to return to Tarantino’s and it was all due to their writing.
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There it is! Do you agree with David? Do you think he’s crazy? Let us know!
Paul’s picks are coming soon!
David – (Sorry but) I really hope you are wrong in predicting that Avatar and James Cameron will win over The Hurt Locker and Kathryn Bigelow. I hope that the past few weeks, leading up to the awards, has given The Hurt Locker and Bigelow the press and the push needed for the win. I hope the voters see through the amazing technology of Avatar to honor the gritty reality of The Hurt Locker.
As much as I adore Jeremy Renner, I’m OK with Jeff Bridges winning Best Actor.
I know Sandra Bullock will win Best Actress, and I’m OK with that. With that said, I’d be psyched to see Carey Mulligan win in an upset. I loved her and An Education.
You might find my Oscar picks a little more encouraging… ! I think Bigelow is a lock for Best Director. She won the top award at the DGA awards this year, and no one has ever NOT won the Oscar after that.
Right on, Paul! I was so pleased with the results last night.