- The coveted Oscar - photographersdirect.com.com
When the Academy decided, last June, to open up the Best Picture race from five nominees to 10, the goal was to bring in bigger box office fare, thereby boosting the ceremony’s ratings.
The result is a mix of nods for audience-friendly pics (The Blind Side, District 9, Up) and smaller indie gems (An Education, A Serious Man), none of which would likely have received noms without the expansion.
This is refreshing, but the top contenders (Avatar, The Hurt Locker, Up In the Air, Inglourious Basterds, Precious) are a pretty varied and worthy group in themselves. Ultimately, viewership will most likely decide whether the 10-picture format has a future, or if it proves to be a one-year experiment.
The question, then, is if the Academy can pull off a ceremony that is the perfect blend of pop and prestige – appealing to the masses, without alienating film connoisseurs.
The choices for co-hosts, Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin, reflect this goal. Martin is a well-respected three time helmer, who brings class to this shindig, but also fun. Ditto, Baldwin, who’s riding high on pop-culture love right now, and is no stranger to hosting duties (he’s headlined SNL nine times).
Here is a look at the nominees in some major categories, and predictions as to who will take home the gold:
Picture
- Avatar
- The Blind Side
- District 9
- An Education
- The Hurt Locker
- Inglourious Basterds
- Precious
- A Serious Man
- Up
- Up In the Air
Director
- James Cameron – Avatar
- Kathryn Bigelow – The Hurt Locker
- Quentin Tarantino – Inglourious Basterds
- Lee Daniels – Precious
- Jason Reitman – Up In the Air
Ex spouses, Cameron and Bigelow, are duking it out for Picture and Director trophies. Cameron and his 3-D opus might seem like the obvious victors, but Bigelow’s slew of awards (DGA, Critic’s Choice, etc.) trump Cameron’s Golden Globe wins. Bigelow will take home both statues – becoming the first female to win an Oscar for directing.
Actor
- Jeff Bridges – Crazy Heart
- George Clooney – Up In the Air
- Colin Firth – A Single Man
- Morgan Freeman – Invictus
- Jeremy Renner – The Hurt Locker
How delicious that first time nominees, Firth and Renner, are getting their due notice, but expect five time nominee, Bridges, to finally get what’s coming to him.
Actress
- Sandra Bullock – The Blind Side
- Helen Mirren – The Last Station
- Carey Mulligan – An Education
- Gabourey Sidibe – Precious
- Meryl Streep – Julie & Julia
Once upon a time, Streep was a sure thing for the win, but how the tide has turned. Beginning with her shocking tie with Streep, at the Critics' Choice, it's Bullock who has emerged as the front-runner. Never count Streep out, but bet on Bullock to come out on top.
Supporting Actor
- Matt Damon – Invictus
- Woody Harrelson – The Messenger
- Christopher Plummer – The Last Station
- Stanley Tucci – The Lovely Bones
- Christoph Waltz – Inglourious Basterds
At 80 years old, Plummer has received his first nomination. That will have to do, as Waltz, who came out of nowhere to steal Basterds from the likes of Brad Pitt, has this one in the bag
Supporting Actress
- Penelope Cruz – Nine
- Vera Farmiga – Up In the Air
- Maggie Gyllenhaal – Crazy Heart
- Anna Kendrick – Up In the Air
- Mo’Nique – Precious
Another lock for the win is Mo'Nique, known solely for her loud brand of comedy, until she turned in this stripped down performance. She should have her speech ready.
Nicole Falcone - Nicole A. Falcone earned a B.A. in English, with an Emphasis on Writing. She has a background in writing, editing, and television. Her ...
