Best Picture
I'm going to go between Argo, Silver Linings Playbook and Zero Dark Thirty. Argo is a fine thriller and a crowd-pleaser. I loved the film. But as I watched SLP and ZDT, Argo fades. Playbook is a more down to earth film and it's pleasant in its own world. Zero Dark Thirty is a more masterful, intense film than Argo. However, it would be a no-brainer if Ben Affleck or Kathryn Bigelow are nominated, which would lead to Argo win. But I'm guessing that Argo could still win without the Best Director nom. ZDT has too much controversy around it and it's hurting the film. Playbook is not the kind of film that wins Best Pic. Hence, Argo fuck yourself.
WINNER: ARGO (1/1)
Best Actor in a Leading Role
My shortlist of the nominees are Hugh Jackman and Daniel Day-Lewis. In Les Miserables, Jackman's effort is strenuous and worth applauding for. It was a hard task. But then, put the master Daniel Day-Lewis himself in the mix and Jackman's chances of went zero dark thirty. I'd be so surprised if DDL don't bring the statue back.
WINNER: DANIEL DAY-LEWIS (2/2)
Best Actress in a Leading Role
It's very obvious that two rising actress Jessica Chastain and Jennifer Lawrence are in a tight race for this one. To be honest, it's hard to pick one between them. But then if you look at the Globes, SAG, BAFTAs, the Oscar goes to Katniss Everdeen.
WINNER: JENNIFER LAWRENCE (3/3)
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
This is tricky. Right when the first trailer for Django Unchained came out, I thought DiCaprio would finally score an Oscar. But the reality speaks different. I'm a fan of Christoph Waltz, but I get the feeling that his role as Dr. Schultz is more of a leading role material rather than supporting and it's basically a kinder Hans Landa in western time. I'd say the Oscar would go to Tommy Lee Jones in Lincoln because his role is important in the film and he plays it well.
WINNER: CHRISTOPH WALTZ (3/4)
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Anne Hathaway. I Dreamed a Dream. Enough said.
WINNER: ANNE HATHAWAY (4/5)
Best Director
Similar to my pick for Best Picture, the race would be limited to Ben Affleck or Kathryn Bigelow. But then both of em arent nominated. My pick would go to Ang Lee for his amazing effort to film the said unfilmable book. It was a remarkable feat and the film itself is jaw-dropping. David O. Russell may sneak in though. And I wouldn't pick Steven Spielberg (although I'm a big fan), because Lincoln works because of DDL.
WINNER: ANG LEE (5/6)
Best Adapted Screenplay
Argo would walk away with the Oscar although I prefer David O. Russell's Silver Linings Playbook. But Chris Terrio's closest opponent would be Tony Kushner for his near-history-lesson screenplay for Lincoln. It was an eye-opening, rich screenplay. Still, Chris Terrio for Argo.
WINNER: ARGO (6/7)
Best Original Screenplay
I would pick Quentin Tarantino. His controversial work on Django Unchained is an amazing work. His closest opponent would be Mark Boal on the equally controversial and amazing Zero Dark Thirty. But since this is for original screenplay, I'm going for Quentin Tarantino.
WINNER: DJANGO UNCHAINED (7/8)
Best Animated Film
Once again, not Pixar's year. My pick goes to Wreck-it-Ralph, definitely the best of the bunch and also the film itself is a feast for the eyes, ears and feelings.
WINNER: BRAVE (7/9)
Best Cinematography
Life of Pi by Claudio Miranda. Everything in the film is literally too amazing to be ignored, like this picture above.
WINNER: LIFE OF PI (8/10)
Best Production Design
It'd be a close race between Les Miserables and Anna Karenina. But Joe Wright's film set in 'stage world' is the more superior, so Anna Karenina.
WINNER: LINCOLN (8/11)
Best Costume Design
Two Snow Whites in one category is super rare. Both of the movies are costume heaven. But Anna Karenina is more of a costume heaven.
WINNER: ANNA KARENINA (9/12)
Best Make-up
My initial pick would be Cloud Atlas but it was snubbed. So, I'd go for The Hobbit for it's dwarves alone (well not alone, there's 14).
WINNER: LES MISERABLES (9/13)
Best Editing
Zero Dark Thirty takes this one for sure. Proof? Fast forward to the last 45 minutes.
WINNER: ARGO (9/14)
Best Original Score
Thomas Newman's new musical direction for James Bond films is great, using experimental and electronic sounds and mixing them up with amazing visuals on-screen. I'd say Skyfall would win but then Mychael Danna's work on Life of Pi also can't be ignored.
WINNER: LIFE OF PI (for this I'm half right) (9.5/15 jk 9/15)
Best Original Song
Let. The. Skyfall. Win.
WINNER: SKYFALL (10/16)
Best Visual Effects
My pick would be the flawless effects on Prometheus. But the Academy tends to ignore big movies/blockbusters (evidence: Tron Legacy snub in 2011). Richard Parker may take this one home instead.
WINNER: LIFE OF PI (11/17)
Hmm, so from the 17 categories I predicted, I got 11 right. Make it 13 with the obvious winners Paperman and Amour. Quite good, huh?
Also, quick bits from the big night:
- Jennifer Lawrence tripped but still managed to be fabulous.
- Daniel Day-Lewis joked and I laughed hard. So much class.
- Oscars opening this year wasn't flashy-quite disappointing
- Seth MacFarlane is a nice host but I'd turn to Ricky Gervais for offensive jokes
- Bond tribute sucked but Shirley Bassey is amazing, Adele too, as always.
- LesMis tribute wowed although the whole music concept flunked hard
- There's a tie in the Sound Editing category between Skyfall and ZDT
- Kristen Stewart and Daniel Radcliffe is like fire and water; cold and hot; vampire & wizard
- Michelle Obama is in the show!
- Tommy Lee Jones finally laughed
- The biggest winner of the night is Life of Pi (4) and then Argo and LesMis (3), Lincoln, Skyfall and Django with two.
and I'm just going to put this video here for the world to see
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