Casting A Vote For The Oscars

On Sunday night, the Academy Awards will be shown to a worldwide audience.  This is an event that I try not to miss.  I will try to pick the winners in each category.  I will give a reason for why I think they will win if it deserves a mention.

Actor in a Leading Role:
Jeff Bridges in "Crazy Heart"
Most of the the other award shows had picked him, so the momentum is going his way. 

Actor in a Supporting Role:
Christoph Walz in "Inglourious Basterds"
He was completely outstanding in this role.  He was the best part of the whole movie.  Without his acting ability, this movie would not be at the level to which it exists.

Actress in a Leading Role:
Meryl Streep in "Julie & Julia"
She is the most outstanding actress that Hollywood has produced.  Her portrayal of Julia Child is the caliber of acting the deserves such praise.

Actress in a Supporting Role:
Mo'Nique in "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire"
She had won at other award shows for the same role. Again, it comes down to momentum.

Animated Feature Film:
"Up" Peter Doctor
It should win,  because it's Pixar. Duh.

Art Direction:
"The Imagininarium of Doctor Parnassus"
Thsi movie was a wonder to behold.


Cinematography:
"The White Ribbon"
I only saw the trailer in the theater, but the contrast of black and white photography sets the tone for this film.  I want to see it when it comes to Netflix.

Costume Design:
"Coco before Chanel"
A movie about clothing designers will get the nod everytime.

Directing:
"The Hurt Locker: Kathryn Bigelow
I think James Cameron's ego needs to be knocked down  a few pegs.  This would be the blow that would do it.

Documentary (Feature):
"The Cove"

Documentary (Short Subject):
"Music by Prudence"
This is just a shot in the dark.

Film Editing:
"District 9"
I saw the bonus features on the filming of this.  They had shot so much film that it took quite some time to assemble this film into the masterpiece that it is now.  For all the hard work that they did in putting together this film, I believe some recognition is in order.

Foreign Language Film:
"The White Ribbon (Das Weisse Band)"
Going back to my statements on Cinematography, this is why this film should win.

Makeup:
"The Young Victoria"
This is another shot in the dark.  But let's be real.  Makeup: Star Trek? I don't think so.  I'm a Trekker,but I can do without this award.

Music (Original Score):
"Avatar"

Music (Original Song):
"The Weary Kind (Theme from Crazy Heart)"

Short Film (Animated):
"Logorama"
This was great.  It had Ronald McDonald as a crazed gunman. He was a cereal killer.

Short Film (Live Action):
"The New Tenants"
This had everything going for it.  It was crazy fun.  It also featured a recipe for cinnamon buns that were to die for.

Sound Editing:
"Avatar"

Sound Mixing:
"Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" 
Yeah, It had Megan Fox, but they don't have an award for her. Damn!

Visual Effects:
"Avatar"
This is a no-brainer.  A runaway train on this award.  This is why this award was made for a movie like this.

Writing (Adapted Screenplay):
"Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire" Screenplay by Geoffrey Fletcher
I would say that by the title of this film they were shooting for this award from the get go.

Writing (Original Screenplay):
"The Hurt Locker" Written by Mark Boal
Having been in the U.S. Army, I can really believe the dialogue in this film.

Best Picture:
"The Hurt Locker"
Yeah, "Avatar" has all the eye candy, but for the real story, this film deserves all the top honors.  One of the producers did step in it and is banned from all the fun, but still, it will win the top prize.

Music for today:

Grateful Dead
October 29, 1973
Kiel Auditorium
St. Louis, MO
listen here

Jefferson Airplane
November 25, 1966
Fillmore Auditorium
San Francisco, CA
listen here (look under Jefferson Airplane and the date)

Jefferson Airplane
November 26, 1966
Fillmore Auditorium
San Francisco, CA
listen here (look under Jefferson Airplane and the date)