Oscar nomination predictions

By Mitch Ringenberg 

<mringenberg@hilite.org>

Best Picture

Who Will Win: “The Hurt Locker” has been sweeping every awards ceremony this year and even won director Kathryn Bigelow a Directors Guild. While James Cameron’s “Avatar” seems to be its toughest competition, the Academy will likely lean towards a wrenching drama before a blockbuster film. 

Who Should Win: The Academy recently  expanded the number of permitted Best Picture nominees from five to ten. Because of this, the selection for Best Picture is now a lot tougher. While “Avatar” was groundbreaking, its plot and dialogue don’t quite make it Oscar material. “The Hurt Locker” is an effective war film, but not worthy of comparison to other Best Picture war films like “Platoon” and “Braveheart.” My choice would be Quentin Tarantino’s “Inglourious Basterds” was one of the best war films I’ve ever seen, and Tarantino’s greatest work since the “Kill Bill” series. 

Best Director

Who Will Win: It’s a tough call, but director Kathryn Bigelow will most likely get the coveted prize. Most Best Picture winners also receive a directing award, and while a James Cameron upset isn’t impossible, Bigelow has the upper hand.

Who Should Win: Jason Reitman, made his most accomplished film yet this year with “Up in the Air.” This was one of the best film’s of the year and Reitman’s directing was an even bigger surprise than Tarantino’s return to form.

Best Actor 

Who Will Win: Jeff Bridges seems to be the favorite here. His role as Bad Blake in “Crazy Heart” is the single most praised performance of the year. This is almost a sure thing.

Who Should Win: Jeff Bridges played one of the most fascinating characters of his often-great career, and among the other choices, is simply the best candidate.

Best Actress

Who Will Win: Unfortunately, the Academy loves a tearjerker, even if its story is one of the most generic in Hollywood. Sandra Bullock is the front-runner in this category, for the “Blind Side.” 

Who Should Win: Gabourey Sidibe, a former unknown, came out of nowhere in “Precious.” The film itself was only good, but Sibide’s performance was incredible, let alone for a newcomer.

Best Supporting Actor

Who Will Win: Christoph Waltz is a surefire winner for this category. His performance won him a Best Actor award at the Cannes film festival and gave “Inglourious Basterds” a much-deserved pre-release buzz. 

Who Should Win: Christoph Waltz is by far the best choice here.

Best Supporting Actress

Who Will Win: Mo’Nique, an actress who until recently had not a shred of credibility, shocked critics and moviegoers with an insanely great role in “Precious.” Again, this nominee is almost a sure thing.

Who Should Win: Mo’Nique is definitely the winner.