Academy Awards Preview and Picks

We're just a few days away from the Academy Awards in Hollywood. I know there are a ton of awards shows, but the Oscars always seem to be the most anticipated awards of the year. This year the Academy has changed a few things, most notably they now have ten pictures nominated for Best Picture.

So I thought we'd do the same kind of preview we do each year with a twist of our own. In the five major categories, Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, Supporting Actor, and Supporting Actress, we'll make three picks. The Academy pick. Who I think the Academy will pick as the winner. I'll make my choice as the best performance of the year. Then we'll make an adjustment of our own, like the Academy. I'll give you a "dark horse" choice. Someone to keep an eye on, that might just sneak in there and take the prize.


Best Picture:

The Academy winner - Avatar. As imaginative as it is, I'm starting to feel with all the animated
movies the past decade and more all the time, they should have their own
major award. Too much success, and money. The Academy won't be able
to resist.

I would pick - Up In The Air. A movie for our time, told honestly, and with terrific actors
delivering really great performances. A story you've never seen, and a movie
that makes you think.

Dark Horse pick - The Hurt Locker. This is a powerful, emotional story about real soldiers
doing real stressful work in Iraq. It's also a story you've never seen, done
extremely well. Sometimes movies like this are a real surprise at the Oscars.

Best Actor:

The Academy pick - Jeff Bridges in Crazy Heart. He's already won the Golden Globe for this
role.

I would pick - Jeff Bridges in Crazy Heart. This is the performance of a lifetime . He is
simply fantastic!

Dark Horse pick - Morgan Freeman in Invictus. He is great as Nelson Mandela. Big role.


Best Actress:

The Academy pick - Sandra Bullock in The Blind Side. This is the definitive moment for her.
It's her time to win and the Academy I think will recognize that. She is
great and this is the jewel of her long and successful career.

I would pick - Sandra Bullock. She reinvented herself for this role, and I'm hoping this
is the start of a new Sandra Bullock.

Dark Horse pick - Gabourey Sidibe in Precious. So well acclaimed and she was
great.

Best Supporting Actor:

The Academy pick - Christoph Walz in Inglorious Basterds. Quentin Tarantino movies
many times are very well liked by Hollywood. He is the gas in the engine
of this movie.

I would pick - Christoph Walz. He is so good in this movie. Compelling, scary, funny, and the
amount of dialogue and multiple languages spoken. Just fantastic.

Dark Horse pick - Stanley Tucci in The Lovely Bones. Great performance as a really creepy
stalker in this very popular movie. You really hate his character in this
movie. Really well done.

Best Supporting Actress:

The Academy Pick - Penelope Cruz in 9. Hollywood loves movies like 9, and she was really,
really good. They won't be able to help themselves. She'll win.

I would pick - Anna Kendrick in Up In The Air. She was so good in her role as an Ivy League
know-it-all, know nothing young executive. When she was on camera, this was
a better movie. Great job!


Dark Horse pick - Anna Kendrick. She has an outside shot, but Cruz is too much this year.

The Oscars are this Sunday. Pop up the popcorn and get ready to cheer on your favorites. We'll review the show next week

E-mail me your thoughts - scott@wqmx.com