Oscars!

Today is the big day! The Oscars, the following are the nominees for the big ones and my predictions!

*=My predicted winner

Actor in a Leading Role

• *Colin Firth in “The King's Speech”*
  Why Colin Firth? For his performance in the King's Speech, he has already won a Golden Globe, a BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) and two others. The King's Speech was also a well publicized movie as was Colin Firth's performance. Colin Firth has a long history of being recognized by the academy, it would be surprised if they didn't give him another nod for The King's Speech.
  
• Javier Bardem in “Biutiful”
  Why not Javier Bardem?Simply for the lack of publicity. Biuitful is a Spanish film that didn't get a lot of recognition in the states, and the Best Actor award rarely goes to an actor from a foreign film. Although I haven't seen it I can only assume Bardem's performance was a solid one, he was excellent in No Country for Old Men (2007), but I don't think this is the film that will get Bardem an Oscar.
  
• Jeff Bridges in “True Grit”
  Why not Jeff Bridges? I saw True Grit and loved it. Jeff Bridges was excellent but it was not an Oscar Performance, Hailee Steinfeld definitely stole that show. Also Bridges won best actor last year and they rarely reward the same actor two years in a row.
  
• Jesse Eisenberg in “The Social Network”
  Why not Jesse Eisenberg? I love Jesse Eisenberg, but nothing about his performance stood out. He was good, but he was also good in Zombieland (2009) and Adventureland (2009) where he played virtually the same character, just less smart and more of a jerk. Don't get my wrong, I loved The Social Network and would recommended it to anybody and everybody, but I feel like the writing and screenplay was the true star of that movie.
  
• James Franco in “127 Hours”
  Why not James Franco? First off, he is hosting the Oscar's, that doesn't necessarily mean he won't win...I just can't remember an instance when the host won a big category like that. I also just haven't heard enough about his performance, the hype is too small to warrant an award like best actor.
  

Actor in a Supporting Role

• *Christian Bale in “The Fighter”*
  Why Christian Bale? He has already won 12 awards for his performance in The Fighter, I personally haven't seen The Fighter yet, but I feel like winning 12 awards is a good indicator that his chances to win tonight are VERY high.
  
• Geoffrey Rush in “The King's Speech”
  Why not Geoffrey Rush? It just might be Geoffrey Rush. I did some research and Rush won 3 awards for The Kings Speech, and if anyone is going to beat Christian Bale, it will be Geoffrey Rush.
  
• John Hawkes y in “Winter's Bone”
  Why not John Hawkes? I haven't heard nearly enough about his performance and because he is in a category competing against big contenders like Christian Bale and Geoffrey Rush his chances are low.
  
• Jeremy Renner in “The Town”
  Why not Jeremy Renner? Basically the reasons are the same as with John Hawkes, not enough hype, too many other awesome performances.
  
• Mark Ruffalo in “The Kids Are All Right”
  Why not Mark Ruffalo? I love him in the kids are alright, but I don't think his character offered Oscar worthy material.
  

Actress in a Leading Role

• *Natalie Portman in “Black Swan"*
  Why Natalie Portman? Her performance was AMAZING, and she has already won 14 awards for Black Swan. More than any other nominee in this category.
  
• Annette Bening in “The Kids Are All Right”
  Why not Annette Bening? I thought she was fantastic in The Kids Are Alright and if anyone was going to beat Portman it would be her, however Portman's character had a lot more substance and Portman has already received much more recognition.
  
• Nicole Kidman in “Rabbit Hole”
  Why not Nicole Kidman? Not enough hype no one i've asked even knows what movie she is nominated for. Based of the the trailers it looks like a great performance, but she will not win for this one.
  
• Jennifer Lawrence in “Winter's Bone”
  Why not Jennifer Lawrence? For the same reasons of Nicole Kidman.
  
• Michelle Williams in “Blue Valentine”
  Why not Michelle Williams? She would probably win if Natalie Portman or Annette Bening weren't in the category, but they are...sorry Michelle!
  

Actress in a Supporting Role

• *Amy Adams in “The Fighter”*
  Why Amy Adams? I just feel like this is her year. She usually plays fluffy characters in fluffy films (case and point Enchanted 2007) however when she picks the right roles, she is recognized. She had a tiny tiny role in Doubt (2008) and she was nominated for an Oscar. This role offers her so much substance and emotion and she has hollywood BUZZING.
• Melissa Leo in “The Fighter”
  Why not Melissa Leo? If someone was to beat Adams I really think it would be Leo (She might be Amy Adams), the only reason I think this is because she has already won four awards for The Fighter while Adams has won 1.
  
• Helena Bonham Carter in “The King's Speech”
  Why not Helena Bonham? I just don't think she will in a category with Melissa Leo and Amy Adams who have already dominated award season.
  
• Hailee Steinfeld in “True Grit”
  Why Not Hailee Steinfeld? Although I think that she made True Grit AMAZING, the academy doesn't usually give this award to babies.
  
• Jacki Weaver in “Animal Kingdom”
  Why not Jacki Weaver? I have heard virtually nothing about Jacki Weaver or The Animal Kingdom.
  

Directing

This one is tricky because I have only seen, Black Swan, The Social Network, and True Grit and for this category I really would have needed to see all of these films to accurately guess.

• *“Black Swan” Darren Aronofsky*
  Why Darren Aronofsky? Based off of the three i've seen, it was the best...hands down.
  
• “The Fighter” David O. Russell
• “The King's Speech” Tom Hooper
• “The Social Network” David Fincher
  Why not David Fincher? If Darren Aronofsky wasn't also nominated David Fincher would be my guess, but that is not the case. Sorry David!
  
• “True Grit” Joel Coen and Ethan Coen
  Why not the Coen Brothers? I love the Coen Brothers, and I loved True Grit, but I don't think it was their absolute best.
  
  
  For this next category I'm just going to tell you my prediction and not really explain it.
  

Film Editing

• *“Black Swan” Andrew Weisblum*
• “The Fighter” Pamela Martin
• “The King's Speech” Tariq Anwar
• “127 Hours” Jon Harris
• “The Social Network” Angus Wall and Kirk Baxter
  
  For this one I have a few guesses, I'm just going to number my guesses from most likely to least likely, 1 being most likely, 5 being least.
  

Best Picture

• “Black Swan” Mike Medavoy, Brian Oliver and Scott Franklin, Producers #1
  
• “The Fighter” David Hoberman, Todd Lieberman and Mark Wahlberg, Producers
• “Inception” Emma Thomas and Christopher Nolan, Producers #4
  
• “The Kids Are All Right” Gary Gilbert, Jeffrey Levy-Hinte and Celine Rattray, Producers
• “The King's Speech” Iain Canning, Emile Sherman and Gareth Unwin, Producers #2
• “127 Hours” Christian Colson, Danny Boyle and John Smithson, Producers
• “The Social Network” Scott Rudin, Dana Brunetti, Michael De Luca and Ceán Chaffin, Producers #3
  
• “Toy Story 3” Darla K. Anderson, Producer
• “True Grit” Scott Rudin, Ethan Coen and Joel Coen, Producers
• “Winter's Bone" Anne Rosellini and Alix Madigan-Yorkin, Producers #5
  
  I'm just going to cheat and make two predictions for this one...
  

Writing (Original Screenplay)

• *“The Kids Are All Right” Written by Lisa Cholodenko & Stuart Blumberg *
• *“The King's Speech” Screenplay by David Seidler*
• “Another Year” Written by Mike Leigh
• “The Fighter” Screenplay by Scott Silver and Paul Tamasy & Eric Johnson;
  Story by Keith Dorrington & Paul Tamasy & Eric Johnson
• “Inception” Written by Christopher Nolan

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

• *“The Social Network” Written by Aaron Sorkin*
• "127 Hours” Screenplay by Simon Beaufoy and Danny Boyle
• “Toy Story 3” Written by Michael Arndt, Story by John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton and Lee Unkrich
  
• “True Grit” Screenplay by Joel and Ethan Coen
  
• “Winter's Bone” Written by Debra Granik and Anne Rossellini