By Terfa Tilley-Gyado as culled from next
The 82nd annual Academy Awards ceremony takes place tonight at the Kodak Centre in Los Angeles. Here are my tips on some of the likely winners.
BEST PICTURE: In a novel format, 10 films will slug it out for best picture this year as opposed to the previous shortlist of five. It is perhaps the only reason why the overly allegorical District 9 and the quirky A Serious Man, tiptoed their way into this year's list. In reality, however, just like in other years, the fight is usually between a couple of films. This year it will be surprising if The Hurt Locker or Avatar don't pick up the award. I think Avatar will polarise the judges which will hand an advantage to The Hurt Locker.
Prediction: The Hurt Locker (Dir. Kathryn Bigelow).
BEST DIRECTOR: The Academy has often pulled a fast one in this category by handing the Oscar to the unofficial runner-up in the Best Picture category. This year, however, I suspect that Kathryn Bigelow will pick up both awards for The Hurt Locker, a stunning commentary on modern warfare. It eschews the preachiness and piety of recent war flicks and should ensure Ms. Bigelow's triumph over her ex-husband, James Cameron, for Avatar.
If she does, she will make history as the first woman to take home the Best Director statuette. Honourable mention goes to Lee Daniels for the gritty Precious, which was made on a shoestring budget; and Tarantino, who reminded the world of his anarchic talent in Inglourious Basterds.
BEST ACTOR: In any other year, George Clooney would be favourite for his role in Up in the Air. However, Jeff Bridges has swept up all the major awards in this category thus far and the Academy is likely to fall in line.
Prediction: Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart).
BEST ACTRESS: Gabourey Sidibe was streets ahead in the reckoning for her brilliant performance in the eponymous Precious. However, she is up against a couple of Hollywood heavyweights, Helen Mirren and Meryl Streep, not to mention one of its most endearing leading ladies, Sandra Bullock. It's a tough call but Bullock appears to have found favour in the preceding awards.
Prediction: Sandra Bullock (The Blind Side).
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Matt Damon's nomination for Invictus is a curious one here. It is a characteristically solid performance but his contribution in the film is largely insignificant. That notwithstanding, there appears to be just one winner here. Anyone who saw Christopher Waltz' near-perfect job in Inglourious Basterds witnessed a career-defining performance.
Prediction: Christopher Waltz (Inglourious Basterds).
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: This is another shoe-in and it will be a grave injustice if Mo'Nique does not pick up the award for Precious. Her portrayal of an abusive mother is genuinely haunting and disturbing. You end up completely detesting the character, which is a testament to the levels of energy Mo'Nique brought into the role.
Prediction: Mo'Nique (Precious).
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