2011 Oscar Predictions

It’s that time of year again for my fearless Oscar predictions. This year’s fight is between King’s Speech and Social Network. They are both great films. Even though I love Social Network more, I think King’s Speech will take the biggest haul. Remember that I’m not predicting who I want to win but who I think the Academy will vote for. From smaller to bigger, here we go:

LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM
GOD OF LOVE
(It has something to do with darts. I don’t know.)

ANIMATED SHORT FILM
LET’S POLLUTE!
(Funny environmental infomercial. Going the Logorama route.)

DOCUMENTARY SHORT
KILLING IN THE NAME
(Middle Eastern conflict gets awards)

SOUND EDITING
INCEPTION
(This deserving film will get all the tech stuff)

SOUND MIXING
INCEPTION
(see above)

ORIGINAL SCORE
THE SOCIAL NETWORK
(Trent Reznor is the cool choice for this award)

ORIGINAL SONG
IF I RISE [127 HOURS]
(The more original music choice)

VISUAL EFFECTS
INCEPTION
(The whole movie is a visual effect. It’s in the bag.)

MAKE-UP
THE WOLFMAN
(Lots of make-up usually wins. It’s also Rick Baker.)

COSTUME DESIGN
ALICE IN WONDERLAND
(Vibrant and whimsical. Bigger is better here.)

ART DIRECTION
ALICE IN WONDERLAND
(Always give it to the one who creates an imaginative world)

FILM EDITING
THE SOCIAL NETWORK
(Fantastic job of cutting back and forth in time)

CINEMATOGRAPHY
THE KING’S SPEECH
(The flow works very well, some uncomfortable angles too)

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
RESTREPO
(Afghanistan War doc? Sure.)

ANIMATED FEATURE
TOY STORY 3
(No justification needed)

FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
IN A BETTER WORLD
(Bullying is in the news. Also won the Globe.)

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
THE SOCIAL NETWORK
(Best written script in a long time. You go Sorkin!)

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
THE KING’S SPEECH
(It’s touching and makes you feel good.)

BEST DIRECTOR
DAVID FINCHER [THE SOCIAL NETWORK]
(He is so meticulous it’s kind of scary)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
HAILEE STEINFELD [TRUE GRIT]
(I think Melissa Leo’s self-promotion cost her)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
CHRISTIAN BALE [THE FIGHTER]
(He deserves it and The Fighter’s got to get something)

BEST ACTRESS
NATALIE PORTMAN [BLACK SWAN]
(She went above and beyond for this intense role)

BEST ACTOR
COLIN FIRTH [THE KING’S SPEECH]
(It’s a slamdunk. He better not look shocked.)

BEST PICTURE
THE KING’S SPEECH
(It’s more uplifting than Social Network. Whatcha gonna do?)

Let’s see how I do on Oscar night this Sunday.

Film: True Grit

GENRE: Western
RATING: PG-13 for western violence
RUNTIME: 1hour and 50 minutes
STARRING: Jeff Bridges (The Big Lebowski) Hailee Steinfeld (newcomer), Matt Damon (Good Shepherd)
DIRECTORS: Joel & Ethan Coen (No Country for Old Men)
WRITERS: Joel & Ethan Coen (Fargo, The Big Lebowski)
PLOT: Rooser, a gruff US Marshal, helps an independent young woman track down her father’s murderer.

FIVE OBSERVATIONS:
1 I am not a big fan of westerns. The only ones I’ve liked are Tombstone, High Noon and the remake of 3:10 to Yuma. True Grit is not on this list, but comes close thanks to Bridges and the Coen brothers use of cinematography.
2 As many critics have said, Rooster is basically The Dude from The Big Lebowski just a bit rougher and in western gear. Bridges is fun to watch and definitely makes the film somewhat enjoyable.
3 Newcomer Hailee Steinfeld is another reason True Grit is better than some westerns. Her determination and grit is fun to watch. She plays well with Bridges.
4 The plot was boring. And the dialogue was not much better. There are a couple fun scenes and a clever line here and there but it’s nothing compared to the rest of the Coen brothers’ filmography.
5 I can’t believe Josh Brolin gets third credit in the movie and is barely on screen. A little disappointing. Not that I’m a huge Brolin fan or anything.

RECOMMENDATION: Wait for the DVD
UPCOMING REVIEWS: The Fighter, Oscar Predictionns

Superbowl Ads 2011

So I meant to post this on Monday but never got around to it. But better late than never. Here are my favourite Superbowl ads from last week. Of course, being in Canada we again got royally screwed by CTV who insisted on showing ads for Blue Bloods and Flashpoint every chance they got. Thank goodness for the internet. Here are my top five.

1. BUD LIGHT: PRODUCT PLACEMENT
Love the truck at the end.


2. VOLKSWAGEN: THE FORCE
The kids face at the end is priceless even behind a mask.



3. DORITOS: HOUSE SITTING
Love the ashes that come off grandpa.



4. BRIDGESTONE: REPLY ALL
Love the frantic-ness.



5. AUDI: RELEASE THE HOUNDS
Very fun concept. Love the punishment of Kenny G.



HONORABLE MENTION
DORITOS: FINGER LICKING
Funny yet disturbing. Or is it the other way around?



There you have it. What were your favourites?

UPCOMING REVIEWS: True Grit, The Fighter, Oscar Predictions