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.