Reel Noteworhty: Oscars – Who Will Win vs. Who Should Win

It’s here. The big one. The night that (almost) everyone has been waiting for: Oscar night!

Yes, that’s right, this Sunday night, the 2010 award season comes to a close as the winners of the Academy Awards are announced. It’s a tradition for me to watch the Oscars with a sick fascination, eager to see who wins what.

Now, I’m not one to get all caught up in that red carpet, “who’s wearing what” business, so I skip the pre-show. I’m all about the winners. I want to know which performances are going to be rewarded, snubbed and everything in between.

This year, my goal was to see every film nominated for one of the major awards. At press time, I still have three to go (Animal Kingdom, Another Year, andThe Illusionist), but I will definitely watch them before the big show. But, even if I don’t, I’ve seen all of the Best Picture nominees, a small consolation prize.

Half the fun of watching the Oscars (at least for me) is seeing if my pre-show predictions are correct. Usually, I’m pretty accurate with my picks, so I’m going to share them here. If I’m wrong, oops. If not, I promise to say, “I told you so” in next week’s column.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Who I Think Will Win: Christian Bale (The Fighter)

Who I Want to Win: Geoffrey Rush (The King’s Speech)

-Bale’s performance as a crack addict was certainly compelling, but Rush was nothing short of spectacular as Lionel Logue, speech therapist to the king.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Will Win: Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit)

Want to Win: Amy Adams (The Fighter)

-After a bit of carefully planned campaigning, Steinfeld was nominated for Best Supporting Actress, despite having a lead role in the film. She was very good, and fully deserves her nomination, but it’s in the wrong category. Adams, meanwhile, completely breaks out of her comfort zone with this film. Go watch Doubt or Enchanted and then watch The Fighter, and you’ll see what I mean.

BEST ACTRESS

Will Win: Natalie Portman (Black Swan)

Want to Win: Natalie Portman

-Portman’s physical transformation into a mentally unstable ballerina was almost scary. She fully immersed herself in the role, and, at least for me, made the movie worth watching.

BEST ACTOR

Will Win: Colin Firth (The King’s Speech)

Want to Win: Colin Firth

-Firth was impeccable as King George VI, making the scenes of him struggling with his stutter both painful and stunning to watch.


BEST DIRECTOR

Will Win: David Fincher (The Social Network)

Want to Win: Tom Hooper (The King’s Speech)

– Hooper inspired great performances by all actors involved in the film, and did a fabulous job of recreating the time period in which the film is set. Apparently, I’m in the minority when I say that I didn’t like The Social Network, and Fincher has already won several accolades for his film, so I expect he’ll take home another. I’d love to be wrong, though.

BEST PICTURE

Will Win: The King’s Speech

Want to Win: The King’s Speech

-There was nothing I didn’t love about this movie. With a compelling story, beautiful scenery and all-star cast performances, The King’s Speech truly was the best picture I saw from 2010. It fully deserves every award it receives.

So there are my picks. Go make your own. We can compare later.

 

Keith Carroll

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