This weekend is the 80th Academy Awards, and, not surprisingly, I’m looking forward to it. It’s the one night out of the year that my constant obsession over movies pays off as I watch some of the films I loved get the acclaim they deserve. So in honor of this night, I skipped the usual format and made my picks for five of the categories. Make sure to tune in! (Sunday Feb. 24th, 5pt/8et on ABC)
1. Best Picture
Will Win- “No Country For Old Men”
I already chose this as the best film of 2007, and I’m standing by it. No film this year is more compelling, more riveting or simply better done than “No Country For Old Men.” The entire cast is fantastic, with a spectacular script and excellent cinematography. This is, in short, one of the best films of the decade, not just the year.
Dark Horse- As fantastic as “No Country For Old Men” is, don’t rule out P.T. Anderson’s “There Will Be Blood.” The Academy is notorious for loving movies that follow one character’s rise and fall. A truly gifted Daniel Day Lewis puts in his all, helping to craft an excellent story. I just feel it’s going to fall short.
2. Best Actor
Will Win- Daniel Day-Lewis began his long walk up to the podium the day “There Will Be Blood” was released. His performance can only be described as a tour-de-force. He is, almost literally, the heart and soul of the film. The depth and complexity of Daniel Plainview is brought straight to fruition with the incomparable Day-Lewis.
Dark Horse- There really isn’t one. All the other nominees are amazing in their roles, but not one of them can match up with the monster inside of Day-Lewis. Oh well. Let’s just say George Clooney for “Michael Clayton” because he’s cute.
3. Best Actress
Will Win- A moment of honesty first: I have only seen one of the five movies that have nominees in this category. But based on all the reviews and Oscar buzz I’ve been hearing, I’m going to have to go with Marion Cotillard as Edith Piaf in “La Vie En Rose.” The Academy likes biopics about musicians (“Walk The Line,” “Ray,” etc.), so you can’t really go wrong.
Dark Horse- I’m pulling for Ellen Page in “Juno.” She gave the film a sense of honesty and purity that may have been lacking otherwise. “Juno” was this year’s “Little Miss Sunshine,” so let’s give some credit where credit is due.
4. Best Director
Will Win- The Cohen brothers for “No Country For Old Men.” If they lose, they will officially become the next Scorsese. Every single film they’ve created is a masterpiece, and yet none of them have raked in this award. Why not reward them for crafting the most conceptually brilliant film of the year.
Dark Horse- Once again, the only competition here is P.T. Anderson. His vision of the oil-drilling world is so dark and subversive that it literally gives you chills. Every great actor needs an inspiration, and Day-Lewis gets it from Anderson. This is perhaps the closest contest of the night.
5. Best Original Song
Will Win- I included this category so that I’d have one more chance to tout the glory that is “Once.” “Falling Slowly” is one of the most beautiful songs I’ve heard in the past five years, and deserves every acclaim it can get. Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova are so frank and honest in this song that each word feels like it has the weight of a thousand. Truly amazing.
Dark Horse- I haven’t seen it, but apparently “Enchanted” had some great songs. Statistically speaking, it has the leg up with three nominations in this category. But no matter how sweet or funny these songs are they just won’t be able to stand up to a true masterwork.
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