Heretical Jargon

It’s so true, isn’t it?…..

While I love the Oscars, I understand how incredibly crappy the entire award show is.  A lot of the time, the nominees that win do deserve their award.  However, there is an underlying force that drives the winning choices by each guild, and its typically political and/or to make some sort of statement to the general public.  I always enjoy seeing the winners, and watching the Oscars, but there’s really nothing about the award show that I take TOO seriously.

Tomorrow the Oscars begin and while I won’t get to watch them live on TV, (no cable) I will be keeping tabs on the results as they are announced.  Like always, I like to hand out my own personal awards as to who I think deserves the Oscars.  I have my opinions for each category, but I don’t list them all here.  But if you are interested, below are my picks.  Comments and disagreements are welcome in the comments section.

My Picks 

Best Picture
While I believe that each film nominated this year is worthy of it’s nomination, There’s a film that should have made it into the category and taken the Oscar home.  Hugo is great, The Artist was amazing, and the Descendants was just good fun, but my pick for Oscar winner would have gone to Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.   It was a blend of good story telling, fantasic cinematic work, wonderful acting, and superb direction.  Its slow paced progression did not detract from its intense and angst driven format, keeping me on the edge of my seat without overwhelming me.  But alas, it didn’t make the cut, which means Hugo or the Artist will most likely take home the win…Which would be perfectly fine with me.  My film rankings for 2011

Best Actor & Actress
Gary Oldman rocked it in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, and with my love for that film, my pick for Best Actor would go to him.  It’s a tough call however, and all the nominees would be worthy of winning.
There should be no surprise that Meryl Streep is back in the nominated seat, and no doubt everyone will be wondering if she’ll take the Oscar home with her. Having not actually seen any of the films the Best Actress nominations are for, I can’t really speak to whom I think should win, but I’m guessing everyone’s eyes will be on Streep and Glenn Close.

Best Supporting Actor/Actress
Bridesmaids was funny, but not a film worthy of any awards other than best supporting actress…which should go to Melissa McCarthy for her chaotic role as the bumbling, seedy bridesmaid who brought in more laughs then even Kristen Wiig.  On a more on a serious note, Kenneth Branagh and Max Von Sydow are gems on the big screen.  However, I haven’t seen the two film so I can’t say who I think would win, but I suspect these two actors are at the front lines of acceptance.

Best Animated Film
I’m very partial towards the foreign films.  Granted, I’ve only seen two of the nominees, but that’s because I just didn’t have any interest in seeing Puss in Boot, or Kung Fu Panda 2.  Chico and Rita looks amazing, but I was in awe of A Cat in Paris.  It’s unique and older style of animation was a joy to see.  My pick for sure.

Best Animated Short Film
Pixar is great, they’ve never made anything I didn’t immediately fall in love with.  Having seen all the nominations a few weeks ago, I was certain that Pixar’s La Luna would take the crown away.  But then I saw The Fantastic Flying Book Of Mr. Morris Lessmore.  Pixar wasn’t able to secure a spot in the Best Animated Film category, but they could still walk away with an Oscar this year.  But my money is going to Mr Morris Lessmore!

To find out who’s nominated, and to make your own predictions, go to the Oscar Nominees website.