It’s that time of year again — awards season! I’ve already watched the Golden Globes (the most fun), the SAG Awards and the Critics’ Choice Awards, and I can’t wait for the Oscars on Sunday.
As usual, my whole family will be making their predictions from around the country and someone will win bragging rights. Even though, as the Flicks for Kids Editor at NickJr.com and a member of the San Diego Film Critics Society, I am considered a professional moviegoer, that probably won’t be me. My mom will eenie-meenie-miney-mo someone like Marion Cotillard in La Vie en Rose (“Ooh, I love that song”) and walk away the big winner. So, with fair warning not to mortgage your house on them, here are my predictions:
Best Picture: Argo
My favorite movie of the year, by far, is Silver Linings Playbook. I saw it at a rainy morning screening way before it came out, and smiled blissfully throughout the entire movie. One of my fellow critics and I turned to each other repeatedly and just grinned in delight. We so rarely see movies like this! Since then, I’ve watched it twice and taken as much joy in my family’s reactions as if I’d actually had something to do with the movie. That being said, Argo will win in protest of Ben Affleck’s Best Director snub.
Best Director: Steven Spielberg
This one is iffy. It probably would have been Ben Affleck (see above) IF HE HAD BEEN NOMINATED! Personally, I think David O. Russell should win it for Silver Linings Playbook and for the fact that his cast is nominated in ALL FOUR acting categories. That has only happened with 14 movies in Oscar history – the last one being Reds back in 1981 – and it says so much about the director. Plus, he’s been making the talk show circuit and even Robert De Niro cried on Katie when he was talking about how personal this film was, and how Russell wanted to do it for his son, who suffers from bipolar disease. Unfortunately, though, I think Spielberg and Lincoln (a film I loved, by the way) will appeal more to the mass Academy voters. I totally hope I’m wrong.
Best Actor: Duh
Daniel Day-Lewis IS Lincoln.
Best Actress: Jennifer Lawrence
It’s going to be between Jennifer and Jessica (Chastain) but I don’t think as many people saw Zero Dark Thirty and those who did see both movies probably feel more comfortable rewarding Jennifer’s character. She made an amazing performance in Silver Linings Playbook look absolutely effortless, and you never know what she’ll say in her acceptance speeches (“I beat Meryl!”). I adore Jessica Chastain, who should have won an Academy Award for The Help, but am rooting for Jennifer.
Best Supporting Actor: Robert De Niro
He brought a depth to his role in Silver Linings Playbook that took my breath away. I would love to see him tie with Christoph Waltz, whose character is the heart and soul of Django Unchained, but I doubt enough Academy members sat through Quentin Tarantino’s three-hour bloodbath. Tommy Lee Jones could end up pulling it out because everyone loves him and it was so bizarre to see him in the 1800s, donning a George Washington-type wig, in Lincoln — but, for me, it was too bizarre, and, although his character was fantastic, I could never get past the fact that it was Tommy Lee Jones, donning a wig.
Best Supporting Actress: Anne Hathaway
Jacki Weaver should win for her moving performance in Silver Linings Playbook but, alas, the award will go to Anne Hathaway because she chopped off her hair and sang a beloved song in supposedly one take while being filmed close-up in an emotional feat of staging that is more Oscar-worthy than the actual performance. This parody says it all:
OMG, Lois!
I totally agree with you on EVERYTHING!! And it is very validating to see you think one should win it, but because of other considerations, someone else (or other movie) will.
So, good Lord, who do we vote for in our tally??
Have fun Sunday… good luck!!
debbie z
Silver Linings Playbook all the way for everything.
The only one I disagree with you about – only because of the predictions I’ve read – is De Niro. It seems Tommy Lee Jones is the frontrunner – though I agree, De Niro was amazing and deserves to win!
Really liked Silver Linings Playbook but not as big a fan as you. Lincoln and Les Mis are my two favorites with Argo next. But as you point out the politics will have a lot to do with who and what wins. I wouldn’t be unhappy to see Anne Hathaway win in her category but would be happier to see Sally Field. Stay tuned as they say…
No mention of Life of Pi? That was my favorite movie of the year, such a visually stunning, magical movie…..what filmmaking is all about IMHO!!!
I agree with your predictions! We went for the predictions of what the female nominees should wear: http://www.thesucculentwife.com/the-succulent-oscar-looks-for-2013/#more-21882 or, at least, what we think they should wear. Wanna play? 🙂
I, for one, am making crabby snacks and homemades to watch the Oscars…..
Good choices, Lois. I’ve seen all but one of the movies nominated for Best Picture (Django) and although I liked all of them, my favorite is Argo.
I can’t believe that Ben Afflect has been snubbed . . . but I haven’t seen Lincoln. I saw Silver Linings Playbook twice, instead :). Thanks for your predictions . . .I like them all. You’re better than most the people in the entertainment magazines!
You should all be made a aware of the only San Diego Academy Award direct feed from Hollywood each yearon Academy Awards night! It’s sanctioned by the Academy because it is a charitable organization benefiting children of all ages and particulary those of limited priviledge and special needs. ” Send a Kid to Camp” has a gala affair locally in the Jacobs Event Center if San Diego, Oscar night fund raiser! Wonderful dinner, usually 50+ georgous filled baskets with huge contents for silent auction ( airline tickets, stays in hotels, tasty and aged bottles of famous wines, tickets to dinners, events,) and So much MORE! Tickets to attend this year are 85$ and 100$ a real steal for such an improtant tax deductable event! Go to Kids to camp on the internet for all details!
Well ladies! Here’s another chance at Oscar buzz first hand ! The Cinema Society of San Diego for the last 5 years has a bus trip to Hollywood the day before the Oscars to see two seminars that are amazing and very eventful. The Foreign Language Film nominees are presented in film clips with their Producers/directors holding a seminar for the audience at the Samuel Goldwyn Threater in the a.m. The Hair and Makeup Seminar is held in the afternoon, again with 10 min film clips from all the nominees, and the Makeup artists discussing and answering questions from the audience, as well about their artistry! The Cinema Society is awesome! You just may want to check out how to join it! Although the trip is open to all not just members. http://www.cinemasociety.com/San Diego
These were already my votes. So if I don’t win
at the oscar party we’re attending, it’s my own fault. You’re only reinforcing my choices.
I’ve seen all but Pi – and with all the accolades, trophies – I’m going to see it tomorrow…happy…happy with the Tarantino win – Django was brilliant – an ingenius way to bring racism to the forefront – the acting was deep and connected – and of course the blood-letting was stomach turning – but so is racism today, Feb. 25th, 2013.