Obligatory Oscar Post

Right so,
The nominations this year are actually quite boring and predictable. Usually awards season is my favorite time of year but 2011/12 has been pretty mediocre for films I have to say. There were obviously some good ones in there but mostly we've been struck with let downs or films we're forced to see for more then they are.


Best Picture: The Artist, The Descendants, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, The Help, Hugo, Midnight in Paris, Moneyball, The Tree of Life, War Horse 
No real surprises there. I haven't heard much about Extremely Loud yet so I can't say whether I think it's deserving of a nod, War Horse is one of the films I feel like I've been forced into thinking is good just because it's Spielberg, I'm really glad Midnight in Paris got a nod, it was one of my favorite films of the year and although it won't win, its still good it is being recognized as one of the best. Moneyball overrated, same with The Help. I guess The Descendants will take this one.


Best Director: Michel Hazanavicius, Alexander Payne, Martin Scorsese, Woody Allen, Terrence Malick
Unfortunately I have only seen The Tree of Life and Midnight in Paris so I can't really judge this one although I have a feeling it won't go to either Woody Allen or Terrence Malick!


Best Actor: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Jean Dujardin, Gary Oldman, Demián Bichir
Again, haven't seen them all but I think everyone knows that this one belongs to George Clooney!


Best Actress: Meryl Streep, Michelle Williams, Glenn Close, Rooney Mara, Viola Davis
I wish it wasn't so but I can imagine Meryl will take home Oscar number 3 this year. I wish it was lucky nomination number 8 for Glenn but it just won't be :(


Best Supporting Actor: Kenneth Branagh, Jonah Hill, Nick Nolte, Christopher Plummer, Max von Sydow
I'd like this one to go to Nick Nolte, he was brilliant in Warrior, really brilliant. I think however, the Acadamy is trying to capitalize on the insane success of the new school of Hollywood comics and bringing Jonah Hill into the mix will attract a new market to the Oscars....


Best Supporting Actress: Melissa McCarthy, Jessica Chastain, Janet McTeer, Octavia Spencer, Bérénice Bejo
Again with the comedy, Bridesmaids was indeed one of the best films of the year and just as it did when I saw Robert Downey Jnr nominated for Tropic Thunder in 2008, my jaw dropped to see Melissa McCarthy nominated this year. I think Octavia Spencer deserves this one hands down anyway and I would be appalled to see McCarthy take it home.


Best Original Screenplay: "The Artist" Written by Michel Hazanavicius, "Bridesmaids" Written by Annie Mumolo & Kristen Wiig, "Margin Call" Written by J.C. Chandor, "Midnight in Paris" Written by Woody Allen, "A Separation" Written by Asghar Farhadi
I'm hoping for Midnight in Paris but I think maybe The Artist? I like that Bridesmaids was nominated, writing good comedy is a true skill and I'm delighted for Wiig and Mumalo that they've been recognized but I don't think they'll win it this time.


Best Adapted Screenplay: "The Descendants" Screenplay by Alexander Payne and Nat Faxon & Jim Rash, "Hugo" Screenplay by John Logan, "The Ides of March" Screenplay by George Clooney & Grant Heslov and Beau Willimon, "Moneyball" Screenplay by Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin Story by Stan Chervin, "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" Screenplay by Bridget O'Connor & Peter Straughan
Probably The Descendants again but maybe Ides of March or Moneyball (hope not)


Most of the other categories aren't of much interest to most people but I must say I was quite shocked not to see that the documentary We Were Here wasn't nominated. Even just watching the trailer (seriously watch it) made me sure it wouldn't just be nominated that it was a shoe in to win. I have to say its the biggest disappointment for me it's a very important story and would have really benefited from the exposure of being nominated.