Feb 25 2008
Oscar Predictions (I know, who cares?)
Anyone remember what movie won Best Picture at least year’s Academy Awards? Right. I didn’t think so. Does anyone care? Right. I didn’t think so. Okay, then, let’s get on with this year’s predictions.
MOTION PICTURE: No Country for Old Men — The best I’ve seen from the Coen Brothers. (Correct!)
DIRECTOR: Julian Schnabel for The Diving Bell and the Butterfly — For directing the most engaging and affective first 30 minutes of any movie I’ve seen in years (the rest of the movie is pretty damn good too). (Wrong! It went to the Coen Brothers for No Country for Old Men.)
LEADING ACTOR: Johnny Depp in Sweeney Todd — Didn’t see it, but Depp is always good. Wouldn’t be surprised if he won. (Wrong! It went to Daniel Day-Lewis in There Will Be Blood.)
LEADING ACTRESS: Julie Christie in Away from Her — A subtle but precise performance that hits you hard. Same with Gordon Pinsent (who wasn’t nominated). (Wrong! It went to Marion Cotillard in La Vie en Rose.)
SUPPORTING ACTOR: Javier Bardem in No Country for Old Men — Maybe a one-note performance as a calm, collective psychopath, but what a note! (Correct!)
SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Saoirse Ronan in Atonement — At a certain point in the story, she carries the whole movie. (Wrong! It went to Tilda Swinton in Michael Clayton.)
ANIMATED FEATURE: Ratatouille — It’ll get votes from people who haven’t even seen it. Everyone loves Pixar. (Surf’s Up is flawed but more innovative.) (Correct!)
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Roger Deakins for No Country for Old Men — The shadows have a presence that makes you want to run. (Wrong! It went to Robert Elswit for There Will Be Blood.)
Why isn’t “Best Picture” and “Best Director” the same thing? The best director in theory made the best picture right?
> Why isn’t “Best Picture” and “Best Director” the same thing?
Probably because there are tons of things (bad editing, bad music, bad lighting, etc.) that can ruin a movie despite having an excellent director at the helm. Some things even the best director can’t control. That’s my guess.
I only saw Ratatouille and Surf’s Up; that’s what happens when you have kids.