Oscar Opinions: Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012)

Beasts of the Southern Wild was a film that disappointed me on first release, but much thought has changed my opinion of the picture.

QUICK OPINION:
One thing that directly describes Beasts is that it is a bold film. It is something I've never seen before, and something I don't want to be redone again. With great talent, it introduced me to a fictional neighborhood and introduced me to a cast of colorful characters. The performance by Quevenzhane and Dwight Henry aren't really performance, but almost natural to the performers.

BEST PERFORMANCE:
I would love to say Quevenzhane Wallis had the best performance in the film, but I would love to shed light on one of the best supporting performances of last year: the previously mentioned Dwight Henry. He reminded me of Brad Pitt's character from the perfect The Tree of Life. Dwight's character is an ant disguised as a bull. He's dying right from the get-go, but his presence and sense of dominance is also visible from the get-go. It's great stuff.

BEST SCENE:
Almost like The Master, there is a face-to-face scene between the two leads. Quevenzhane's Hushpuppy and Dwight Henry's Wink are arm wrestling. Wink loses, and I'm not even sure if it was intentional. This is Hushpuppy's first exposure to the fact that Wink is truly dying. She knows from what he says, but this time she truly knows. She's the Man!

The best original screenplay race.

Some say Amour. At this point, I don't think it is a contender. Just because Amour got a Best Director nomination DOES NOT mean it gets an extra boost. That's like saying 'Beasts' is ahead of 'Argo' just because of a directing nomination. Fortunately the Adapted race is locked up for Chris Terrio.

So it's a two-horse race between Zero Dark Thirty and Django Unchained. The bad thing is that both films have their fair share of controversy. 'Zero Dark' won the WGA, 'Django' won the BAFTA, and is the expression of voter overlap. I say 'Zero Dark' has the advantage due to the fact it's ahead of Django in the Best Picture race.

If the Globes expressed voter overlap, I would say 'Django' would be leading, but I also have to give 'Zero Dark' a boost due to impulsive voting with the WGA.

PREDICTED WINNER
Mark Boal, Zero Dark Thirty

Oscar Nomination thoughts.

YOU'LL WIN AGAIN
SOMEDAY

YOU'LL WIN AGAIN
SOMEDAY, TOO

Most Americans go to school, especially in the teenage years. I am currently a teenage school lad, so I have to work from 7:00-3:00. The nominations were announced at 7:30, so I chose to listen to the YouTube livestream in the library. When you only listen to audio, your mind can play tricks on you. You can mistake words. Like Benh and Ben.

A simple explanation: I was listening to the nominations, and the last nominee announced was Benh Zeitlin, Beasts of the Southern Wild. I, of course, first heard the word Ben, so I assumed "Oh, Ben Affleck, Argo." But Zeitlin was added on to the name, and all became clear: THE BENH ZEITLIN, THE KID WITH A CAMERA THAT MADE A FILM FOR $180K. Wow. I was more shocked by the inclusions than the exclusions. I then realized Bigelow and Affleck were snubbed for their political thrillers, and instead two independent films with little known actresses made it in.

BEST PICTURE:

LIKE A BOSS #YOLO

I really, really wanted The Master to get in. Alas, it didn't, but the nominees this year were very good. Amour and Beasts of the Southern Wild both were on my top 10, albeit, the bottom. I pined for Les Miserables not getting not nominated, and I wish Moonrise was nominated. Moonrise was picking up steam toward the end of the race, and so was Skyfall.

BEST ACTOR:
Joaquin made it in. It was a good lineup.

BEST ACTRESS:
No real shocks, unless you count Marion Cotillard not making it in as a 'shock'.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR:
It's a bummer Leo DiCaprio didn't get in, but the Academy did nominated the better Django performance: Christoph Waltz. There were no real surprises, but I wish Bardem got one for Skyfall.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS:
There were only really 4 contenders for this one, so Jacki Weaver making it in didn't come with too much surprise. Again, no real surprises.

BEST DIRECTOR: 
Where as the acting categories were not that surprising, the directing category was the bulk of all surprises. I really wish Bigelow got nominated for her masterpiece Zero Dark Thirty over Benh Zeitlin's Beasts.

THE SCREENPLAYS:
In the beginning of the season, I thought The Master would win Best Original Screenplay. Instead, it failed to get nominated, being cut out by Flight. Bummer, but that was probably the only surprise in the whole category. Adapted was predictable, unless you consider The Perks of Being a Wallflower as a lock.

The 10 Best Films of 2012.

I unfortunately have yet to see The Master, so it will not appear on this list.

1. ZERO DARK THIRTY
Zero Dark Thirty was not only impeccably made and entertaining, but the also boasted the year's best script and performance.

Final Oscar Predictions!

The nominations are tomorrow, and with this year being all over the place, we can honestly quote Lawrence of Arabia... "Nothing is written."

BEST PICTURE:
1. Lincoln
Breaking the bank and breaking nomination records, Spielberg is back and with a vengeance.
2. Argo
Free of controversy currently, and was in attendance at every guild thing, like Lincoln.
3. Zero Dark Thirty
Strong critical praise and has been the film getting more love than Argo, but Argo is more well-liked.
4. Les Miserables
Makes the Academy feel warm and fuzzy. Based on a musical that's based on classic literature, and the acting branches love it.
5. Silver Linings Playbook
Actors love it, writers love it, and the direction is perfect.
6. Life of Pi
A visual treat that has a bold vision that is well-told. Thumbs up.
7. Django Unchained
It's a work of near-perfection. The supporting performances are off the charts, and the film's script is richer than Spielberg's current bank account.
8. Moonrise Kingdom
It has surprisingly a lot of necessary stops required for a nomination. Great cast for the acting branch to chew on, and great script for the writers to envy.
9. Beasts of the Southern Wild
The little indie that could.
10. The Master
I still think this film has got what it takes to sneak in. I'm making a bold prediction, which is something I missed last year (Extremely Loud). There is an audience for this film, and the audience will vote for this.

BEST DIRECTOR:
1. Steven Spielberg, Lincoln
2. Ben Affleck, Argo
3. Kathryn Bigelow, Zero Dark Thirty
4. Ang Lee, Life of Pi
5. David O. Russell, Silver Linings Playbook

BEST ACTOR:
1. Daniel Day-Lewis, Lincoln
2. Hugh Jackman, Les Miserables
3. Bradley Cooper, Silver Linings Playbook
4. John Hawkes, The Sessions
5. Joaquin Phoenix, The Master
I think Phoenix is going to squeak in over Denzel, especially since Flight has nothing going for it besides Washington's performance. The audience for The Master is going to vote for Phoenix, giving him the nomination.

BEST ACTRESS:
1. Jessica Chastain, Zero Dark Thirty
2. Jennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook
3. Marion Cotillard, Rust and Bone
4. Naomi Watts, The Impossible
5. Emanuelle Riva, Amour
I absolutely adore Jess Chastain and her repertoire of work, and hope she wins. She is going to win... a nomination.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR:
1. Tommy Lee Jones, Lincoln
2. Phillip Seymour Hoffman, The Master
3. Christoph Waltz, Django Unchained
4. Leonardo DiCaprio, Django Unchained
5. Javier Bardem, Skyfall
Waltz and DiCaprio were amazing in their parts, and Bardem was the best thing in the near-perfect Skyfall. I mean, Bardem got a nomination for BIUTIFUL! Also, Arkin has yet to win any critics groups prizes, if that's any indicator.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS:
1. Anne Hathaway, Les Miserables
2. Sally Field, Lincoln
3. Amy Adams, The Master 
4. Helen Hunt, The Sessions
5. Judi Dench, Skyfall
Skyfall has picked up a lot of steam in the past weeks. Judi Dench recently got a BAFTA nomination, and I don't think Milennium has the capabilities to send out too many Paperboy screeners.

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY:
1. Mark Boal, Zero Dark Thirty
2. Quentin Tarantino, Django Unchained
3. Paul Thomas Anderson, The Master
4. Wes Anderson, Moonrise Kingdom
5. Michael Haneke, Amour
Would love Looper to sneak in.

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY:
1. Tony Kushner, Lincoln
2. Chris Terrio, Argo
3. David O. Russell, Silver Linings Playbook
4. Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a Wallflower
5. Lucy Alibar and Benh Zeitlin, Beasts of the Southern Wild
Screenplay categories are perfect for littler films to get recognized, like Perks and Beasts.

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY:
1. Claudio Miranda, Life of Pi
2. Janusz Kaminski, Lincoln
3. Robert Richardson, Django Unchained
4. Roger Deakins, Skyfall
5. Mihai Malimare Jr, The Master
I hate to leave off Zero Dark Thirty, but the Academy loves themselves some Robby Richardson. I mean, he did beat Emmanuel Lubezki last year.

BEST EDITING:
1. Zero Dark Thirty
2. Argo
3. Life of Pi
4. Lincoln
5. Skyfall

Check back tomorrow for complete list of winners, and perhaps a nomination rant... we'll see.

PGA Nominees!!

Yet again, more Master snubbery. I can now confidently say that The Master IS this year's The Tree of Life.

“Argo” (Warner Bros.)Producers: Ben Affleck, George Clooney, Grant Heslov

“Beasts of the Southern Wild” (Fox Searchlight Pictures)Producers: Michael Gottwald, Dan Janvey, Josh Penn

“Django Unchained” (The Weinstein Company)Producers: Reginald Hudlin, Pilar Savone, Stacey Sher

“Les Misérables” (Universal Pictures)Producers: Tim Bevan & Eric Fellner, Debra Hayward, Cameron Mackintosh

Life of Pi” (Fox 2000 Pictures)Producers: Ang Lee, Gil Netter, David Womark

“Lincoln” (Touchstone Pictures)Producers:  Kathleen Kennedy, Steven Spielberg

“Moonrise Kingdom” (Focus Features)Producers: Wes Anderson & Scott Rudin, Jeremy Dawson, Steven Rales

“Silver Linings Playbook” (The Weinstein Company)Producers: Bruce Cohen, Donna Gigliotti, Jonathan Gordon

“Skyfall” (Columbia Pictures)Producers: Barbara Broccoli, Michael G. Wilson

“Zero Dark Thirty” (Columbia Pictures)Producers: Kathryn Bigelow, Mark Boal, Megan Ellison

Critics Choice and SAG Nominees!

Critics Choice:

BEST PICTURE
Argo
Beasts of the Southern Wild
Django Unchained
Les Misérables
Life of Pi
Lincoln
The Master
Moonrise Kingdom
Silver Linings Playbook
Zero Dark Thirty

BEST ACTOR
Bradley Cooper – “Silver Linings Playbook”
Daniel Day-Lewis – “Lincoln”
John Hawkes – “The Sessions”
Hugh Jackman – “Les Misérables”
Joaquin Phoenix – “The Master”
Denzel Washington – “Flight”

BEST ACTRESS
Jessica Chastain – “Zero Dark Thirty”
Marion Cotillard – “Rust and Bone”
Jennifer Lawrence – “Silver Linings Playbook”
Emmanuelle Riva – “Amour”
Quvenzhané Wallis – “Beasts of the Southern Wild”
Naomi Watts – “The Impossible”

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Alan Arkin – “Argo”
Javier Bardem – “Skyfall”
Robert De Niro – “Silver Linings Playbook”
Philip Seymour Hoffman – “The Master”
Tommy Lee Jones – “Lincoln”
Matthew McConaughey – “Magic Mike”

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Adams – “The Master”
Judi Dench – “Skyfall”
Ann Dowd – “Compliance”
Sally Field – “Lincoln”
Anne Hathaway – “Les Misérables”
Helen Hunt – “The Sessions”

BEST YOUNG ACTOR/ACTRESS
Elle Fanning – “Ginger & Rosa”
Kara Hayward – “Moonrise Kingdom”
Tom Holland – “The Impossible”
Logan Lerman – “The Perks of Being a Wallflower”
Suraj Sharma – “Life of Pi”
Quvenzhané Wallis – “Beasts of the Southern Wild”

BEST ACTING ENSEMBLE
Argo
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Les Misérables
Lincoln
Moonrise Kingdom
Silver Linings Playbook

BEST DIRECTOR
Ben Affleck – “Argo”
Kathryn Bigelow – “Zero Dark Thirty”
Tom Hooper – “Les Misérables”
Ang Lee – “Life of Pi”
David O. Russell – “Silver Linings Playbook”
Steven Spielberg – “Lincoln”

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Quentin Tarantino – “Django Unchained”
John Gatins – “Flight”
Rian Johnson – “Looper”
Paul Thomas Anderson – “The Master”
Wes Anderson & Roman Coppola – “Moonrise Kingdom”
Mark Boal – “Zero Dark Thirty”

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Chris Terrio – “Argo”
David Magee – “Life of Pi”
Tony Kushner – “Lincoln”
Stephen Chbosky – “The Perks of Being a Wallflower”
David O. Russell – “Silver Linings Playbook”

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
“Les Misérables” – Danny Cohen
“Life of Pi” – Claudio Miranda
“Lincoln” – Janusz Kaminski
“The Master” – Mihai Malaimare Jr.
“Skyfall” – Roger Deakins

BEST ART DIRECTION
“Anna Karenina” – Sarah Greenwood/Production Designer; Katie Spencer/Set Decorator
“The Hobbit” – Dan Hennah/Production Designer; Ra Vincent & Simon Bright/Set Decorators
“Les Misérables” – Eve Stewart/Production Designer; Anna Lynch-Robinson/Set Decorator
“Life of Pi” – David Gropman/Production Designer; Anna Pinnock/Set Decorator
“Lincoln” – Rick Carter/Production Designer; Jim Erickson/Set Decorator

BEST EDITING
“Argo” – William Goldenberg
“Les Misérables” – Melanie Ann Oliver and Chris Dickens
“Life of Pi” – Tim Squyres
“Lincoln” – Michael Kahn
“Zero Dark Thirty” – William Goldenberg and Dylan Tichenor

BEST COSTUME DESIGN
“Anna Karenina” – Jacqueline Durran
“Cloud Atlas” – Kym Barrett and Pierre-Yves Gayraud
“The Hobbit” – Bob Buck, Ann Maskrey and Richard Taylor
“Les Misérables” – Paco Delgado
“Lincoln” – Joanna Johnston

BEST MAKEUP
Cloud Atlas
The Hobbit
Les Misérables
Lincoln

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
The Avengers
Cloud Atlas
The Dark Knight Rises
The Hobbit
Life of Pi

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
Brave
Frankenweenie
Madagascar 3
ParaNorman
Rise of the Guardians
Wreck-It Ralph

BEST ACTION MOVIE
The Avengers
The Dark Knight Rises
Looper
Skyfall

BEST ACTOR IN AN ACTION MOVIE
Christian Bale – “The Dark Knight Rises”
Daniel Craig – “Skyfall”
Robert Downey Jr. – “The Avengers”
Joseph Gordon-Levitt – “Looper”
Jake Gyllenhaal – “End of Watch”

BEST ACTRESS IN AN ACTION MOVIE
Emily Blunt – “Looper”
Gina Carano – “Haywire”
Judi Dench – “Skyfall”
Anne Hathaway – “The Dark Knight Rises”
Jennifer Lawrence – “The Hunger Games”

BEST COMEDY
Bernie
Silver Linings Playbook
Ted
This Is 40
21 Jump Street

BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY
Jack Black – “Bernie”
Bradley Cooper – “Silver Linings Playbook”
Paul Rudd – “This Is 40”
Channing Tatum – “21 Jump Street”
Mark Wahlberg – “Ted”

BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
Mila Kunis – “Ted”
Jennifer Lawrence – “Silver Linings Playbook”
Shirley MacLaine – “Bernie”
Leslie Mann – “This Is 40”
Rebel Wilson – “Pitch Perfect”

BEST SCI-FI/HORROR MOVIE
The Cabin in the Woods
Looper
Prometheus

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
Amour
The Intouchables
A Royal Affair
Rust and Bone

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
Bully
The Central Park Five
The Imposter
The Queen of Versailles
Searching for Sugar Man
West of Memphis

BEST SONG
“For You” – performed by Keith Urban/written by Monty Powell & Keith Urban – Act of Valor
“Learn Me Right” – performed by Birdy with Mumford & Sons/written by Mumford & Sons – Brave
“Skyfall” – performed by Adele/written by Adele Adkins & Paul Epworth – Skyfall
“Still Alive” – performed by Paul Williams/written by Paul Williams – Paul Williams Still Alive
“Suddenly” – performed by Hugh Jackman/written by Claude-Michel Schonberg & Alain Boublil & Herbert Kretzmer – Les Misérables

BEST SCORE
“Argo” – Alexandre Desplat
“Life of Pi” – Mychael Danna
“Lincoln” – John Williams
“The Master” – Jonny Greenwood
“Moonrise Kingdom” – Alexandre Desplat

SAG:

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
BRADLEY COOPER / Pat – “SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK” (The Weinstein Company)
DANIEL DAY-LEWIS / Abraham Lincoln – “LINCOLN” (Touchstone Pictures)
JOHN HAWKES / Mark – “THE SESSIONS” (Fox Searchlight)
HUGH JACKMAN / Jean Valjean – “LES MISÉRABLES” (Universal Pictures)
DENZEL WASHINGTON / Whip Whitaker – “FLIGHT” (Paramount Pictures)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
JESSICA CHASTAIN / Maya – “ZERO DARK THIRTY” (Columbia Pictures)
MARION COTILLARD / Stephanie – “RUST AND BONE” (Sony Pictures Classics)
JENNIFER LAWRENCE / Tiffany – “SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK” (The Weinstein Company)
HELEN MIRREN / Alma Reville – “HITCHCOCK” (Fox Searchlight)
NAOMI WATTS / Maria – “THE IMPOSSIBLE” (Summit Entertainment)

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
ALAN ARKIN / Lester Siegel – “ARGO” (Warner Bros. Pictures)
JAVIER BARDEM / Silva – “SKYFALL” (Columbia Pictures)
ROBERT DE NIRO / Pat, Sr. – “SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK” (The Weinstein Company)
PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN / Lancaster Dodd – “THE MASTER” (The Weinstein Company)
TOMMY LEE JONES / Thaddeus Stevens – “LINCOLN” (Touchstone Pictures)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
SALLY FIELD / Mary Todd Lincoln – “LINCOLN” (Touchstone Pictures)
ANNE HATHAWAY / Fantine – “LES MISÉRABLES” (Universal Pictures)
HELEN HUNT / Cheryl – “THE SESSIONS” (Fox Searchlight)
NICOLE KIDMAN / Charlotte Bless – “THE PAPERBOY” (Millennium Entertainment)
MAGGIE SMITH / Muriel Donnelly – “THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL” (Fox Searchlight)

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
ARGO (Warner Bros. Pictures)

THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL (Fox Searchlight)
LES MISÉRABLES (Universal Pictures)

LINCOLN (Touchstone Pictures)

SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK (The Weinstein Company)

AFI Top 10!

The Master was snubbed... but The Dark Knight Rises! Wow!

ARGO
BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD
THE DARK KNIGHT RISES
DJANGO UNCHAINED
LES MISÉRABLES
LIFE OF PI
LINCOLN
MOONRISE KINGDOM
SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK
ZERO DARK THIRTY

AFI predictions!

The AFI is announcing today, and they can seriously help and hurt movies. Remember Bridesmaids almost became a Best Picture nominee? Thank the AFI.

Top Ten (alphabetical):
Argo
Beasts of the Southern Wild
Django Unchained
Les Miserables
Lincoln
The Master
Moonrise Kingdom
Silver Linings Playbook
Skyfall
Zero Dark Thirty

Yes, I expect Life of Pi to be snubbed. Check back later today for list of winners.

Independent Spirit Award nominations!

I automatically assume The Master wasn't eligible because of its high budget. Check out the nominees!

BEST FEATURE

• Beasts of the Southern Wild
• Bernie
• Keep the Lights On
• Moonrise Kingdom
• Silver Linings Playbook

BEST DIRECTOR

• Wes Anderson, Moonrise Kingdom
• Julia Loktev, The Loneliest Planet
• David O. Russell, Silver Linings Playbook
• Ira Sachs, Keep the Lights On
• Benh Zeitlin, Beasts of the Southern Wild

BEST SCREENPLAY

• Wes Anderson & Roman Coppola, Moonrise Kingdom
• Zoe Kazan, Ruby Sparks
• Martin McDonagh, Seven Psychopaths
• David O. Russell, Silver Linings Playbook
• Ira Sachs, Keep the Lights On

Best Actress predictions (11/24/12)

I wouldn't be doing these if there wasn't something big, like a change in the race. Yet, there is.

1. Jessica Chastain for 'Zero Dark Thirty'
Oscars have a tough relationship with relevancy. 'The Hurt Locker' was relevant to the time, and it won. 'The Social Network' was REALLY relevant, yet it lost. I think the Academy will side with relevancy this time, and give the prize to Chassy, because it is so challenging. Also, some Oscars voters assumedly watch 'Homeland', with Carrie Mathison having striking parallels to Jessica's character.

2. Jennifer Lawrence for 'Silver Linings Playbook'
As this film's chances are failing, so is the film's heavyweight. Jennifer Lawrence is too young of a best actress contender to win, judging from the fact that the Academy is 70% white old male. Emphasis on the OLD.

3. Quevenzhane Wallis for 'Beasts of the Southern Wild'
A select few love this independent film, and they will easily vote for the 6-year old Wallis. I don't intend to sound like a internet dweeb, but younger hipsters eat this film up, and Wallis with it. Also, Wallis has been doing some nice publicity for the film, but no SAG really hurts.

4. Emanuelle Riva for 'Amour'
Since this foreign film is predicted to win, and even be a Best Picture nominee, Emanuelle Riva is going to ride along with it. Since the Academy is 70% old white males, they will easily vote for Riva's performance that will hit close to home. Also, since there will most likely be room for one french performance, it will be Riva's, not Cotillard's difficult portrayal of an amputee.

5. Naomi Watts for 'The Impossible'
'The Impossible' is a film with growing momentum, with big sponsorship by Angelina Jolie. With this added boost, Watts will probably be nominated, kicking out Cotillard in the nominee spot.

Best Picture Predictions (11/11/12)

BEST PICTURE:

1. Argo

Yes, Argo. This film was my favorite of the year as of three weeks ago, but I am going to give that spot to The Dark Knight Rises or Skyfall. However, this film is an ultimate crowdpleaser, and the Academy will embrace it because its a true story. Also, it has some of the sharpest writing of 2012.

2. Silver Linings Playbook

This film was #1 on my last predictions, but now it is fallen. The film will be difficult to embrace due to the fact that it deals with mental illness, and the cast is predominantly young. The young voters will vote for it, but its chances are still ever-slipping.

3. Lincoln

This film just came out, and it is being very well loved by many. The film also has one of the best performances of the year, with Daniel Day-Lewis. The older voters will love it, and it is also based off a true story

4. Les Miserables

It's Tom Hooper making his return to film, and it's big. This movie is guaranteed to be divisive, since it is more like an opera than a musical. This is probably a case where the film is 'too big to fail'.

5. Life of Pi

Remember the last time the Academy embraced a PG, 3D movie? Yeah, it was called Hugo, and it was last year. The CGI in the film is gorgeous, and probably irresistible to the voters. I'm pretty sure that the novel was also read by many in the Academy.

6. The Master

The Master. I'm still dying to see it. Those who voted for The Tree of Life last year will vote for this one, and it also features stunning acting by Joaquin Phoenix. This one is also a bonafide winner for Best Original Screenplay. This one probably benefits from the new Academy voting system, just like Tree did last year.

7. Zero Dark Thirty

Sony has a lot of faith in this one, and everyone knows it. The trailer reviews is infinite praise, and the film is also Kathryn Bigelow's return to work. This film also benefits from the 'true story' aspect, and those who voted for The Hurt Locker will follow through with this one.

8. Beasts of the Southern Wild

This one is going to make it in, barely. Critics who have seen it and said that it was 'best of the year' changed their mind after The Master. There's still an audience for this one, but no SAG can really hurt.

Best Screenplay (Original and Adapted) predictions.

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY:
1. The Master
Yes, my obession with PT Anderson's latest will thrive. The Los Angeles Film Critics Association will give it the prize, which will boost it's chances. The film is very divisive, but those who love it, LOVE it.

2. Django Unchained
The main thing hindering Tarantino is the fact that he already won for Pulp Fiction. Dually noted, one of the main things helping him is the fact that he's the guy that wrote Pulp Fiction. Also, the film won a Hollywood Film Award prize, if that is saying anything.

3. Zero Dark Thirty
Chassy is praising the script, saying its the best script she has ever read. I don't think she read Sunset Boulevard.... Anyways, this film will appeal to the same Hurt Locker fans, and Sony/Annapurna have been intentionally adjusting the release date. They know they have something special on their hands.

4. Amour
It's a foreign film, and a great one. The last great foreign film was A Separation, which managed to nab a nomination. This will appeal to the same crowd, and more.. or Amour?

5. Moonrise Kingdom
Wes Anderson last got a nomination 11 years ago with his masterful Royal Tenenbaums. He's well overdo for a nom, and will get it.

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY:
1. Argo
Ben Affleck's Argo is the frontrunner in many categories right now, and Weinstein might have overstayed his welcome. Also, Terrio's script is razor sharp and undeniably memorable.

2. Silver Linings Playbook
Next month this film could be the frontrunner, but right now it is where it is at... Critics are loving it, and so are audiences, but will this film's topic bid well with the Academy?

3. Lincoln
Two names: Spielberg and Tony Kushner. You can figure out its popularity by itself.

4. Life of Pi
Give praise to David Magee for adapting a very difficult script out of the impossibly difficult Life of Pi. This will be treated like 127 Hours.

5. Beasts of the Southern Wild
This film feels so unabashedly original, it will get a screenplay nomination just because it exists. I have problems with the script, but a victory for this film could redefine independent film forever. No joke.

The cycle must continue, I will repeat my predictions, and add reviews for coming films like Flight, Skyfall, Lincoln, and Life of Pi.

Best Actress predictions

BEST ACTRESS:

1. J. Law for Silver Linings Playbook.
She's young. They're in love. I mean 'They' as in the Academy. She basically was the main reason Winter's Bone got the nomination for Best Picture. Silver Linings is a crowd pleaser, and being the main star of The Hunger Games is only going to help her.

2. Marion Cotillard for Rust and Bone
Since Missy C has been a winner of Best Actress before, for a French film. Isn't Rust and Bone a French film? This year's Best Actress pickings have been reasonable slim, and her nomination is  near lock. Also, being a French goddess and being in The Dark Knight Rises is only going to help her.

3. Quevenzhane Wallis for Beasts of the Southern Wild
The best thing of Wallis' performance is that she was a natural Southern. She was born for the role. It was so unusual to see something so human in such a fantasy. The only thing limiting her nomination is her SAG ineligibility.

4. Emanuelle Riva for Amour
The old farts in the Academy will vote for her for what she's done (Hiroshima mon amour). The others will vote for her because she has an amazing performance in this foreign film. The main thing limiting her is the fact that the film is foreign. That probably could limit Marion Cotillard.

5. Tie between Jessica Chastain (Zero Dark Thirty) and Naomi Watts (The Impossible)
JC is one of the stars that's taking Hollywood by storm, who can do art-house and blockbuster with ease. Zero Dark Thirty looks to be both. The film has yet to be seen, but Annapurna Productions and Sony has faith in the film. Naomi Watts has been praised for many performances, but has only nabbed one nomination, all the way back in 2003. So Chassy is only getting more popular, and Watts is losing her footing. However, The Impossible is a disaster true story tale, which will appeal to all members. Zero Dark Thirty is definitely going to get some controversy for its themes. However, it will appeal to those who voted for The Hurt Locker. I am conflicted.

Screenplay nomination predictions due tomorrow.

Why is Fox Searchlight releasing 'Hitchcock' in 2012?

Ever since the announcement last September, I could not figure out for the life of me why Fox was releasing Hitchcock this year, right after The Sessions played at TIFF. I think I've figured it out.

They don't have faith in the picture.

The Session, from what I've read is a drama with comedic scenes, but that does not seem the case, judging by the trailer. Fox has not picked up another Little Miss Sunshine. If I ever get around to seeing The Sessions, there's a chance I might like it more than LMS.

Best Picture Predictions, post TIFF and VIFF.

BEST PICTURE:
1. Silver Linings Playbook
This film is just OWNING it. After winning the top prize at TIFF, this film is just getting nothing but love. J. Law is a lock for Best Actress, with The Hunger Games not hurting a single bit.

2. Argo
Runner-up at TIFF. 95% on Rotten Tomatoes. Roger Ebert calling it his winner. Ben Affleck needing the love after missing it by this much for The Town. This just begs a nomination, even a win.


3. Lincoln
Who knows with this one. It's got Spielberg and Day-Lewis. Also, the Academy just eats up period-dramas, with Anna Karenina losing its chances, this film has nowhere to go but up.

4. Life of Pi
This will be the Hugo of 2011. Big name director. High visual effects praise. High praise in general actually. This could be #3 tomorrow for all I know.

5. Les Miserables
Has near-irresistible cast. I think Universal should emphasize the Tom Hooper thing a bit more. The main thing holding this bad boy back is the release day change. Is it ready?

6. The Master
Not everyone loves this movie, that's a bonafide fact. But a select few love it, and that's enough. This will play out like The Tree of Life did.

7. Beasts of the Southern Wild
This will really need the people who love this film to truly love it. Now that it has been deemed ineligible for SAG, it needs the AFI and PGA love. Quevenzhane Wallis is going to need a big boost from Fox Searchlight, but they might be busy promoting...

8. Hitchcock
This film should be higher. All Fox Searchlight has though is a poster. Since the film has been moved forward to a release date this year, Fox Searchlight thinks they have a good deal on their plate. Also, since the Academy is mainly old, white, and male, they probably love Alfred Hitchcock, and Anthony Hopkins. And the young men in the Academy probably dig ScarJo, which doesn't hurt.

Runners-up include Zero Dark Thirty, Promised Land, The Impossible, The Dark Knight Rises, Django Unchained, Anna Karenina, and Moonrise Kingdom.

Check back tomorrow for Best Director predictions...

'To the Wonder', the Best Picture AND Director winner?

I bet you're tired of seeing this picture. So am I.

So I read a nifty little article on AwardsCircuit. It stated that if To the Wonder was as good as expected, it should win Best Director and Picture. Here's why:

-Ang Lee can't really win Best Director again for Life of Pi. He already won for Brokeback Mountain in 2005, and is Asian. Yeah, it sounds racist, but its true. Also, the accessability for Pi is still a question.

-Kathryn Bigelow can't really win for Zero Dark Thirty because she recently won for The Hurt Locker. Also, she's a woman. Sounds sexist, but its true.

-Spielberg can't really win for Lincoln because he already won for List and Private Ryan, two WWII masterpieces. The only way Spielberg can pull it off is with something equal to the previously listed.

-Benh Zeitlen for Beasts of the Southern Wild. Not much a chance, since the film is so polarizing.

Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012): A tale of 'Chicken Licken'

Beasts of the Southern Wild, is this year's film with a fanbase, last year's being The Tree of Life. Beasts of the Southern Wild is definitely inventive with its shoestring budget, but is it still a good film? Maybe.

Beasts is the film that has been getting the most 4 star ratings this year, beating the likes of Moonrise Kingdom. Expecting a masterpiece was me, and I was the one disappointed.

The film opens with energetic narration by Quvenzhané Wallis, the youngster that plays Hushpuppy. She talks about holidays in her hometown, the Bathtub. The narration and Wallis' performance for the first 5 minutes appalled me. I was uninterested in what she was saying or doing. The festivities did not engage me, but more so dull me.

Amour wins the Palme d'Or!

It's finally over. This year's Cannes film festival has been underwhelming, and the main films that left (that pique my interest) are the popular ones: Beasts of the Southern Wild, Amour, and Rust and Bone.

I was honestly surprised that Amour won, since Haneke won so recently with The White Ribbon. It also turns out that I got 0 of my predictions right. Depressing, but that's life.

Complete winners are on this link:

2012 Sundance Winners!

The winners are in! Come Oscar season, we need to look out for Celeste and Jesse Forever, The Surrogate, and Beasts of the Southern Wild.

• Grand Jury Prize: Documentary - The House I Live In
• Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic - Beasts of the Southern Wild
• World Cinema Jury Prize: Documentary - The Law in These Parts
• World Cinema Jury Prize: Dramatic - Violeta Went to Heaven (Violeta se Fue a Los Cielos)
• Audience Award: U.S. Documentary - The Invisible War
• Audience Award: U.S. Dramatic - The Surrogate
• World Cinema Audience Award: Documentary - Searching for Sugar Man
• World Cinema Audience Award: Dramatic - Valley of Saints
• Best of NEXT Audience Award - Sleepwalk with Me
• U.S. Directing Award: Documentary - The Queen of Versailles
• U.S. Directing Award: Dramatic - Middle Of Nowhere
• World Cinema Directing Award: Documentary - 5 Broken Cameras
• World Cinema Directing Award: Dramatic - Teddy Bear
• Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award - Safety Not Guaranteed
• World Cinema Screenwriting Award - Young & Wild
• U.S. Documentary Editing Award - Detropia
• World Cinema Documentary Editing Award - Indie Game: The Movie
• Excellence in Cinematography Award: U.S. Documentary - Chasing Ice
• Excellence in Cinematography Award: U.S. Dramatic - Beasts of the Southern Wild
• World Cinema Cinematography Award: Documentary - Putin's Kiss
• World Cinema Cinematography Award: Dramatic - My Brother the Devil
• U.S. Documentary Special Jury Prize for an Agent of Change - Love Free or Die
• U.S. Documentary Special Jury Prize for Spirit of Defiance - Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry
• U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Prize for Excellence in Independent Film Producing - Smashed and Nobody Walks
• U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Prize for Ensemble Acting - The Surrogate
• World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Prize for Artistic Vision - Can
• World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Prize for its Celebration of the Artistic Spirit - Searching for Sugar Man
• Short Film Audience Award - The Debutante Hunters