Complete Oscar Winners list!

From ABC.

1. Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz

2. Animated Short Film: "Paperman"

3. Animated Feature Film: "Brave"

4. Cinematography: Claudio Miranda for "Life of Pi"

5. Visual Effects: "Life of Pi"

6. Costume Design: "Anna Karenina"

7. Makeup and Hairstyling: "Les Miserables"

8. Live Action Short Film: "Curfew"

9. Documentary Short Subject: "Innocente"

10. Documentary Feature: "Searching for Sugar Man"

11. Foreign Language Film: "Amour"

12. Sound Mixing: "Les Miserables

13. Sound Editing: "Zero Dark Thirty" and "Skyfall" (A tie)

14. Supporting Actress: Anne Hathaway

15. Film Editing: "Argo"

16. Production Design: "Lincoln"

17. Original Score: "Life of Pi"

18. Original Song: "Skyfall"

19. Adapted Screenplay: Chris Terrio for "Argo"

20. Original Screenplay: Quentin Tarantion for "Django Unchained"

21. Directing: Ang Lee

22. Actress: Jennifer Lawrence

23. Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis

24. Best Picture: "Argo"

Oscar Opinions: Life of Pi (2012)

A great scene in a good movie.

A good movie, but an even greater book.

QUICK OPINION:
Life of Pi was a great book because we could easily see the uses of perspective Yann Martel used, one from old Pi's view, Pi on the boat's view, and a writer's view. The movie scripted by David Magee employed all three, but not to the same effect. Ang Lee should be commended for his visual genius he applied to the film, but the book, in my eyes, will remain unadaptable. No film can capture the perspective Martel was able to convey. On its own, though, Pi is still very enjoyable.

BEST PERFORMANCE:
Props to the visual team for creating a CGI beast that we (the audience) can feel attached to emotionally. I really liked that tiger, Richard Parker. Suraj Sharma is also very good as a performer, for he was able to carry one hour of the drama alone with a blue-screen tiger without me being bored or infuriated.

BEST MOMENT:
There are many wonderful scenes in the movie, but the one shot when Pi is on the boat and Richard Parker is on the boat, and roars, is a spine-tingling scene.

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.

DGA Nominee predictions!

DGA announces tomorrow, and despite it being so close to announcement day, they still remain crucial.

1. Spielberg, Lincoln
2. Affleck, Argo
3. Bigelow, Zero Dark Thirty
4. Lee, Life of Pi

5 is a tough cookie. The DGA will probably nominate O. Russell for Silver Linings because they usually aren't as sentimental as the Academy. They nominated Dark Knight, Academy chose The Reader. Just because O. Russell will be nominated here at the DGA's doesn't mean he will at the Oscars. Gods (or any other god believed by Piscene Molitor Patel,) will he does.

The Master, Argo, Flight, Perks of Being a Wallflower, and Looper all nominated at the WGA's!!

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Flight, Written by John Gatins; Paramount Pictures

Looper, Written by Rian Johnson; TriStar Pictures

The Master, Written by Paul Thomas Anderson; The Weinstein Company

Moonrise Kingdom, Written by Wes Anderson & Roman Coppola; Focus Features

Zero Dark Thirty, Written by Mark Boal; Columbia Pictures

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Argo, Screenplay by Chris Terrio; Based on a selection from The Master of Disguise by Antonio J. Mendez and the Wired Magazine article “The Great Escape” by Joshuah Bearman; Warner Bros. Pictures

Life of Pi, Screenplay by David Magee; Based on the novel by Yann Martel; 20th Century Fox

Lincoln, Screenplay by Tony Kushner; Based in part on the book Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin; DreamWorks Pictures

The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Screenplay by Stephen Chbosky; Based on his book; Summit Entertainment

Silver Linings Playbook, Screenplay by David O. Russell; Based on the novel by Matthew Quick; The Weinstein Company

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

Best Picture Predictions!

1. Lincoln
This film is on fire. Actors love it, critics love it, and the Golden Globes loved it. It's been healthily nominated, now its time for this baby to win!

2. Zero Dark Thirty
The critics love this more than Lincoln. Women voters love it. Young voters love it. 98 on Metacritic. This film is ruthless, and if it wins more prizes, we might see this overtake Lincoln.

3. Argo
Hollywood insiders and people in the biz like it a lot. It is losing steam due to Zero Dark Thirty, though.

4. Les Miserables
It has a top notch cast that would make the SAG fall in love... which they did, with this bad boy. Mixed reviews are hurting the potential #1 votes, though. Think Nine from 2009.

5. Silver Linings Playbook
Top notch acting, well written, well directed. This is the film that will probably by 'also ran', because everything about it has been upsurped. Best Actor is going to Daniel Day-Lewis, Best Actress is probably going to Jessica Chastain...

6. Django Unchained
Tarantino is back, and with a vengeance. This is entertaining, and did very well at the Golden Globes.

7. Life of Pi
Visuals. The film is still losing momentum because it really hasn't won anything besides Las Vegas.

8. The Master
This is on the cusp of being nominated, and I think it will. This is a film that can easily get #1 votes.

Gone is Amour and Beasts of the Southern Wild. Check back for more for predictions.

Golden Globe nominees!

FROM THE PRESS RELEASE:

1. BEST MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA

a. ARGO Warner Bros. Pictures, GK Films, Smokehouse Pictures; Warner Bros. Pictures

b. DJANGO UNCHAINED The Weinstein Company, Columbia Pictures; The Weinstein Company/Sony Pictures Releasing

c. LIFE OF PI Fox 2000 Pictures; Twentieth Century Fox

d. LINCOLN DreamWorks Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox; Touchstone Pictures

e. ZERO DARK THIRTY Columbia Pictures and Annapurna Pictures; Sony Pictures Releasing

2. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA

a. JESSICA CHASTAIN ZERO DARK THIRTY

b. MARION COTILLARD RUST AND BONE

c. HELEN MIRREN HITCHCOCK

d. NAOMI WATTS THE IMPOSSIBLE

e. RACHEL WEISZ THE DEEP BLUE SEA

3. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA

a. DANIEL DAY-LEWIS LINCOLN

b. RICHARD GERE ARBITRAGE

c. JOHN HAWKES THE SESSIONS

d. JOAQUIN PHOENIX THE MASTER

e. DENZEL WASHINGTON FLIGHT

4. BEST MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL

a. THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL – Blueprint Pictures/Participant Media; Fox Searchlight Pictures

b. LES MISERABLES – Universal Pictures, A Working Title Films/Cameron Mackintosh Productions; Universal Pictures

c. MOONRISE KINGDOM – Indian Paintbrush; Focus Features

d. SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN – CBS Films; CBS Films

e. SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK – The Weinstein Company; The Weinstein Company

5. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL

a. EMILY BLUNT SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN

b. JUDI DENCH THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL

c. JENNIFER LAWRENCE SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK

d. MAGGIE SMITH QUARTET

e. MERYL STREEP HOPE SPRINGS

6. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL

a. JACK BLACK BERNIE

b. BRADLEY COOPER SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK

c. HUGH JACKMAN LES MISERABLES

d. EWAN MCGREGOR SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN

e. BILL MURRAY HYDE PARK ON HUDSON

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

NYFCC: what does it all mean?

The Oscar tables have been turned, and we know a few things:

1. Don't underestimate Zero Dark Thirty. It  might be a graphic war film, but it might be a great one.
2. Les Mis was a whole lot weaker than we thought. If National Board of Review and Golden Globes don't help, I don't know what will.
3. Lincoln is going to win Adapted screenplay and Best Actor. No bones about it.
4. Life of Pi is slipping. I don't think it got any mentions from NYFCC, except a 2nd or 3rd place for cinematography.
5. Don't count out The Master. It accumulated a good amount of #1 votes at the votings for NYFCC, and is probably going to be a BP nominee.

So what does New York mean? Nothing really. But it's a start. After LAFCA on Friday, things will get intense. I can't wait.

Life of Pi (2012)- When visuals go ahead of writing.

I am going to sound like a cheap rehash of many reviews of this film. First off, I will explain the film. Then I will praise the visuals, but shun the writing, which was done by David Magee.

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 Director predictions.

BEST DIRECTOR
1. Paul Thomas Anderson, The Master
I am making a very bold prediction right now. I think the Academy feels the need to reward PT Anderson after There Will Be Blood, and outside of acting, the direction seems to be getting the most praise. Also, Weinstein is backing PT all the way to the finish line.

2. David O'Russell, Silver Linings Playbook
With this being the predicted winner, it would only seem right for this to win Best Director. Problem is though, I've seen lesser notices for direction, but more for the acting. Weinstein might also be busy backing PT Anderson to give enough recognition for Dave.

3. Ang Lee, Life of Pi
This will be like Hugo. The Academy will feel the need to recognize a visual film, and it will give the awards in the visual categories. Ang Lee is a big name, however, and the Academy might want to give him some more love after what happened with Brokeback Mountain.

4. Tom Hooper, Les Miserables
The main thing holding back Tom Hooper is his recent King's Speech win. He is a very bold director, especially with what he is doing in this film. He will be nominated, but probably not win.

5. Steven Spielberg, Lincoln
Just because his name is Spielberg doesn't mean he will be rewarded the gold. He might not even be nominated, like last year's War Horse. Tomorrow we will know as tonight it screens in NYFF.

I hate to leave out Ben Affleck for Argo, Kathryn Bigelow, Wes Anderson, Benh Zeitlin, Michael Haneke for Amour, or Christopher Nolan for The Dark Knight Rises. Check back tomorrow for Best Actor predictions.

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.