The films of 2011 offered a much wider and more exciting array of performances than the previous year 2010 did. I was so unenthused by last years nominations that I kind of ignored the whole Oscar season, also I can't stand Natalie Portman and that wacky film "Black Swan" was so totally whacked. Anyway here are my picks and predictions for this years winners.
Supporting Actor:
Kenneth Branagh- My Week with Marilyn
Jonah Hill- Moneyball
Nick Nolte- Warrior
Christopher Plummer- Beginners
Max Von Sydow- Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
This category is notorious for rewarding long distinguished careers, soon that note I pick and predict that Christopher Plummer will win for his performance as a widower getting in touch with his newly found gay side. His career has spanned six decades and is best known for his turn as Captain Von trap in "The Sound of Music.
Supporting Actress:
Berenice Bejo- The Artist
Jessica Chastain- The Help
Melissa McCarthy- Bridesmaids
Janet McTeer- Albert Nobbs
Octavia Spencer- The Help
This category on the other hand often rewards free new faces of the younger up and coming generation. My prediction is Octavia Spencer who plays maid Minny in "The Help" a film that should win a number of Oscars. My pick is for "Bridesmaids" bawdy big girl Melissa McCarthy who is just such a breath of fresh air.
Lead Actor:
Demian Bichir- A Better Life
George Clooney- The Descendants
Jean Dujardin- The Artist
Gary Oldman- Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Brad Pitt- Moneyball
Here they say it's a two man race between Clooney, and DeJardin. I wouldn't count Brad Pitt out just yet. My pick and prediction are with Dejardin of "The Artist" I would have picked his co-star Uggie the Jack Russell but he wasn't nominated.
Lead Actress:
Glenn Close- Albert Nobbs
Viola Davis- The Help
Rooney Mara- The Girl With the Dragon Tatoo
Meryl Streep- The Iron Lady
Michelle Williams- My Week With Marilyn
My pick from the start in this very tight race has been Michelle Williams whom I have ben a fan of since her days on "Dawson's Creek". This may not be her year but she will win sooner or later, her talent is that big. So now my prediction it's between perennial nominee Meryl Streep and second time nominee Octavia Spencer. I predict Octavia will squeak out the win because "The Help" has been both a commercial and critical success and her role is the center piece of the movie. Meryl is also the centerpiece of "The Iron Lady" but that's all there is the movie itself is not all that good. Meryl does great roles in not so great movies remember "Julie and Julia" where she was delightful as Julia Child same issue great performance middling movie at best.
Best Picture:
Having nine nominees is rather sill, let's bring it back down to five and call it a day! All films nominated are worthy contenders but I see this as a three way race. "The Artist" a homage to Hollywood's silent era, "Hugo" Marin Scorsese' homage to the magic of the movies, and "The Descendants a modern day turn on life as we know it. I pick and predict that "THe Artist" will prevail. It would however be cool to see "The Help" totally upset the apple cart and win!
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