In Contention


January winner predictions

Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 10:59 am · January 27th, 2010

Guy Pearce in The Hurt LockerIt’s time for me to go to the well one more time before next week’s big announcement.  That’s right, six days and the mystery of the 10 will finally be answered.  But first, some blind (since there are no nominations yet) guesses.  Just trying to find the right balance here:

Best Picture: “The Hurt Locker”
Best Director: Kathryn Bigelow, “The Hurt Locker”
Best Actor: Jeff Bridges, “Crazy Heart”
Best Actress: Meryl Streep, “Julie & Julia”
Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz, “Inglourious Basterds”
Best Supporting Actress: Mo’Nique, “Precious”
Best Adapted Screenplay: “Up in the Air”
Best Original Screenplay: “The Hurt Locker”

Best Art Direction: “Inglourious Basterds”
Best Cinematography: “Avatar”
Best Costume Design: “The Young Victoria”
Best Film Editing: “Avatar”
Best Makeup: “District 9”
Best Music (Original Score): “Up”
Best Music (Original Song): “The Weary Kind” from “Crazy Heart”
Best Sound Editing: “Avatar”
Best Sound Mixing: “The Hurt Locker”
Best Visual Effects: “Avatar”
Best Animated Feature Film: “Up”
Best Foreign Language Film: “The Secret in Their Eyes”
Best Documentary Feature: “The Cove”

Feel free to chime in with your guesses below.  And a note: final Oscar predictions (for nominations) will be published Monday.




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95 responses so far

  • 1 1-27-2010 at 11:04 am

    Guy Lodge said...

    I’m not going to bother with my own predictions this time, since we agree in all but four categories. (I think Cinematography and Editing are going to “Hurt Locker,” while Sound Mixing is going to “Avatar.” Tit for tat, really. And in the dead heat for Best Actress, I’m thinking Bullock for the moment.)

  • 2 1-27-2010 at 11:05 am

    Pablo (Col) said...

    Something tells me The Hurt Locker wont get screenplay. I think its pretty divided.

    And your FLF winner is a very bold choice. Hope your right actually. When Departures won over the rest i was so happy because the best movie actually won.
    Not that The Secret of Her Eyes is the best but it would be nice to see a surprise somewhere.

  • 3 1-27-2010 at 11:09 am

    Guy Lodge said...

    I’ve been saying from the get-go that there will be an unsurprising “surprise” in the foreign-language race. I just don’t see a film as cold as “The White Ribbon” or as brutal as “A Prophet” winning them over. Buzz for “The Secret in Their Eyes,” meanwhile, is very strong.

  • 4 1-27-2010 at 11:27 am

    James D. said...

    If The Hurt Locker takes the screenplay win over Tarantino, would that mean it is the likely winner later in the night?

  • 5 1-27-2010 at 11:30 am

    Dan said...

    Best Picture: Hurt Locker
    Best Director: Bigelow
    Best Actor: Firth
    Best Actress: Bullock
    Best Supporting Actor: Waltz
    Best Supporting Actress: Monique
    Best Film Editing: Hurt Locker
    Best Cinematograhpy: Avatar
    Best Score: UP
    Best Adapted: Up In The Air
    Best Original: Inglourious Basterds
    Best Art Direction: A Serious Man
    Best Song: Crazy Heart
    Best Visual: Avatar
    Best Sound Mixing: Avatar
    Best Sound Editing: Avatar
    Best Animated: UP
    Best Foreign: White Ribbon
    Best Doc: The Cove

    My guesses at this time

  • 6 1-27-2010 at 11:35 am

    Lance said...

    I just saw “The Secret of their Eyes” and for me it was just an average crime thriller that relies way too much a twist ending. Anyone who watches law and crime shows on t.v. will probably not be impressed either – I’ve seen better twists on SVU.

    A sign of the outcome will probably come with the nomination. If “Milk of Sorrow” gets a nomination, I think it will be clear that they (whoever votes for this category) favor movies with more substance and “The White Ribbon” will easily win.

    Also, when an overwhelming favorite in this category is upset, it is usually at the expense of another great film that hasn’t made it to America yet. Good examples of this are:

    “Babette’s Feast” over “Au Revoir Les Enfants”
    “The Lives of Others” over “Pans Labrynth”

    “The Secret in their Eyes” is NOT a great film with no real interesting subtext – I don’t think it has the substance to pull off the upset.

  • 7 1-27-2010 at 11:41 am

    Adam Smith said...

    @Pablo: I agree that The Secret in Their Eyes will probably end up winning, but Departures better than The Class or Waltz With Bashir? No. Just no, sir.

  • 8 1-27-2010 at 11:47 am

    tintin said...

    The hurt locker winning noooo! please! Inglorious Basterds, Avatar, Up in the air deserves much more!

  • 9 1-27-2010 at 11:48 am

    Theoriginal.andrew said...

    I also think Streep will take the Oscar. I like most of your predictions. But The White Ribbon will take Best Foreign Language Film IMO. Maybe The Mill of Sorrow, if they want to give it to a non-previous Oscar winner country like Peru.

  • 10 1-27-2010 at 11:50 am

    Guy Lodge said...

    I second Adam’s no. “Departures” was, for me, the weakest of the five nominees. And I wasn’t a massive fan of three of its rivals.

  • 11 1-27-2010 at 11:53 am

    Fitz said...

    The Best Director trophy will go to Bigelow, but I don’t know if Hurt Locker takes Best Picture.

  • 12 1-27-2010 at 11:57 am

    med said...

    I agree that Streep will take Best Actress Oscar as the season culminates. Good call…

  • 13 1-27-2010 at 11:59 am

    Ivan said...

    BEST PICTURE/Avatar
    DIRECTOR/James Cameron
    ACTOR/Jeff Bridges
    ACTRESS/Meryl Streep
    SUPP ACTOR/Christoph Waltz
    SUPP ACTRESS/Mónique
    ORIGINAL/Inglourious Basterds
    ADAPTED/Up in the Air
    CINEMATOGRAPHY/Avatar
    FILM EDITING/The Hurt Locker
    FOREIGN FILM/The White Ribbon
    ANIMATED/Up
    SCORE/The Cove
    SONG/Crazy Heart
    VISUAL EFFECTS/Avatar
    SOUND MIXING/Avatar
    SOUN EDITING/Avatar
    ART DIRECTION/Avatar
    COSTUME DESIGN/The Young Victoria
    DOCUMENTARY/The Cove

  • 14 1-27-2010 at 12:01 pm

    Liz said...

    Let me preface this by saying that I have not seen this movie, but…

    I have to say, “Milk of Sorrow” has the most Oscar-y title I’ve ever heard. I wouldn’t be surprised if people voted for it just based on the title.

  • 15 1-27-2010 at 12:06 pm

    Lance said...

    I thought “The Class” was the best of the five and “Departures” would have been a close 2nd for me. I can definitely see how it won.

  • 16 1-27-2010 at 12:10 pm

    Al said...

    I’ll just do the fields that interest me this year.

    Adapted Screenplay: Up In The Air
    Original Screenplay: Inglourious Basterds
    Best Director: Bigelow
    Best Pictures: Tom O’Neil

  • 17 1-27-2010 at 12:12 pm

    Kristopher Tapley said...

    Liz: They can’t do that. They have to show up and sign in for screenings in order to vote in that category.

    Having seen it just recently, let me also say, I’m surprised it got this far (considering the disposition of the committee) and I don’t even expect it to be nominated at this point.

  • 18 1-27-2010 at 12:13 pm

    Guy Lodge said...

    Liz: Ha! But remember they do actually have to see all the films before voting. (For what it’s worth, having seen the film, I don’t think it’s their cup of tea either. Though it got this far, so…)

  • 19 1-27-2010 at 12:15 pm

    Guy Lodge said...

    Wow, Kris and I spoke in almost-perfect unison. Sorry about that.

  • 20 1-27-2010 at 12:18 pm

    Liz said...

    Aw, I thought I’d really nailed down the perfect way to win an Oscar. Oh well, thanks for the update.

  • 21 1-27-2010 at 12:19 pm

    red_wine said...

    I picked The Hurt Locker since December but now I think Avatar will win. It will be head scratching for the entire world(and the entire world has seen Avatar) when they see a minuscule low budget film beating perhaps the most widely seen movie of the decade. And besides, it will be too much of a good thing.

    Best Picture: “Avatar”
    Best Director: Kathryn Bigelow, “The Hurt Locker”
    Best Actor: Jeff Bridges, “Crazy Heart”
    Best Actress: Meryl Streep, “Julie & Julia”
    Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz, “Inglourious Basterds” – though I think he’s shaky
    Best Supporting Actress: Mo’Nique, “Precious”
    Best Adapted Screenplay: “Up in the Air”
    Best Original Screenplay: “The Hurt Locker”
    Best Art Direction: “Avatar”
    Best Cinematography: “The Hurt Locker”
    Best Costume Design: “The Young Victoria”
    Best Film Editing: “The Hurt Locker”
    Best Makeup: “District 9”
    Best Music (Original Score): “Up”
    Best Music (Original Song): “The Weary Kind” from “Crazy Heart”
    Best Sound Editing: “Avatar”
    Best Sound Mixing: “Avatar”
    Best Visual Effects: “Avatar”
    Best Animated Feature Film: “Up”
    Best Foreign Language Film: “A Prophet”
    Best Documentary Feature: “The Cove”

    I must say The white Ribbon is actually a widely loved movie in a way. Few have seen A Prophet but now that people have seen The White Ribbon, they like it a lot and I see a lot of people talking a lot about it on the internet. So is not a goner and has a chance still.

  • 22 1-27-2010 at 12:20 pm

    cineJAB said...

    Best Picture: “Inglourious Basterds”
    Best Director: Kathryn Bigelow, “The Hurt Locker”
    Best Actor: George Clooney, “Up In the Air”
    Best Actress: Meryl Streep, “Julie & Julia”
    Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz, “Inglourious Basterds”
    Best Supporting Actress: Mo’Nique, “Precious”
    Best Adapted Screenplay: “Up in the Air”
    Best Original Screenplay: “Inglourious Basterds”
    Best Art Direction: “Inglourious Basterds”
    Best Cinematography: “The Hurt Locker”
    Best Costume Design: “Inglourious Basterds”
    Best Film Editing: “The Hurt Locker”
    Best Makeup: “District 9”
    Best Music (Original Score): “Up”
    Best Music (Original Song): “The Weary Kind” from “Crazy Heart”
    Best Sound Editing: “Avatar”
    Best Sound Mixing: “Avatar”
    Best Visual Effects: “Avatar”
    Best Animated Feature Film: “Up”
    Best Foreign Language Film: “A Prophet”
    Best Documentary Feature: “The Cove”

  • 23 1-27-2010 at 12:20 pm

    Benito Delicias said...

    The Secret in their Eyes is an excellent film, very bold prediction indeed…Saw A Prophet too which is really good, but Secret is better, hopefully it will happen.

  • 24 1-27-2010 at 12:22 pm

    Megan said...

    I think that if there is any vulnerability among the four acting awards that night, it is in Best Actress. I see Meryl taking this; I just don’t see how the Academy would follow suit with the unyielding Bullock love (save for the split at Critic’s Choice).

    I’ve been going with Hurt Locker for BP for months now, and I’m not bending. The PGA upset was a big ripple in the lake, but I’ve been staving off hunches from the beginning, and just can’t for some reason.

    Screenplay will probably go to Basterds. If Hurt Locker takes picture, something tells me voters who really liked IB will want to give it something other than Supporting. And in my opinion, the screenplay for HL was not its best facet (it served the film appropriately, but I can’t see why it merits an award, here.)

    That’s all I got for now.

    So next week we find out who’s nominated and whether or not we get six more weeks of winter (doesn’t matter to a Chicagoan like me–we’re getting three more months of it either way.)

  • 25 1-27-2010 at 12:30 pm

    Lance said...

    Looking at the history of nominated foreign films, on average, they seem to nominate films that are more unconventional and don’t resemble your average Hollywood film.

    I think “War in Winter Time” and “The Secret in their eyes” feel too much like your average Hollywood type film. I actually feel “Milk of Sorrow” has a good chance of making the top five – it’s beautifully shot, delves in the history and culture of the country and show’s a heartbreaking journey that will have a strong emotional effect on the committee members.

  • 26 1-27-2010 at 12:31 pm

    JJ said...

    My predictions for now:

    Pic – INGLOURIOUS
    Dir – HURT LOCKER
    Actor – BRIDGES
    Actress – STREEP
    S. Actor – WALTZ
    S. Actress – Mo’Nique
    Original – INGLOURIOUS
    Adapted – UP IN THE AIR
    Editing – HURT LOCKER
    Cin – AVATAR
    Art D – INGLOURIOUS
    Cost – YOUNG VICTORIA
    Make-Up – DISTRICT 9
    SE – AVATAR
    SM – AVATAR
    FX – AVATAR
    Score – UP
    Song – CRAZY HEART
    Animated – UP
    For – A PROPHET
    Doc – THE COVE

    IB – 4 wins
    AVATAR – 4 wins
    THE HURT LOCKER – 2 wins
    CRAZY HEART – 2 wins

  • 27 1-27-2010 at 12:32 pm

    Chase K. said...

    Mark Boal’s “The Hurt Locker” script is excellent. It’s insightful without being blunt and rich in character.

    By the way, James Cameron’s “Avatar” script is a long-shot for screenplay right? I would certainly hope it has not chance in hell, but being someone who doesn’t really follow the mid-level categories closely, what are the odds that it happens?

  • 28 1-27-2010 at 12:33 pm

    nanoush said...

    quentin will win screenplay.

  • 29 1-27-2010 at 12:38 pm

    Loyal said...

    Best Picture: Avatar
    Best Director: Bigelow
    Best Actor: Bridges
    Best Actress: Streep
    Best Supporting Actor: Waltz
    Best Supporting Actress: Monique
    Best Film Editing: Avatar
    Best Cinematograhpy: Avatar
    Best Score: Avatar
    Best Adapted: Up In The Air
    Best Original: Inglourious Basterds
    Best Art Direction: Avatar
    Best Costume: Inglourious Basterds
    Best Makeup: District 9
    Best Song: Crazy Heart
    Best Visual: Avatar
    Best Sound Mixing: Avatar
    Best Sound Editing: Avatar
    Best Animated: Up
    Best Foreign: White Ribbon
    Best Doc: The Cove

    Like Giant, The Hurt Locker will only win one Oscar and it’ll be Best Director. But if you’re only going to win one…

  • 30 1-27-2010 at 12:40 pm

    James D. said...

    I really wish something would be done about the Foreign Language category. A U.S. release should be required. It seems silly for a film like 12 to be nominated in 2007 and not come out for over a year after the awards ceremony.

  • 31 1-27-2010 at 12:48 pm

    ATM movie said...

    I don’t think Avatar is going to sweep any technicals. It may get best Visual Effects. That’s all it deserves. Because if people actually sit down and consider each category one by one, actually the sound and picture editing were not that good in Avatar. Bad acting, too long (almost 3 hours long), poorly structured. No stand out sound effects. What sounds do you remember being gret? I mean if it is going to win those, then Transformers should too. At least with Transformers you knew those robots had a specific sound that had to be built to make them come alive. I don’t remember Avatar taking advantage of any of that, even when it could have. Plus it had a lame sappy score and a stupid song that was derivative of Cameron’s own “Titanic” song. It was just lame.

  • 32 1-27-2010 at 12:55 pm

    Guy Lodge said...

    Chase K: A nomination is quite possible, but there’s not a chance in hell “Avatar” is winning Best Original Screenplay. For all the most obvious reasons.

    Red_Wine: I’m curious that you think Waltz is “shaky.” I just don’t see a contender with enough support to unseat him.

  • 33 1-27-2010 at 12:57 pm

    Anonymous said...

    Best Picture: The Hurt Locker
    Best Director: Kathryn Bigelow
    Best Actor: Jeremy Renner
    Best Actress: Meryl Streep
    Best Supporting Actor: Anthony Mackie (upset)
    Best Supporting Actress: Monique
    Best Film Editing: The Hurt Locker
    Best Cinematograhpy: Inglorious Basterds
    Best Score: Up (not my favorite, but it will win)
    Best Original: The Hurt Locker
    Best Adapted: Fantastic Mr. Fox
    Best Art Direction: Inglorious Basterds
    Best Costume: Inglourious Basterds
    Best Makeup: District 9
    Best Song: Paul McCartney
    Best Visual FX: Avatar
    Best Sound Mixing: The Hurt Locker
    Best Sound Editing: Transformers
    Best Animated: The Fantastic Mr. Fox
    Best Foreign: White Ribbon
    Best Documentary: The Cove

    Avatar will only win one Oscar (Visual effects). That’s enough anyway. It’s winning big box office and Cameron already won 3 oscars for Titanic. He doesn’t need any more. He has given his blessing to his ex-wife, Bigelow, and he has even said that he thinks it might be “her year” to sweep.

    Hurt Locker sweep!

  • 34 1-27-2010 at 1:06 pm

    KB said...

    Picture – “Inglourious Basterds”
    Director – Kathryn Bigelow
    Actor – Jeff Bridges
    Actress – Meryl Streep
    Supporting Actor – Christoph Waltz
    Supporting Actress – Mo’Nique
    Adapted Screenplay – “Up in the Air”
    Original Screenplay – “Inglourious Basterds”
    Animated Feature – “Up”
    Foreign Language – “The White Ribbon”
    Art Direction – “Inglourious Basterds”
    Cinematography – “The Hurt Locker”
    Costume Design – “The Young Victoria”
    Film Editing – “Avatar”
    Original Score – “Avatar”
    Original Song – “The Weary Kind”, “Crazy Heart”
    Sound Mixing – “Avatar”
    Sound Editing – “Avatar”
    Makeup – “District 9″
    Visual Effects – “Avatar”

  • 35 1-27-2010 at 1:06 pm

    The InSneider said...

    Guy, if Avatar makes the Original Screenplay cut, what comes out?

  • 36 1-27-2010 at 1:09 pm

    Guy Lodge said...

    (500) Days of Summer.

  • 37 1-27-2010 at 1:12 pm

    red_wine said...

    Guy, I still think that a completely unknown European TV actor will have it a bit rough. Specially when the Academy can take this opportunity to award an unrewarded star like Plummer or Harrelson. We’ll have to wait for nominations I guess but I find him a wee bit shaky. Not as sure as Monique.

  • 38 1-27-2010 at 1:16 pm

    Ivan said...

    The Hurt Locker is not getting the screenplay from Tarantino.

    The script has had ZERO buzz,no wins,no hype,nothing,widely accepted as the weak(er) part of the movie.Even when people were awarding Bigelow and the film,the script wasn’t getting any acclaim whatsoever.

    Otherwise fairly good predictions.

  • 39 1-27-2010 at 1:20 pm

    david said...

    I’m really on the same page with you on most of these picks Kris. The Oscar pools better have some tie-breakers in place because I think a bunch of people are going to have an easy time predicting the Oscars this year. In almost every category there is a definite favorite, or basically a two person(film) race between two nominees.

    My only departures from your list:

    Best Sound Mixing: Avatar
    Best Cinematography: Inglourious Basterds
    Best Foreign Film: A Prophet (not buying into The Secret in Their Eyes buzz quite yet).

  • 40 1-27-2010 at 1:21 pm

    leonardo said...

    Nice choices Kris. Maybe in sound i think that both categories are for AVATAR.
    Great to see that almost everybody is puting Meryl Streep as the frontrunner to win the oscar next march.
    I’m sure that all that Sandra Bullock “love” gonna end next week, when “All about Steve” lead the nominations at the Razzies Awards, including worst actress.
    The oscars need to recognize the talented of the actress, is not a popularity contest. The problem with the SAG awards was that all the members vote, that includes Pamela Anderson, Rob Schneider, Paris Hilton, etc. Do you see my point ? The Academy is a little bit more selective, so Meryl is still the one to beat for me.

  • 41 1-27-2010 at 1:30 pm

    Guy Lodge said...

    Who’s to say Paris Hilton can’t discern quality screen acting? I can’t act either.

  • 42 1-27-2010 at 1:36 pm

    N8 said...

    I’m surprised how many people think “The Hurt Locker” will actually win Cinematography. That’s the one category I think that it has virtually NO CHANCE of winning. It’s a shame too, but it’s just not pretty enough for the Academy.

  • 43 1-27-2010 at 1:49 pm

    tony rock said...

    I wouldn’t doubt it if they went for a foreign film other than A Prophet or The White Ribbon. Seems like every year they purposefully ignore the rightful frontrunner (Pans Labryinth, Waltz with Bashir) for something lesser known and, in my opinion, undeserving (The Lives of Others, Departures).

  • 44 1-27-2010 at 1:52 pm

    tony rock said...

    Oh, and I really hope Avatar does not win cinematography. Sorry, but there is a difference between actual cinematography (i.e. done on set) and CGI wizardry. Everything in Avatar that they count as “cinematography” should be included with Best Visual Effects.

  • 45 1-27-2010 at 1:53 pm

    Leone said...

    I’m surprised so many people think that THE HURT LOCKER can actually win BEST PICTURE so early in this process of the voting. The nominations haven’t even been announced yet. The movie has barely grossed three cents. It’s a movie that apparently no one wants to see. (Sad, because it’s a good movie and deserves to be seen, but nonetheless, their box office is dismal).

    UP IN THE AIR, in my opinion, has a far better chance of winning best picture. The movie is actually about something important, personal and timely. It’s easy to watch, makes you laugh and cry and think. It’s classic. Anchored by a movie star, fantastic script and vintage directing. The Hurt Locker will feel even smaller than it does now in 25 years from now. UP IN THE AIR will still be a classic because it already has all those qualities. I think older viewers (like those in the Academy) appreciate those qualities in a picture and will reward it.

  • 46 1-27-2010 at 2:02 pm

    Guy Lodge said...

    It’s always unwise to presume to know how a film will be viewed in 25 years.

  • 47 1-27-2010 at 2:11 pm

    Damian said...

    Kris: Have you seen The Secret in Their Eyes?? What do you about iT?

  • 48 1-27-2010 at 2:19 pm

    Mike_M said...

    I like your picks overall Kris,

    However, I think Cinematography, Best Sound Editing, and Foreign Lang will be different, not sure what movies though.

    And Original Screenplay will be QT

  • 49 1-27-2010 at 2:33 pm

    oarp said...

    Best Picture: “The Hurt Locker”
    Best Director: Kathryn Bigelow, “The Hurt Locker”
    Best Actor: Jeff Bridges, “Crazy Heart”
    Best Actress: Meryl Streep, “Julie & Julia”
    Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz, “Inglourious Basterds”
    Best Supporting Actress: Mo’Nique, “Precious”
    Best Adapted Screenplay: “Up in the Air”
    Best Original Screenplay: ““Inglourious Basterds”
    Best Art Direction: “Inglourious Basterds”
    Best Cinematography: “Inglourious Basterds”
    Best Costume Design: “The Young Victoria”
    Best Film Editing: “The Hurt Locker”
    Best Makeup: “District 9”
    Best Music (Original Score): “Up”
    Best Music (Original Song): “Everybody’s’ Fine”
    Best Sound Editing: “Avatar”
    Best Sound Mixing: “The Hurt Locker”
    Best Visual Effects: “Avatar”
    Best Animated Feature Film: “Up”
    Best Foreign Language Film: “The Milk of Sorrow”
    Best Documentary Feature: “The Cove”

  • 50 1-27-2010 at 2:34 pm

    Erik 815 said...

    Kris, I love your pick for THL in sound mixing, Was watching it just last night, and it really jumped out at me. It’s a very rich, but subtle mix. It’s very realistic, not going for the weird sound effects we’re used to (we seem to think things like getting punched or being shot makes some kinda loud noise for some reason). It’s a very complex mix in a film that, much like NCFOM (a surprising double sound nominee 2 years ago) also was.

  • 51 1-27-2010 at 2:40 pm

    Bia said...

    I think Bullock is having more of a moment than Meryl is…so I’m going with her for the dead heat between them.

  • 52 1-27-2010 at 2:51 pm

    tintin said...

    Picture – AVATAR (i hope)
    Director – Kathryn Bigelow
    Actor – Jeff Bridges
    Actress – Sandra Bullock :(
    Supporting Actor – Christoph Waltz
    Supporting Actress – Mo’Nique
    Adapted Screenplay – Up in the Air
    Original Screenplay – Inglourious Basterds
    Animated Feature – Up
    Foreign Language – The White Ribbon
    Art Direction – Inglourious Basterds
    Cinematography – AVATAR
    Costume Design – The Young Victoria
    Film Editing – AVATAR
    Original Score – Up
    Original Song – “The Weary Kind”, “Crazy Heart”
    Sound Mixing – AVATAR
    Sound Editing – AVATAR
    Makeup – Distric 9
    Visual Effects – AVATAR

  • 53 1-27-2010 at 3:20 pm

    Mike said...

    I also think Waltz is sahky. I would much rather see Plummer win. Wasn’t Samuel L Jackson the frontrunner for supporting actor for Pulp Fiction?

  • 54 1-27-2010 at 3:21 pm

    Zak said...

    I agree with the majority on this thread….As far as Best Actress, I think Streep has a considerable edge. I think AMPAS will recognize the overdue status that she has, especially considering how close she’s been in the last decade alone. (Adaptation, Devil Wears Prada, Doubt)

    so here goes…

    Picture – Avatar (I really think it will happen)
    Director – Kathryn Bigelow
    Actor – Jeff Bridges
    Actress – Meryl Streep :)
    Supporting Actor – Christoph Waltz
    Supporting Actress – Mo’Nique
    Adapted Screenplay – Up in the Air
    Original Screenplay – Inglourious Basterds
    Animated Feature – Up
    Foreign Language – The White Ribbon
    Art Direction – Inglourious Basterds
    Cinematography – Avatar
    Costume Design – The Young Victoria
    Film Editing – The Hurt Locker
    Original Score – Up
    Original Song – “The Weary Kind”, “Crazy Heart”
    Sound Mixing – Avatar
    Sound Editing – Avatar
    Makeup – Distric 9
    Visual Effects – Avatar

  • 55 1-27-2010 at 3:48 pm

    Guy Lodge said...

    “Wasn’t Samuel L. Jackson the frontrunner for supporting actor for Pulp Fiction?”

    In a word: no.

    Martin Landau swept the critics awards, the Globe and SAG. Trust me, his win was a foregone conclusion.

  • 56 1-27-2010 at 4:14 pm

    mjb said...

    I have a feeling Gabby Sidibe is gonna take Best Actress.

  • 57 1-27-2010 at 4:55 pm

    m1 said...

    Best Picture: “The Hurt Locker”
    Best Director: Kathryn Bigelow, “The Hurt Locker”
    Best Actor: Jeff Bridges, “Crazy Heart”
    Best Actress: Meryl Streep, “Julie & Julia”
    Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz, “Inglourious Basterds”
    Best Supporting Actress: Mo’Nique, “Precious”
    Best Adapted Screenplay: “Up in the Air”
    Best Original Screenplay: “The Hurt Locker”

    Best Art Direction: “Sherlock Holmes”
    Best Cinematography: “The White Ribbon”
    Best Costume Design: “The Young Victoria”
    Best Film Editing: “The Hurt Locker”
    Best Makeup: “District 9”
    Best Music (Original Score): “Avatar”
    Best Music (Original Song): “The Weary Kind” from “Crazy Heart”
    Best Sound Editing: “Star Trek”
    Best Sound Mixing: “District 9”
    Best Visual Effects: “Avatar”
    Best Animated Feature Film: “Up”
    Best Foreign Language Film: “A Prophet”
    Best Documentary Feature: “The Cove”

  • 58 1-27-2010 at 4:58 pm

    m1 said...

    38- The script snagged several critics’ awards.

  • 59 1-27-2010 at 5:12 pm

    tim said...

    Best Picture: “Inglourious Basterds”
    Best Director: Kathryn Bigelow, “The Hurt Locker”
    Best Actor: Jeff Bridges, “Crazy Heart”
    Best Actress: Meryl Streep, “Julie & Julia”
    Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz, “Inglourious Basterds”
    Best Supporting Actress: Mo’Nique, “Precious”
    Best Adapted Screenplay: “Up in the Air”
    Best Original Screenplay: “Inglourious Basterds”
    Best Art Direction: “Inglourious Basterds”
    Best Cinematography: “The Hurt Locker”
    Best Costume Design: “The Young Victoria”
    Best Film Editing: “Inglourious Basterds”
    Best Makeup: “District 9”
    Best Music (Original Score): “Up”
    Best Music (Original Song): “The Weary Kind” from “Crazy Heart”
    Best Sound Editing: “Avatar”
    Best Sound Mixing: “The Hurt Locker”
    Best Visual Effects: “Avatar”
    Best Animated Feature Film: “Up”
    Best Foreign Language Film: “The White Ribbon”
    Best Documentary Feature: “The Cove”

  • 60 1-27-2010 at 5:25 pm

    tim said...

    Oh and…
    Best Animated Short: “Wallace and Gromit in ‘A Matter of Loaf and Death’” !!! :)

  • 61 1-27-2010 at 5:30 pm

    David said...

    Have any of you guys seen district 9?
    best visual effects I have ever seen in a movie. I think Avatar is incredibly overrated and district 9 should beat it out.

  • 62 1-27-2010 at 5:42 pm

    Nono said...

    Best Picture: “Avatar”
    Best Director: James Cameron, “Avatar”
    Best Actor: Jeff Bridges, “Crazy Heart”
    Best Actress: Meryl Streep, “Julie & Julia”
    Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz, “Inglourious Basterds”
    Best Supporting Actress: Mo’Nique, “Precious”
    Best Adapted Screenplay: “Up in the Air”
    Best Original Screenplay: ““Inglourious Basterds”
    Best Art Direction: “Avatar”
    Best Cinematography: “Avatar”
    Best Costume Design: “Avatar”
    Best Film Editing: “Avatar”
    Best Makeup: “District 9”
    Best Music (Original Score): “Up”
    Best Music (Original Song): “Everybody’s’ Fine”
    Best Sound Editing: “Avatar”
    Best Sound Mixing: “Avatar”
    Best Visual Effects: “Avatar”
    Best Animated Feature Film: “Up”
    Best Foreign Language Film: “Un Prophete”
    Best Documentary Feature: “The Cove”

  • 63 1-27-2010 at 6:01 pm

    David Giancarlo said...

    The faith here in Meryl Streep warms my <3

  • 64 1-27-2010 at 6:01 pm

    Speaking English said...

    What a joke it would be if “A Serious Man” doesn’t win Best Original Screenplay.

  • 65 1-27-2010 at 6:31 pm

    Eunice said...

    The support for Streep in this particular thread warms my heart and gives me hope. :)

  • 66 1-27-2010 at 6:46 pm

    The Dude said...

    Guy Lodge (#3): White Ribbon can’t win because it is “too cold”? Ever heard of a dude named Ingmar Bergman? He won his share of Oscars…

    But has to be said that no other category sees as many mistakes and screw-ups as Foreign Language Picture, so the White Ribbon might as well lose.

  • 67 1-27-2010 at 7:08 pm

    Guy Lodge said...

    Speaking English: Prepare yourself. It’s going to lose.

  • 68 1-27-2010 at 7:24 pm

    Jeff said...

    My guesses:

    Best Picture: “Up in the Air”
    Best Director: Kathryn Bigelow, “The Hurt Locker”
    Best Actor: Jeff Bridges, “Crazy Heart”
    Best Actress: Sandra Bullock, “The Blind Side”
    Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz, “Inglourious Basterds”
    Best Supporting Actress: Mo’Nique, “Precious”
    Best Adapted Screenplay: “Up in the Air”
    Best Original Screenplay: “Inglourious Basterds”
    Best Art Direction: “Inglourious Basterds”
    Best Cinematography: “The Hurt Locker”
    Best Costume Design: “Bright Star”
    Best Film Editing: “Avatar”
    Best Makeup: “District 9”
    Best Music (Original Score): “Up”
    Best Music (Original Song): “The Weary Kind” from “Crazy Heart”
    Best Sound Editing: “Avatar”
    Best Sound Mixing: “Avatar”
    Best Visual Effects: “Avatar”
    Best Animated Feature Film: “Up”
    Best Foreign Language Film: “Winter in Wartime”
    Best Documentary Feature: “The Cove”

  • 69 1-27-2010 at 9:05 pm

    Speaking English said...

    LOL, how do you know it’s going to lose and why are you so certain?

  • 70 1-27-2010 at 9:06 pm

    Billyboy said...

    I don’t care what film wins Best Picture as long as its not Avatar.

    There, I said it.

  • 71 1-27-2010 at 9:12 pm

    Camaya said...

    I think it is interesting how a lot of people are predicted Inglorious Basterds to win (besides Tom O’neil… btw I would love an upset like that) do you guys think it has a chance to win?

  • 72 1-27-2010 at 9:50 pm

    daveylow said...

    I doubt The Hurt Locker is going to get original screenplay.

  • 73 1-27-2010 at 9:51 pm

    daveylow said...

    Would love to see A Prophet win over The White Ribbon.

  • 74 1-27-2010 at 11:14 pm

    Ed D. said...

    Best Picture: “Avatar”
    Best Director: Kathryn Bigelow
    Best Actor: Jeff Bridges
    Best Actress: Meryl Streep
    Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz
    Best Supporting Actress: Mo’Nique
    Best Adapted Screenplay: “Up in the Air”
    Best Original Screenplay: “Inglourious Basterds”
    Best Art Direction: “Inglourious Basterds”
    Best Cinematography: “The Hurt Locker”
    Best Costume Design: “Bright Star”
    Best Film Editing: “The Hurt Locker”
    Best Makeup: “Star Trek”
    Best Original Score: “Up”
    Best Original Song: “Crazy Heart”
    Best Sound Editing: “Avatar”
    Best Sound Mixing: “Avatar”
    Best Visual Effects: “Avatar”
    Best Animated Feature Film: “Up”
    Best Foreign Language Film: “The Secret of Their Eyes”
    Best Documentary Feature: “The Cove”

    Terribly familiar sounding, I’m sure, but those are my predictions. As far as who I feel actually DESERVE to win, I’d only change three:

    Best Picture: “The Hurt Locker”
    Best Actor: Jeremy Renner
    Best Foreign Language Film: “Ajami”

  • 75 1-28-2010 at 3:03 am

    lucy said...

    If the Academy has credibility and enough respect left ., Meryl Streep will win her THIRD OSCAR THIS YEAR!!!!!, Hollywood, the Public are all rooting for Streep this year.

  • 76 1-28-2010 at 3:07 am

    Jørgen Pedersen said...

    I’m just going for the 10 Best Pics Predictions

    Invictus, The Hurt Locker, Up, Up in the Air, A Serious Man, Avatar, Precious, Inglourious Basterds, An Education, & A Single Man.

    Winner – The Hurt Locker

  • 77 1-28-2010 at 3:50 am

    Dennis said...

    Picture: The Hurt Locker
    Director: Kathryn Bigelow
    Actor: Jeff Bridges
    Actress: Meryl Streep
    Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz
    Supporting Actress: Mo’Nique
    Original: Inglourious Basterds
    Adapted: Up in the Air

    Editing: The Hurt Locker
    Cinematography: Basterds
    Art Direction: Basterds
    Costumes: The Young Victoria
    Makeup: District 9
    Visual Effects: Avatar
    Score: Up
    Sound Mixing: The Hurt Locker
    Sound Editing: Avatar

  • 78 1-28-2010 at 4:25 am

    Guy Lodge said...

    “Hollywood, the Public are all rooting for Streep this year.”

    The box-office receipts for “The Blind Side” suggest to me that the public aren’t ALL rooting for Streep, I’m afraid ;)

  • 79 1-28-2010 at 6:48 am

    Zak said...

    can we combine and add the streep box office for the last 3 years into that equation?? TDWP, Mamma Mia! ,J&J, and It’s Complicated? I think we’d have around 1.2 billion…..give or take….in that same time I think Bullock has around 500 million.

    I still think Streep has the edge this year. This “Bullock Kick” will fade soon I think.

    :)

  • 80 1-28-2010 at 8:06 am

    Frank said...

    Yeah Zak, Bullock buzz will fade very quickly. Actually, it will start fading on Monday…..because the Razzie Awards will be announced and she will be nominated (and a frontrunner for a win) for her dreadful performance in the horrible All About Steve (a strong contender for worst picture). I don’t think the Academy will want to reward a likely Razzie Award winner.

  • 81 1-28-2010 at 8:17 am

    Adam Smith said...

    But a Razzie win would sure give her some good fodder for her acceptance speech. Though, I gotta say, I would love nothing more than for the Razzies to sack up and dare to nominate her not (just) for All About Steve, but for The Blind Side.

  • 82 1-28-2010 at 8:17 am

    rizza said...

    Meryl Streep for Oscar no. 3!

  • 83 1-28-2010 at 9:14 am

    ff fanatic said...

    How many classic films have lost best pic and how many classic foriegn films have lost best foriegn language film? For me, the foriegn film category has a much better track record.

    “The white ribbon” will win. The academy LOVES anything dealing with the holocaust. It also feels like a classic. The other nominees aren’t even in the same league.

    Why do so many people post their theories on here and give no supporting arguments with examples to back it up?

  • 84 1-28-2010 at 10:08 am

    Jason Travis said...

    GO STREEP!

    Great picks.

  • 85 1-28-2010 at 11:49 am

    Zak said...

    I agree, All About Steve was horrific. I almost walked out of the theater….I would have if I wasn’t insanely bored….and a bit masochistic…hahaha

    It does make me mad that I honestly think her performance in The Blind Side is so absolutely mediocre, especially compared to Streep, Sidibe, Blunt, Mirren, and Mulligan…I hate that she’s getting so much praise. I really think it’s because she’s young beautiful, and popular. Hopefully by March 7th, the Academy will decide to reward talent over popularity.

  • 86 1-28-2010 at 12:47 pm

    Guy Lodge said...

    “I really think it’s because she’s young, beautiful and popular.”

    She’s not that young — she’s 45. A large part of the reason why Bullock is such a story this year is because, like Streep, she’s proving that middle-aged women can still be major audience draws in Hollywood. So I find it interesting that the race has come down to the two of them.

  • 87 1-28-2010 at 3:39 pm

    Zak said...

    yeah, you’re right….I really didn’t realize she’s 45!…..girl looks good. lol.

    still going with streep though….it would be nice to see her win an Oscar in my lifetime. she won for sophie’s choice the year I was born, so I just missed it, lol

  • 88 1-28-2010 at 4:28 pm

    Guy Lodge said...

    Hey, I was only two months old myself!

  • 89 1-28-2010 at 4:46 pm

    med said...

    I read on another site that more industry insiders are pulling for Bullock over Streep for the Oscar win. Do you (Kris/Guy) think this is the case or is this race still neck & neck?

  • 90 1-28-2010 at 10:42 pm

    Zak said...

    1983!!! holla!

    haha

  • 91 1-29-2010 at 8:04 am

    Me. said...

    Best Picture: The Hurt Locker
    Best Directing: Kathryn Bigelow – The Hurt Locker
    Best Actor: Jeff Bridges – Crazy Heart
    Best Actress: Sandra Bullock – The Blind Side
    Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz – Inglourious Basterds
    Best Supporting Actress: Mo’Nique – Precious
    Best Original Screenplay: Inglourious Basterds
    Best Adapted Screenplay: Up in the Air
    Best Score: Up
    Best Song: The Weary Kind – Crazy Heart
    Best Art Direction: Avatar
    Best Cinematography: Avatar
    Best Costume Design: The Young Victoria
    Best Film Editing: The Hurt Locker
    Best Makeup: Star Trek
    Best Sound Mixing: Avatar
    Best Sound Effects Editing: Avatar
    Best Visual Effects: Avatar
    Best Animated Film: Up
    Best Foreign Language Film: A Prophet
    Best Documentary Feature Film: The Cove

  • 92 1-29-2010 at 8:07 am

    Me. said...

    Scrath makeup and put District 9 .

  • 93 1-30-2010 at 5:46 am

    Simon Warrasch said...

    Picture: The Hurt Locker, RU: Inglourious Basterds
    Director: Kathryn Bigelow, RU: Quentin Tarantino
    Lead Actor: Colin Firth, RU: Jeremy Renner
    Lead Actress: Gabby Sidibe, RU: /
    Supp. Actor: Christoph Waltz, RU: Anthony Mackie
    Supp. Actress: Mo’Nique, RU: Marion Cotillard

  • 94 2-01-2010 at 2:27 am

    No Name said...

    Don’t understand all you people think that Avatar should win for anything but if there was a Oscar for highest grossing movie. The VFX was good…but the same crap over and over. Script was awful, if there ever was one written. Seemed like it was shot and written at the same time. Sounded terrible, every single space ship. hoover craft sounded like a huey helicopter, animals all sounded the same. Music, was so bad I don’t even remember a single note of it…except the last song which was the Titanic song with different lyrics. Maybe Cameron should get an award for being a visionary, but best director ?? Come on. It’s a movie I have seen 50 times before…but with more fairy dust in the form of repetitive VFX. I have hope that Hollywood is not voting with the box office numbers created by escapism of the teenagers.

    Best movie – Hurt Locker
    Best director – Kathryn Bigelow
    Best actor – Jeff Bridges (should be Renner)
    Best actress – Meryl Streep
    Supporting actor – Christoph Waltz

    Everything else is a toss up

  • 95 2-04-2010 at 11:22 pm

    TimB said...

    Can someone tell me what the heck is “vintage directing”? It’s straight out of the commercial and in a previous comment by Leon.