Oscar Previews

Film lovers from all across the globe can rejoice; the Academy Awards nominations have been announced. Anne Hathaway and James Franco will host the 83rd annual Academy Awards Feb. 27, 2011 on ABC.

An Academy Award is the highest recognition that can be given to directors, actors and writers for making outstanding progress in their work and pushing the boundaries of creative expression in cinematic art.

This year’s Oscars will be one of the toughest competitions the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has had to decide in the last decade. Here are the most popular categories and our predictions.

—Jessica Medina

Actor In A Leading Role

NOMINEES

Javier Bardem…………………Biutiful

Jeff Bridges………………………True Grit

Jesse Eisenberg……………The Social Network

Colin Firth………………………..The King’s Speech

James Franco…………………..127 Hours

PREDICTION

Colin Firth—The King’s Speech

If there is any competitor in this category that Firth should be worried about, it should be Bardem in Biutiful. An exceptional performance from Bardem might knock Firth right out of the spotlight, even though Firth took home the Golden Globe for his portrayal of King George in The King’s Speech.

Actor In A Supporting Role

NOMINEES

Christian Bale……………….The Fighter

John Hawkes…………………Winter’s Bone

Jeremy Renner……………..The Town

Mark Ruffalo…………………The Kids Are All Right

Geoffrey Rush……………….The King’s Speech

PREDICTION

Christian Bale—The Fighter

All signs point to Christian Bale taking home his first—but certainly not his last—Academy Award. Far ahead of the competition, Bale might have given one of the most unforgettable performances in cinematic history. Another front-runner in this category is the ever consistent Academy Award winner Geoffrey Rush, but it is highly unlikely that he can overshadow Bale this year, even with his flawless performance in The King’s Speech.

Directing

NOMINEES

Darren Aronofsky……………..Black Swan

David O. Russell………………..The Fighter

Tom Hooper……………………….The King’s Speech

David Fincher…………………….The Social Network

Joel Coen, Ethan Coen………True Grit

PREDICTION

David Fincher—The Social Network

The Golden Globe win of David Fincher would indicate he is the likely candidate to take home the Oscar. However, it would not be surprising if others such as Darren Aronofsky or Tom Hooper sneak up and steal it away.

Animated Feature Film

NOMINEES

How to Train Your Dragon……..Chris Sanders, Dean DeBlois

The Illusionist……………………………Sylvain Chomet

Toy Story 3…………………………………Lee Unkrich

 

PREDICTION

Toy Story 3—Lee Unkrich

This is a no-brainer. Toy Story 3 is also nominated for Best Picture—unlike the other two nominees—a definite indicator of who has the upper hand to win the Oscar.

Actress In A Leading Role

NOMINEES

Annette Bening………..The Kids Are All Right

Nicole Kidman……………Rabbit Hole

Jennifer Lawrence……..Winter’s Bone

Natalie Portman…………Black Swan

Michelle Williams………Blue Valentine

PREDICTION

Natalie Portman—Black Swan

There is no denying that Natalie Portman is steadily climbing toward the zenith of her career, especially after her Golden Globe win as Nina Sayers in Black Swan. It would be a great surprise if she does not take home the Oscar this year. But worthy contenders such as Academy Award winner Nicole Kidman and four-time Oscar nominee Annette Bening are right at her heels.

Actress In A Supporting Role

NOMINEES

Amy Adams………………………..The Fighter

Melissa Leo…………………………The Fighter

Hailee Steinfeld………………….True Grit

Jacki Weaver………………………Animal Kingdom

Helena Bonham Carter ……The King’s Speech

PREDICTION

Melissa Leo—The Fighter

Taking home her first Golden Globe for her performance in The Fighter, Melissa Leo is up for her second Academy nomination. This is practically a steal for Leo, as her performance was unparalleled compared to the other actresses nominated. It would be an upset to the entire cinematic community if Leo does not take home the Oscar.

Cinematography

NOMINEES

Black Swan………………..Matthew Libatique

Inception…………………….Wally Pfister

The King’s Speech……..Danny Cohen

The Social Network….Jeff Cronenweth

True Grit……………………..Roger Deakins

PREDICTION

The King’s Speech —Danny Cohen

Cinematography entails the lighting and camera working together to produce and evoke certain emotions from the audience when editing a scene. Because its striking visuals cannto be easily forgotten, The King’s Speech is the top contender. However, The Social Network is very close behind. The two films are neck and neck in this category.

Best Picture

NOMINEES

Black Swan……………………Mike Medavoy, Brian Oliver, Scott Franklin

The Fighter……………………David Hoberman, Todd Lieberman, Mark Wahlberg

Inception……………………….Emma Thomas ,Christopher Nolan

The Kids Are All Right…Gary Gilbert, Jeffrey Levy-Hinte, Celine Rattray

The King’s Speech……….Iain Canning, Emile Sherman and Gareth Unwin

127 Hours………………………Christian Colson, Danny Boyle, John Smithson

The Social Network……..Scott Rudin, Dana Brunetti, Michael De Luca, Ceán Chaffin

Toy Story 3……………………Darla K. Anderson

True Grit………………………Scott Rudin, Ethan Coen, Joel Coen

Winter’s Bone……………..Anne Rosellini Alix Madigan-Yorkin

PREDICTION

The King’s Speech

With producers, Iain Canning, Emile Sherman and Gareth Unwin, leading the way with 12 Oscar nominations and 14 British Academy of Film and Television Arts nominations, it would be naive to think this prime example of cinematic perfection would not win Best Picture. Although The Social Network did win the Golden Globe in this category, it seems only evident The King’s Speech will take home the Oscar, as no other film is nominated for almost every single category.

Documentary Feature

NOMINEES

Exit Through the Gift Shop…………….Banksy, Jaimie D’Cruz

Gasland……………………………………………….Josh Fox, Trish Adlesic

Inside Job………………………………………….Charles Ferguson, Audrey Marrs

Restrepo……………………………………………Tim Hetherington, Sebastian Junger

Waste Land………………………………………Lucy Walker, Angus Aynsley

PREDICTION

Restrepo —Tim Hetherington, Sebastian Junger

A moving documentary about the war in Afghanistan is always a crowd tear-jerker, and more than likely Oscar worthy. Other critics claim that Exit Through the Gift Shop is also likely to swipe the Oscar from Restrepo.

Foreign Language Film

NOMINEES

Biutiful………………………………..Mexico

Dogtooth…………………………….Greece

In a Better World………………Denmark

Incendies…………………………….Canada

Outside the Law………………..Algeria

PREDICTION

Biutiful—Mexico

An elaborate and powerful art-house film by three-time Oscar nominee Alejandro Gonzalez Iñarritu. Biutiful is an exemplary film with its content, message and creativity. The only other fierce competitor for this award is In a Better World, as it won a Golden Globe in this category.