Oscar predictions...
Okay, so I feel like I want to throw out some predictions for the Oscars tonight. Argue with me if you must.
Here we go:
Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published
Nominees:
Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (2006): Sacha Baron Cohen, Anthony Hines, Peter Baynham, Dan Mazer, Todd Phillips
Children of Men (2006): Alfonso Cuarón, Timothy J. Sexton, David Arata, Mark Fergus, Hawk Ostby
The Departed (2006): William Monahan
Little Children (2006): Todd Field, Tom Perrotta
Notes on a Scandal (2006): Patrick Marber
My Guess for this one is that The Departed takes the statue with a side chance going to Children of Men for presenting an interesting story. Personally, I am rooting for Borat and honestly believe that the movie, although improvised at time was outlined enough to make it the funniest movie in years. V for Vendetta got robbed here. It was by far my favorite movie of the year and it had a kick ass story.
Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen
Nominees:
Babel (2006): Guillermo Arriaga
Letters from Iwo Jima (2006): Iris Yamashita, Paul Haggis
Little Miss Sunshine (2006): Michael Arndt
Laberinto del Fauno, El (2006): Guillermo del Toro
The Queen (2006): Peter Morgan
This is probably a wide open category here. I am going to go with Pan's Labrynth on this one. Little Miss Sunshine was a quirky little piece too, so that could sneak into the win.
Best Achievement in Directing
Nominees:
Clint Eastwood for Letters from Iwo Jima (2006)
Stephen Frears for The Queen (2006)
Paul Greengrass for United 93 (2006)
Alejandro González Iñárritu for Babel (2006)
Martin Scorsese for The Departed (2006)
Scorsese has this in the bag. No doubt about it.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Nominees:
Adriana Barraza for Babel (2006)
Cate Blanchett for Notes on a Scandal (2006)
Abigail Breslin for Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
Jennifer Hudson for Dreamgirls (2006)
Rinko Kikuchi for Babel (2006)
From everything I hear, Jennifer Hudson has this one wrapped up. I will believe the hype.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Nominees:
Alan Arkin for Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
Jackie Earle Haley for Little Children (2006)
Djimon Hounsou for Blood Diamond (2006)
Eddie Murphy for Dreamgirls (2006)
Mark Wahlberg for The Departed (2006
I'll tell you who I want to win here. Wahlberg. He was hilarious in The Departed. He was the lighter tone to a real dark movie. I am going to go out on a limb and say that Arkin wins here. The real shame is that Steve Carrell was not nominated.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Nominees:
Penélope Cruz for Volver (2006/I)
Judi Dench for Notes on a Scandal (2006)
Helen Mirren for The Queen (2006)
Meryl Streep for The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
Kate Winslet for Little Children (2006
Mirren is winning it. No use in discussing it.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Nominees:
Leonardo DiCaprio for Blood Diamond (2006)
Ryan Gosling for Half Nelson (2006)
Peter O'Toole for Venus (2006/I)
Will Smith for The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
Forest Whitaker for The Last King of Scotland (2006
Here is the shame. Hugo Weaving should have been nominated for V for Vendetta. He managed to convey more emotion wearing a mask than some actors pull off without one. I am going with the sort of upset here and say that Gosling takes Oscar home with him. Had Leo been nominated for The Departed he would be winning.
Best Motion Picture of the Year
Nominees:
Babel (2006): Alejandro González Iñárritu, Steve Golin, Jon Kilik
The Departed (2006): Graham King
Letters from Iwo Jima (2006): Clint Eastwood, Steven Spielberg, Robert Lorenz
Little Miss Sunshine (2006): David T. Friendly, Peter Saraf, Marc Turtletaub
The Queen (2006): Andy Harries, Christine Langan, Tracey Seaward
To be honest I think that The Departed is taking this award. I think V for Vendetta was the best picture of the year though, so what do I know. I can't help it. I really enjoyed that movie. It was a great social commentary. Of the nominees, I think that Little Miss Sunshine is the best. A movie with its light tone doesn't get nominated often enough. I also found its attention to detail was brilliant in setting the tone. You really could believe that the family was real and I sure know I related to it. The Departed was amazing too, but Sunshine was something unique.
There you have it. Let's talk trash to one another now about the whole thing.