Thursday 22 February 2007
Oscars 2007
Sunday is Oscar night. Envelopes will be opened, one person will gush into his moet whilst four or so others will smile through gritted teeth. The 13.5 inch gold statuette's will be handed out at The Kodak Theatre honouring this year's best movies, well not necessarily the best but the 'most deserving,' or paradoxically the most politicially correct.
I haven't seen all of the nominated films this year but I have seen the majority of them, so just as I did a year ago I will have a crack at picking the winners of the main categories.
Best picture:
Babel
It took me half a box of popcorn to understand the connections between the different stories but it comes together beautifully to present a striking view of a sad, violent and interrelated world.
The Departed
A top quality cast with a grinning and snarling Jack Nicholson at his best. A film of high energy and emotion with a dramatic finale.
Letters From Iwo Jima
I've not seen this but it hits all the right Oscar best picture buttons.
Little Miss Sunshine
A quirky and hilarious tale of a dysfunctional family on a road trip. I'm surprised this made the top 5 best films.
The Queen
The film probably didn't tell me anything I didn't already know from living through the story at the time but it probably opened many American's eyes however. Elegently filmed with some very witty moments.
My winner: Babel
Best actor:
Leonardo DiCaprio in Blood Diamond
I was never a big Leo fan but he was in two cracking films this year and he won me over twice, nevertheless I actually think he was better in The Departed.
Ryan Gosling in Half Nelson
I haven't seen this lesser known indie film.
Peter O'Toole in Venus
I'm afraid I've not seen this either, which is a shame because I have heard good things about O'Toole.
Will Smith in The Pursuit of Happyness
I was disappointed in this happy clappy story. There were much better performances this year than Smith's in this, but hey it's the Oscars.
Forest Whitaker in The Last King of Scotland
Excellent performance from Whitaker as Ugandan dictator Idi Amin.
My Winner: Leonardo DiCaprio
Best actress:
Penelope Cruz in Volver
Missed out on this one.
Judi Dench in Notes on a Scandal
I'm desperate to see this before Sunday if not only to hear the Charlton Athletic reference but to compare Dench's performance against Mirren's.
Helen Mirren in The Queen
A masterful portrayal by Mirren sees her favourite for her first ever Oscar.
Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada
Enjoyable birds film, made pallatable by Streep's super bitchy character.
Kate Winslet in Little Children
Another film on my list. Winslet has been nominated 5 times but never won.
My winner: Helen Mirren
Best supporting actress:
Adriana Barraza in Babel
Mega famous in her native Mexico, Barraza deserves her nomination for her heart-warming role in Babel.
Cate Blanchett in Notes on a Scandal
Can't comment.
Abigail Breslin in Little Miss Sunshine
She make this film. Adorable performance from the 10-year old.
Jennifer Hudson in Dreamgirls
I really really didn't want to see this movie and I didn't, even though Jennifer Hudson is a Chicago girl.
Rinko Kikuchi in Babel
This is the toughest category in my mind. The little unknown Kikuchi gives a remarkable performance as a deaf mute.
My winner: Rinko Kikuchi
Best supporting actor:
Alan Arkin in Little Miss Sunshine
Classic grumpy old man performance from the 76-year old but it didn't stand out for me.
Jackie Earle Haley in Little Children
Can't comment
Djimon Hounsou in Blood Diamond
My favourite, although of the actors I saw none jumped out at me. It was a good performance from the ex-model though.
Eddie Murphy in Dreamgirls
No interest but has Oscar winner written all over it.
Mark Wahlberg in The Departed
Surprise choice for Marky Mark. He was good but not that good.
My winner: Djimon Hounsou
The Oscars, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres are on Sunday at 7pm Chicago time. Pass me the popcorn. ¶ 01:11
Sunday is Oscar night. Envelopes will be opened, one person will gush into his moet whilst four or so others will smile through gritted teeth. The 13.5 inch gold statuette's will be handed out at The Kodak Theatre honouring this year's best movies, well not necessarily the best but the 'most deserving,' or paradoxically the most politicially correct.I haven't seen all of the nominated films this year but I have seen the majority of them, so just as I did a year ago I will have a crack at picking the winners of the main categories.
Best picture:
Babel
It took me half a box of popcorn to understand the connections between the different stories but it comes together beautifully to present a striking view of a sad, violent and interrelated world.
The Departed
A top quality cast with a grinning and snarling Jack Nicholson at his best. A film of high energy and emotion with a dramatic finale.
Letters From Iwo Jima
I've not seen this but it hits all the right Oscar best picture buttons.
Little Miss Sunshine
A quirky and hilarious tale of a dysfunctional family on a road trip. I'm surprised this made the top 5 best films.
The Queen
The film probably didn't tell me anything I didn't already know from living through the story at the time but it probably opened many American's eyes however. Elegently filmed with some very witty moments.
My winner: BabelBest actor:
Leonardo DiCaprio in Blood Diamond
I was never a big Leo fan but he was in two cracking films this year and he won me over twice, nevertheless I actually think he was better in The Departed.
Ryan Gosling in Half Nelson
I haven't seen this lesser known indie film.
Peter O'Toole in Venus
I'm afraid I've not seen this either, which is a shame because I have heard good things about O'Toole.
Will Smith in The Pursuit of Happyness
I was disappointed in this happy clappy story. There were much better performances this year than Smith's in this, but hey it's the Oscars.
Forest Whitaker in The Last King of Scotland
Excellent performance from Whitaker as Ugandan dictator Idi Amin.
My Winner: Leonardo DiCaprioBest actress:
Penelope Cruz in Volver
Missed out on this one.
Judi Dench in Notes on a Scandal
I'm desperate to see this before Sunday if not only to hear the Charlton Athletic reference but to compare Dench's performance against Mirren's.
Helen Mirren in The Queen
A masterful portrayal by Mirren sees her favourite for her first ever Oscar.
Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada
Enjoyable birds film, made pallatable by Streep's super bitchy character.
Kate Winslet in Little Children
Another film on my list. Winslet has been nominated 5 times but never won.
My winner: Helen MirrenBest supporting actress:
Adriana Barraza in Babel
Mega famous in her native Mexico, Barraza deserves her nomination for her heart-warming role in Babel.
Cate Blanchett in Notes on a Scandal
Can't comment.
Abigail Breslin in Little Miss Sunshine
She make this film. Adorable performance from the 10-year old.
Jennifer Hudson in Dreamgirls
I really really didn't want to see this movie and I didn't, even though Jennifer Hudson is a Chicago girl.
Rinko Kikuchi in Babel
This is the toughest category in my mind. The little unknown Kikuchi gives a remarkable performance as a deaf mute.
My winner: Rinko KikuchiBest supporting actor:
Alan Arkin in Little Miss Sunshine
Classic grumpy old man performance from the 76-year old but it didn't stand out for me.
Jackie Earle Haley in Little Children
Can't comment
Djimon Hounsou in Blood Diamond
My favourite, although of the actors I saw none jumped out at me. It was a good performance from the ex-model though.
Eddie Murphy in Dreamgirls
No interest but has Oscar winner written all over it.
Mark Wahlberg in The Departed
Surprise choice for Marky Mark. He was good but not that good.
My winner: Djimon HounsouThe Oscars, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres are on Sunday at 7pm Chicago time. Pass me the popcorn. ¶ 01:11
