the Dalaverse

My favorite fake season is upon us: Awards Season! The Oscar nominees were announced this morning and the Drunk Oscars Golden Globes are on this Sunday (I think?). I still have quite a few movies to go before February 24th, but that doesn't stop me from having Opinions already. Under the cut, a list of the nominees with the movies I've seen and my immediate thoughts.


Best Picture:
"Amour"
"Argo"
"Beasts Of The Southern Wild"
"Django Unchained"
"Les Miserables"
"Life Of Pi"
"Lincoln"
"Silver Linings Playbook"
"Zero Dark Thirty"

I'm pleasantly surprised to see "Life of Pi" make it; it's a beautiful movie, but I figured it would be overlooked outside of the effects categories. Disappointed at no "Skyfall." C'mon, Academy, it had Judi Dench in it, you love old British people! Out of the four I've seen, I'm torn between "Django" and "Beasts," which was an extraordinary little movie. "Lincoln" will probably take it, though I'm hearing lots of buzz about "Amour," so that's the dark horse. Oh, and: Suck it, Nolan. You could maybe make a case for TDK (despite my many Nolan-issues) as a way to break the genre barrier, but no way does TDKR belong here.

Lead Actor:
Bradley Cooper, "Silver Linings Playbook"
Daniel Day-Lewis, "Lincoln"
Hugh Jackman, "Les Miserables"
Joaquin Phoenix, "The Master
Denzel Washington, "Flight"

Denzel Washington for "Flight," really? I mean I kinda wanted to see it and I'm sure he's great in it because he's Denzel, but it wasn't exactly a water cooler movie. Also, I've had an irrational dislike of Bradley Cooper for awhile now and I find it hard to see him as a Serious Actor, but maybe "Silver Linings" will change my mind. I'd have loved to see John Hawkes in here (haven't seen "The Sessions" yet, but he's one of my favorite actors), and Jamie Foxx deserved a spot, but I'll have more to say on that later. It doesn't matter, anyway; Daniel Day-Lewis is a lock.

Lead Actress:
Jessica Chastain, "Zero Dark Thirty"
Jennifer Lawrence, "Silver Linings Playbook"
Emmanuelle Riva, "Amour"
Quvenzhané Wallis, "Beasts Of The Southern Wild"
Naomi Watts, "The Impossible"

Rolling my eyes at "The Impossible" even though Naomi Watts is a solid actress. I think Wallis might get it as the one unconventional win this year. While I understand people's objections to nominating such a young actress in this category, it does sometimes come off as very self-congratulatory on Hollywood's part where all I hear is Jon Lovitz going "ACTing!" She was wonderful in the movie and I read somewhere that she actually contributed to the script, which is hella impressive. But I love Jessica Chastain and Jennifer Lawrence, so I'll probably be pulling for one of them. This is the acting field that's most open, IMO.

Supporting Actor:
Alan Arkin, "Argo"
Robert De Niro, "Silver Linings Playbook"
Philip Seymour Hoffman, "The Master
Tommy Lee Jones, "Lincoln"
Christoph Waltz, "Django Unchained"

So here's where we talk about how, even though Christoph Waltz was undeniably excellent in "Django," I am not the least bit surprised by how the acting noms shook out: his was the only safe performance in the film. I'm sure the Academy did not understand Samuel L. Jackson's role at all, and Leo was scaaaary. The "Leo's Fruitless Quest for an Oscar" meme lives on. I think this might be the Older Actor's Respected Comeback category this year, which gives it to Robert De Niro (Tommy Lee Jones is out because DDL overshadows him; Arkin got his for "Litte Miss Sunshine").

Supporting Actress:
Amy Adams, "The Master
Sally Field, "Lincoln"
Anne Hathaway, "Les Misérables"
Helen Hunt, "The Sessions"
Jacki Weaver, "Silver Linings Playbook"

Anne's got this in the bag; her only real challenge is Sally Field because of Oscar history, but it's not a strong challenge. She deserves every one of the accolades, too (my review of Les Mis is forthcoming)

Director:
Michael Haneke, "Amour"
Benh Zeitlin, "Beasts Of The Southern Wild"
Ang Lee, "Life Of Pi"
Steven Spielberg, "Lincoln"
David O. Russell, "Silver Linings Playbook"

I don't think they'll give Spielberg director and picture both; they might split those two between "Amour" and "Lincoln". Or possibly they might go with the talented newcomer, Zeitlin. Neither Russell nor Lee have a realistic shot, unless "Silver Linings" gets way more awards than I think it will. Bit surprised not to see Affleck here.

Adapted Screenplay:
Chris Terrio, "Argo"
Lucy Alibar and Benh Zeitlin, "Beasts Of The Southern Wild"
David Magee, "Life Of Pi"
Tony Kushner, "Lincoln"
David O. Russell, "Silver Linings Playbook"

If "Beasts" doesn't win anything else, they might give it this one. I think it will be David O. Russell or Tony Kushner, though.

Original Screenplay:
Michael Haneke, "Amour"
Quentin Tarantino, "Django Unchained"
John Gatins, "Flight"
Wes Anderson and Roman Coppola, "Moonrise Kingdom"
Mark Boal, "Zero Dark Thirty"

Aww, nice to see "Moonrise Kingdom" in there -- I haven't seen it yet but I know it was well-loved. I dunno about this one other than I don't think they'll let Tarantino up on stage. Maybe this'll be "Zero Dark Thirty"'s bone?

Animated Film:
"Brave"
"Frankenweenie"
"ParaNorman"
"The Pirates! Band Of Misfits"
"Wreck-It Ralph"

Now I loved "Brave," but if it wins, it'll be because Pixar. It's a pretty strong category this year, although "Frankenweenie" didn't completely gel for me. Outside chance to "Wreck-It Ralph" which has great word-of-mouth.

Cinematography:
Seamus McGarvey, "Anna Karenina"
Robert Richardson, "Django Unchained"
Claudio Miranda, "Life Of Pi"
Janusz Kaminski, "Lincoln"
Roger Deakins, "Skyfall"

I would love to see Miranda take it because "Life of Pi" was a stunningly beautiful film, but I'd be okay with Richardson or Deakins. I think Kaminksi will take add it to the "Lincoln" pile, though.

Score:
Dario Marianelli, "Anna Karenina"
Alexandre Desplat, "Argo"
Mychael Danna, "Life Of Pi"
John Williams, "Lincoln"
Thomas Newman, "Skyfall"

For the ones I've seen, the score didn't stand out that well, so I'm torn between Dario Marianelli (because his score for "Atonement" is masterful) and John Williams (because he's John freaking Williams).

Song:
"Before My Time" From "Chasing Ice"
(Music and Lyrics: J. Ralph)
"Everybody Needs A Best Friend" From "Ted"
(Music: Walter Murphy; Lyrics: Seth Macfarlane)
"Pi's Lullaby" From "Life Of Pi"
(Music: Mychael Danna; Lyrics: Bombay Jayashri)
"Skyfall" From "Skyfall"
(Music and Lyrics: Adele Adkins and Paul Epworth)
"Suddenly" From "Les Misérables"
(Music: Claude-Michel Schönberg; Lyrics: Herbert Kretzmer and Alain Boublil)

LOL at the Mcfarlane nod. What the hell is "Chasing Ice"? Even though "Suddenly" was blatant Oscar-bait, I think "Skyfall" will (and should) win. I could finally listen to Adele again!


Okay, so not all the categories, but I've run out of steam. Looking forward to Oscar night, as always. I hate "Family Guy," but was charmed against my will by McFarlane's hosting turn on SNL. What can I say, he's handsome and he has a lovely singing voice. I also think he'll play by the rules (no Ricky Gervais moments). I'm much more excited to see Tina and Amy, though.