Oscar Predictions and Thoughts

Of course, these are my predictions to win, not what or who I wish would win.



Best Picture: Argo

Best Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis, Lincoln

Best Actress: Jennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook

Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz, Django Unchained

Best Supporting Actress: Anne Hathaway, Les Misérables

Best Director: Michael Haneke, Amour

Best Adapted Screenplay: Tony Kushner, Lincoln

Best Original Screenplay: Mark Boal, Zero Dark Thirty

Best Animated Film: ParaNorman

Best Foreign Film: Amour

Best Cinematography: Roger Deakins, Skyfall

Best Film Editing: William Goldenberg, Argo

Best Production Design: Lincoln

Best Costume Design: Jacqueline Durran, Anna Karenina

Best Makeup and Hairstyling: Peter Swords King, Rick Findlater, and Tami Lane, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Best Documentary: How to Survive a Plague

Best Documentary (Short Subject): Mondays at Racine

Best Original Score: Alexandre Desplat, Argo

Best Original Song: "Skyfall", Skyfall

Best Animated Short Film: Paperman

Best Live Action Short Film: Buzkashi Boys

Best Sound Editing: Zero Dark Thirty

Best Sound Mixing: Argo

Best Visual Effects: Prometheus



Oh boy, this year is truly exciting since it can go anywhere. Look at Best Picture: Everybody was saying Zero Dark Thirty but the controversy lead to the switch to the easy choice Lincoln, only to have Argo lead the race with wins elsewhere and even without the beloved Best Director nomination for Ben Affleck. Of the nominees, I do want Argo to win and stick it to the losers who voted against Affleck.

The Best Actress race hurts me, since both Jessica Chastain and Jennifer Lawrence are two of my favorite actors working today. Between the two, I thought Lawrence's performance was far better and will coincide with Hathaway's eventual win to showcase the new, young wave of Hollywood actresses (even though Chastain is only 35).

Since Argo is expected to win, the Best Director race is a bit inconclusive to decide. I'm picking Haneke as the winner. Zeitlin is too young and relatively unknown, Spielberg and Lee already have wins for better films, and I believe Russell will be skipped over for the Austrian provocateur.

Best Animated Film is between Brave, ParaNorman, and Wreck-It Ralph. Despite winning at the Globes, I don't think Pixar will win this year, given the polarizing opinion of the film.

Remember When Actual Pop Songs Were Nominated and Would Win Best Original Song? Part 3: Obviously, "Skyfall" will finally break the streak and be the first Billboard charting single to win the award in quite awhile.


See you on Monday with reactions to the awards.