Oscar pics

I’m one these idiots that likes to handicap the Oscars. I've gotten pretty good with them through the years so I figured I'd share my predictions with you. I also like to bore the shit out of people with my nonsense.

Here are my predictions:

Best Picture

THE AVIATOR (Miramax)
FINDING NEVERLAND (Miramax)
MILLION DOLLAR BABY (Warner Bros.)
RAY (Universal Pictures)
SIDEWAYS (Fox Searchlight)

I’ll say its going to The Aviator. Those old farts at the Academy who vote, like Ernest Borgnine (or whomever), like big biographical epics like Ben Hur. It also doesn’t hurt that you have a big name director behind the helm. This is a safe vehicle and they won’t snub this Scorcese film like they did with Gangs of New York.

Achievement in Directing

Martin Scorsese for THE AVIATOR (Miramax)
Clint Eastwood for MILLION DOLLAR BABY (Warner Bros.)
Taylor Hackford for RAY (Universal Pictures)
Alexander Payne for SIDEWAYS (Fox Searchlight)
Mike Leigh for VERA DRAKE (Fine Line Features)

I’ll say that this is also going to Martin Scorcese. They’ve ignored him for some time and being that he hasn’t done a controversial film that doesn’t involve violence or crucifixions, it’s a safe bet he’s getting this baby. Clint Eastwood has a few and the Academy won’t bother giving him another. The other nominees are irrelevant.

Best Actor in a Leading Role

Don Cheadle for HOTEL RWANDA (United Artists)
Johnny Depp for FINDING NEVERLAND (Miramax)
Leonardo DiCaprio for THE AVIATOR (Miramax)
Clint Eastwood for MILLION DOLLAR BABY (Warner Bros.)
Jamie Foxx for RAY (Universal Pictures)

This is going to be a toss up between Don Cheadle and Johnny Depp. There’s no way Leonardo DiCaprio is going to get the Oscar. Last time, wasn’t he all pissed off and refused to attend the ceremonies since he wasn’t nominated? Jamie Foxx has no chance.

In the end, I’ll say Johnny Depp since the Academy likes him and he has a big enough body of work behind him that they may feel he’s earned it about now. Besides, they like good looking, big name stars presenting for next year.

Best Supporting Actor

Alan Alda for THE AVIATOR (Miramax)
Thomas Haden Church for SIDEWAYS (Fox Searchlight)
Jamie Foxx for COLLATERAL (Dreamworks SKG)
Morgan Freeman for MILLION DOLLAR BABY (Warner Bros.)
Clive Owen for CLOSER (Columbia Pictures)

Clive Owen is out of the picture. So is Jamie Foxx. C'mon, this guy who used to dress in drag on In Living Color, remember? The same show where J'Lo was a flygirl! Alan Alda? What were they thinking? Who was he again on MASH? Radar? Whatever.

In the end I’ll say either Thomas Hayden Church (since Paul Giammatti was snubbed) or an Academy favorite, Morgan Freeman whose good in any film he stars in.

Best Actress in a Leading Role

Annette Bening - BEING JULIA (Sony Pictures Classics)
Catalina Sandino Moreno - MARIA FULL OF GRACE (Fine Line Features)
Imelda Staunton - VERA DRAKE (Fine Line Features)
Hilary Swank for MILLION DOLLAR BABY (Warner Bros.)
Kate Winslet for ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND (Focus Features)

Watching these for the past several years, I’ve noticed that underdogs tend to win best actress. That’s why Imelda Staunton is gonna win. They like that image of watching some lady with some dress she bought with whatever savings she had go on stage. Next year she’ll wear Vera Wang.

Best Supporting Actress

Cate Blanchett for THE AVIATOR (Miramax)
Laura Linney - KINSEY (Fox Searchlight Pictures)
Virginia Madsen for SIDEWAYS (Fox Searchlight)
Sophie Okonedo - HOTEL RWANDA (United Artists)
Natalie Portman for CLOSER (Columbia Pictures)

Cate Blanchett. Any moron can see that. They like an actress whose dignified to win these awards not some nobodies.

Best Animated Feature Film

THE INCREDIBLES (Disney/Pixar)
SHARK TALE (Dreamworks SKG)
SHREK 2 (Dreamworks SKG)

Incredibles. Disney. End of story.

Disagree? Feel free to comment.