Oscars 2011 or: Am I the only one who watches the Oscars?

[dsheinem]

I realize that the Oscars aren't the end-all be-all source of whether or not a film has merit, and I know that there are plenty of folks who think their nominations are misplaced or scoff at the films that win...

But ever since I can remember I tune into the Oscars every year and find myself generally agreeing with the films they picked and the awards that get handed out. Whatever criteria they use to select films must be akin to my own. A few years ago, I started making it a point to try and see every film nominated for best picture before the awards aired, although once they switched to 10 films, this became much more difficult!

In any case, I am curious what you think of the nominees in the major categories, who you think will win, who was left out, etc. I have included my own thoughts (and links to a few of my reviews) below, and will update as I try to watch these last few films today.

Best Picture:
127 Hours (4/5)
Black Swan (4/5)
The Fighter (4.5/5)
Inception (4/5)
The Kids are all Right (watching soon, but not before the awards)
The King's Speech (4/5)
The Social Network (4/5)
Toy Story 3 (4.5/5)
True Grit (4.5/5) - Personal Pick
Winters' Bone (4/5)

Thoughts: A lot of good movies, few great ones. I am a huge Coens fan, and in my book even a slightly less than perfect outing (for them) is still better than the rest of these "only good" films. Toy Story 3 is a close second choice, followed by a tie between The Social Network, Black Swan, and Winter's Bone. Not sure the other five deserve to be here.

EDIT: The Fighter does deserve the nomination- excellent film, and probably my new pick for third best on the list...

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Javier Bardem for Biutiful (2010) (haven't seen)
Jeff Bridges for True Grit (2010)
Jesse Eisenberg for The Social Network (2010)
Colin Firth for The King's Speech (2010) - Personal Pick
James Franco for 127 Hours (2010)

Thoughts: These are all excellent and obvious picks by the Academy, but Firth is just so much better than other things I have seen him in and does a stellar job with a difficult role. Eisenberg would be my next choice.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Annette Bening for The Kids Are All Right (2010) (seeing soon, but not before the awards)
Nicole Kidman for Rabbit Hole (2010) (haven't seen)
Jennifer Lawrence for Winter's Bone (2010)
Natalie Portman for Black Swan (2010) - Personal Pick
Michelle Williams for Blue Valentine (2010) (haven't seen)


Thoughts: I'd be perfectly happy with this going to Lawrence, but Portman's role is the definition of a "tour-de-force". I'll be shocked if she ever tops it. I'll get to the other two films in time.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (will decide later today)
Christian Bale for The Fighter (2010) - Personal Pick
John Hawkes for Winter's Bone (2010)
Jeremy Renner for The Town (2010)
Mark Ruffalo for The Kids Are All Right (2010)
Geoffrey Rush for The King's Speech (2010)

Thoughts: I am leaning towards Rush, but have heard Bale is (surprisingly) stellar. I'll pick soon...
EDIT: Bale is amazing. He should get this.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role (will decide later today)
Amy Adams for The Fighter (2010)
Helena Bonham Carter for The King's Speech (2010)
Melissa Leo for The Fighter (2010) - Personal Pick
Hailee Steinfeld for True Grit (2010)
Jacki Weaver for Animal Kingdom (2010)

Thoughts: None of these really impressed me. Here's hoping Adams really does something to set her apart. Weak class this year.
EDIT: Adams was ok, but Leo was the standout. She gets the pick in what I still consider to be a weak year for this category.

Best Achievement in Directing
Darren Aronofsky for Black Swan (2010) - Personal Pick
Ethan Coen, Joel Coen for True Grit (2010)
David Fincher for The Social Network (2010)
Tom Hooper for The King's Speech (2010)
David O. Russell for The Fighter (2010)

Unless The Fighter really surprises me, Aronofsky gets the slight edge over Fincher and the Coens for me. Hooper shouldn't be in the conversation.
EDIT: The Fighter is excellent, but not really due to the directing. I'm sticking with Aronofsky.

[gtmtnbiker]

Not me. I don't watch any of that award crap (e.g, Oscars, Golden Globes, Grammy, etc).

[dsheinem]

Not me. I don't watch any of that award crap (e.g, Oscars, Golden Globes, Grammy, etc).

I don't watch the others, as I don't care about TV awards and music awards for shows and albums I don't give a shit about. That's usually what those other award shows showcase (though sometimes there are a few Grammy highlights I check out the following day). With the Oscars, though, I tend to have interest in a lot of the films nominated and so I am more compelled to watch...

[ZeroAX]

Oscars 2011 or: Am I the only one who watches the Oscars?

Yes

[Shabba]

I might take a glance the next morning at who won what, but I'm a huge hater of hollywood. Sure, I enjoy going to and watching movies, but when these people open their mouths and think they are somehow qualified to comment on anything and everything, i tend to be turned off. And awards? Please....patting themselves on the back for what they perceive as fine acting is obnoxious mostly. I agree there is a little bit of entertainment value there...I tuned into to watch ricky gervais last month because he is who he is, but outside of that, no thanks.

[ZeroAX]

I might take a glance the next morning at who won what, but I'm a huge hater of hollywood. Sure, I enjoy going to and watching movies, but when these people open their mouths and think they are somehow qualified to comment on anything and everything, i tend to be turned off. And awards? Please....patting themselves on the back for what they perceive as fine acting is obnoxious mostly. I agree there is a little bit of entertainment value there...I tuned into to watch ricky gervais last month because he is who he is, but outside of that, no thanks.

If only the allowed more insults like in this year's golden globes

[Erik_Twice]

I gain nothing by watching it so I don't =D

[J T]

I like the Oscars. I think it's good to have a high profile award that awards artistry over sales. Granted it's not perfect and a lot of great movies go unnoticed every year, but I like the general spirit of what the Oscars are about.

I'm pulling for a big sweep this year with Black Swan. Darren Aronofsky and company exhibited brilliant filmmaking technique and the acting was pitch perfect. The movie led you through so many emotions and really gave you the sense of how an artist, in this case a dancer, can really put herself through the ringer to achieve the kind of personal growth that will inform a brilliant performance. I will be very upset if Natalie Portman doesn't win best actress this year.

I'm also pulling for James Franco to win best actor for 127 Hours. I didn't want to see this movie because I didn't think a movie about a guy getting trapped by a rock and having to cut his arm off could fill a feature-length film and be at all enjoyable. I was extremely surprised at how powerful the movie was though and realized that it was more about overcoming overwhelming odds, staring death in the face, and deciding not to give up on life itself. James Franco was stunning and I felt like I was right down there with him. Great film.

[Jrecee]

Looking forward to seeing the green goblin 2.0 and catwoman host.

I usually watch, it has its slow parts (acceptance speeches for best documentary and short film. . . ungh) but it's usually pretty funny.

[dsheinem]

I saw The Fighter finally, but won't be seeing The Kids Are Alright before the Awards. Picks updated accordingly.