2010 Academy Award Predictions

Before laying it all out let me just say that this year's biggest categories (mainly director and picture) are really hard to call. This is a year where I'm sure I am right about a number of winners, but there's a couple very important ones where I could very well be flat wrong. While I don't have a lot of smart explanations like many smart people out there (Roger Ebert) for why different movies/people should win, I'll do my best to give a brief reason. Or two. Or maybe not. We'll see.

So, let's start from the bottom, with the stuff that doesn't really matter, shall we?

Best Documentary Features - Restrepo

So while 'Exit Through the Gift Shop' is a fantastic doc as well (that might be fake?), 'Restrepo deserves to win. It is as raw and real as a documentary can get. Two camera men embedded with a platoon in the most dangerous combat zone in Afghanistan makes for one of the most exciting and emotionally real docs you'll probably ever see. Sadly, we all know the 'issue' doc will win ('Waste Land', 'Gas Land', or 'Inside Job') because that's what people care about. So this category is more what-I-want-to-win rather than an accurate 'prediction.'

Best Achievement in Visual Effects - Inception

Since we all know the Academy loves to snub Christopher Nolan, they'll have to settle with awarding arguably the best movie of the year with all the technical awards. But let's face it, it really does deserve it all.

Best Achievement in Sound Editing - Inception

*see above comment*

Best Achievement in Sound Mixing - Inception

Sound Editing and Mixing tend to go very well together, so I'll stick with the above winner as well. Although I really don't claim any knowledge or experience with either categories which means I often am wrong about these two.

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song - "If I Rise", 127 Hours

Since I don't believe '127 Hours' will win very many awards I think the Academy will make up for it by awarding it with this little award. Unless Randy Newman steals it for another 'Toy Story' song that sounds exactly like the other one. And God forbid 'Country Strong' or 'Tangled' gets it.

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score - The Social Network

This is a hard one to call. While my personal favorite is Hans Zimmer's 'Inception' score, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross have been receiving the most praise (and awards) for their Facebook score. It is a good soundtrack, just not as impacting to the movie as Zimmer's was for the dream world. Also, Alexandre Desplat  has very good chance for the highly favored 'The King's Speech.'

Best Achievement in Makeup - Barney's Version

While I don't pretend to know anything about makeup I did hear that they did a really good job at making Paul Giamatti look old. Also, there's no way 'The Wolfman' is getting any more recognition from the Academy. And has anyone else (besides movie nerds like me) heard of 'The Way Back'?

Best Achievement in Costume Design - Alice in Wonderland

As much as this is not my favorite category or movie to win it, Tim Burton's movies never cease to have overwhelming costumes. It did make an obscene amount of money too, so they have to honor it for something. But again, I don't care about this category, so I don't care if I'm wrong.

Best Achievement in Art Direction - The King's Speech

I don't think this is a very contested category, the art direction in 'King's Speech' was quite beautiful and really made a lot of the movie for me.

Best Achievement in Editing - The Social Network

Once the editing category comes up in the ceremony, you know things are getting serious. And while all the movies nominated for this category could win, the incredible handling of the plot and all it's quick dialogue puts 'The Social Network' ahead of the rest.

Best Achievement in Cinematography - True Grit

Again, anyone in this category deserves the nomination and win, but Roger Deakins deserves more than anyone. He's been nominated 9 times and hasn't won yet. His resume also includes movies like 'No Country for Old Men,' 'The Shawshank Redemption,' 'Fargo', and many others. It's about time.

Best Foreign Language Film of the Year - Biutiful

Alejandro Inarritu has directed 'Amores Perros,' '21 Grams,' and 'Babel' so far in his career and he hasn't won yet. It's seems about time. But as always, we know that some obscure Asian or Romanian movie will win for reasons unknown to the general public.

Best Animated Feature Film of the Year - Toy Story 3

Would anyone like to challenge this? I think not.

Best Writing,Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published - The Social Network

Aaron Sorkin's amazing script has been destined to win this ever since the movie premiered. There's no disagreement across all of the interwebs for this one.

Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen - The King's Speech

As much I would like Christopher Nolan to win this category, I don't believe he will. Plus, 'Inception' didn't exactly have the best dialogue or anything like that. It was the concept and action that really made it. Therefore, the favored 'King's Speech' will win.

Best Achievement in Directing - David Fincher

Fincher has made many a popular movie to date and it seems about time that he was honored for his career. Although Tom Hooper could get it, Fincher is my favorite.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role - Hailee Steinfeld

Since Melissa Leo won the golden globe for the same category and Christian Bale will likely win the Oscar for supporting actor and in so doing giving 'The Fighter' something, the likely recipient is Steinfeld. The Academy usually nominates a young actress every year, but they hardly win. I think this year will be the exception since it's Steinfeld's first starring/big role and so that 'True Grit' will win more.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role - Christian Bale

Bale has been building quite the name for himself over the years and it's about time he was fully acknowledged. Plus, his win will give 'The Fighter' something to boast about. Although Geoffrey Rush could easily win for 'King's Speech,' he's already win which sets his chances back.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role - Natalie Portman

The Actress and Actor categories this year have been a lock for a very long time and I don't think anyone disagrees with this prediction.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role - Colin Firth

The only reason Firth didn't win last year is because Jeff Bridges hadn't won yet. So now it's his turn, and he does deserve it.

AND NOW WE COME TO IT: this is a very hard decision.

BEST MOTION PICTURE OF THE YEAR - The Social Network

While 'King's Speech' is favored with more nominations and prior wins at other awards ceremonies, 'The Social Network' is more relevant for the time. 'King's Speech' is really your typical award winner and while it is a great movie all around, 'Social Network's themes and style sets it apart from the other movies this year and will make it come out on top, in MY HUMBLE OPINION. But this could be the category (like director) where I'm dead wrong. We shall see.