Hey Kids - Funtime Oscar Picks 2011!

It's that time of year again - the Oscars are Sunday so I've got to make my annual predictions. If you've followed this blog in previous years you'll know I'm no expert - I usually do okay with the major categories, but come up short in my picks for the smaller awards. Still here's what I got: 1. BEST PICTURE: THE SOCIAL NETWORK Yes, many are saying THE KING'S SPEECH will win this, having won many previous awards, and boasting the most nominations, but I am so feeling the Facebook film to go home with the gold. 2. BEST DIRECTOR: David Fincher for THE SOCIAL NETWORK. Yep, likewise. 3. BEST ACTOR: Colin Firth for THE KING'S SPEECH. I'd prefer James Franco for 127 HOURS but Firth seems like a shoe-in for his stammer-perfect part as George VI. 4. BEST ACTRESS:

Natalie Portman for BLACK SWAN. Seeing the young Portman again recently at a revival screening of THE PROFESSIONAL (1994) reminded me how far she's come - I expect this to confirm that. 5. BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR:

Christian Bale for THE FIGHTER. None of the other actors nominated have that unhinged intensity that Bale brought to his role as a boxer gone to seed - or crack. 6. BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Hailee Steinfeld for TRUE GRIT. Seems about time for such a young actress to win this - also seems time because Steinfeld was so good holding her own up to Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, and Josh Brolin in this instant Western classic. And the rest: 7. ART DIRECTION: ALICE IN WONDERLAND 8. CINEMATOGRAPHY: Roger Deakins for TRUE GRIT 9. COSTUME DESIGN: ALICE IN WONDERLAND 10. DOCUMENTARY FEATURE: EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP. Go Banksy! 11. DOCUMENTARY SHORT: KILLING IN THE NAME 12. FILM EDITING: THE SOCIAL NETWORK 13. MAKEUP: THE WOLFMAN (Rick Baker, Dave Elsey) 14. VISUAL EFFECTS: INCEPTION 15. ORIGINAL SCORE: Alexander Desplat for THE KING'S SPEECH 16. ORIGINAL SONG: "If I Rise" (A. R. Rahman, Dido) from 127 HOURS 17. ANIMATED SHORT: THE GRUFFALO 18. LIVE ACTION SHORT: THE CONFESSION 19. SOUND EDITING: INCEPTION 20. SOUND MIXING: INCEPTION 21. ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: THE KING'S SPEECH 22. ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: THE SOCIAL NETWORK 23. ANIMATED FEATURE FILM: TOY STORY 3 24. BEST FOREIGN FILM: INCEDIES We'll see how many I get wrong on Sunday night. More later...