Miller Time: Picking the real Oscar winners

by Steve Miller | March 5, 2010 | Montana Kaimin

While predicting Oscar winners isn’t an exact science, at this point in the awards season, one can pretty much narrow down the main contenders in each category to a couple, if not a single, nominee(s).

One way to gauge a film’s aptitude for bringing home the gold is to look at how successful it’s been at previous stops in the accolade tour; if it won big at the Golden Globes, the Screen Actors Guild Awards and British Academy of Film and Art Awards, to name a few, it will certainly rake in the statuettes at the Oscars. Also, if a nominated film makes a killing at the box office — like “Titanic” in 1997 and “Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” in 2003 (each took home 11 Oscars) — it’s all the more likely it won’t go home empty-handed.

That said, the Academy hardly ever surprises, but that shouldn’t stop faithful, paying moviegoers from gunning for their favorites, assuming they’re nominated.

Below is a rundown of what I, a somewhat critical patron of the silver screen, believe deserves to win at Sunday’s 82nd annual awards show. Though I’m aware of other Oscar prediction write-ups, I will not let them influence my decision-making; I will be honest and true to myself, and more importantly, to you. To save both time and precious paper space, I will only take a stab at the categories in which I can take an educated guess. Sorry Live Action Short and Foreign Language Film.

Original Score: Michael Giacchino, “Up”
While the music throughout is excellent, it’s hard to beat the three-minute tearjerker montage at the beginning of the film.

Visual Effects: “Avatar”
The 3D makes this a no-brainer, though I applaud “District 9” for doing some amazing things on a significantly smaller budget. More on that later.

Sound Editing/Mixing: “Avatar”
I can’t say such an achievement is why I go to movies, but making Pandora look and sound real is a feat to be commended.

Original Song: “Down in New Orleans,” from “The Princess and the Frog.”
This is the year for the Big Easy, in both football and music. Plus it’s hard to resist the charm of a tune that evokes vintage Disney musicals.

Art Direction: “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus”
I haven’t seen this one, but director Terry Gilliam knows how to make a good head-trip (see “Time Bandits” and “Brazil”).

Cinematography: “Avatar”
Once again, I have to go with the tall Smurfs.

Editing: “District 9”
Balancing documentary with sci-fi thriller isn’t a cakewalk, but first-time director Neill Blomkamp makes it seem so.

Animated Feature Film: “Up”
Pixar certainly has a monopoly on this category, and for good cause.

Costume Design: “Coco Before Chanel”
Why not?

Adapted Screenplay: “In the Loop”
Not since Stanley Kubrik’s “Dr. Strangelove” has going to war been this funny, or frighteningly realistic.

Original Screenplay: “Inglourious Basterds”
Quentin Tarantino won this honor back in 1994 for the modern-day classic “Pulp Fiction.” With his latest film, Tarantino employs the same interweaving storyline technique that made his debut, and this one, so memorable.

Supporting Actress: Mo’Nique in “Precious”
I’ve only seen one of her movies (“Beerfest”), but even then, I knew she was destined for greatness.

Supporting Actor: Christopher Waltz in “Inglourious Basterds”
Not only can he pull off a charming (but no less menacing) Col. Hans Landa so well that it makes the Nazis in Indiana Jones seem like the Osmonds, he does so while speaking four different languages.

Lead Actress: Sandra Bullock in “The Blind Side”
Personally, I thought she should’ve been nominated for “Crash” in 2005, but I would really like to see her win because she’s also up for Worst Actress at this year’s Razzie Awards for her role in “All About Steve.” No actress has ever won both awards, so I’m hoping for history.

Lead Actor: Jeremy Renner in “The Hurt Locker”
After getting snubbed at the Golden Globes, Renner deserves recognition for his gripping portrayal of Sgt. William James, a cocky, yet courageous, bomb squad technician embedded in Iraq.

Director: Kathryn Bigelow for “The Hurt Locker”
Never before has the Iraq War been captured with this level of realism. Bigelow, who’s also “Avatar” director James Cameron’s ex-wife, is bold and unapologetic in her direction of “The Hurt Locker,” giving the film gritty realism, palpable suspense and an undeniable human touch.

Best Picture: “District 9”
This year, with the expansion of the Best Picture category from five to 10 nominees, there’s little room to complain about snubs and wrongful overlooks, except for the inclusion of Sandra Bullock’s “The Blind Side” over more worthy films like “Star Trek” and “The Road.” It’s shameful, but at least the Academy included “District 9,” my favorite flick of 2009.

Though its chances of winning may be slim, or even non-existent, “District 9” is so good, it’s traumatic. It’s a perfect combination of social commentary and brutal action, and stays with the viewer long after they exit the theater. Its effect is so potent, people find themselves driving down North Reserve in a stupor, not realizing where they are until they pass Applebee’s. Or maybe that was just me.

.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

This story has been viewed 352 times.