Oscar should belong to "The King's Speech" -- should.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

There's such a great contrast in this year's Oscar contenders. You have well established actors battling young up and comers and films duking it out for Best Picture that include a king, a canyoneer, an underdog boxer and a boy wonder who created a little thing called "Facebook".

Plus, this year's broadcast will be hosted by James Franco, who is nominated for his role in "127 Hours", and Anne Hathaway. With a fare share of younger actors nominated in key categories, this year's Oscars is sure to be more energetic than in years past

Unlike the Golden Globes, I'm going to include what I believe will win. No double dipping this time. So sit back, relax and welcome to the Oscars.

Colin Firth in "The King's Speech".

Best Picture

Black Swan

The Fighter

Inception

The Kids' are All Right

The King's Speech

127 Hours

The Social Network

Toy Story 3

True Grit

Winter's Bone

While I love most of the films on this list, especially "127 Hours", it's hard to go against "The King's Speech." It's an awesome period piece that features amazing performances from Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter.

Actor in a Leading Role

Javier Bardem,

Jeff Bridges, True Grit

Jesse Eisenberg, The Social Network

Colin Firth, The King's Speech

James Franco, 127 Hours

Again, like Best Picture, I have to stick with "The King's Speech". Firth's turn as King George VI is as heartbreaking as it is amazing. Firth has always been considered a great talent, but has always been one step behind Oscar. This year the two will finally meet.

Actor in a Supporting Role

Christian Bale, The Fighter

John Hawkes , Winter's Bone

Jeremy Renner, The Town

Mark Ruffalo, The Kid's are All Right

Geoffrey Rush, The King's Speech

This is as close to a sure thing you'll ever see. While I am on board with three of the nominations, Bale is clearly heads above the rest. His closest competition would be Rush, but Bale's transformation as the drug-addled brother in "The Fighter" is stunning.

Actress in a Leading Role

Annette Bening, The Kid's are All Right

Nicole Kidman, Rabbit Hole

Jennifer Lawrence, Winter's Bone

Natalie Portman, Black Swan

Michelle Williams, Blue Valentine

All eyes are on Portman's performance in "Black Swan", don't be surprised to see Williams sneak in and steal the award. In all likelihood Portman will take home the award, but Williams gave the best performance during this award season. It's not an easy watch, but if you haven't seen "Blue Valentine" you need to check it out.

Actress in a Supporting Role

Amy Adams, The Fighter

Helena Bonham Carter, The King's Speech

Melissa Leo, The Fighter

Hailee Steinfeld, True Grit

Jacki Weaver, Animal Kingdom

This might be the most wide open category. Everyone is talking about veterans Carter and Leo vying for the golden statuette, but look for youngster Steinfeld to take home Oscar. After rewatching all the films, I was most taken back by her performance -- and in her first role in a feature film. Nothing short of amazing.

Best Animated Film

How to Train Your Dragon

The Illusionist

Toy Story 3

Since the Academy went back to 10 nominated films, this category has left little excitement. "Toy Story 3" will easily walk away with the award. Not only is it the best film of the three, it received a Best Picture nod, so if it doesn't win I call shenanigans.

Directing

Darren Aronofsky, Black Swan

David O. Russell, The Fighter

Tom Hooper, The King's Speech

David Fincher, The Social Network

Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, True Grit

My pick would go with Christopher Nolan for "Inception". The Academy didn't nominate him AGAIN the year. Well, if it's not Nolan, my money's on Tom Hooper for "The King's Speech". Period pieces bios are always a challenge, but Hooper pulls it off with ease.

Music (Original Score)

John Powell, How To Train Your Dragon

Hans Zimmer, Inception

Alexandre Desplat, The King's Speech

A.R. Rahman, 127 Hours

Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, The Social Network

What happened at the Golden Globes will not (it better not) happen again. I own the "127 Hours" soundtrack and love it, but Zimmer's score for "Inception" is the crème de la crème. I think the love affair with "The Social Network" is beginning to wane, so it should be smooth sailing for Zimmer.

Music (Original Song)

Coming Home, Country Strong

I See the Light, Tangled

If I Rise, 127 Hours

We Belong Together, Toy Story 3

The only two song that should even be considered in this category are "I See the Light" from "Tangled" and "If I Rise" from "127 Hours", but I'm going with "Light". I thought it was a travesity the film was excluded from the Best Animated Film category and this song is amazing. It's a very cute film and what can I say -- I'm a sucker for a princess.

Adapted Screenplay

Danny Boyle, Simon Beaufoy, 127 Hours

Aaron Sorkin, The Social Network

Michael Arndt (screenplay), story by John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton and Lee Unkrich, Toy Story 3

Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, True Grit

Debra Granik and Anne Rosellini, Winter's Bone

I will be pulling for "127 Hours", but since he's essentially swept everything else, I fully expect Sorkin to walk away with the award. "The Social Network" is a good film, but I think others are more deserving.

Original Screenplay

Mike Leigh, Another Year

Scott Silver, Paul Tamasy and Eric Johnson (Screenplay), story by Keith Dorrington, Paul Tamasy and Eric Johnon, The Fighter

Christopher Nolan, Inception

Lisa Cholodenko and Stuart Blumberg, The Kids are All Right

David Seidler, The King's Speech

This is another instance of going with head over heart. While I love "Inception" and would love to see Nolan walk away with the award, I think the Academy will go with "The King's Speech". I could actually see the award going to any film nominated in this category. It's filled with winners.

There it is. My official Oscar predictions are slated, on the record and now we can see how far I'm off. Good luck to all those nominated. And I'd keep an eye on Franco during the telecast. The actor is just unpredictable enough to ensure it will be a good time.