Ok, I promise never to baby talk again. But you didn't think I'd not say something about the Oscar nominations, did you?
So, let's go through the big ones. Best Picture will go to The Aviator. Why? Because that's the type of movie the Academy likes to give awards to. Sweeping, romantic, larger than life characters, etc. And in Hollywood, a true success isn't by the awards you win, it's really by how much money you spend in order to get that award. And The Aviator is just that. A big budget movie just waiting to get an award. Plus, Martin Scorsese does deserve awards every now and then. I mean, he is sorta this iconic figure in Hollywood. As is Leo, who apparently is amazing in this film. Unfortunately for Marty, he won't be winning an Oscar for his directing. Or at least not if I have anything to say about it.
I truly hope Alexander Payne gets the Oscar for Sideways. I doubt Sideways will win any awards except for Adapted Screenplay, which it truly deserves. But I am desperately hoping that Alex wins, mostly because he's a genius when it comes to bringing odd combinations together and making it look effortless on screen.
For Leo on the other hand, it's a toss-up between him and Jamie Foxx. Jamie is the IT right now and would gladly walk away with the Oscar, especially since he did an outstanding job as Ray Charles. Not only that, but his acceptance speech will be fun and he's a true entertainer, actor, singer, etc. He's a multi-faceted player in Hollywood's game and he seems to be the genuine article. Then again, Leo finally got nominated for the Oscar after being so overlooked in Titanic (not that he shouldn't have been because he was just a skinny kid playing a part whereas Kate was an actress). Maybe the Academy is planning to shock everyone and give the Oscar to him.
It's about the same with the actresses. Hilary Swank is a darling of award shows. She's a talent and should be awarded. But Annette Bening gave the performance of a lifetime in Being Julia and she is also deserving of the Oscar. Plus, Hilary already has one - from a role not entirely my favorite to be honest. But let's not count out Kate Winslet or Imelda Staunton. Both of whom have a sleeper quality to their nods. Either of them could be walking up to the podium. But if the Academy is predictable, it'll be close between Hilary and Annette. But also congrats to Catalina Moreno on her nod for Maria Full of Grace, which was a beautiful movie and should have had other nods.
Clive Owen and Natalie Portman should undoubtedly walk away with Oscars for their roles in Closer. Clive is by far the favorite in the field and has no other competition. Natalie, on the other hand, is a babe compared to the other noms. The Academy generally doesn't like to give out awards to people who haven't peaked yet and have lots of time to get it right. So, Cate or Laura could receive that Oscar instead. Virginia Madsen is a good nod and well-deserved and a surprise nod for Sophie Okonedo for Hotel Rwanda (which will be the most over-looked movie of the night, I am certain). So, this will be tricky. Again, if the process if predictable, Natalie will win. But the Academy has always been hesitant about giving twenty-somethings the award unless they look like Hilary Swank or Gwyneth Paltrow.
For screenplays, Eternal Sunshine should win for Original (without question) and Sideways should win for Adapted. Nuff said.
The Incredibles, hopefully, will win for Best Animated. But I don't really care about this category, as none of these three films actually impressed me. The Incredibles was just the best of the three, I guess.
The Sea Inside will win the Oscar, only because Javier Bardem and the director whose name I can't remember are phenoms. Javier Bardem is unreal in whatever role he's in and we should pay more attention to him. Not that Gael isn't something to pay attention to, but Javier's got more spice and experience.
For art direction, it's a hard one. The Academy might go for Finding Neverland, but I would want Lemony Snicket to win. The tone of that movie is from the look of the set, not the acting. So, the art direction really drives the film, unlike Finding Neverland which has both great acting and writing.
The Aviator will win Best Cinematography because of reasons stated in my first paragraph about Best Picture: sweeping, blockbuster, etc. None of the other films comes close and has no clout with the Academy.
Costumes should go to Lemony Snicket due to aforementioned logic. The costumes, makeup, art drives the movie.
Super Size Me should win the Oscar for its abrupt and depressing look into American eating habits. McDonalds should be shaking in its boots thanks to this documentary and the Academy would be numb from the head down if it didn't win Best Documentary.
The Aviator will win any remaining categories it's in, including Best Editing and Sound Editing.
John Williams will walk away with yet another Oscar for his fabulous score of Harry Potter, although we could be surprised if Finding Neverland or The Passion is awarded Best Score.
I think Andrew Lloyd Webber will have a golden statue for his original song "Learn to be Lonely". The other songs are either too sappy, perky or in the wrong language.
There you have it. A run-down on who I think should or will win. Two very different categories in many people's opinions. The only problem with the Oscars this year is that I won't be at home to watch them. I'll be in Norway, reading about them two days later like I did when Halle Berry won. So, wonderful family - you will be taping the Oscars for me. I can't not watch Natalie or Clive win their awards. That would be a disgrace to my worship of their performances.