The official student newspaper of University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire since 1923.

The Spectator

The official student newspaper of University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire since 1923.

The Spectator

The official student newspaper of University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire since 1923.

The Spectator

The Spectator’s Oscars 2011 Preview

This Sunday marks the 83rd annual Academy Awards presentations. Movie buffs around the world will give honor to the best movies of 2010. You bet I’ll be one of them! Seriously though, in order of importance: Christmas, Oscars, my birthday.
When the list came out in late January, I was all over it in five seconds. There were a few guilty pleasure movies I was sad to see didn’t make the cut, (“The A-Team”! Liam Neeson and stuff blowing up, come on Academy!) but honestly I can say that the movies making the list have gotten the nods they deserved.

 

Best Supporting Actor

Who I want to win:
Christian Bale
Who will probably win:
Geoffrey Rush. OK, I really liked Rush’s performance in “The King’s Speech.” It was so natural for him, and his comedic timing and honesty really added a nice contrast to Firth’s stoic performance. However, Bale’s performance in “The Fighter” gave me goose bumps. GOOSE BUMPS. It was so out of character for him, which gave me a slight preference for performance. He did it so well, I often times forgot it was Bale. I like to get lost in characters, not just watch them.

Best Supporting Actress

Who I want to win:
Hailee Steinfeld
Who will probably win:
Hailee Steinfeld. She probably should have been nominated for ALR (actress in a leading role), but that’s Natalie Portman’s Oscar. Regardless, Steinfeld did a wonderful job in “True Grit” where she was a little scene stealer. Plus, never having a major role before makes her performance stand out further.

Story continues below advertisement

Best Actor

Who I want to win:
Colin Firth
Who will probably win:
Colin Firth. Let us be real for a moment … to play a royal figure seems to automatically get you a nod (Helen Mirren in “The Queen,” anyone?). To play an underdog overcoming adversity means the nod becomes a furious shaking “YES.” Both of those pretty much guarantees you a win. Firth made us laugh, made us cry and made us believe in his internal struggles to be a great king. And the 10 bazillion awards he’s won for this film so far will look great next to this Oscar!

Best Actress

Who I want to win:
Natalie Portman.
Who will probably win:
Natalie Portman. If she doesn’t win for her role in “Black Swan,” then my hope in life’s wonderfulness will die. This is HER role and HER Oscar. She worked for it, she owned that performance and … she just has to get it, okay?

Best Director

Who I want to win:
Darren Aronofsky
Who will probably win:
This a tough one. I’m leaning towards Darren Aronofsky, but I think Hooper and the Coen brothers have a good shot. I based my decision for Best Director on who presented a film as a piece of art. I think Aronofsky has the leg up because he indeed made a piece of art with “Black Swan.” Its quality was beautiful and if you read all of the work he put into it artistically and emotionally, he definitely deserves this. The meticulous nature yet flawless communication of artistic vision is what makes a director the best.

Best Picture

Who I want to win:
“The King’s Speech”
Who will probably win:
“The King’s Speech.” Alright, haters gonna hate me for not following the buzz of “The Social Network.” Yes, it was a interesting movie, but it just didn’t stand alone without the name Facebook behind it. An all-around good movie will make you laugh, cry and feel deep emotions all in one sitting. It will have quality performances from all actors and actresses, a good soundtrack and good cinematography … and “The King’s Speech” has all of that. Just because you have good buzz going doesn’t mean you’ll win it all (coughcoughAVATARcoughcough).

Leave a Comment
More to Discover

Comments (0)

The Spectator intends for this area to be used to foster healthy, thought-provoking discussion. Comments are expected to adhere to our standards and to be respectful and constructive. As such, we do not permit the use of profanity, foul language, personal attacks or the use of language that might be interpreted as libelous. The Spectator does not allow anonymous comments and requires a valid email address. The email address will not be displayed but will be used to confirm your comments.
All The Spectator Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Activate Search
The Spectator’s Oscars 2011 Preview