The Inevitable Oscar Post

So it is that time of year where the film industry steps back to congratulate itself in the ultimate form. As someone who probably takes films too seriously, I also tend to give major importance to the Oscars as well. At their best, I see the Oscars as an opportunity to recognize the year's greatest artistic achievements in film. At their worst, they can be decided merely because of money spent on campaigns or "entertainment" value. Despite these hopes the show is usually filled with many disappointments. Thankfully, with John Stewart hosting once again, that aspect will keep me amused.

I think that this year I am pretty well prepared. I have seen a majority of the films in the major categories. Unfortunately I have not yet seen In the Valley of Elah, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, or I'm Not There.

Best Picture: Atonement, Juno, Michael Clayton, No Country For Old Men, There Will Be Blood
What will win: As much as the Academy sometimes likes to throw in a surprise, No Country For Old Men seems destined for victory here. It has won too many other awards and has too much buzz up to this point to be denied.
What I want to win: I am really torn with this year's choices. It was a great year for films. I personally would be very happy to see either Juno or There Will Be Blood win. They are both flawless films.

Best Actor: George Clooney, Daniel Day-Lewis, Johnny Depp, Tommy Lee Jones, Viggo Mortensen
Who will win: This is a lock. Daniel Day-Lewis
Who I want to win: All respect to Viggo who gave an amazing performance, but Day-Lewis could be one of the best ever at his craft.

Best Actress: Cate Blanchett, Julie Christie, Marion Cotillard, Laura Linney, Ellen Page
Who will win: I think at this point Julie Christie is a pretty solid lock, but keep on the lookout for a surprise.
Who I want to win: Marion Cotillard was flat out brilliant. I don't know how that performance can be denied. Although I can't say I'd be terribly upset if Christie won as she was amazing. Here's hoping some Academy asshole loses their job for not nominating Angelina Jolie. Her performance in A Mighty Heart was gut-wrenching. She deserved at least a nom.

Best Supporting Actor: Casey Affleck, Javier Bardem, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Hal Holbrook, Tom Wilkinson
Who will win: Again, I think this is another lock. Javier Bardem, like his character, is unstoppable.
Who I want to win: I can't help but be sentimental here. Can anyone honestly say that seeing Hal Holbrook win wouldn't be one of the greatest moments in Oscar history? I'm still digesting his performance from the shamefully under-nominated Into the Wild.

Best Supporting Actress: Cate Blanchett, Ruby Dee, Saoirse Ronan, Amy Ryan, Tilda Swinton
Who will win: This is probably the toughest race to call of the night. I think Amy Ryan will ride enough buzz to the win.
Who I want to win: I didn't see Cate so it is hard to judge, but my favorite performance was Tilda Swinton's.

Best Director: Julian Schnabel, Jason Reitman, Tony Gilroy, Joel and Ethan Coen, Paul Thomas Anderson
Who will win: The Coen Brothers will probably take this as long as their film wins best picture.
Who I want to win: Anderson is one of my favorite directors. So I would be immensely psyched to see him finally win an Oscar for his brilliant work.

Best Animated Film: Persepolis, Ratatouille, Surf's Up
What will win: Ratatouille
What I want to win: Persepolis was fantastic and should have been up for best foreign language film. However, I have no faith in the Academy to pull their heads out of their asses long enough to choose this film to win.

Best Writing Adapted: Atonement, Away From Her, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, No Country For Old Men, There Will Be Blood
Who will win: I think as goes best picture and best director, so goes this category. The Coens will win again.
Who I want to win: I want Anderson to win for TWBB but I would also be happy to see a surprise victory for Sarah Polley and Away From Her.

Best Writing Original: Juno, Lars and the Real Girl, Michael Clayton, Ratatouille, The Savages
Who will win: This race could definitely be interesting. My guess is either with of Diablo Cody of Juno or Tony Gilroy of Michael Clayton.
Who I want to win: I would be very happy if either Cody or Tamara Jenkins of The Savages won.

Best Music: The Academy did its best to screw up both of the music categories this year. I am boycotting the Best Score category because of the lack of a nomination for Jonny Greenwood in There Will Be Blood. His score helped make that film what it was. The Best Song category could be even more ridiculous. 3 nominations for Enchanted? Really?? Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova better win for "Falling Slowly" from Once or something will be thrown at my television.

So those are my picks for the main awards. Please comment if you agree or disagree. And what I love best about the Oscars is that it pushes people to at least go out and watch some of the best films cinema has to offer.

A POP-POP SALUTE TO BLACK HISTORY MONTH

I can't believe Black History Month is almost over and we have not even addressed it here at Pop-Pop! In the words of Stephanie Tanner, "How rude." Well we've still got nine, count 'em, nine glorious days left to celebrate famous blacks in the world of pop culture. And I am going to go ahead and get the ball rolling. Today we are going to celebrate a man who is full of energy and who, at times, has taken comedy to another realm. He has shown both musical, acting and writing chops, making him a triple threat in the world of pop culture. Now as far as being historic, I guess he is not so much, since he's been in the pop culture eye for less than a decade, but that's good enough for me. So in honor of Black History Month here at "Pop-Pop", we honor the one and only, Jack Black.