My Oscar Winner Predictions

Let's cut to the chase...I love the Oscars, but is not what this post is about...it's about who I think will win. And you best believe I research this! In fact, I've seen all the movie nominated for Best Picture.

*Disclaimer* I am not fully aware of what all of these categories entail, but I do my best to research and pick which movie I think the Academy will pick. Also, I am not a member of any press or film affiliated company.

Now, without further adieu, here goes nothing! 

If you would like to see the full list of nominees, please check here.

Best Motion Picture of the Year:

The Artist.

I feel that this is the obvious choice, but frankly, it's who I think the academy will choose. I mean, I would love to see  The Descendants or Hugo win, but I doubt that will happen. The Artist is a great movie, so I won't be upset. :)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role:

George Clooney for The Descendants (2011).

This one is tough. Jean Dujardin seems to be the favorite (he's my second choice haha), but there is a lot of talk about George Clooney. Both men were great in there roles, but I think it's George's time.

Nominees for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role:

Viola Davis for The Help.

This is another tough one, but she does seem to be the favorite (she was great in The Help). Though, I've been hearing good things about Meryl Streep. I think Rooney Mara (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) would also be an excellent choice, but seems to be at the bottom of the list.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role:

Christopher Plummer for Beginners.

Need I say more? To me, he's the obvious and best choice. Though, Jonah Hill winning would be epic.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role:

Octavia Spencer for The Help.

Seems to be the favorite and did a great job in The Help. My second choice, and someone who could steal the win from Ms. Spencer is Jessica Chastain (The Help).

Best Achievement in Directing:

Michel Hazanavicius for The Artist.

Now, Martin Scorsese (Hugo) or Alexander Payne (The Descendants) could also win, but I'm going with the Director who's movie is most likely to win Best Picture. 

Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen:

Midnight in Paris: Woody Allen

Man I loved that movie so much. It's original, fun, happy, sad...it should win. Other contenders are:

The Artist (Michel Hazanavicius) and A Separation (Asghar Farhadi).

 

Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published:

The Descendants: Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon, Jim Rash.

It's a great movie, and I've been reading that it seems to be the favorite for this category. I could also see Moneyball (Steven Zaillian, Aaron Sorkin, Stan Chervin) winning. It's my second choice.

Best Animated Feature Film of the Year:

Puss in Boots: Chris Miller.

I've been reading things that say Rango (Gore Verbinski) could take this one, but listen, I've seen them both, and I'm sticking with Puss in Boots.

Best Foreign Language Film of the Year:

A Separation: Asghar Farhadi (Iran)

Best Achievement in Cinematography:

Hugo: Robert Richardson.

It's visually stunning, so I don't see how it can't win this. 

Best Achievement in Editing:

The Artist: Anne-Sophie Bion, Michel Hazanavicius

Best Achievement in Art Direction:

Hugo: Dante Ferretti, Francesca Lo Schiavo

Best Achievement in Costume Design:

The Artist: Mark Bridges

Honestly, this is tough...I could also see Hugo (Sandy Powell) or Jane Eyre (Michael O'Connor) getting this award as well. Such great costumes in all of these films.

Best Achievement in Makeup:

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2: Nick Dudman, Amanda Knight, Lisa Tomblin. 

It's the last film of the series, the makeup is great...why not? haha. 

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score:

The Artist: Ludovic Bource

It's a silent film, so it better have good music! Haha. 

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song:

The Muppets: Bret McKenzie("Man or Muppet")

Yesssssssssss. Ok, ok, it's a ridiculous song, but there are only two choices, and this is the best one. 

Best Achievement in Sound Mixing:

Hugo: Tom Fleischman, John Midgley

Best Achievement in Sound Editing:

War Horse: Richard Hymns, Gary Rydstrom. 

I could also see Hugo (Philip Stockton, Eugene Gearty) taking this one as well. 

Best Achievement in Visual Effects:

Rise of the Planet of the Apes: Joe Letteri, Dan Lemmon, R. Christopher White, Daniel Barrett

Um, have you seen Caesar (the ape)?! How could this not win?!

Best Documentary, Features:

Undefeated (2011): Daniel Lindsay, T.J. Martin, Rich Middlemas. 

Best Documentary, Short Subjects:

The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom (2011): Lucy Walker, Kira Carstensen

Best Short Film, Animated:

La Luna (2011): Enrico Casarosa

Nominees for Best Short Film, Live Action:

Raju (2011): Max Zähle, Stefan Gieren

Now, let's see how many I get right on Sunday! :D 

Happy 84th Academy Awards everybody!

Goals, Oscars, and Life

Hello friends! Happy Friday!

Let's review my goals for the week and how I'm doing, shall we?

This week I have some goals for myself: 

1. Start a new workout routine (new chapter = new routine)

So far, I've been getting in to a good routine. I kinda strained a muscle in my glute/leg from working out, so I've just been easing myself in with some cardio and stretching. Seems to be helping a little bit.Today, I think I'm going to do some yoga.

2. Apply for more jobs (this includes temp agencies) 

Sigh, I really hate this one, but I've applied to a few temp agencies, so, we'll see what happens! 

3. Make delicious dinners ( I have 2 planned already :) )

Well, Tuesday, we went to Tyler's parents' for dinner since it was his aunt's birthday. Since his mom had left overs, we took them home, and that's what we had to dinner Wednesday. Thursday, we still had leftovers to eat, so I left well enough alone, and just heated those up! Tonight I was going to make lasagna, but I can't for the life of me find our ground sausage. We bought it Monday and put it in the freezer, where it went from there, I have no idea. Sigh. Guess I'm making that rosemary chicken linguine dish I saw in a cook book. I mean, that sounds delicious, but I was really feeling the lasagna. 

4. Become better at creating blog titles (haha, this may take time) 

Well, what do you think? haha...I think it could use some more work. Like I said, this may take some time....

So, I guess I didn't do too poorly on my goals for the week. What do you think? I'll be sure to fill y'all in on how the weekend goes.
This weekend is going to be a pretty relaxing one. We really don't have any plans. What?! All we have to do is decorate and get the apartment more put together, look for jobs, oh yeah, and watch the Oscars on Sunday. :D If you're new to this blog, you do not yet know of my deep Oscar obsession. It's bad. I have no idea why I'm so obsessed with them, but I've been this way since I was a kid. Which reminds me, I need to get my Oscar winner predictions ready to go! Guess I should get to that. Have a blessed day everybody!

Days 15 and 16: One thing off the Bucket List / Inspring people

Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die

via site

Go to the Oscars. Not just the red carpet (like I've done twice now), I want to attend. 





Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you

 There are many people who inspire me, but I'm just use this time to talk about my mom. She inspires me because she was a great student, good wife and mother, has an amazing faith and pretty much supports me in whatever I do. Oh yeah, did I mention she's also had two stroke type things and breast cancer and is still with us today? (Don't worry, she's in the clear :)). Love you mom.

Beth's 2011 Oscar Winner Predictions

As you learned in my Feb. 5th post, I love the Oscars. This is probably because I simply love movies. This is the first year I have posted my thoughts about the Oscars anywhere, so I'm pretty excited. I've seen all but one of the 10 films nominated for best motion picture of the year. Now, just because I love or hate a movie doesn't mean it should win or shouldn't win. When I predict the winners, I put my feelings about the film aside and try to channel what The Academy would do. Yes, this does involve some research. Now, sometimes I think they can be wrong and then go with my gut or I think the person that will win shouldn't. For example, in the category for best supporting actress, Melissa Leo ("The Fighter") is the clear favorite to win; however, I think Hailee Steinfeld ("True Grit") should win. Some call Steinfeld the dark horse of the group, yet a few say she could win. We'll just have to wait and see. I must pick one, but you'll just have to keep reading to see whom I choose. There are also those categories that even after I read about them, I'm still confused as to how they pick a winner. haha. Well, maybe I'll be a member of the Academy someday and then I'll know everything.

So, without further delay, I give you: Beth's 2011 Oscar Predictions! 

Best Motion Picture of the Year: The King's Speech 

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: Colin Firth for The King's Speech 

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: Natalie Portman for Black Swan

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role: Christian Bale for The Fighter

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role: Melissa Leo for The Fighter

Best Achievement in Directing: David Fincher for The Social Network

Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen: The King's Speech

Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published: The Social Network

Best Animated Feature Film of the Year: Toy Story 3

Best Foreign Language Film of the Year: Biutiful

Best Achievement in Cinematography: True Grit

Best Achievement in Editing: The Social Network

Best Achievement in Art Direction: Alice in Wonderland

Best Achievement in Costume Design: The King's Speech

Best Achievement in Makeup: The Wolfman

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score: The King's Speech

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song: Toy Story 3 ("We Belong Together")

Best Achievement in Sound Mixing: Inception

Best Achievement in Sound Editing: Inception

Best Achievement in Visual Effects: Inception

Best Documentary, Features: Restrepo

Best Documentary, Short Subjects: Strangers No More

Best Short Film, Animated: Day & Night

Best Short Film, Live Action: Na Wewe

The 2011 Academy Awards aka the Oscars

   Most of you don't this but, I am OBSESSED with the Oscars. I enjoy most award shows, but the Oscars, well, they're MY show. I've watched them most of my life, but I remember starting to religiously watch them in middle school. I even watch what people call the stupid or boring awards, i.e. filming editing, sound editing, sound mixing, etc.
   My second year in college, I was getting ready to watch the 2008 Oscars when my mom called. She called to tell me that the Dallas ABC affiliate station was having a contest to win bleacher seats on the red carpet for the next Oscars. All you had to do was watch the Oscars on TV and fill out a sheet. I figured that I wouldn't win, but hey, worth a try right? It's simple enough, right? I mean, I watch the Oscars anyway. So I watch the Oscars, fill out the sheet and hit submit. A few months later I receive a call from them...I won the contest! WHAT?! I never had won anything from a contest! I was stoked, yet totally didn't believe the lady. She told me all about it and that I would be receiving stuff from the Academy of Arts and Sciences in the mail. Only me dream! She then had to tell me that the bad news was airfare and hotel was not included. I then told her that it's ok because I went to school about 45 minutes to an hour from Hollywood.
   By November, I had to tell them who was going with me and then we both had to send in information about ourselves, submit to a background check and send two passport size photos. Worth it? Duh! So you all know, I decided to take one of my best friends, Joelle.

   A few months before you get another packet in the mail with a map and information telling you where to go and what time to get there. We had to be there at about 10 or 11 am I think. You check in, they give you your badge, go through security, get provided breakfast and some free stuff! woohoo. You sit there until 3 when the celebrities start arriving, that's when the real action starts! I saw and took pictures of soooo many celebrities! Oh man. I was so happy. :)

Joelle and I at the Red Carpet! Oscars 2009

Where we were sitting. We saw the celebrities and other people get out of their cars and go in to this tent, aka their security. 

After the red carpet portion is done, they move you to the El Capitan Theater to watch the Oscars and get dinner. I was so ecstatic. :)
    Joelle and I loved doing this so much, that we had to find out how to do it again. Later that year, she entered us in to the raffle to see if we could get seats, and sure enough we won! How lucky are we!?
    So, last year for the 2010 Oscars, Joelle, myself, one of our best friends Carrie and Joelle's mom had tickets for the red carpet bleacher seats. Life was good. We had better seats I think. We were right where Mary Hart, Mario Lopez and others would interview people. Once it all got started, Carrie got George Clooney's Autograph!!!! I was so excited for her and jealous at the same time! haha. Oh Carrie. After that was done, like the year before, we headed to the El Capitan to watch the Oscars. :)
   I honestly feel so blessed to have been able to have red carpet bleacher seats twice! I thought once was amazing, but twice?! Wow. Who, besides Joelle, can say they have won seats to the red carpet bleachers twice?! Next goal, getting in to the Oscars. :p

   This year, per tradition, I will watch the Oscars and try and predict who will win. But my predictions are going to be another post for a different time.haha. I am going to have to watch the Oscars a day late or more because I'm in Germany. It's hurts me a little. I've like never had to watch them late. Sigh. Ah well.
   Thus I digress, and will leave you with the nominees for the 83rd Academy Awards:
http://www.imdb.com/features/oscars/2011/nominations
http://www.oscars.org/awards/academyawards/83/nominees.html