Best Picture

Jeremy Renner, The Hurt Locker, directed by Kathryn Bigelow

AVATAR—Didn’t see it. Heard the special effects are good. No particular desire to really see it either.

THE BLIND SIDE—This film was okay. I understand why it’s a crowd pleaser: people love feel good sports stories where a person overcomes personal setbacks and ends up having great success.

DISTRICT 9—A sci-fi film with a strong message about humanity made on a shoestring budget. This film is so powerful and brilliant. It is provocative, haunting, and makes you think long after you’ve left the theater.

AN EDUCATION—Though quite pretty to look at, I just couldn’t relate to the story of the precocious high school student gallivanting about with a guy in his 30s. I’ve loved every film that Nick Hornby has written but most are from his own novels. Perhaps that made the difference here. Read my review.

***THE HURT LOCKER—Using documentary-style guerrilla techniques, this film is intense. My heart was pounding during the opening scene and I remained on the edge of my seat through the entire film. Read my review. Should win.

INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS—I adore all of QT’s films and this one has to be one of his absolute best. Who can’t appreciate this type of revenge/ turn about fantasy for WWII? And in typical QT fashion, the dialogue is crisp and clever, the action non-stop and the cast of characters divinely flawed and devious. Truly a superb ensemble cast.

PRECIOUS—Heartbreaking story. Just a tough go. Quite well done.

A SERIOUS MAN—Going to try to watch this tonight.

UP—Wait a minute! Up is in both the Best Picture category and the Best Animated Picture category? Is that fair? Didn’t see the film but plan to.

UP IN THE AIR— A poignant and offbeat film that captures this recession and the downtrodden workers who get laid off every day from jobs they’ve been at for years and years. Clooney and Farmiga have a fantastic synergy too.

Actor in a Leading Role
Jeff Bridges [Crazy Heart]

George Clooney [Up in the Air]

***Colin Firth [A Single Man]— Firth shows range and becomes totally immerse in the character. He shows everlasting, appealing, unconditional love and also deep grief and that’s not easy to do on screen.

Morgan Freeman [Invictus]

Jeremy Renner [The Hurt Locker]

Actor in a Supporting Role
Matt Damon [Invictus]

Woody Harrelson [The Messenger]

Christopher Plummer [The Last Station]

Stanley Tucci [The Lovely Bones]

***Christoph Waltz [Inglourious Basterds]— Such a deviously evil character.

Actress in a Leading Role

Meryl Streep, Stanley Tucci in Julie & Julia

Sandra Bullock [The Blind side]—Mediocre film. Usually I cry and am completely moved by based-on-true-story films. Not so here. I think a la Julia Roberts, if you do a dye your hair blonde, talk loud, and do a based-on-true-story blockbuster, you win win win.

Helen Mirren [The Last Station]– Mirren is wonderful in this little-seen film and there-in lies the problem, little scene.

Carey Mulligan [An Education]– Many male critics went ga-ga over Mulligan. Hmm. Wonder why? Because she played a high school girl [uniform and all] who had an affair with a 30-something ladies’ man. Me? Not particularly memorable.

Gabourey Sidibe [Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire]– Major break out role in this devastating film.

***Meryl Streep [Julie & Julia]– This film was super popular and Streep was the reason. In a seemingly effortless performance, Streep is spot-on as Childs. My review.

Costume Design

Audrey Tautou in Coco Avant Chanel

BRIGHT STAR Janet Patterson—the costumes certainly fit the period but I don’t know how much they advanced the film. This should be nominated for Best Pic. My review.

***COCO BEFORE CHANEL Catherine Leterrier—I adored this film so much I didn’t want it to end. The fashion certainly drives the film about this successful pioneering fashion icon. Audrey Tautou morphs into Coco. Read my review.

THE IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS Monique Prudhomme—missed it

NINE Colleen Atwood—missed it

THE YOUNG VICTORIA Sandy Powell—costume of the utmost importance in establishing Victoria [Emily Blunt] and those around her. lavish and colorful.

Directing
AVATAR– James Cameron

***THE HURT LOCKER–Kathryn Bigelow—should/will win

INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS–Quentin Tarantino—love QT

PRECIOUS– Lee Daniels—isn’t this his first picture? Great job for that.

UP IN THE AIR–Jason Reitman—liked the film quite a bit.

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
District 9– Written by Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell

An Education–Screenplay by Nick Hornby

***In the Loop– Screenplay by Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell, Armando Iannucci, Tony Roche—read my review for this clever, hysterical send-up of Washington and London before the Iraq War.

Precious– Screenplay by Geoffrey Fletcher

Up in the Air– Screenplay by Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner

Writing (Original Screenplay)
The Hurt Locker– Written by Mark Boal—the strength of The Hurt Locker is in the acting and direction, not really its script as there’s little dialogue.

***Inglourious Basterds–Written by Quentin Tarantino—chock full with dialogue and with its over-the-top WWII fantasy-themed script, I think that QT wins this one.

The Messenger– Written by Alessandro Camon & Oren Moverman

A Serious Man– Written by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen

Up– Screenplay by Bob Peterson, Pete Docter, Story by Pete Docter, Bob Peterson, Tom McCarthy