With the 84th annual Academy Awards just a few weeks away, there is a lot of speculation about who will take home the Oscar. This year the competition seems to be more fierce than ever with some new comers going head to head against acting elites, and, for the first time in 83 years, a silent movie has been nominated for Best Picture. Here is a full list of nominations and Oscar predictions.
Best actor
The lead actor race has become one of the most intriguing to watch. George Clooney seemed to be the top choice for his revered performance as a devastated dad with an unfaithful comatose wife in “The Descendents.” That was until “The Artist” star Jean Dujardin pulled off the win at the Screen Actors Guild. Even though this role is considered to be a career best for Clooney, and earned him a Golden Globe, there is still a good chance that the first-time nominee, Dujardin, may come out on top.
Nominees:
Demian Bichir, “A Better Life”
George Clooney, “The Descendants”
Jean Dujardin, “The Artist”
Gary Oldman, “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy”
Brad Pitt, “Moneyball”
Predicted winner: George Clooney
Potential winner: Jean Dujardin
Best actress
This one is another tough call with all the amazing actresses nominated this year. In one corner you have Viola Davis, who is a true Hollywood success story, nominated for her outstanding portrayal as Aibileen Clark in “The Help.” In the other corner is the Academy Queen herself Meryl Streep, who is nominated for a record seventeenth time for her spot-on performance as former British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, in “The Iron Lady.” With Streep winning the Golden Globe, and Davis already taking home the Screen Actors Guild – let’s see which one of these ladies packs the final punch.
Nominees:
Glenn Close, “Albert Nobbs”
Viola Davis, “The Help”
Rooney Mara, “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo”
Meryl Streep, “The Iron Lady”
Michelle Williams, “My Week With Marilyn”
Predicted winner: Meryl Streep
Potential winner: Viola Davis
Best supporting actor
The list of nominees for best supporting actor is filled with a diverse group of men. Jonah Hill, who is best known for his comedic performances, has now proven that he can also be a credible dramatic actor. He snags his first nomination for his role in “Moneyball.” Nick Nolte also proves to be one of the best as a recovering alcoholic pushing his sons to be mixed martial arts fighters in “Warrior.” But the real story in this category is Christopher Plummer for his role in “Beginners.” Plummer has so far won both the Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild for that role and is said to be going into the Academy Awards as the top choice.
Nominations:
Kenneth Branagh, “My Week With Marilyn”
Jonah Hill, “Moneyball”
Nick Nolte, “Warrior”
Christopher Plummer, “Beginners”
Max Von Sydow, “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close”
Predicted winner: Christopher Plummer
Potential winner: Nick Nolte
Best supporting actress
The women nominated in this category are some of the true greats with their comedic genius and dramatic excellence. Melissa McCarthy showed that there is no limit to what funny is with her role in “Bridesmaids.” I am still cringing over the sink scene in the bridal store. Bérénice Bejo for the “The Artist” and Jessica Chastain for “The Help” are two competitors worth mentioning, but this year it is all about Octavia Spencer. Octavia Spencer from “The Help” has single handedly mopped the floor with the competition throughout this award season, taking home the Golden Globe, Critics Choice and Screen Actors Guild. It is safe to say that Octavia Spencer better have her acceptance speech ready.
Nominations:
Bérénice Bejo, “The Artist”
Jessica Chastain, “The Help”
Melissa McCarthy, “Bridesmaids”
Janet McTeer, “Albert Nobbs”
Octavia Spencer, “The Help”
Predicted winner: Octavia Spencer
Potential winner: Melissa Mcarthy
Best picture
This year there are nine movies vying for the prize of Best Picture and all of them are well deserved. Three of the nominees have already made quite an impact throughout this award season. “The Decedents” seems to be the smart choice, and it won the Golden Globe. “The Artist,” a black and white silent film, was not so silent when it took the Critics Choice Award and it was “The Help” that surprised everyone by winning the Screen Actors Guild Award for best cast in a motion Picture. Each of these movies has introduced the importance and amazing work of film making, but only one can take home the Oscar.
Nominations:
“The Artist”
“The Descendants”
“Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close”
“The Help”
“Hugo”
“Midnight in Paris”
“Moneyball”
“The Tree of Life”
“War Horse”
Predicted winner: “The Artist”
Potential winner: “The Descendants” or “The Help”
So, tune in when Billy Crystal hosts the 84th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 26 to see if your favorites take home the Oscar.
