Best Picture - The Artist
This is practically the antithesis of a Best Picture winner. If it wins, it will be the shortest winner of this award [by 20 minutes] in the past two decades, the second silent film to ever win and the first film to win the top prize without funding from the USA or UK. However, it took out the Critics Choice Award, the most accurate barometer for the Best Picture winner there has ever been and I don’t believe that any of the other nominees have strong enough cases for a win. Everybody just loves The Artist!
Best Actor - Jean Dujardin, The Artist
If it had been any other year, George Clooney would likely have been a surefire winner. However, after taking out the SAG Award, Dujardin looks set to take home the statuette, and rightly so.
Best Actress - Viola Davis, The Help
So close and yet so far, Meryl. I think if The Iron Lady had received a more positive and uniform response then she would be taking home this award. As she took out the SAG as well my money is on Viola.
Best Supporting Actor - Christopher Plummer, Beginners
He’s won virtually every other award at this point and he seems like a lock to take out the big prize.
Best Supporting Actress - Octavia Spencer, The Help
Ditto. Though I wish Jessica Chastain had received a little more recognition for… well, every movie she was in last year. However, her time will definitely come.
Best Director - Martin Scorsese, Hugo
While a lot of people are betting on Michel Hazanavicius, after winning the DGA I think it will be Scorsese. Hugo was fantastic and I think the Academy will be making up for lost time after he only got the big prize in 2007.
Best Adapted Screenplay - The Descendants
Best Original Screenplay - Midnight in Paris
Best Animated Feature Film - Rango
Best Cinematography - The Tree of Life
Best Film Editing - The Artist
Best Music (Original Score) - The Artist
Best Music (Original Song) - “Man or Muppet”, The Muppets
Best Sound Mixing - Hugo
Best Sound Editing - Hugo
Best Art Direction - Hugo
Best Visual Effects - Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Best Costumes - Hugo
Best Makeup - The Iron Lady