The Oscar Predictions Special Edition

Today, I have decided to write up my personal predictions for The Academy Awards and forego my review for Act of Valor. I will briefly sum that movie up to give you some closure. The film is ambitious and remarkable for what it is, but in a cinematic sense, fails to give the true pathos to make the ending worth it. Take it or leave it. C+.

Here we go. (But not every category, Just the main ones.)

Best Original Screenplay: Midnight in Paris Woody Allen's tale of a writer's adventure through time is inspiring and emotionally invested. More creative than any other nominee.

Best Adapted Screenplay: Hugo The adaptation of the book is a truly magical look into the art of film preservation and french orphans. Given that the top prize is all but reserved, this is Hugo's best shot.

Best Visual Effects: Rise of the Planet of the Apes Given the truly criminal snubbing of Andy Serkis as Caesar, the motion capture magic of this film is all but gauranteed to take home the prize.

Best Director: Michael Hazanavicius for The Artist Not since Chaplin has a director more masterfully put on a silent film.

Best Supporting Actor: It's really anyone's race but the experts are saying Christopher Plummer for Beginners

Best Supporting Actress: In a world where comedy ruled, Melissa McCarthy would be victorious, but in a year with Octavia Spencer from The Help nominated, this is a closed race.

Best Actor: There are 3 other well deserving nominees, and the fact that Gary Oldman got his long deserved nomination after so many years, but the most moving performance this year is from George Clooney for The Descendants.

Best Actress: Rooney Mara is the most deserving, and Viola Davis is the Cinderella story who may come from behind, but unfortunately this will most likely go to Meryl Streep for The Iron Lady. P'tooey. Seriously. Just take your award and retire.

And Now Best Picture:

This was the first year that I have seen every film prior to the big night. This is all but closed. The Artist is going to walk away with the award, and well deservedly so. The film is so magical and enlightening that it brings about the renaissannce of cinema in the mind of critics. It awakens the imaginative spirit in a way that no other nominee does. That is not to say the other films don't have an immense amount of cinematic pixie dust, but let's all be honest. How many of you can say that you watched The Tree of Life without getting a headache? The nominations themselves are all tokens of appreciation, and rightfully earned by all nominees. But there is no doubt that The Artist will rise to victory.

Now.....anyone care to gamble?