Hey everyone, I’ll stick with you throughout the show to keep the categories updated, once winners are announced, I’ll erase the rest of the nominees. Here we go!
BEST PICTURE
The Artist
No surprise here, it wins Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Director, the tri-fecta that everyone assumed it would win due to the critical reception it received.
BEST DIRECTOR
Michel Hazanavicius — The Artist
Of course. I love his OSS films with Dujardin, but I don’t know if he was the best this year. But hey, this means The Artist will win it all, statistically.
BEST ACTOR
Jean Dujardin — The Artist
Not a huge surprise, although I believe Clooney deserved it. However, The Artist is beloved by old Hollywood wannabes that make up the Academy, so there’s no doubt, Hugo love or not, we have our Best Picture winner as well.
BEST ACTRESS
Meryl Streep — The Iron Lady
A great performance in a mediocre film. Since My Week With Marilyn was a much better film, I thought Michelle Williams had it, especially since she did great as an icon of old Hollywood, which they’re in love with.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Christopher Plummer — Beginners
The Tropic Thunder rule applies here, but I haven’t seen Beginners still, so I can’t really say. I will say that I think Nolte really deserved it. But hey, Plummer’s old and alive so I suppose that’s why they gave it to him anyway.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Octavia Spencer — The Help
Not really a big surprise, she was excellent. I wasn’t sure what the Academy thought of the film, but they’re loving it from the words of everyone in the pre-show.
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Midnight in Paris — Woody Allen
I find it hilarious that Woody hates Hollywood (the people) and the Academy so much that he refuses to even live in the same country as them, let alone to show up for the multitude of awards they give him. Figured he would get it, and he did.
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
The Descendants — Alexander Payne and Nat Faxon & Jim Rash
Even more shocking than Bret McKenzie‘s win, as the guy from Beerfest (Nat Faxon) and the dean from Community (Jim Rash) are certified Oscar winners. I love it. Great screenplay, well deserved.
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
Rango
It’s an original animated film, and adults liked it. Win win, as that Paul Giamatti movie goes.
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
A Separation
We hate Iran, therefore we must praise their artists. Just kidding, haven’t seen the film, but it looks like a really harsh drama, and I just don’t hate my life enough to watch a bunch of those.
BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
Undefeated
Now I gotta see this film, as there were some really good documentaries against it gotta see how good it really is.
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Hugo
Well, Richardson is one of the best in the game, so kudos to him. Still haven’t seen Hugo but the photography looked great, no qualm here.
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
The Artist
Well, it had to carry the entire film, so it definitely worked harder than any other score, not sure if it was better.
BEST ORIGINAL SONG
“Man or Muppet” from The Muppets
Holy crap, Bret McKenzie (from Flight of the Concords) is an Oscar winner. Kudos.
BEST EDITING
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Haven’t seen it, but Fincher’s films typically have very tight editing.
BEST ART DIRECTION
Hugo
Looks like it’s very full of intricate visuals, probably well deserved.
BEST COSTUME DESIGN
The Artist
They did nail the period, that’s for sure.
BEST MAKEUP
The Iron Lady
This is one I whole-heartedly agree with. Brilliant age make-up.
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
Hugo
Again, haven’t seen it, but it looks like it has some great visual f/x. Like everything else it won for.
BEST SOUND MIXING
Hugo
Now it’s just sweeping everything.
BEST SOUND EDITING
Hugo
Yeah, yeah, they’re technically brilliant. Marty only hires the best.
BEST ANIMATED SHORT
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore
Hey look, another award no one cares about, no matter how cool the animation. People just hate short films.
BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT
The Shore
Father/daughter team wins big using their friends and family. Go them.
BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT
Saving Face
I’m sure it’s good, but I don’t ever want to see it.