2012 Academy Award Nomination Predictions

In a perfect world of nominations (in my opinion at least) these would be my choices for who should get nominated this year at the Oscars…

Best Picture

1.) The Artist

2.) The Descendants

3.) The Help

4.) Moneyball

5.) Hugo

6.) Bridesmaids

7.) War Horse

8.) Midnight In Paris

9.) Drive

10.) Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows, Part 2

Since the rules have changed, there’s no knowing exactly how many films will be nominated for this category (just that the possible nomination count will be between 5 and 10). So in order, I’ve placed the movies I’d like to see nominated for the big one of the night…

Best Director

Michael Hazanavicius – The Artist

Alexander Payne – The Descendants

Nicolas Winding Refn – Drive

Martin Scorsese – Hugo

Steven Spielberg – War Horse

The Artist is bound to receive plenty of nominations throughout, so no surprise to see Hazanavicius nominated here. Alexander Payne is another shoe in, along with Scorsese (who won the Golden Globe). Spielberg seems like a good fit, and I’d love nothing more than to see a worthy nomination for Refn with Drive.

Best Actor

George Clooney – The Descendants

Jean Dujardin – The Artist

Michael Fassbender – Shame

Ryan Gosling – Drive

Brad Pitt – Moneyball

Clooney has already won every major acting award this season so far, and Dujardin is second to Clooney this season as well. Fassbender and Pitt are great supports in this category. But the fifth slot I’d love to see for Gosling in Drive.

Best Actress

Viola Davis – The Help

Meryl Streep – The Iron Lady

Tilda Swinton – We Need To Talk About Kevin

Kristen Wiig – Bridesmaids

Michelle Williams – My Week With Marilyn

Viola Davis was snubbed of a win at the Golden Globes (even though I do love Streep). These 2 can be certain that they’ll be battling it out again for the Oscars (although I’m pulling for Davis to win). Williams has already won rave reviews and the Golden Globe for her work as Marilyn Monroe, and Swinton has been earning lots of attention for her little seen film. But a surprise nomination that I hope sneaks in there is Wiig for her hilarious role in Bridesmaids. After seeing this movie time and time again, she deserves some big time recognition for her work.

Best Supporting Actor

Kenneth Branagh – My Week With Marilyn

Albert Brooks – Drive

Jonah Hill – Moneyball

Christopher Plummer – Beginners

Andy Serkis – Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Branagh, Brooks, and Hill are the same bunch who are getting nominated in this category this season. But expect a shoe-in with Plummer to receive both the nomination and the win. The dark horse I’d love to see recognized in this group would be Serkis for his impressive work in Rise of the Planet of the Apes.

Best Supporting Actress

Bérénice Bejo – The Artist

Jessica Chastain – The Help

Melissa McCarthy – Bridesmaids

Octavia Spencer – The Help

Shailene Woodley – The Descendants

Bejo and Chastain are sure to earn nominations. But expect Spencer to sweep up both the nomination and the win in this category. Woodley deserves recognition for her impressive work in The Descendants, but I’m pulling even more for a nomination for McCarthy. Along with Wiig, she was one of the driving forces behind the humor in Bridesmaids.

Best Animated Feature

The Adventures of Tin-Tin

Kung Fu Panda 2

Puss In Boots

Rango

Rio

With all of the wins they’ve been getting so far, expect to see nominations for Tin-Tin and Rango. But let’s not forget about Puss in Boots who has been right there along with the other nominations. Kung Fu Panda 2 and Rio feel like good fits as well if this category gets 5 nominations this year.

SMASH REVIEW: A "Smash" Indeed!

Its tough trying to find originality these days, especially when it comes to music, movies, and television. Even with a “fresh, original” show like Glee, it still is inspired by musical numbers, covers of famous songs, and typical high school storylines. While they are influenced by works that have come before, the show still offers their own sense of originality that makes it lovely to watch every week. So you can imagine my surprise when I first heard that NBC picked up a little show called Smash, said to be in the same caliber with Glee, in that it’s a musical show that revolves around a musical show. For me, I had to wonder where the originality was in that. But after seeing the pilot episode three times in one week (yes, it’s my new obsession), I think I have the answer. Smash is an entertaining concept, the cast is talented, and the music is phenomenal!

The idea behind Smash (so I’ve picked up so far) is that every season, we’ll get to go behind the scenes of how a musical is created and brought to life on the stage. As far as the originality goes, it sounds like a concept that has been done before. But there’s something so wonderful and refreshing about it that makes it all work for the better. Sure, like I mentioned before, the ideas that have obviously been inspired by Glee are noticeable. First there’s the obvious one word title. But even Katharine McPhee acknowledged what kind of stamina Glee has had on television. “’We're just actually really grateful that Glee has opened the door,’ she said. ‘And has made music work on television’” (MTV News). What I’ve also been excited about is how executive producer Steven Spielberg described his idea for creating the show. If I’m not mistaken, every season will go behind the scenes of creating a new Broadway musical. If there’s enough interest in the show they create, they’ll look into actually producing it on Broadway in real life. Who knows if they’re still thinking that way, but the idea is intriguing.

Can you imagine how many people are going to be submitting their own stories, ideas, and original music to the show? That opens up a partnership with up and coming writers, possibly even a contest (like the Glee open auditions) to get your work on television. Think about the revenue that comes with music downloads, Emmy and Grammy awards, merchandise sales for the Smash show, not to mention if the musical they create on television becomes a Broadway production. Then we start to have ticket sales, national tours, cast recordings, Tony and Grammy awards, and let us not forget the tradition of turning Broadway shows into films. Then we get into even more ticket sales, more intrigue since the film version will attract big celebrity names, more Grammy awards and even Academy Awards. And while all of this takes place, Smash will still be on TV creating another new musical every season to start the process all over again! Debra Messing’s character Julia said it best when reading about a stage revival of My Fair Lady. “Doesn’t anyone write original musicals anymore?” Oh the possibilities…

Let’s get into the talent that comes with just one cast. First up is the return of the delightful Debra Messing. I loved her on Will & Grace for 8 seasons, adored her in The Starter Wife, and it’s great to see her back in full form entertaining us all. Then we have a powerhouse icon like Anjelica Huston, who’s impressive career adds yet another strong character in her already large list of women she’s portrayed.

Then we’re given two beams of light with Megan Hilty and Katharine McPhee (or as the promos suggest, INTRODUCING Megan Hilty and Katharine McPhee). Megan Hilty is almost like Broadway royalty. She’s been seen already in  Wicked as the delicious Glinda the good witch, and let us not forget her starring role in 9 to 5 the musical as Doralee Rhodes (the role made famous by Dolly Parton in the film version). Katharine McPhee is most known as the girl with the beautiful voice who SHOULD HAVE won American Idol, but mistakably was shut out by the horrible winner Taylor Hicks. She’s tried the acting thing with The House Bunny (one of my favorites by the way) and a music career (putting her beautiful voice with an impressive and experimental backdrop of pop, rock, soul, R&B, and Hip-Hop). Then comes the other supporting cast members. We have the seductive director Jack Davenport, the gay writing partner who can hold his own Christian Borle, and the gorgeous and perfect boyfriend Razza Jeffrey. Together, this makes one hell of a cast. Beauty, talent, and perfection in one show, I didn’t think it was possible.

And now we get to my favorite part about this show…THE MUSIC! Can we first mention the irony of Katharine McPhee opening the show with “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”? (For those who don’t remember, it was one of the standout performances she did on American Idol).

Smash has brought along the award-winning writing duo Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (yes, the geniuses behind Hairspray the musical) to bring the intriguing Marilyn Monroe musical to life!

Within the pilot episode alone, we’re given the beautiful and refreshing ballad “Never Give All The Heart”, the cute and upbeat baseball dance number “The National Pastime”, and then we end with the inspiring, heart-clenching powerhouse that is “Let Me Be Your Star”. Megan Hilty and Katharine McPhee bring their A-game with every number.

Hilty has shown a little more range over McPhee though in the pilot. She sings “Never Give All The Heart” with gusto, then plays it down Monroe-style when they record it as a demo (whispers, high notes, and all).

Then she plays up the flirty and seductive innuendos with the breathtaking baseball number “The National Pastime” (taking it back to the glory days of musicals and the terrific dance numbers).

Then comes McPhee and her subtle beauty behind her cover of Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful”.

As mentioned before, the show ends on several high notes (literally) with the duet “Let Me Be Your Star”. I couldn’t help but get emotional within the last three minutes of the episode. The build-up, the voices, the typical “walking out of a building onto the streets of New York singing” shots, and the different kinds of beauty and power that come from both talented women, it all just takes my breath away again and again!

All in all, it’s a solid win for NBC and everyone behind this genius show. I urge everyone to give this show a chance. It’s light-hearted, it’s intriguing, it’s certainly entertaining, and if you’re not hooked by the promos alone, just wait until those last three minutes of the episode like I mentioned earlier. Let’s celebrate the days of classic dance numbers, stories that create drama, music that tugs at our heart strings, and an ensemble that is worthy of every award possible. Not to mention that we owe it to a network like NBC (that deserves a lot more credit than they are given) to make Smash a SMASH!!!

GLEE REVIEW: YES YES YES!

It’s about time that Glee came back from a break with an episode that isn’t such a stinker!

The Good

Marriage is what brings us together…

I don’t think they talked about getting married enough times in this episode! From Emma’s adorable “Wedding Bell Blues” wedding proposal to Will, to the “We Found Love” synchronized swimming routine to Emma, even to the shocking Finchel proposal, there certainly was a lot of wedding fever going around.

Summer loving is in the air!

I just loved the Grease tribute (taking it back to my parents’ alma mater, Venice High even to make it real and authentic). Let’s not forget about the beautiful version “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” and the precious first impression moments. There was a lot of loving to spare, and it’s hard to imagine that it wasn’t the Valentine’s Day episode yet.

Queen Becky

How hilarious was it to have Becky’s inner monologue spoken by Dame Helen Mirren?!! It’s always endearing to have Becky with a main storyline in the episode. Because after all it means that we’ll see a softer side from Sue too!

Oh the music!

I’ve never really been a fan of Glee covering current songs on the radio (case in point: anything by ADELE). But I have to say that “Moves Like Jagger” and “We Found Love” sounded amazing! I’m so happy that Glee is getting their groove back where the music is concerned.

SHOUT OUT!

 To ma girl Nene who did tha damn thang as the new synchronized swim coach!

The Bad

Season Finale time already?

Nothing was too bad. Except for the fact that it felt like a season finale, which made me upset. The reality of characters leaving the show and graduating is hitting closer to home.

What to Look Forward To

Another tribute episode!!! Madonna ruled the first season, and Britney ALMOST came close in the second. Here’s to hoping that with someone as iconic and important as Michael Jackson, they took the time to carefully tie in the songs with the characters and story (a la Madonna, na la Britney).

2012 Golden Globe Winner Predictions (Best Television Show and Motion Picture, Musical, Comedy, or Drama)

Best Television Show – Musical of Comedy

Enlightened

Episodes

Glee

Modern Family

New Girl

WHO SHOULD WIN: New Girl. It’s smart, light-hearted, and absolutely hilarious!

WHO WILL WIN: Modern Family. But I am pulling for a Golden Globe win for Modern Family finally!

Best Television Show – Drama

American Horror Story

Boardwalk Empire

Boss

Game of Thrones

Homeland

WHO SHOULD WIN: American Horror Story. This phenomenal new show (and addiction of mine) deserves some big time recognition for a superb first season!

WHO WILL WIN: Homeland. One of the most buzzed about shows this season should be going home with this big award tonight.

 

Best Motion Picture – Musical of Comedy

50/50

The Artist

Bridesmaids

Midnight in Paris

My Week With Marilyn

WHO SHOULD WIN: Bridesmaids. No other film on this list can match the amount of humor packed into this genius ensemble film!

WHO WILL WIN: The Artist. But people are gaga-googoo over The Artist and it’s quiet performances. So I can expect this one to take the big prize home!

Best Motion Picture – Drama

The Descendants

The Help

Hugo

The Ides of March

Moneyball

War Horse

WHO SHOULD WIN: The Help. With a strong ensemble, and a wonderful adaptation of a terrific book, this film deserves every amount of recognition that they can!

WHO WILL WIN: The Descendants. I have a feeling that the Clooney love is going to spill over in this category. And I am perfectly ok with that decision too.

2012 Golden Globe Winner Predictions (Motion Picture Supporting Actor, and Best Actor for Drama, Musical, or Comedy)

Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture

Kenneth Branagh – My Week with Marilyn

Albert Brooks – Drive

Jonah Hill – Moneyball

Viggo Mortensen – A Dangerous Method

Christopher Plummer – Beginners

WHO SHOULD WIN: Christopher Plummer for Beginners. There’s no denying just how much I love Drive, so secretly I want a win for Drive (seeing as how the film wasn’t nominated for Best Motion Picture, Best Director, or Best Actor). But it’s clear that Plummer went above and beyond and deserves this award compared to the rest of the gang here.

WHO WILL WIN: Christopher Plummer for Beginners. ‘Nuff said!

Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy

Jean Dujardin – The Artist

Brendan Gleeson – The Guard

Joseph Gordon-Levitt – 50/50

Ryan Gosling – Crazy, Stupid, Love

Owen Wilson – Midnight in Paris

WHO SHOULD WIN: Ryan Gosling for Crazy, Stupid, Love. How can you not root for the man of the year? (and without a doubt, the standout of Crazy, Stupid, Love) It was all about Gosling this year!

WHO WILL WIN: Jean Dujardin for The Artist. Seeing as how Dujardin doesn’t stand a chance when pinned up next to George Clooney, I’m expecting him to finally get some recognition on his own.

Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama

George Clooney – The Descendants

Leonardo DiCaprio – J. Edgar

Michael Fassbender – Shame

Ryan Gosling – The Ides of March

Brad Pitt – Moneyball

WHO SHOULD WIN: Michael Fassbender for Shame. Fassbender was raw, honest, and delivered such a strong performance. I can’t see any other actor doing what he did in Shame.

WHO WILL WIN: George Clooney for The Descendants. But people love Clooney (as do I), so I expect him to win once again.