Movie history has just been made. First, Kathryn Bigelow won the Academy Award® for Directing and moments later, another Oscar® for Best Film – she was a producer on The Hurt Locker, not just the director. Fellow nominee, James Cameron, was one of the first to stand – leading to a full on standing ovation for his ex.
Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin were solid but not brilliant co-hosts, picking up steam as the ceremonies proceeded. Their onscreen chemistry was good but they had a tendency to dispense their banter shade a shade too quickly.
As per usual, my choices for the awards were not entirely spot on, but in most cases, wins by other nominees could not possibly be considered disappointments. My thoughts follow the jump.
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE:
My Choice: Fantastic Mr. Fox
Winner: Up
The combination of comedy and poignancy made for a brilliant film experience – even without the 3D. Up could have won the Oscar® for the eight-minute biographical montage of Carl Fredricksen and his wife Ellie, but the rest of the film matched the depth of the montage – even if it was more comedic.
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY:
My Choice: Inglourious Basterds, written by Quentin Tarantino
Winner: The Hurt Locker, written by Mark Boal
If ever there was a film that captured the drug-like effect was can have on a soldier, it’s The Hurt Locker. The details of the lives of members of a bomb squad were so filled in that we could practically feel their joys and disappointments ourselves.
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY:
My Choice: Neill Blomkamp & Terri Tatchell- District 9
Winner: Geoffrey Fletcher – Precious
My one disappointment only because I can’t see how this winds up being a film about hope.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR:
My Choice/Winner: Christoph Waltz – Inglourious Basterds
What can I say? Oscar® got it right!
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS:
My Choice/Winner: Mo’Nique – Precious
Again, Oscar® got it right.
BEST ACTOR:
My Choice/Winner: Jeff Bridges
This award is really gonna pull his room together. Well done, Academy!
BEST ACTRESS:
My Choice: Carey Mulligan
Winner: Sandra Bullock
Though The Blind Side got [very] mixed reviews, Bullock’s performance garnered mostly very positive reviews. Her opening quip [Did I earn this or did I just wear you down?] may have been what actually happened, but at least she gave an Oscar®-worthy performance [unlike Kate Winslet, last year].
BEST DIRECTOR:
My Choice: James Cameron
Winner: Kathryn Bigelow
The Hurt Locker’s Kathryn Bigleow would have my second choice – it’s a fine, fine film – so this doesn’t feel like a disappointment. Plus, there’s the whole making of history thing.
BEST PICTURE:
My Choice: Avatar
Winner: The Hurt Locker
See: Director.