With The Academy Awards ceremony last night, my Oscar predictions were busted. While I was rooting for Hugo the whole time (and for a while things were looking good for Scorsese and the gang), I’m very happy for The Artist and all those involved with our new Best Picture winner.
Anyway, let’s do a quick wrap-up on where my predictions went wrong:
While Viola Davis had all the hype in the running for Best Actress, it was finally Meryl Streep’s time to shine again. It had nearly been 30 years since her win, as lead actress in Sophie’s Choice. With 13 Oscar nominations between then and now, the win is well overdue.
Hugo took both sound categories. Looking back, that feels like the obvious choice. I’d like to say my eyes were too engrossed to let my ears realize the Oscar quality.
Film editing went to The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, which seemed to surprise everyone, including the recipients.
For both Director and Picture, I went against the hype and with my heart on Scorsese and his film, Hugo. That was also a way to play it safe, for 6 years now Director and Picture have gone to the same film, and I was not expecting the Academy to really pick a foreign and independent film. Nonetheless, I’m happy to see Michel Hazanavicius win Best Director and The Artist win Best Picture.
But wait, not only has a black and white, silent film from France just won Best Picture, but this is the first time since 1986 that The Academy Awards have agreed with The Independent Spirit Awards. Indie films have been making headway for years, especially in the past decade at the Oscars. Perhaps a change in the wind is coming in Hollywood. I look forward to seeing what surprises lie ahead.
The Best Picture Project 
I FOUND THE WHOLE THING “BORING”…….
I should have had more faith in Hugo. That movie cost me big time on my predictions. I certainly didn’t think it would win visual effects or either of the sound categories. Cinematography I should have seen mind you.And the category I did guess Hugo for, score, is of course one that it didn’t win.
I too thought Hugo might get something in the major awards, considering it had a number of technical awards early on – but not to be. I think this years Oscars have been the most predictable that I can remember….
“The Tree of Life” absolutely deserved cinematography. It’s one of the most gorgeous films I’ve ever seen, forget about this year. Glad “Rango” won animated feature though – it’s fantastic. And “The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morriss Lessmore” is wonderful. If you haven’t seen it it’s up on youtube in it’s entirety right now and I believe free on itunes as well: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Adzywe9xeIU
Thank you for sharing that link, fantastic!