Oscar ratings up 14 percent, highest since 2005
Oscar co-hosts Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin shake hands as the cast and crew of best picture winner “The Hurt Locker” celebrate at the finale of Sunday night’s Academy Awards. (Associated Press photo)
An estimated 41.3 million people saw the war drama “The Hurt Locker” top the mega-blockbuster “Avatar” for best picture in the most-watched Academy Awards telecast since 2005, according to the Associated Press.
Oscar viewership was up 14 percent over last year, the Nielsen Co. said Monday, keeping with a trend of bigger audiences for major events on broadcast television. Last month’s Super Bowl set the mark for most-watched telecast ever.
That means for viewers saw Kathryn Bigelow become the first woman to win an Oscar for best director. The Oscars built to a big climax when Bigelow’s Iraqi war thriller “The Hurt Locker” topped the sci-fi epic “Avatar,” directed by her ex-husband James Cameron, for best picture.
The Academy Awards’ TV audience was up from the 36.3 million who saw “Slumdog Millionaire” win best picture last year and 32 million — Oscar’s smallest audience on record — in 2008, the AP reports. The Oscars had just more than 42 million watch in 2005, when “Million Dollar Baby” was the big winner.
The Oscar ratings continue a trend of bigger audiences for awards shows in recent months, according to the AP. The Golden Globes were up 14 percent over the year before, and the performance-heavy Grammys up 36 percent, Nielsen said. The Emmys, the Tonys and the Miss America pageant all saw higher ratings.
Analysts say fewer chances for Americans to gather in front of the television set for communal events may help make these events more popular. With a poor economy, more people are staying home, too.
The Internet may also help draw viewers; experts say many people are online while the shows are on, and they comment about them to friends on Twitter, Facebook and blogs.
Thanks to all the readers who followed along with my live-blog of the Oscars Sunday night!
- BAM
2010 Oscar winners list: “The Hurt Locker” wins 6
“The Hurt Locker”
“The Hurt Locker” won six of the nine Oscars for which it was nominated Sunday night at the 82nd Academy Awards. Among its Oscars were best picture and best director for Kathryn Bigelow, who became the first female filmmaker to win the directing Oscar.
James Cameron’s sci-fi epic “Avatar,” which is the highest-grossing film in history, also was nominated for nine Oscars and won three, all technical awards.
In the acting categories, Jeff Bridges won with his fifth nomination, taking home best actor for playing a washed-up country singer in “Crazy Heart.” Sandra Bullock became the first performer ever to win an Oscar (for portraying a spine-steeled mama bear in the football drama “The Blind Side”) and a Razzie (for playing an obsessive crossword puzzle writer in “All About Steve”) in the same year.
First-time Oscar nominees Mo’Nique and Christoph Waltz won the supporting trophies for their respective turns as a brutally abusive mother in “Precious” and a nasty but oh-so polite Nazi in “Inglourious Basterds.”
Here is a complete list of Oscar winners:
List of winners at the 82nd annual Academy Awards:
— Motion Picture: “The Hurt Locker.”
— Actor: Jeff Bridges, “Crazy Heart.”
— Actress: Sandra Bullock, “The Blind Side.”
— Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz, “Inglourious Basterds.”
— Supporting Actress: Mo’Nique, “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire.”
— Director: Kathryn Bigelow, “The Hurt Locker.”
— Foreign Film: “El Secreto de Sus Ojos,” Argentina.
— Adapted Screenplay: Geoffrey Fletcher, “Precious: Based on the Novel `Push’ by Sapphire.”
— Original Screenplay: Mark Boal, “The Hurt Locker.”
— Animated Feature Film: “Up.”
— Art Direction: “Avatar.”
— Cinematography: “Avatar.”
— Sound Mixing: “The Hurt Locker.”
— Sound Editing: “The Hurt Locker.”
— Original Score: “Up,” Michael Giacchino.
— Original Song: “The Weary Kind (Theme From Crazy Heart)” from “Crazy Heart,” Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett.
— Costume: “The Young Victoria.”
— Documentary Feature: “The Cove.”
— Documentary (short subject): “Music by Prudence.”
— Film Editing: “The Hurt Locker.”
— Makeup: “Star Trek.”
— Animated Short Film: “Logorama.”
— Live Action Short Film: “The New Tenants.”
— Visual Effects: “Avatar.”
-BAM
Photo gallery 3: Oscars 2010
From left, presenter Tom Hanks shakes hands with actor Guy Pearce and director Kathryn Bigelow of “The Hurt Locker,” which won best picture at Sunday’s Academy Awards. (Associated Press photos)
The 82nd Academy Awards were handed out Sunday night at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles and aired live on ABC.
The Iraq War drama “The Hurt Locker” won six Oscars, including best picture and best director for Kathryn Bigelow. Bigelow became the first female filmmaker to win the best director Oscar.
Here are some memorable images from the Oscars, all from the Associated Press:
From left, actors Jon Cryer, Anthony Michael Hall, Molly Ringwald, Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy, Macaulay Culkin, and Matthew Broderick pay tribute to the late director John Hughes during the Oscars.
Country music star couple Faith Hill and Tim McGraw arrive at the Oscars. McGraw co-starred in “The Blind Side,” nominated for best picture.
“Twilight” stars Taylor Lautner and Kristen Stewart appear onstage during the show.
Pete Docter, director of Disney/Pixar’s “Up,” accepts the award for best animated feature.
George Clooney, best actor nominee for “Up in the Air,” and his girlfriend Elisabetta Canalis arrive.
See more photos after the break.
Photo gallery 1: Oscars 2010
Neil Patrick Harris performs the opening number of the 82nd Academy Awards Sunday. (Associated Press photos)
The 82nd Academy Awards were handed out Sunday night at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles and aired live on ABC.
The Iraq War drama “The Hurt Locker” won six Oscars, including a history-making statuette for director Kathryn Bigelow. Bigelow became the first female filmmaker to win the best director Oscar.
Here are some memorable images from the Oscars, all from the Associated Press:
Kathryn Bigelow accepts the best director Oscar from presenter Barbra Streisand.
“Avatar” director James Cameron and his Oklahoma City-born wife Suzy Amis arrive at the Oscars.
“Precious” producer Oprah Winfrey chats with the film’s star Gabourey Sidibe, who was nominated for best actress, backstage at the show.
Jeff Bridges hefts his best actor trophy for “Crazy Heart.”
Sandra Bullock accepts the best actress trophy for her role in “The Blind Side.”
See more photos after the break.
Live-blog: 82nd Academy Awards
Oscar co-hosts Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin
7:30 p.m.: We have to hosts tonight, but we’re starting out with the nominees for best actor and actress fanned out on the stage, to the delight of the crowd. Again, go Gabby Sibide for striking that sassy pose. Now, they’re being escorted offstage and here comes … the fabulous Neil Patrick Harris in a sequined tuxedo. And he’s immediately breaking into a feisty musical number referencing “Twilight,” “Julie & Julia” and his own “Harold and Kumar.” I personally think NPH makes anything better, so I’m into despite the crazy number of Las Vegas style show girls involved.
7:34: Finally, co-hosts Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin descend grandly from the ceiling on a gaudily adorned platform. Alec is giving Steve a grand intro, while Steve counters “and this is Alec Baldwin.” So it begins. I’m guessing these guys are going to give each other a hard time all night, I just hope it’s funny.
7:36: Their humor runs a bit toward the absurd as they run through the major nominees, tossing out one-liners along the way. These wild and crazy guys aren’t bad, though I think Hollywood ought to be able to take a little sharper jabs as they’re lavishly patting themselves on the back. They’re having a terrific time giving Meryl Streep a hard time, and Meryl is taking it like a champ.
7:40: OK, now this is just getting ridiculous, as they don 3D glasses to see James Cameron and then kill off the sacred fairies from “Avatar” with bug spray.
7:41: And I win a bet with myself. I bet that the former spouse connection between Kathryn Bigelow and James Cameron would come up in the first 15 minutes. And it did. In case you ever doubted that Hollywood deserves the gossipy tabloids, now there’s proof. Steve and Alec host that they sent each other great congratulations gifts – she sent Cameron a gift basket with a timer, and he sent Bigelow a Toyota.
7:43: Hey, don’t we have like 10 best picture nominees and like 11 other categories to get through tonight? In the words of the Monty Python guys, GET ON WITH IT!
7:45: The always beautiful Penelope Cruz takes the stage to give out the first award of the night – best supporting actor, also known as Christoph Waltz’s well-deserved 1 millionth trophy. Here are the nominees, AKA Waltz and the four runners-up:
Matt Damon, “Invictus”
Woody Harrelson, “The Messenger”
Christopher Plummer, “The Last Station”
Stanley Tucci, “The Lovely Bones”
Christoph Waltz, “Inglourious Basterds”
Christoph Waltz in “Inglourious Basterds”
7:47: Winner: THAT’S A BINGO! The Oscar goes to Christoph Waltz, who looks quite dashing in a beard. “An Oscar and Penelope, that’s an uber-bingo,” he cracks. That’s funnier than anything Steve and Alec have said so far. He’s describing Quentin Tarantino’s crazy process and thinking everyone for helping him finding a place in the new territory this film has allowed him to explore. “This is your welcoming embrace and there’s no way I can ever thank you enough, but I can start here. Thank you.” Great speech: It had meaning and metaphor, it was sincere but not too long and gushy. It’s all down here from here, folks.
7:50: Ryan Reynolds is describing best pic nominee “The Blind Side,” starring his Oscar-nominated “The Proposal” co-star Sandra Bullock. Great movie, particularly since I have a soft spot for inspirational sports dramas.
7:52: Guys, we’re 22 minutes in and we’ve given one award and introduced one of 10 – count ‘em, 10 – best pic nominees. I may need reinforcements because we may be here all blessed night.
7:55: Steve Carell and Cameron Diaz take the stage to the tune of “Someday My Prince Will Come.” They’re there to present the best animated feature award, but first we’re going to have a Barbara Walters Oscars special tribute – the horror! We’ve got the animated stars of the films being interviewed by Babs about what the nominations mean to them. As good as these films are, why do we have to bring them so low? And just present the award already!!
Noms:
“Coraline”
“Fantastic Mr. Fox”
“The Princess and the Frog”
“The Secret of Kells”
“Up”
“Up”
7:59: Winner: “Up.” No big surprise there. As big a Pixar fan as I am, I would have preferred to see “Fantastic Mr. Fox” or even more unlikely “The Secret of Kells” win. But I can’t say I’m disappointed to have what director Pete Docter calls “this oddball movie” emerge the winner.
8:00: Amanda Seyfried and Miley Cyrus look more like they’re ready for the debutante ball than for the Oscars, but they’re there to present the statuette for best original song. If Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett don’t win for the theme for “Crazy Heart,” I’m just not going to be OK with that.
“Almost There,” from “The Princess and the Frog,” music and lyrics by Randy Newman
“Down in New Orleans,” from “The Princess and the Frog,” music and lyrics by Randy Newman
“Loin de Paname,” from “Paris 36,” music by Reinhardt Wagner and lyrics by Frank Thomas
“Take It All,” from “Nine,” music and lyrics by Maury Yeston
“The Weary Kind (Theme From “Crazy Heart”),” from “Crazy Heart,” music and lyrics by Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett
T Bone Burnett and Ryan Bingham (Associated Press file photo)
8:03: Winners: Ryan and T Bone for “The Weary Kind.” I can’t believe this is T Bone Burnett’s first Oscar and just his second nom. But I’m glad he’s the winner here and that Ryan isn’t in the bathroom like he was during the Golden Globes. Ryan drawls that he loves his wife “more than rainbows, baby.” That pretty much sums up why I love Texas country guys. But I’m disappointed that T Bone didn’t get the chance to talk. Have they learned nothing from the year they only let half of the duo from “Once” talk? We want to hear from T Bone!
8:05: Chris Pine of “Star Trek,” who looks rakishly handsome in a tux, is introducing another best pic nominee: “District 9.” I’m thrilled this revolutionary film has been nominated, though I figure that’s as far as the academy is going to go as far as recognizing it tonight.
8:12: Alec sez, “The Academy Awards, the biggest night in Hollywood since last night.” Random but funny. Now, he’s passing it off to an awesome pairing of Tina Fey and Robert Downey Jr. She’s wearing a leopard-spotted black sequined gown and he’s got a blue bow tie and blow-tinted sunglasses. They’re hilariously comparing what writers (she) want from actors and what actors (he) want from writers. It’s the funniest moment of the night, and they’re introducing the best original screenplay nominees, complete with dramatic readings from the noms:
“The Hurt Locker,” written by Mark Boal
“Inglourious Basterds,” written by Quentin Tarantino
“The Messenger,” written by Alessandro Camon and Oren Moverman
“A Serious Man,” written by Joel Coen and Ethan Coen
“Up,” screenplay by Bob Peterson, Pete Docter; story by Pete Docter, Bob Peterson, Tom McCarthy
I’m hoping for an “Inglourious” outcome for Quentin Tarantino.
“The Hurt Locker”
8:15: Winner: Mark Boal for “The Hurt Locker.” It’s an amazing win for this great film and the embedded-journalist-turned-screenwriter. “You honor me and humble me with this more than you know.” He’s thanking director Kathryn Bigelow specifically and he’s dedicating the award to his late father and to the troops fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.
He did not bring up the fact that one of the soldiers he was embedded with has sued him claiming he based “The Hurt Locker” on him without giving him the option to participate and make money off this indie film that if it wins will be the lowest-grossing best picture in decades. Ever heard of can’t get blood from a stone? But he’s probably angling on getting some blood from those “Twilight” vampires in Summit Entertainment’s stable.
John Hughes (AP file photo)
8:18: Molly Ringwald and Matthew Broderick are introducing a special tribute to filmmaker John Hughes, who died last year. He was never even nominated for an Oscar. While Hughes definitely deserves this recognition, wouldn’t have been nice if the Academy gave him the time of day when he was alive rather than waiting until he was dead to pack another five minutes into an already overly long back-patting orgy? Just a thought.
8:22: A whole slew of actors from Hughes’ iconic films are on stage to speak his praises. Members of Hughes’ family are in the audience are are standing for a round of rousing applause. I haven’t seen some of these guys from Hughes’ films in years, and that makes me kind of sad.
8:24: Samuel L. Jackson is introducing scenes from “Up,” only the second animated film in Oscar history to be nominated for best picture. The other? Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast.”
8:27: Carey Mulligan and Zoe Saldana are taking the stage to present, and they look gorgeous. But what in the world is happening with the bottom of Zoe’s dress? I’m all for a dramatic train, but it looks like a purple ruffles explosion around her feet. And she’s being extremely careful tip-toeing down those steps.
They’re there apparently to name the short film winners, only we’re not getting nominee clips, we’re getting interviews with past winners. Did someone put in a request for this ordeal to get longer, and can a hire a hit for that person?
8:31: Here are the noms, finally, for best animated short. I’m hoping it’s a cracking night for Wallace and Gromit:
“French Roast,” Fabrice O. Joubert
“Granny O’Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty,” Nicky Phelan and Darragh O’Connell
“The Lady and the Reaper (La Dama y la Muerte),” Javier Recio Gracia
“Logorama,” Nicolas Schmerkin
“Wallace and Gromit in A Matter of Loaf and Death,” Nick Park
“Logorama”
8:32: Winner: “Logorama.” It’s hard to argue with this award, since it definitely is one of the more creative films I’ve seen over the past year. The producer is humorously acknowledging the 3,000 unofficial sponsors of the film and assuring them that no logos were harmed in the making of this film.
Set in a world made entirely of ad logos, it chronicles the adventures of a pair of hard-nosed cops – Michelin tire men – tracking a murderous Ronald McDonald. Just don’t let the kids watch it, definitely R-rated.
8:33: Now, we’re getting the noms for the best documentary short:
“China’s Unnatural Disaster: The Tears of Sichuan Province,” Jon Alpert and Matthew O’Neill
“The Last Campaign of Governor Booth Gardner,” Daniel Junge and Henry Ansbacher
“The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant,” Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert
“Music by Prudence,” Roger Ross Williams and Elinor Burkett
“Rabbit a la Berlin,” Bartek Konopka and Anna Wydra
“Music by Prudence”
8:34: Winner: “Music by Prudence.” The filmmakers are certainly excited and making a strong pitch for people to see it, but they’re the first to hear the dreaded get-off-the-stage strings.
8:36: On to the nominees for best live-action short. There are some great mini-movies here:
“The Door,” Juanita Wilson and James Flynn
“Instead of Abracadabra,” Patrik Eklund and Mathias Fjellstrom
“Kavi,” Gregg Helvey
“Miracle Fish,” Luke Doolan and Drew Bailey
“The New Tenants,” Joachim Back and Tivi Magnusson
“The New Tenants”
8:37: Winner: “The New Tenants.” It’s a good one, but I was rooting for “Instead of Abracadabra.” It seems a bit convenient that the only short that had any recognizable stars – Kevin Corrigan and Vincent D’Onfrio – won. Hmm. And more go-away music plays. We only want to hear from you if you’re famous is clearly the message here.
8:38: Ben Stiller is in full “Avatar”-style makeup and speaking Na’Vi, claiming “That means, this seemed like a better idea in rehearsal.” He’s there to present best makeup and “Ironically, ‘Avatar’ wasn’t even nominated. I should have just worn my Spock ears, since ‘Star Trek’ was nominated.” It was funny until he started making cracks about wanting to insert his braid into James Cameron’s dragon, then it just got gross and awkward. Anyway, here are the noms:
“Il Divo,” Aldo Signoretti and Vittorio Sodano
“Star Trek,” Barney Burman, Mindy Hall and Joel Harlow
“The Young Victoria,” Jon Henry Gordon and Jenny Shircore
8:41: “After I announce the winner, I’ll try to stand as far away as possible so as not to demean their moment of triumph,” Stiller jokes as his tail goes crazy. Too late.
“Star Trek”
The winner, in case anyone cares, since Stiller doesn’t seem to, is “Star Trek.” Mindy Hall should get a second good sport trophy for joking “I don’t want to step on your tail” to Stiller.
8:43: Here comes The Dude, so the show has got to get better. Jeff Bridges is introducing the clips from best pic nom “A Serious Man.” Not my favorite Coen brothers film, I must say. It’s actually the one film of the 10 nominees that really seems incongruous to me, since it’s just not nearly as good as Joel and Ethan’s other recent films.
8:47: Rachel McAdams and Jake Gyllenhaal are defining “to adapt,” so they must be giving out the award for best adapted screenplay. And they really should have left this part to Robert and Tina. Here are the noms:
“District 9,” written by Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell
“An Education,” screenplay by Nick Hornby
“In the Loop,” screenplay by Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell, Armando Iannucci, Tony Roche
“Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire,” screenplay by Geoffrey Fletcher
“Up in the Air,” screenplay by Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner
“Precious”
8:50: Winner: “Precious.” I was banking on that award keeping “Up in the Air” from going home empty-handed, but it’s tough to argue with Fletcher’s powerful script for “Precious.” He seems truly overwhelmed when he says “I don’t know what to say.” He adds, “This is for everybody who works on a dream every day, ‘precious’ boys and girls everywhere.” He’s also dedicating the award to his two his brothers, his mom and dad. He seems so stunned and swept away with emotion it’s hard not to appreciate his moment.
8:52: “I wrote that speech for him,” Steve cracks with a rakish grin. He’s introducing Queen Latifah, who looks abso fab in her elegant pink gown with the sparkles cutting across the bodice. She’s introducing a clip montage from the 2010 Governor’s Award ceremony. They honored Roger Corman at that event. Roger Corman and Oscar, two words you never thought would be used in a sentence together unless it involved Roger putting in a bologna sandwich order at a deli. And Lauren Bacall still looks and acts amazingly feisty, so you gotta love her.
8:55: Lauren and Roger are getting a standing O. Roger Corman getting a standing O at the Oscars. Quick, someone check the temperature in Hell. It could be plummeting rapidly.
8:56: Robin Williams makes a ribald joke before presenting the award for best supporting actress. Here are the nominees, but this is essentially a one-woman show with Mo’Nique practically a lock.
Penelope Cruz, “Nine”
Vera Farmiga, “Up in the Air”
Maggie Gyllenhaal, “Crazy Heart”
Anna Kendrick, “Up in the Air”
Mo’Nique, “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire”
Mo’Nique in “Precious”
8:59: Winner: Mo’Nique. And she’s getting a standing ovation for her riveting, stomach-turning performance in “Precious.” She scared me in that movie, so she richly deserves it. She’s thanking the academy “for showing it can be about the performance and not the politics.” She’s thanking Oprah and Tyler Perry for backing the film and helping the world see the movie. She’s thanking first black supporting actress winner Hattie McDaniel (“Gone with the Wind”) for “enduring all she did so I would not have to.” And she’s summing up by thanking her husband for advising her on the importance of forgoing doing what’s popular to do what’s right. “God bless us all,” she ends. Great, powerful speech. Again, it’s the sincerity that does it.
9:01: Colin Firth introduces the clip montage for best pic nominee “An Education,” which I still have not seen. It it had lasted in the one OKC theater where it played for more than a week, maybe I would have. Sigh. That’s a sad commentary right there.
9:05: Sigourney Weaver’s off-on-shoulder fire-engine red dress with the sparkly broach and black tie around the waist may just be my favorite gown of the evening. She looks stunning. She’s presenting best art direction briskly with just a touch of humor. Noms:
“Avatar,” art direction: Rick Carter and Robert Stromberg; set decoration: Kim Sinclair
“The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus,” art direction: Dave Warren and Anastasia Masaro; set decoration: Caroline Smith
“Nine,” art direction: John Myhre; set decoration: Gordon Sim
“Sherlock Holmes,” art direction: Sarah Greenwood; set decoration: Katie Spencer
“The Young Victoria,” art direction: Patrice Vermette; set decoration: Maggie Gray
“Avatar”
9:07: She doesn’t even sound surprised when she announced the winner is the film she co-starred in, “Avatar.” It’s not really a surprise for any of us. “Avatar” is going to win every technical award, and it definitely should. I just don’t think the story is strong enough to deserve best picture. Plus, if it does, Cameron is guaranteed to use that movie’s “I see you” line just like the art directors just did. This is the “King of the World,” after all.
9:09: Tom Ford and Sarah Jessica Parker ran the gauntlet of Steve and Alec’s jokes about clothes whores vs. clothes horses to present the best costume design award. Here are the noms:
“Bright Star,” Janet Patterson
“Coco Before Chanel,” Catherine Leterrier
“The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus,” Monique Prudhomme
“Nine,” Colleen Atwood
“The Young Victoria,” Sandy Powell
“The Young Victoria”
9:10: Winner: “The Young Victoria.” It’s Sandy Powell’s third award and eight nominations. And I changed my mind: Her dress is my favorite. I can’t even describe it, but she’s totally pulling off a sequined beret, folks. “I already have two of these so I’m feeling greedy. … But I want to dedicate this to the costume designers who don’t work on movies about dead monarchs.” She notes that designers who work on low-budget and contemporary films work just as hard but don’t get as much recognition, “so this is for you, but I’m still going to take it home.” Now, it’s my fave speech, too.
9:12: Charlize Theron, who is wearing a pink gown with two strategically-placed fabric roses that advertise that she has boobs, is introducing the clip montage for “Precious.” It was one of the tougher films I watched this year, but I’m glad I saw it. I’m glad to see it has a couple of Oscars to its low-budget name now.
9:17: I hate it when we cut to pre-recorded material. It’s almost never a good sign. Did the Oscars need Steve and Alec to do their goofy re-enactment of “Paranormal Activity”? I’m thinking no.
9:18: Plug your ears if you’re near a tween girl, because here come Taylor Lautner and Kristen Stewart to present a tribute to horror films. He looks cute as always in his suit, and she look elegant in her dark gown. But would it kill her to turn her frown upside down for the Oscars? It is a special occasion, after all.
BAM sez the Oscars don’t need “Scream”
And while I’m a big fan of “Jaws,” “Psycho,” and last horror Oscar winner “The Exorcist” (yes, according to the show, it’s been that long), loyal BAM’s Blog readers no I am firmly anti-montage. This ceremony does not need to be padded with a montage, and certainly not one featuring Freddy Krueger, Chuckie the doll and “Scream.” I guess awards shows are like rom-coms, there’s just no getting around the dreaded montage.
9:22: Always representing the “Twilight” franchise is best supporting actress nom Anna Kendrick, who looks lovely in her pale pink gown, who is onstage with Zac Efron to present the best sound awards. But they’re just eye candy. Morgan Freeman is actually narrating a short informational bit about how sound editing and mixing works. “You’d think I’d get the night off to relax,” he quips, but this show really could use some of what my sister likes to call “Morgan Freemanness.” It makes practically anything better.
Here are the sound editing noms:
“Avatar,” Christopher Boyes and Gwendolyn Yates Whittle
“The Hurt Locker,” Paul N.J. Ottosson
“Inglourious Basterds,” Wylie Stateman
“Star Trek,” Mark Stoeckinger and Alan Rankin
“Up,” Michael Silvers and Tom Myers
“The Hurt Locker”
9:25: Winner: “The Hurt Locker” snatches away one of the tech awards from “Avatar.” It’s well-deserved. Ottosson made all those explosions sounded bone-shatteringly real. His wife is getting so choked up, but he’s as calm as his hairstyle is wild as he graciously accepts.
9:26: Here’s the sound mixing noms. “Transformers 2″ better not win.
“Avatar,” Christopher Boyes, Gary Summers, Andy Nelson and Tony Johnson
“The Hurt Locker,” Paul N.J. Ottosson and Ray Beckett
“Inglourious Basterds,” Michael Minkler, Tony Lamberti and Mark Ulano
“Star Trek,” Anna Behlmer, Andy Nelson and Peter J. Devlin
“Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen,” Greg P. Russell, Gary Summers and Geoffrey Patterson
Once again, “The Hurt Locker”
9:27: Score another win for “The Hurt Locker,” and Ottosson gets right back up there. I’m surprised that “The Hurt Locker” has managed to get two tech awards vs. the “Avatar” juggernaut.
9:28: Elizabeth Banks, who blew the nerds away at last month’s Scientific and Technical Oscars, introduces a clip from the ceremony. She isn’t on the scene long, but her gray gown makes a definite impact. Take note Zoe Saldana, those fantastic feathers are how you do a grand train.
9:30: John Travolta of “Pulp Fiction” fame introduces the best pic clips from Tarantino’s “Inglourious Basterds,” which is still my favorite film of 2010. It bears repeating: That’s a bingo.
9:35: Best actress front-runner Sandra Bullock is presenting the best cinematography award. Here are the hopefuls:
“Avatar,” Mauro Fiore
“Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” Bruno Delbonnel
“The Hurt Locker,” Barry Ackroyd
“Inglourious Basterds,” Robert Richardson
“The White Ribbon,” Christian Berger
“Avatar”
9:36: Winner: “Avatar.” Hey, he made a fake planet look like a lushly splendid paradise, so well done. Fiore is thanking the visionary James Cameron for his vision, and he’s also paying tribute to his parents who came to American with “four suitcases and a dream.” He thinks he forgot some people, but remembering the ‘rents is always a good move.
Tulsa-born Jennifer Jones, who died Dec. 17, in her Oscar-winning turn in 1943’s “The Song of Bernadette”
9:37: Demi Moore looks astounding in her pinky-peach gown with the criss-cross bodice and another ruffles-done-right train. She’s introducing James Taylor who is James Taylor-ing up the Beatles’ “In My Life” while the memorial montage plays. Patrick Swayze gets top billing, and of course Michael Jackson, Brittany Murphy and Natasha Richardson get their moments. But I’m most pleased to see Jean Simmons, David Carradine, Karl Malden and Tulsa-born Jennifer Jones. This should be the only montage of the night, in my opinion. However, I’m seeing on Twitter that Farrah Fawcett was overlooked, to the dismay of her many fans.
9:46: Sam Worthington, who is officially in every movie, and J-Lo and her quilted bedspread are going to present the best original score nominees, while a dance troupe spins, twists and, yes, BREAK DANCES (is it 1985?) to them. This is enough to make me long for a clip montage, which I guess teaches me that it can always get worse.
Can I put in a request for more NPH and Robert Downey Jr. now? Can they just be next year’s hosts and act out most of the scenes from the nominees? It would be so much better than watching these people gyrate in their jeans and tennis shoes to music that is being presented devoid on context. In fact, it would be better if they staged a coup right now and took over this show, because I feel like it’s gone off the rails at this juncture.
Anyway, here are the nominees for best original score for five movies, which oddly enough, you wouldn’t know from watching the Oscars. I’m rooting for “Fantastic Mr. Fox” and “Up,” two films that not only were animated masterworks but also boasted some of the most evocative music last year.
“Avatar,” James Horner
“Fantastic Mr. Fox,” Alexandre Desplat
“The Hurt Locker,” Marco Beltrami and Buck Sanders
“Sherlock Holmes,” Hans Zimmer
“Up,” Michael Giacchino
“Up”
9:52: Winner: “Up,” by Michael Giacchino. The whole score is fantastic, but his music to the montage that chronicles the relationship between Carl and Ellie has made me cry no less than three times now. His music gives montages a good name, which is a great public service.
His speech is pretty terrific, too, as he speaks eloquently of his parents, who never told him that his childhood movie-making endeavors were a waste of time. He speaks directly to kids who may not have that kind of support in telling them that doing something creative is NOT a waste of time. Go, Michael. Great message.
9:55: There’s a whole lot of handsome and scruffle on the screen as Bradley Cooper and Gerard Butler present the best visual effects award, which is going to “Avatar.” Here are the hopefuls, just for form:
“Avatar,” Joe Letteri, Stephen Rosenbaum, Richard Baneham and Andrew R. Jones
“District 9,” Dan Kaufman, Peter Muyzers, Robert Habros and Matt Aitken
“Star Trek,” Roger Guyett, Russell Earl, Paul Kavanagh and Burt Dalton
“Avatar”
9:56: Winner: Yep, “Avatar.” And the fans finally get a shoutout, with thanks for the visual effects wizards to the movie-goers who have helped make “Avatar” a bajillion-million-zillion dollars.
9:57: Jason Bateman says that “Up in the Air” gave him “the opportunity of a lifetime: to boss George Clooney around.” He’s introducing the montage for this film, which just reminds me just how amazing it is while making me sadly regret that Jason Reitman’s great drama is probably going home winless tonight.
10:01: Alec Baldwin introduces Matt Damon as the first screenwriter-turned-action-star, or “the first time a screenwriter ever got any action.” He’s going to present the award for best documentary, and for the record, I’m against a “Food Inc.” win since it was a rather imbalanced and overrated advocacy piece content to point the finger at corporations rather than blame people for not demanding good food. Sorry, putting the soapbox away and providing the list of noms now:
“Burma VJ,” Anders Xstergaard and Lise Lense-Mxller
“The Cove,” Nominees to be determined Louie Psihoyos and Fisher Stevens
“Food, Inc.,” Robert Kenner and Elise Pearlstein
“The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers,” Judith Ehrlich and Rick Goldsmith
“Which Way Home,” Rebecca Cammisa
“The Cove”
10:04: Winner: “The Cove.” I have yet to see it, but I’m definitely going to have to see it now. And can I just say, Fisher Stevens, you’ve come along way since “Short Circuit 2.”
10:05: Tyler Perry, who opts for a tux rather than his Madea garb, jokes with a big grin, “They just said my name at the Oscars. I better enjoy it because it’ll probably never happen again.” He’s cracking wise about the dangers of close-up shots with actors of a certain age and showing Steve and Alec backstage wearing Snuggies. I’m guessing this is all leading up to the awarding of best editing. Here are the hopefuls:
“Avatar,” Stephen Rivkin, John Refoua and James Cameron
“District 9,” Julian Clarke
“The Hurt Locker,” Bob Murawski and Chris Innis
“Inglourious Basterds,” Sally Menke
“Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire,” Joe Klotz
Another win for “The Hurt Locker”
10:08: It’s another win for “The Hurt Locker,” and the married team of Murawski and Innis are so cute accepting together. Murawski jokes it’s his kind of night at the Oscars with a horror tribute, an honor for Roger Corman and he and his spouse winning an Oscar. They give a shoutout to their first employer, Sam Raimi, and Murawski calls “The Hurt Locker” as a film “made without compromise,” studio notes or focus groups. It’s also a film with a lot of momentum in these Oscars.
10:10: Whoa. Keanu Reeves is introducing the best picture montage for “The Hurt Locker.” If this keeps up, the film is going to win that prize running away.
10:12: It’s well after 10 p.m., and we’ve got at least the top four awards still left to give. Yikes.
10:14: Oscar winners Pedro Almodóvar and Quentin Tarantino are apparently meeting for the first time to name the best foreign film winner. QT is such a film nerd, he’s gushing about how much he loves Pedro’s film; film says he enjoys Quentin’s movies but doesn’t really understand a word of them.
Here are the foreign film possibles, and since “Sin Nombre” isn’t among them, I regard them with apathy And I’m really surprised that Pedro’s “Broken Embraces” isn’t nominated after all the praise it earned; it seems a tad insulting to him that he now has to give the award to someone else:
“Ajami” (Israel)
“El Secreto de Sus Ojos” (Argentina)
“The Milk of Sorrow” (Peru)
“A Prophet” (France)
“The White Ribbon” (Germany)
“El Secreto de Sus Ojos”
10:17: Winner: “El Secreto de Sus Ojos” (Argentina). I think this is a bit of a surprise since “The White Ribbon” had so much momentum coming into the Oscars. The director thanks the academy for not considering Na’Vi a foreign language, and he freaks when he sees the countdown clock, noting it’s hard for him to give his speech in English.
10:20: Kathy Bates introduces the clips for best picture nom and top-grossing movie of all time “Avatar.” It’s just not the same without the 3D glasses. It really deserves to be seen in 3D, preferably in IMAX with full theater sound. Don’t wait until DVD for this one, folks.
10:25: This is interesting: A host of co-stars who have worked with the best actor nominees are onstage to tell stories about working with these gentlemen. Listening to Michelle Pfeiffer telling about working with Jeff Bridges and watching him play with his kids on the set of “The Fabulous Baker Boys” has The Dude welling up with tears, and Vera Farmiga’s description about George Clooney’s generosity on and offset has a smile on the face of the formerly glowering “Fantastic, Fantastic Mr. Fox.”
Julianne Moore shares that she and Colin Firth play longtime best friends in “A Single Man” but only met onset and only worked together three days on the film. Tim Robbins jokes about the wisdom and friendship he gained from the “extremely giving” Morgan Freeman on “The Shawshank Redemption” and praises him for the dignity and humanity he brings to all his roles, including “Invictus.”
Colin Ferrell, who worked with Jeremy Renner on “SWAT,” shares a tale of debauchery and then compliments Renner’s depth of character and avoidance of political leanings on “The Hurt Locker.”
I find this presentation format an intriguing, if gushy, concept, and since this ceremony is so completely over time, why not.
10:32: Kate Winslet is going to actually give the best actor prize. Here are the hopefuls, though the Oscar is The Dude’s:
Jeff Bridges, “Crazy Heart”
George Clooney, “Up in the Air”
Colin Firth, “A Single Man”
Morgan Freeman, “Invictus”
Jeremy Renner, “The Hurt Locker”
Jeff Bridges in “Crazy Heart”
10:33: Dude! Jeff Bridges wins an Oscar on his fifth try, and he gets an enthusiastic standing O. He’s hefting that Oscar triumphantly and with tears in his eyes, looks to heaven thanks his mom and dad “for turning me on to such a groovy profession.” “They loved show biz so much,” he says, recalling his mom getting all the kids to entertain at her parties and his dad sitting him on the bed to teaching him the fundamentals of acting. “I feel this is an honor as much for them as it is for me.” He’s calling out director Scott Cooper for his knowledge of film and country music and thanking his co-stars, crew and musical gurus T Bone Burnett and the last Stephen Bruton. His Dudeness is running a little long, but there will be no go-away music for him on this long-awaited night. He’s thanking his wife of 33 (wow!) years and his three daughters, too.
10:40: Now, it’s the best actress nominees’ turn to be lauded by their co-workers, and look out, academy, Oprah is on that stage. I bet she could get these awards handed out in less than four hours!
Forest Whitaker, who directed Sandra Bullock in “Hope Floats,” compliments Bullock on the “depth and the breadth of her heart” and the delicacies of her performances that too often have been missed. The hilarious Michael Sheen says “every British prime minster should end up in a relationship with a wonderful queen,” plainly admitting he found Mirren hot when they co-starred in “The Queen” and gushing about her phenomenal performance in “The Last Station.”
Peter Sarsgaard, Mulligan’s co-star in “An Education,” says her performance is “indeed just that” and says moviegoers are lucky she’s young and still have time to enjoy many great turns from her. “Precious” producer Oprah, of course, is honoring newcomer Gabourey Sidibe, telling her “Hollywood fairy tale” of going from a student to an Oscar nominee in just one film. She calls Gabby a “true American Cinderella” on the cusp of a great career, making Gabby cry.
Stanley Tucci starts out “Meryl, what can I say,” professing his love for her after having worked with her on two films, including “Julie & Julia,” the one she’s nominated for this time around. He’s joking that he’s going to get the academy to cap the number nominations at 16 so no one else will have to get up there say Meryl Streep is the best.
10:47: Now, Sean Penn is going to present the award for best actress now, and it all comes down to Sandra and Meryl:
Sandra Bullock, “The Blind Side”
Helen Mirren, “The Last Station”
Carey Mulligan, “An Education”
Gabourey Sidibe, “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire”
Meryl Streep, “Julie & Julia”
Sandra Bullock in “The Blind Side”
10:48: Winner: Sandra Bullock becomes the first actress to win a Razzie and Oscar in the same year, and she’s in tears before she even gets to the stage. The well-loved actress is getting an ecstatic standing O from the crowd, as she takes a minute to compose herself. “Did I really win this or did I just wear you all down?” she asks, thanking the academy for allowing her to spend time in the last month with so many great artists. She’s taking time to praise with her frank charm her four fellow nominees, and she thanks the Tuohy family, who are at the show, for letting her play their matriarch. “Everyone who has shown me kindness when it wasn’t fashionable, thank you,” she says, adding she is still holding a grudge against George Clooney for throwing her in a pool years ago. She’s thanking all the moms who take care of kids “no matter where they come from” and emotionally thanking Helga B, her own mom, for making her practice and letting her be what she is today.
You just gotta root for Sandra Bullock if you’ve seen “The Blind Side.” And even more so after she praises Meryl Streep twice in her speech for her kissing ability.
10:54: Barbra Streisand notes that the best director award could be a first in two ways: Kathryn Bigelow could be the first woman to win; Lee Daniels could be the first black director to win. I’m rooting for Kathryn; it’s about time for that milestone to be marked and passed.
Here are the nominees:
James Cameron, “Avatar”
Kathryn Bigelow, “The Hurt Locker”
Lee Daniels, “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire”
Quentin Tarantino, “Inglourious Basterds”
Jason Reitman, “Up in the Air”
Kathryn Bigelow (AP file photo)
10:55: “Well, the time has come,” Streisand says, announcing that Kathryn Bigelow is the winner! It’s about time is all I can say! And kudos to James Cameron for being first on his feet for this well-deserved standing O. “There’s no other way to describe it; it’s the moment of a lifetime,” she says, praising her fellow nominees powerful filmmaker. She says she wouldn’t be standing here if it weren’t for Mark Boal, who has tears running down his face, who risked his life to gather the intel for the screenplay. “I think the secret to directing is collaboration,” she says as she runs through her thank yous. She’s dedicating this “to the women and men in the military who risk their lives on a daily basis in Iraq and Afghanistan and around the world. And may they come home safe.”
10:58: Gotta love finishing with the remarkable Tom Hanks, who is going to present the best picture to one of these films:
“Avatar”
“The Blind Side”
“District 9”
“An Education”
“The Hurt Locker”
“Inglourious Basterds”
“Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire”
“A Serious Man”
“Up”
“Up in the Air”
“The Hurt Locker”
10:59: Tom wastes no time: The winner is “The Hurt Locker,” so come back out Kathryn Bigelow. The three co-stars of the movie are whooping and hugging as they take the stage. Mark Boal is saying “This is such a dream for all of us who have lived with this story for so long,” noting they made the movie they wanted and just hoped to get a distributor and maybe have it play before some people who would like it. Kathryn is dedicating the Oscar not just to the military but to everyone who wears a uniform, including police, fire and Haz-Mat, who serve our country.
11:02: Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin flank Kathryn Bigelow, whose film won six of the nine Oscars for which it was nominated. Steve jokes “The show was so long, ‘Avatar’ now happens in the past.” It would be uproarious if it didn’t feel true right now.
Alec says they’re out of time, and I’m certainly out of patience and energy, even though I’m thrilled to finally see a woman win best director, especially for such a deserving film.
Good night and thanks for following my live-blog of the Oscars. Let’s not do it again for at least a year!
-BAM
Live-blog: 2010 Oscars red carpet
7 p.m.: Thankfully, the 29th and final – yay! – Barbara Walters Oscar special is over, and we have survived with most of our wits about us. From my comfiest chair here at the BAM homestead, the live-blog begins on the official Oscars red carpet. Loyal BAM’s Blog readers know what I like: elegant gowns popping with color (basic black is so boring, especially if everyone’s doing it), classic tuxes or suits on the guys and the minimum amount of inanity we can manage considering the nature of this event.
7:01: “The glamour, the fans, the fashion” … blah, blah, blah … the magic, the most prestigious awards show ever, the most famous red carpet … They’re just trying to get us ready for the gushiness of the speeches.
7:02: Jeff Cagle introduces the five best support actress nominees, and as much as I love Vera Farmiga, her dress is scaring me. That’s a crazy construction of ruffles. Wow. Penelope Cruz, last year’s winner, says she’s excited as the first time she was here. Vera and Anna Kendrick exchange playful banter, Maggie Gyllenhaal is glad both she and co-star Jeff Bridges are nominated and shoe-in Mo’Nique, looking fab in royal blue, says here feet aren’t touching the ground.
7:04: Kathy Ireland – who darn her, still looks gorgeous – is interviewing Jake Gyllenhaal, who is neither Persian nor a prince, but promises his upcoming film “Prince of Persia” will finally, finally be a satisfying video game film. Believe it when I see it.
George Clooney (Associated Press file photos)
7:05: Sherri Shepherd is blatantly throwing herself at George Clooney, and asks his date if it’s OK if she desires George. George says “She doesn’t speak English. If she understood you, she would cut you.” No one looks hotter in a tux, but jeez, can we keep our composure, please? And George is taking a good-natured dig at his critics, claiming he conned Jason Reitman into casting him because no one else could play a frequent flier addict with commitment issues than he.
7:07: Sandra Bullock looks gorgeous in her golden gown. And it’s gonna match really well with her statuette when she wins best actress.
7:08: She’s still lovely but Kathy Ireland isn’t much of an interviewer. We now knows that producer Adam Shankman personally invited Zac Efron to present at tonight’s ceremony. Yawn.
7:10: Matt Damon says learning the South African accent was tougher than learning to play rugby for “Invictus.” He’s giving a nice shout-out to his dialect coach, crediting him for helping him snag that best supporting actor nom. Super nice guy.
7:11: Helen Mirren and Christopher Plummer of “The Last Station” look quite dignified on the red carpet; I love Helen’s lovely lilac Badgley Mischka gown. They’re talking about doing a love scene at their age and how they made it fun: Helen says she could laugh at his bad back, and he could laugh at her bad knees. That’s a pair of great performances; I wish more people had seen “The Last Station.”
Morgan Freeman
7:13: Morgan Freeman has brought his daughter, Morgana, with him to the Oscars. They and one of the producers of “Invictus” are wearing exclusive, lovely bracelets that will be auctioned off for the Nelson Foundation. Morgan is nominated for best actor for playing Nelson Mandela in “Invictus.”
7:14: Jennifer Lopez says the ideal Oscar gown has to have “that wow factor” and be comfortable and make the wearer feel good. Her pink gown definitely is eye-catching, with its pale pink color, grand train and not too much ruffle. But the texture looks a bit too much like a quilted bedspread.
7:15: Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick make a lovely couple on the carpet. SJP is presenting tonight and waxing nostalgic about her first Oscar dress. I think that long yellow column with the fancy silver neckline looks smashing on her.
7:16: Gold is gorgeous tonight. Cameron Diaz looks smashing in her golden Oscar de la Renta sleeveless gown. But she is cagily uncommitted on what movie she thinks will win best pic.
7:19: Tina Fey and Steve Carell says they know they’re at the Oscars and not the Emmys because everyone is taller and better looking. I love these two together.
7:22: Miley Cyrus is proving the exception to tonight’s golden rule. I’m not a fan of her dress. It looks like one of those complicated Victorian undergarments.
7:23: Jeff Bridges is “all Gucci-ed out” – Sherri dubs him “yummy” and makes me want to slap her – and he says winning an Oscar on his fifth try would be “beautiful.” He’s definitely channeling the Dude a bit tonight; he’s very serene. Being a shoe-in will do that to you.
7:24: Last year’s best actress Kate Winslet looks sleek in silver and fields a few questions about whether her children might one day becomes Oscar winners, calling them flamboyant and creative individuals.
7:25: Go, Gabby Sibide, who is wearing a boldly blue gown with silver floral sparkles on the bodice. She’s proud of herself for being there and calls it “prom night for Hollywood.” Fast learner for a newcomer, that one.
7:26: As Sherri calls him, “the most famous werewolf in film history,” Taylor Lautner is there to present tonight. His preparation involved getting a suit. Not very insightful, but he looks nice in it.
7:27: Meryl Streep looks totally elegant in her white gown, and she admits she can’t wait to get inside and get off her Jimmy Choos. Gotta love her, especially after she did such a terrific job playing Julia Child.
7:29: The red carpet part is over. The awards are next, after this commercial break.
-BAM
2010 Oscar nominees
“Avatar”
“The Hurt Locker”
Remember, my live-blog of the 82nd Annual Academy Awards begins at 7 tonight. The Oscars will be broadcast live on ABC with the red carpet at 7 p.m. and the ceremony starting at 7:30 p.m. With 10 best picture nominees this year, who knows how long it will last? But have no fear, gentle readers, we’ll get through it together.
The indie war drama “The Hurt Locker” and high-tech mega-blockbuster “Avatar” are tied with a leading nine nominations each.
Here is the full nominees list so you can follow along:
Best picture:
“Avatar”
“The Blind Side”
“District 9”
“An Education”
“The Hurt Locker”
“Inglourious Basterds”
“Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire”
“A Serious Man”
“Up”
“Up in the Air”
Best actor:
Jeff Bridges, “Crazy Heart”
George Clooney, “Up in the Air”
Colin Firth, “A Single Man”
Morgan Freeman, “Invictus”
Jeremy Renner, “The Hurt Locker”
Best actress:
Sandra Bullock, “The Blind Side”
Helen Mirren, “The Last Station”
Carey Mulligan, “An Education”
Gabourey Sidibe, “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire”
Meryl Streep, “Julie & Julia”
Best supporting actor:
Matt Damon, “Invictus”
Woody Harrelson, “The Messenger”
Christopher Plummer, “The Last Station”
Stanley Tucci, “The Lovely Bones”
Christoph Waltz, “Inglourious Basterds”
Best supporting actress:
Penelope Cruz, “Nine”
Vera Farmiga, “Up in the Air”
Maggie Gyllenhaal, “Crazy Heart”
Anna Kendrick, “Up in the Air”
Mo’Nique, “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire”
Best director:
James Cameron, “Avatar”
Kathryn Bigelow, “The Hurt Locker”
Lee Daniels, “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire”
Quentin Tarantino, “Inglourious Basterds”
Jason Reitman, “Up in the Air”
Best animated feature:
“Coraline”
“Fantastic Mr. Fox”
“The Princess and the Frog”
“The Secret of Kells”
“Up”
See the rest of the nominees and categories after the break.
BAM’s 2010 Oscar predictions
“The Hurt Locker”
Starting at 7 tonight, I will be live-blogging along with the 82nd annual Academy Awards, which are airing live on ABC.
Follow along as I chronicle the gown trends, long-winded acceptance speeches, myriad montages and, oh yeah, actually giving of awards.
Here are my predictions for tonight’s Oscars:
Best picture
Brandy says: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ much-ballyhooed, ratings-driven decision to expand the best picture category to 10 nominees created a perfectly split field between $100-plus-grossing movies — “Avatar,” “The Blind Side,” “District 9,” “Inglourious Basterds” and “Up” — and their small but mighty counterparts — “The Hurt Locker,” “An Education,” “Precious,” “A Serious Man” and “Up in the Air.” Appropriately, the category comes down to a David vs. Goliath matchup between Kathryn Bigelow’s low-budget “The Hurt Locker” and James Cameron’s mega-blockbuster “Avatar,” with Quentin Tarantino’s “Inglourious Basterds” possibly playing spoiler. A truly revolutionary visual spectacle, “Avatar” boasts a less-than-Oscar-caliber story. Tarantino’s twisted World War II revenge fantasy “glouriously” won me over as my favorite film of 2009. But Bigelow’s nerve-thrumming and thought-provoking Iraq War drama was a close second and carries explosive momentum into the Oscars.
Should win: “Inglourious Basterds.”
Will win: “The Hurt Locker.”
Best actor
Brandy says: Morgan Freeman maintains his astounding run of Oscar-nominated portrayals — with “Invictus,” he’s been nominated five times and won once — while Jeremy Renner and Colin Firth boost their careers with their first nods. For the second time in as many years, George Clooney gives a nuanced performance to carry a remarkable film only to be upstaged by an acclaimed thespian making the showing of a lifetime. In 2008, it was Daniel Day-Lewis as an unhinged oilman in “There Will Be Blood”; this time, Jeff “The Dude” Bridges breaks hearts, croons country songs and will finally win an Oscar on his fifth try for his turn as a washed-up singer with a “Crazy Heart.”
Should and will win: Jeff Bridges.
Best actress
Brandy says: Veteran actress Dame Helen Mirren becomes a force of nature with her wonderfully human turn as author Leo Tolstoy’s wife in “The Last Station,” but too few voters will have seen her Oscar-worthy performance. For newcomers Gabourey Sidibe and Carey Mulligan the honor is just being nominated. Always-impressive two-time victor Meryl Streep effectively transformed herself into Julia Child in an entertaining portrayal that never resorted to caricature. But the academy electorate can’t resist the kind of game-changing performance Sandra Bullock scores with as the spine-steeled mama bear in the fact-based football story “The Blind Side.”
Should win: Helen Mirren.
Will win: Sandra Bullock.
Best supporting actor
Brandy says: Poor Christopher Plummer: After more than half a century of acting, he finally gets his first Oscar nod, and he hasn’t a prayer of winning. In fact, pity all the runners-up because this hasn’t really been a contest since Christoph Waltz’s well-mannered but menacing Nazi used pipe-smoking and genteel conversation to berate a poor French farmer into confessing all in the opening scene of “Inglourious Basterds.” “Wait for the crème,” Waltz’s Col. Hans Landa later instructs over an intimidating snack of strudel. The wait is over: Waltz is the crème.
Should and will win: Christoph Waltz.
Best supporting actress
Brandy says: Penelope Cruz, Maggie Gyllenhaal and especially the “Up in the Air” tag-team of Vera Farmiga and Anna Kendrick deserve kudos for their pivotal performances. But again, Oscar voters cannot resist a career-altering performance. And rarely has one been as memorably scorched onto movie screens and cinephiles’ brains as comedienne Mo’Nique’s deadly-serious, stomach-curdling turn as the brutally abusive mother in “Precious.”
Should and will win: Mo’Nique.
Best director
Brandy says: As with the best picture contest, this category essentially amounts to a two-person race between Kathryn Bigelow with her volatile Iraq War thriller and James Cameron with his pioneering sci-fi epic. (Cue tabloid-style, high-school-level gossip: AND they used to be married. Yawn.) Cameron already has made movie history, with “Avatar” becoming the first film to cross the $700 million domestic box-office mark. Now, it’s Bigelow’s turn. Known for making movies that defy the dreaded “woman’s film” or “chick flick” classifications, Bigelow already has become the first female filmmaker to win the directing prizes from the BAFTA Awards and Directors Guild of America. On Sunday, she will become the first woman to capture the Oscar for best director.
Should and will win: Kathryn Bigelow.
Original screenplay
Brandy predicts: Quentin Tarantino for “Inglourious Basterds.
Adapted screenplay
Brandy predicts: Jason Reitman, Sheldon Turner for “Up in the Air.”
Animated feature
Brandy predicts: “Up,” but would prefer that “The Secret of Kells” or “Fantastic Mr. Fox” win.
Documentary feature
Brandy predicts: “The Cove.”
Animated short film
Brandy predicts: “Wallace and Gromit in A Matter of Loaf and Death.”
Live-action short film
Brandy predicts: “Instead of Abracadabra.”
- BAM
Reminder: Follow the BAM’s Blog Oscars live-blog Sunday night
The Oscar statuettes will be award Sunday night during the 82nd Oscars. (Associated Press file photo)
Don’t forget, the 82nd Annual Academy Awards will air Sunday night on ABC, with the red carpet starting at 7 p.m. and the actual ceremony beginning at 7:30.
Starting at 7 p.m. Sunday, I’ll begin live-blogging along with the broadcast, chronicling the winners, speeches, montages and more until the co-hosts Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin bid everyone good night.
Who knows how long that will take. But never fear, loyal readers, we will get through the Oscars hoopla together here at BAM’s Blog.
-BAM
Look for Oscars live-blog Sunday night at BAM’s Blog
The Oscar statuettes will be handed out Sunday night. (Associated Press file photo)
The 82nd Annual Academy Awards will air Sunday night on ABC, with the red carpet starting at 7 p.m. and the actual ceremony beginning at 7:30.
Starting at 7 p.m. Sunday, I’ll begin live-blogging along with the broadcast, chronicling the winners, speeches, montages and more until the co-hosts Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin bid everyone good night.
Who knows how long that will take. But never fear, loyal readers, we will get through the Oscars hoopla together here at BAM’s Blog.
-BAM
