2010 Oscar Nominations - First Impressions

AND IT BEGINS! After my first frantic sprint through the nominee list, I'm happy with the results, especially given my frustration in recent years. There are certainly things I'm furious about (No Nolan for Directing?!!?! Ruffalo over Garfield for Supporting Actor? WHERE'S RYAN GOSLING?) and ecstatic over (Winter's Bone! Michelle Williams!), along with a few tradition curveballs (Javier Bardem, Jacki Weaver); given the momentum certain films have had throughout the awards circuit, I can't complain or nitpick too much (ex. the lack of love for my darling Blue Valentine).

The race for Best Picture undoubtedly comes down to The Social Network vs. The King's Speech. I'm giving the edge to The Social Network (right now), as it has won almost every possible critical award so far... However, The King's Speech leads the Oscar pack with 12 nominations. Whew.

The nominee in bold is what I believe will win (at this point in the race, as some categories are still up in the air), and the italicized nominee is my person favorite. Sometimes, these choices line up, hence the double duty. I'm only tackling the big(ger) categories, so head over to http://oscar.go.com/ for the full lineup; I certainly have options about all of the technical business, and am more than willing to have that conversation.

Best Picture
'Black Swan'
'The Fighter'
'Inception'
'The Kids Are All Right'
'The King's Speech'
'127 Hours'
'The Social Network'
'Toy Story 3'
'True Grit'
'Winter's Bone'

Best Actor
Javier Barden, 'Biutiful'
Jeff Bridges, 'True Grit'
Jesse Eisenberg, 'The Social Network'
Colin Firth, 'The King's Speech'
James Franco, '127 Hours'

Best Support Actor

Christian Bale, 'The Fighter'

John Hawkes, 'Winter's Bone'

Jeremy Renner, 'The Town'

Mark Ruffalo, 'The Kids Are All Right'

Geoffrey Rush, 'The King's Speech'

Best Actress
Annette Bening, 'The Kids Are All Right'
Nicole Kidman, 'Rabbit Hole'
Jennifer Lawrence, 'Winter's Bone'
Natalie Portman, 'Black Swan'
Michelle Williams, 'Blue Valentine'

Best Supporting Actress
Amy Adams, 'The Fighter'
Helena Bonham Carter, 'The King's Speech'
Melissa Leo, 'The Fighter'
Hailee Steinfeld, 'True Grit'
Jacki Weaver, 'Animal Kingdom'

Best Director
Darren Aronofsky, 'Black Swan'
David O. Russell, 'The Fighter'
Tom Hooper, 'The King's Speech'
David Fincher, 'The Social Network'
Joel & Ethan Coen, 'True Grit'

Adapted Screenplay
Danny Boyle & Simon Beaufoy, '127 Hours'
Aaron Sorkin, 'The Social Network'
Michael Arndt, 'Toy Story 3'
Joel & Ethan Coen, 'True Grit
Debra Granik & Anne Rosellini, 'Winter's Bone'

Original Screenplay
Mike Leigh, 'Another Year'
Scott Silver & Paul Tamasy, 'The Fighter'
Christopher Nolan, 'Inception'
Lisa Cholodenko & Stuart Blumberg, 'The Kids Are All Right'
David Seidler, 'The King's Speech'

Quote of the Day

Listen honey, I don't care if you smell like straight manure, just please don't step on these heels. They're brand new.

-Rando woman on the 1 train, to a homeless man

Quote of the Day

So... is it Alejandro? Or Roberto?

-Jim Bolster, making some sort of joke about Lady Gaga

Ten Favorite Films of 2010

With Oscar talk finally reaching scorching levels, and the nominees to be announced January 25th, I figured it was high time to finally put together my favorite films of the year... These are my favorite films, not what I technically consider the "best"; these are the films that hit me the hardest, had me leaving the theater on the high , brain churning and heart thumping.

Critical darlings like True Grit, The Town, and The Fighter (Christian Bale is a lock for Best Supporting Actor, and I'll be rooting for Amy Adams to win Best Support Actress) just missed my top ten, and I excluded documentaries from this list (Exit Through the Gift Shop would definitely be nestled in the middle of the pack). There are a few films I wish I had seen, and hope to check out before February 27th - Another Year, Animal Kingdom, Biutiful, Somewhere, and I Am Love... If I've written a full review for the film, its title below links you over to that post.

10. 127 Hours - I'm not crazy about Danny Boyle's style, but he shows true flair and artistic inhibition with this unorthodox biopic about human triumph; anchored by James Franco's strong performance, the final 20 minutes of this film are transcendent.

9. The King's Speech - While I found the British historical drama a little safe for all of the crazed Best Picture buzz, Colin Firth's performance is nothing but perfection; Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter are inspiring choices, and the film's uplifting story is inspired.

8. Never Let Me Go - After mixed reviews from critics, and a lukewarm box office reception, this quiet and achingly gorgeous romance-drama with a tinge of sci-fi on the edges never found the audience it deserved. The tone isn't for everyone, but it follows the book's haunting mood and message.

7. Winter's Bone - Jennifer Lawrence is a big new talent in Hollywood, and I hope to see more from this young woman; there's a silent scream towards the end of the film that will rock your entire soul. One of the grittiest films of the year, this was potentially a made-for-television concept that is instead executed with class and restraint.

6. The Kids Are All Right- Too bad Julianne Moore isn't receiving more recognition next to (the brilliant) Annette Bening; both actresses are incredible strong as lesbian moms struggling to keep their family together. It's the smartest "comedy" of the year, centered by a flawless ensemble cast, a film truly about the strength of relationships.

5. Toy Story 3 - Pixar can do no wrong. It's as simple as that. This is the sort of film that can enthrall children while touching upon the deepest pangs of nostalgia in adults, and still entertains on every level.

4. Inception - Christopher Nolan once again proves he can do more than just steer the Batman franchise in the right direction; everything about this film is big, bold, and ambitious. It's not always perfect, but every second of this movie is pushing the summer blockbuster in a new direction.

3. The Social Network - David Fincher took the ludicrous idea of "the Facebook movie," and turned a quasi-biopic from 2004 into something brilliant and thought-provoking. The film shoots sparks with every intelligent frame, and Sorkin's script is truly jaw-dropping.

2. Blue Valentine - Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling create one of the most realistic relationships every captured on screen. It's a heartbreakingly beautiful film, raw and depressing while still illuminating and hopeful. My heart was in my throat for the entire film.

1. Black Swan - Natalie Portman's descent into artistic obsession as a prima ballerina is my personal cinematic obsession of the year. Darren Aronofsky's film might be wild and polarizing, but he's crafted one of the most visceral and overwhelming experience I've ever seen on the big screen. Aronofsky deftly plays with themes he's been exploring his entire career, and Black Swan is finally his masterpiece, gorgeous and breathtaking.

Quote of the Day

Catwoman? Yes, please... I can't stop thinking about Keira in sexy skintight black patent leather.

-Ross Ramone, on news that Keira Knightley is in the running for a female role in Christopher Nolan's third Batman film