LAURA JOHNSON
Assistant Life Editor
Oscar will need a walker to roll on stage Sunday evening, as he will be turning 80. In the inky blackness that the movie business has created this year, the stars will finally be able to shine on this night, none so much as those nominated.
For some, it is hard to care about a ceremony in which none of the films being awarded were even in the top 10 moneymaking of the past year. It seems that to the Academy, the more obscure the film is, the more awards it should be slapped with. However, with Jon Stewart back again as the master of ceremonies, something great is sure to happen.
Here are the Graphic’s predictions in the most important categories:
Best Picture:
Staff thought: Because Daniel Day-Lewis is the whole movie – “There Will Be Blood” pretty much has to win. Not letting that film win would be like not giving Day-Lewis the win, and I’m a little bit afraid him. – Nicole Albertson, Life editor
Who will win: It is going to be a blood bath to the finish as the two front-runners are two of the most grotesque films of the year, “No Country for Old Men” and “There Will Be Blood.” As “Atonement” was slighted in the two acting and director categories, a win is highly improbable. And as for “Michael Clayton,” even the eight people in the country who saw it wouldn’t vote for it – propaganda does not do well at the box office or at the Oscars either.
Who should win: “All I want is you, will you be my bride” – the lyrics off of the “Juno” soundtrack encompass what Oscar should be asking of the film. It is the best of the year. The problem with it is it is too funny, and there is no violence or sex. Just like last year’s “Little Miss Sunshine” was robbed, this one will be too.
Best Actress
Staff thought: Ellen Page for “Juno” because she played a good little pregnant girl. – Lexi Sebring, Life assistant
Who will win: Julie Christie. Does anyone remember her movie? Well, neither does Christie, as the film “Away From Her” is about the perils of Alzheimer’s disease. Happy life stories with seasoned actors like this always get the Academy voters’ pencils checking “yes.” Laura Linney, nominated for “The Savages,” won just a few years ago for “Kinsey,” meaning it is a little too soon for another, while no one has heard of Marion Catilliard, who starred in the French film “ La Vie en Rose.” This is Christie’s to loose.
Who should win: As the fire-tongued 16 year-old Juno MacGruff, Ellen Page has a lot of words. On Oscar night, those words should be,“I’d like to thank the Academy…”
Best Actor
Staff thought: If Daniel Day-Lewis does not win Best Actor, Congress needs to start drug testing prominent Hollywood personalities for mind-bending substances. But why stop there? Let’s rename the awards show “There Will Be Blood” … sorry, Coen Bros. – Marc Choquette, Perspectives editor
Who will win: There will be blood on the floor of the Oscar stage if Day-Lewis, “There Will Be Blood,” does not get the nod for his role. However, there could always be an upset from one of the other contenders. Johnny Depp, “Sweeny Todd,” is thirsty for some action from Oscar, and George Clooney, “Michael Clayton,” is an Oscar darling, while Viggo Mortinson was finally recognized for “Eastern Promises.” Yet, they will all have to wait a little longer for the taste of glory.
Who should win: Obvious.
Best Supporting Actor:
Staff thought: Tom Wilkinson should win for “Michael Clayton” because he shows that sometimes when you go off your meds, crazy things can happen like winning an Oscar.
– Derek Sedam, staff writer
Who will win: Sporting the best-looking bowl haircut to hit the big screen, Javier Bardem’s crazy serial killer in “No Country” is sure to give him the upper hand. The other men in the category are all exceptional actors, but it is just not their year to prove that.
Who should win: It is not that he should necessarily win, but it is important to note that Casey Affleck, in “The Assassination of Jesse James,” proves he is the brother in the family who can actually act. Now, hopefully, he will be able to step out of the shadow.
Best Supporting Actress:
Staff thought: It can’t go to Tilda Swinton because she is just scary. She is more of a man than I am. – Director of Strategic Planning, Chris Segal.
Who will win: Cate Blanchett will not win in the Best Actress category. The Academy is going to feel bad about this and therefore give her the statue for her portrayal as Bob Dylan in the film “I’m Not There.” The Academy loves when beautiful women uglify themselves. Remember Charlize Theron for “Monster” and Nicole Kidman for “The Hours?”
Who should win: Ruby Dee as the matriarch in the wrongly snubbed film “American Gangster” is the oldest of the nominees this evening. How fitting it would be to celebrate Oscar’s 80th with the win from one of the longest-working actors around.
Best Original Screenplay:
Staff thought: The Little Chef [“Ratatoille”] inspired me to bake a pie, therefore it should be the best screenplay of the year. – Mack Carroll, Assistant photo editor
Who will win: As was learned through the writer’s stike, acting is nothing without a script from which to read from. All scripts nominated in the original writing category are from independent films and, as such, offer an interesting perspective on the world. If the Academy is looking to identify with the culture of America instead what they consider most artistic, Diablo Cody’s “Juno” should get the green light.
Who should win: Brad Bird, Jan Pinkava and Jim Capobianco for “Ratatouille.” it is a refreshingly witty, family-friendly picture that has taken the talking-animal movie to places untouched before.
Best Animated Feature:
Staff thought: “Ratatouille” should win best animated feature because rats rule. I want a pet rat named Scabbers just like Ron Weasley. Then my life would be complete. – Greg Barnett, Sports editor
Who will win: Last year, the politically correct penguin film “Happy Feet” zoomed the Oscar away from Pixar’s “Cars.” This year, Pixar refuses to loose again as its film “Ratatouille” is the sure in for the category. Although the films “Surf’s Up” and “Persopolis” did fine things for film-making, their artistry is nothing compared to the Pixar effects.
Who should win: Disney pretty much invented animation – no one else does it better.
Watch the Academy Awards on ABC on Sunday at 5p.m.
02-21-2008
