Time for this year’s Oscar picks. These are not what I think will win, these are my own favorite movies and performances.
Let’s start with supporting actor:
- Alan Arkin – LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE
- Jackie Earle Haley – LITTLE CHILDREN
- Djimon Hounsou – BLOOD DIAMOND
- Eddie Murphy – DREAMGIRLS
- Mark Wahlberg – THE DEPARTED
I liked all of these performances, except maybe Eddie Murphy. But the best without a doubt is Haley. A very controversial and difficult role, perfectly rendered by Haley.
Best supporting actress:
- Adriana Barraza – BABEL
- Cate Blanchett – NOTES ON A SCANDAL
- Abigail Breslin – LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE
- Jennifer Hudson – DREAMGIRLS
- Rinko Kikuchi – BABEL
I am missing Notes, but I really don’t understand all the hype for Barraza. I did not find it that good, she had one good scene, and that’s it. Kikuchi was in my opinion much better, and I think she deserves to win.
Best leading actor:
- Leonardo DiCaprio – BLOOD DIAMOND
- Ryan Gosling – HALF NELSON
- Peter O’Toole – VENUS
- Will Smith – THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS
- Forest Whitaker – THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND
Have not seen Venus. DiCaprio was good. Gosling and Smith were very good. But for me, Whitaker was the best this year. The only problem is that his role was supporting, not leading. I really don’t understand this.
Best leading actress:
- Penélope Cruz – VOLVER
- Judi Dench – NOTES ON A SCANDAL
- Helen Mirren – THE QUEEN
- Meryl Streep – THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA
- Kate Winslet – LITTLE CHILDREN
Have not seen Volver and Notes. Liked Meryl Steep’s cold performance. Don’t really think Winslet was that good. But the best was Mirren, just a fascinating portrayal of the Queen.
Best adapted screenplay:
- BORAT
- CHILDREN OF MEN
- THE DEPARTED
- LITTLE CHILDREN
- NOTES ON A SCANDAL
I still don’t understand how Borat was an adapted screenplay. I am tempted to give it to Departed, it was a very interesting remake, same plot but completely different themes and style. However I think the narration in Little Children was the best adaptation from a novel.
Best original screenplay:
- BABEL
- LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA
- LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE
- PAN’S LABYRINTH
- THE QUEEN
Have not seen Letters. Sunshine was fun, Babel had good structure, but I didn’t care for the characters. The Queen is an interesting invention of what happens behind royal doors. But the interweaving of the fantasy and reality stories in Pan’s Labyrinth is astonishing, and the end is the best I’ve seen in years.
Best director:
- Alejandro González Iñárritu – BABEL
- Martin Scorsese – THE DEPARTED
- Clint Eastwood – LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA
- Stephen Frears – THE QUEEN
- Paul Greengrass – UNITED 93
Paul Greengrass managed to direct an objective representation of 9/11, and that’s not easy. But Scorsese really came back to form with his new mob movie. He deserves to finally get an Oscar.
Best picture:
- BABEL
- THE DEPARTED
- LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA
- LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE
- THE QUEEN
I really don’t get why Babel is even nominated. Same for Sunshine, a fun little movie but not much more. The Queen is interesting, but to me not even close to the impact of The Departed. I really liked this movie. A lot.
I’ll be back after I watch the Oscars to talk about the winners.