Oscar Predictions

With Oscar time right around the corner, thousands prepare ballots in their work places. I have made my picks and it could give you a head up when picking on your ballot.

Performance by an actor in a leading role – Jeff bridges should win easily for his role in crazy heart.

Performance by and actor in a supporting role – Christoph Waltz is the frontrunner for his role in Inglourious Basterds.

Performance by and actress in a leading role – Sandra Bullock is the strong leader here for her role in The Blind Side.

Performance by an actress in a supporting role – No doubt that this one will be won by Mo’Nique for her role in Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’.

Best animates feature film of the year – Even though the race is tight look for Up to come out on top.

Achievement in art direction – Although all are possible winners expect Avatar to win based on scope alone.

Achievement in cinematography - Once again expect Avatar to win with Inglourious Basterds being a close

second.

Achievement in costume design – This one is up for grabs, but my money is on The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus.

Achievement in directing – This one is a tough one. I am betting on Kathryn Bigelow’s Hurt Locker to make history by naming her the first female director to win in this category.

Best documentary feature – Having not seen all of the nominees I have to give a partial guess, but I have faith in Food, Inc.

Achievement in film editing – I am making a risky bet with District 9. I think it will win at least one, and this one is it.

Achievement in Makeup – With a slim field for this category, Star Trek will win hands down.

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (original score) – Look for Fantastic Mr. Fox to have this Oscar in a loaded category.

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (original song) – The Weary Kind (Theme from Crazy Heart) will win this without fail.

Best motion picture of the year - Hurt Locker all the way. Even though I do not think it should win, look for Kathryn Bigelow to win this close one.

Achievement in sound editing – Another toss-up vote. I am going with the easy Avatar vote.

Achievement in sound mixing – Toss-up category again, Avatar for the guess on this one.

Achievement in visual effects – Avatar has this one in the bag, solid vote.

Adapted screenplay – Even though I would love for District 9 to win look for Up in the Air to win.

Original Screenplay - No film in this category was more original that Inglorious Basterds, bet on it to win here.

There they are. Hope this gives you a slight edge when you pick yours. Look to after the Oscars for my thoughts and to say “I told you so” on my winners.

Daybreakers

Vampire movies are a dime a dozen. With the sudden flood of vampire interest how can a new property make an impact? Daybreakers gambles with something a bit different with the genre. Can Daybreakers sink its teeth into the movie going public or does it come off dry.

Daybreakers is a vampire thriller written and directed by Michael and Peter Spierig. The Australian born brothers are known for a visceral and violent style of movie making, and Daybreakers does follow suit. Still relatively new to the movie world, Michael and Peter have two other films to their name, with one being thirteen minutes long.

Daybreakers brings in a few heavy hitters to fill its roles. Ethan Hawke plays Edward Dalton, a vampire hematologist who is working on a blood substitute for the pharmaceutical company Bromley Marks. Dalton is sympathetic to the human race and feels the need to save them. His boss Charles Bromley (Sam Neill) is less caring about humans, and runs Bromley Marks. Willem Dafoe plays Elvis, a human resistance fighter, and ex-vampire. The acting is a strong point in this film, and pulls you into the story fairly quickly.

The art direction is steady with a few shots that seem to be out of place, though this is a small complaint. The CGI is at times terrible, and really hinders the films pace. Luckily this only happens two or three times with the rest of the film looking rather good. I do feel that while the acting was good, a more experienced director could have gotten a bit more out of the actors. That being said I have no doubt that Michael and Peter will do better with each future film.

I liked this movie. While it did leave me wanting more, I still feel that this film is solid and should be seen. The acting is good. The feel is good. A film about a civilization of vampires could easily come off cheesy, and Daybreakers makes its mark.

Sorry about the vampire puns…I could not help myself.