2010 Oscar Predictions

It is that time of year again for the 83rd time: the time when Hollywood awards its directors and actors and movies for their accomplishments. This year’s nominations brought some surprises and some disappointments. Nonetheless, it is still going to be worth to see what this ceremony holds for us. Listed below are the my predictions for the major nominees and why they are my choices. For some of the nominees my choices for who will win and who should win are the same.

Best Picture

Who Will Win: The Social Network

Why? This movie has been on everyone’s mind since it came out. It has been receiving lots of award recognition from every award show that has occurred within the last month. Is it the right choice? Not really, despite the fact that it is a good movie. It simply isn't best picture of the year. It clearly did not have that quality in it at all.

Who Should Win: Toss- up between Inception , Black Swan , and The King’s Speech

Why? These three films were some of the year’s best. It is a shame that the Academy failed to give more recognition to Inception , but Black Swan and The King’s Speech were both equally masterful in their own way.

Best Director

Who Will Win: David Fincher for The Social Network

Why? David Fincher seems to be this year's best director according to loads of critics and fans. To me it seems to be a stretch because when watching this movie you can’t help but notice that any director could have made it. Steven Spielberg could have made this movie.

Who Should Win: Darren Aronofsky for Black Swan

Why? Black Swan was a very moody and very dark movie. Aronofsky has proven to be a capable director who can tackle subject matter like that and turn it into something extraordinary. With this film, he combines thriller with horror and does it in a way that is probably unmatched with any director up for this award.

Best Actor

Who Will Win: Colin Firth for The King’s Speech

Why? Colin Firth is a true British thespian. You can clearly see that he did his homework and became King George VI. Not just his homework on King George, but looking at people who suffer from similar speech impediments. Colin Firth embraced King George and he did it magnificently.

Who Should Win: Colin Firth for The King’s Speech

Best Actress

Who Will Win: Natalie Portman for Black Swan

Why? Natalie Portman is quickly becoming one of our finest actresses. Ever since her time in the world of Star Wars ended more than five years ago, she has been busy branching out into other roles that would redefine her as an actress. In so doing, she surprised us with this movie. Here she plays a ballet dancer who wants nothing more than to be a success, but first she must confront her inner demons which cause her to lose her connection with reality. This is a role that could not be played by anyone else. Natalie disappeared into this character and made a huge connection with the audience.

Who Should Win: Natalie Portman for Black Swan

Best Supporting Actor

Who Will Win: Christian Bale for The Fighter

Why? Until this movie Christian Bale was only known for being Batman , but with this role he went outside of himself and became a character that totally got rid of any trace that he is Bruce Wayne. He plays a character who is a drug addict and looks like he is anorexic. With all sincere ability, he pulled off this role all on his own and has proven that he can’t be known simply as Batman .

Who Should Win: Christian Bale for The Fighter

Best Supporting Actress

Who Will Win: Melissa Leo for The Fighter

Why? Watching Melissa play the role of on overbearing mother was an eye popping experience. She embodied that personality which is what ultimately made that character a person that you simply hate but love at the same time. She gives new meaning to the horrible mother.

Who Should Win: Hailie Steinfeld for True Grit

Why? While I personally preferred the original John Wayne version of this movie, I do give absolute recognition for its young star. She took on that role that required her to play a 14 year old but play it like she is a grown adult. Hailie is on her way to becoming the next major young female star like Judy Garland or Dakota Fanning.

Best Original Screenplay

Who Will Win: David Siedler for The King’s Speech

Why? David’s script for this movie was very rich in detail and history. It shows that he did his historical research when it came to laying out the period setting and the persona of the characters. These elements are the necessary steps to make a great film.

Who Should Win: Christopher Nolan for Inception

Why? While I support The King’s Speech winning this award, I must say that I would like to see Nolan win it, for the sole reason that Nolan’s script was conceived out of total originality. This is something that is clearly lacking in Hollywood today, with so many needless remakes and reboots. Nolan took us into our own subconscious minds and explored the reasons of why we dream when we are sleeping. He kept us on the edge of our seats with a suspenseful tone that echoes the adventures of James Bond. Awarding a movie for originality is something that should happen more often.

Best Adapted Screenplay

Who Will Win: Aaron Sorkin for The Social Network

Why? Aaron Sorkin is a big name in Hollywood. He wrote scripts for A Few Good Men and The American President . He also was the creator and producer of the hit show The West Wing . Sorkin is one of those rare writers who clearly knows how combine dialogue with action. He can write dialogue in a very fast paced time that wastes no time in getting to the point.

Who Should Win: Aaron Sorkin for The Social Network

Best Animated Film

Who Will Win: Toy Story 3

Why? When has there been a year when Pixar did not dominate this category at the Oscars? Every year that they have been nominated for this category, they have not gone home empty-handed. This film was probably the best animated film that I have seen in years. It brought the toys back and gave one of the best endings to this franchise. There was truly great movie making going on here.

Who Should Win: Toy Story 3

There are my choices for the 2010 Oscars. Overall, I like them, but yet I am a little disappointed that the Academy did not recognize Inception with more nominations in both directing and acting. They also ignored another movie called The Town , one that I thought was a sure bet to be a nominee. Yet, this is something that the Academy does all the time. They strategically single out movies that they know are worthy of nominations in favor of ones that probably do not deserve it.

By Adam Miller, Movies Correspondent and Associate Producer for The RPM Show. You can learn more about the Oscars, past and current movies, and anything about the world of entertainment by visiting The RPM Show (www.therpmshow.com) and listening to the broadcasts.