Who Will Take Home the Gold? Kunze’s Oscar Picks

So it’s that time of year again when tensions run high and bets are made over who will win the big awards like best picture, actor and screenplay in the 2010 Oscars. As a film studies student and a movie buff, these are my predictions for the big winners this year.

Probably the hardest category to guess this year is Best Picture. With Cameron’s Avatar breaking box office and special effects records, it is hard to not see the award going to sci-fi wizard. However, his ex-wife Bigelow (The Hurt Locker) did pick up the Director Guild’s Top Prize, becoming the first woman to do so. My predictions: Cameron for Best Picture, Bigelow for Best Director. Cameron has been wondering for weeks what line he’ll quote from Avatar when he grabs another gold boy. However, instead of the classic Titanic line, “I’m the King of the world,” he’ll probably yell out “Eywa has heard you” or “I see you.”

For Best Actress, I’m placing my money on the amazing and emotional performance by newcomer, Gabourey Sidibe (Precious). Having met her in person, I can say she is one of the most intelligent actresses of her generation. On the other hand, Meryl Streep (Julie and Julia) has so many Oscars she’s started using them to hold up unstable furniture. Give it to the new girl. She impressed me when I found out she corrected her director with Italian translations on set.

Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart) has been snubbed by the Academy on four nomination occasions. Having portrayed a number of great memorable roles throughout the past two decades including The Dude (The Big Lebowski) and Max Klein (Fearless). The only other contender that might rob him of his much-deserved Oscar would be Colin Firth for his subtlety sad performance in A Single Man. As for Best Supporting Actor, Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds) already has his Oscar in the mail for playing a trilingual Nazi traitor. The Best Supporting Actress award will most likely go to Mo’nique (Precious) for her strong role as an abusive urban mother. Even though Mo didn’t do any publicity for the film, her acting stands out much more than the other nominees. Plus, how can she lose when Oprah has her back?

As for the writing awards, I predict Tarantino (Inglourious Basterds) will grab Original Screenplay for his fictional satire about WWII Nazi scalpers and Adapted Screenplay will go to Precious’ Geoffrey Fletcher for tackling the difficult subject matter. This must have been an especially challenging project to adapt for Fletcher considering the novel is written in broken English and stream of consciousness. It should also be noted that the author, who was initially very skeptical of having her novel turned into a movie, cried during the first screening.

Finally, I foresee the Oscar for Best Documentary going to The Cove, perhaps the most important film of the year. The movie follows a group of activists, led by renown dolphin trainer and Flipper star, Ric O’Barry as they attempt to infiltrate a cove near Taijii, Japan to expose both a shocking instance of animal abuse and a serious threat to human health. If people only knew what was really in their sushi!

If you’re interested in watching the Academy Awards, they air March 7 at 5 pm on ABC. There will also be a party March 7 at 5 PM at Pedro Arrupe Hall (6^th Ave and Anza). There will be prizes, free pizza, popcorn, and cookies. Be sure to throw on a gown or a tux, it’s time to dress your best.

The Winners List:

Best Picture – Avatar

Best Director – Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker)

Best Actor – Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart)

Best Supporting Actor – Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds)

Best Actress – Gabourey Sidibe (Precious)

Best Supporting Actress – Mo’Nique (Precious)

Best Foreign Film – The White Ribbon, Germany

Best Animated Film – Up

Art Direction – Avatar

Cinematography – The Hurt Locker

Costume Design – The Young Victoria

Best Documentary – The Cove

Film Editing – Avatar

Makeup – Star Trek

Best Original Score – Avatar

Best Original Song – “The Weary Kind” (Crazy Heart)

Sound Editing – Avatar

Sound Mixing – Avatar

Best Visual Effects – Avatar

Best Adapted Screenplay – Precious

Best Original Screenplay – Inglourious Basterds