The Film Fatales Oscar Picks: 2012

The 84th Annual Academy Awards
Live, Sunday February 26th, on ABC

Nicole: It’s almost Oscar time. Before we don our flowing Marchesa gowns and strap on our 6-inch Manolos, we thought we’d weigh in on the list of nominees. Here are our thoughts, comments and rants regarding this Sunday night’s 2012 Academy Awards. (Buckle up – it’s going to be a bumpy ride ;)

elizabeth: While Nicole is dazzling us all with her big designer names (and spelling does count), I will be sitting around with my favorite accessory – a box of the finest red wine I can find for under $8.00.

Nicole: Never let it go unsaid – you are one classy broad.

Best Picture:

"The Artist"
"The Descendants"
"Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close"
"The Help"
"Hugo"
"Midnight in Paris"
"Moneyball"
"The Tree of Life"
"War Horse" 

Nicole: I can’t say for certain here, mostly because you stole my crystal ball. (I want that back, Cassidy. And the Fendi purse I lent you.) Am thinking this category could go to any one of these three films: THE ARTIST, THE DESCENDANTS and THE HELP. Right this moment, I’m leaning toward THE ARTIST. Ask me tomorrow…

elizabeth: Fendi purse? I don’t recall them doing a SpongeBob line. This is a tough call for me because I have not seen them all. And I call myself a Film Fatale? Yes, I do. For about three weeks. Okay, here goes. I am thinking the Academy voters might fool us all and go for something out of the ordinary this year. So I am going to say THE ARTIST. And you know if it wins, all movies coming out in 2013 will be silent and filmed in black and white. 2013 could be the year without one car chase or alien invasion. YES!!

Best Actor:

Demian Bichir, "A Better Life"
George Clooney, "The Descendants"
Jean Dujardin, "The Artist"
Gary Oldman, "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy"
Brad Pitt, "Moneyball"

Nicole: See, again – if you’d asked me before the SAGs and BAFTAs, I would have conclusively said Clooney, but now I’m going with Jean Dujardin (mainly because I just love saying Jean Dujardin).

elizabeth: I am going to say Colin Firth for his role in TINKER,TAILOR, SOLDIER, SPY. I don’t give a damn that he wasn’t nominated. I got to stay on his good side.

Nicole: I’m surprised you didn’t say Javier Bardem. Well, I’m all good – ‘cause Clooney got the nod. Man sure does look fine in a tux.

Best Actress:

Glenn Close, "Albert Nobbs"
Viola Davis, "The Help"
Rooney Mara, "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"
Meryl Streep, "The Iron Lady"
Michelle Williams, "My Week with Marilyn"

Nicole: And, yet again, I would have said Meryl Streep – but Viola Davis is a strong contender here. The preceding award shows have virtually been split between these actresses, so there’s no real predictor here. Frankly, I’d be pleased with either actress. Streep’s portrayal of Thatcher was in-friggin’-credible in an otherwise problematic biopic. And Davis was genius as Aibileen – the scene when she describes her son’s passing alone warrants an Oscar.

elizabeth: I think Viola Davis deserves the Oscar. Her character, Aibileen, told a story about a despicable time in America while she kept her dignity intact and taught us a lesson about ourselves.

Best Supporting Actor:

Kenneth Branagh, "My Week with Marilyn"
Jonah Hill, "Moneyball"
Nick Nolte, "Warrior"
Christopher Plummer, "Beginners"
Max von Sydow, "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close"

Nicole: Though I’ve yet to see his performance, the favorite and obvious choice here is Christopher Plummer – I’m guessing mainly for his body of work and not this particular role. I would have like to see Branagh win a trophy, but his time will come.

elizabeth: I am feeling a little nauseous. I agree with you. Let’s keep this between us.

Nicole: I hate it when we agree.

Best Supporting Actress:

Berenice Bejo, "The Artist"
Jessica Chastain, "The Help"
Melissa McCarthy, "Bridesmaids"
Janet McTeer, "Albert Nobbs"
Octavia Spencer, "The Help"

Nicole: Do we even have to argue here: OCTAVIA! No doubt about it. And she deserves it every which way but loose. Incredible performance by a really talented actress.

elizabeth: I know a lot of people would like to see a comedic actress like Melissa McCarthy win, but BRIDEMAIDS made me want to shower over and over again. So maybe we have to wait until they do a funny movie about women that does not have to depend on men’s bathroom humor. I can’t see anyone but Octavia Spencer winning. She richly deserves it.

Nicole: Oooh, our first argument! I loved BRIDESMAIDS and regardless of the fact that McCarthy took a dump in a sink – her performance was heeeee-larious. So there. The Academy rarely nominates comedies (which is crap, btw). They should have a separate category for comedies, like the Globes do.

Best Directing:

Michel Hazanavicius, "The Artist"
Alexander Payne, "The Descendants"
Martin Scorsese, "Hugo"
Woody Allen, "Midnight in Paris"
Terrence Malick, "The Tree of Life"

Nicole: While MIDNIGHT IN PARIS was easily my favorite movie of 2012, there’s no way Woody’s love letter to the city of light stands a chance at winning the Oscar this year. This is a three-way tie in my estimation: Hazanavicius, Payne and Scorcese. From what I can tell, HUGO was a feat of epic proportions and Scorcese outdid himself, so I’m kind of pulling for him. But this can go anyway between THE ARTIST, THE DESCENDANTS and HUGO.

elizabeth: Nicole, could you please make up your mind? Number One – Woody is from the east coast, so they won’t give the Oscar to him again. So I am going to go with another short man, Martin Scorsese. HUGO is a visual masterpiece and Joe Pesci did not have to bury anyone. In fact, he is not even in the movie. I also like the idea that Marty took a chance and moved far out of his comfort zone and made a movie for the family and I don’t mean the Gottis or Gambinos. (FYI- I am writing this review from a safe house.)

Nicole: Hmm, all valid points. I hate it when you make sense. Luckily, it only happens on rare occasions. ;) Just kidding. Sorta. See you Sunday, FF.