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Oscar Senses Tingling, Part Three

The Descendants
What it's likely to get nominated for: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor
What I'd like it to be nominated for: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor

Alexander Payne has nailed the zeitgeist of the past decade and seemingly touched off again with this new one. The tale of one man's grief while pulling his family back together was the right amount of heart without reaching into the saccharin bag that too many films resort to.


The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
What it's likely to get nominated for: Best Actress, Editing, Score
What I'd like it to be nominated for: Best Actress, Best Director

We're in a reversal from last year where The King's Speech was almost the only feel good splendor in the field. This year Dragon Tattoo is the juxtaposed film against heart-warmers like The Artist, The Descendants, War Horse, Extremely Loud and Incredibly CloseDaring the Academy to come out of the closet regarding their genre fetishism may prove too strong to resist.

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
What it's likely to get nominated for: Best PictureAdapted Screenplay, Editing, Sound Mixing
What I'd like it to be nominated for: Best Actor, Cinematography

Oldman's Smiley is not going to be brash enough to leap out at Academy voters, but his performance is no less impressive. He is glib in his answers, yet earnest in finding his own. The agency is a self-contained one, made up of huddled, tweeded masses who believe themselves to be the last line between England and the Soviet Union. A feeling of paranoia expertly captured by Hoyte Van Hoytema.

The Artist
What it's likely to get nominated for: Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress

What I'd like it to be nominated for: Cinematography, Supporting Actress, Score

The apparent shoe-in for the awards this year, The Artist has captured the attention of critics and fans alike.  Though the given favorite for the Academy's votes in most categories, the attention to detail in the cinematography in the construction of the 1920s and 1930s set design and camerawork, and the emotion portrayed in the score were undoubtedly exceptional.  A nod must be given to  Bérénice Bejo for her grounded and heartwarming performance as well.

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