ILK Oscar faves

Best Picture

Up: The inclusion of this wonderful animated adventure film in the Best Picture category is history in its own right – Up is the first animated feature to compete with live action blockbusters in the top Oscar honour category.

The Hurt Locker: One can’t go wrong about Kathryn Bigelow’s seemingly low-budget (compare its $11 million budget with Avatar’s $237 million) war epic about members of a U.S Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal squad stationed in Baghdad.

Actor in a Leading Role

Jeff Bridges: The critical success of Crazy Heart depends on one and one thing only: Jeff Bridges’ terrific performance as alcoholic country music has-been Bad Blake. The “Dude” has deserved the honour for a long time and I only pray he gets it this time.

Jeremy Renner: As the leader of the EOD squad in The Hurt Locker, Renner is so convincing that you develop a love-hate relationship with his character, both praising his heroics and taking him to task for foolhardiness.

Actor in a Supporting Role

Christoph Waltz: It’s a sin to like an SS commanding officer, especially whose nickname is “The Jew Hunter.” But Mr Waltz’s performance, in Inglourious Basterds, as Colonel Hans Landa, is so captivating that even the wariest are taken in.

Actress in a Leading Role

Gabourey Sidibe: Precious is Sidibe’s film and it’s impossible to imagine another actress playing Claireece “Precious” Jones.

Actress in a Supporting Role

Mo'Nique: As Precious’ dysfunctional mother, Mo'Nique gives a performance of a lifetime. The scenes where she verbally abuses the child will make the sensitive viewer cringe in horror.

Animated Feature Film

The Secret of Kells: This animated gem from Ireland has been hailed as “one of the greatest hand-drawn independent animated movies of all time.” Watch out for this dark horse.

Art Direction

Avatar: Pandora, the habitat of the blue-skinned humanoids, makes the viewer marvel at the beautiful lavishness of James Cameron’s magnum opus.

Sherlock Holmes: The breathtaking re-creation of various details of 19th-century London is a visual treat even though you take issue with Guy Ritchie over his handling of the Arthur Conan Doyle story.

Cinematography

Inglourious Basterds: Robert Richardson’s camera masterfully creates the feel and horror of the whole business of bloody revenge in Tarantino’s revisionist history.

Directing

Quentin Tarantino: With Inglourious Basterds, the maverick once again proves his worth as the most ingenious director of modern cinema.
 
Foreign Language Film

The White Ribbon: Shot in black and white and featuring awe-inspiring cinematography, this German language film by Austrian auteur Michael Haneke probes the origin of fascism. Disturbing but beautiful.

Music (Original Song)

Crazy Heart: “Our sweetest songs are those that tell of saddest thoughts,” said P. B. Shelley. Ryan Bingham’s “The Weary Kind”, the theme song of Crazy Heart, is so moving that your eyes will moisten even if you are not much of a country music enthusiast. And yes, you’ll feel good after shedding those tears.

Visual Effects

Avatar: Does it have a competitor in this regard? I don’t think so.

Writing (Original Screenplay)

Inglourious Basterds: When it comes to screenplay writing, Quentin Tarantino is nonpareil. Check out the opening scene or the now famous “tavern scene” of the Basterds.


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