The beginning of the calendar year is always a wasteland in terms of cinematic value and excitement, and, with such anemic early releases as “Joyful Noise” and “Contraband,” this year is so far proving no different (sorry, Dolly Parton fans). But at least we have the awards season to keep us cinephiles entertained (and awake) until movies with at least inklings of artistic merit begin playing again at our local cineplexes and arthouse theaters.
Oscar sets the final stage of another awards season in motion this upcoming Tuesday with the nominations for the 84th annual ceremony. The ceremony will begin the cementation of what movies will be emblematic of 2011 as we look back in years and decades to come. Here are my picks for those lucky few, as well as my citations for what I think has undeserved buzz, and also what I think deserves more buzz than it’s getting.
**Best Picture:** “The Artist,” “The Descendants,” “Hugo,” “Midnight in Paris,” “The Help,” “War Horse,” “Drive”
Alternate: “Moneyball”
Hope I’m Wrong: “The Help”
Wishful Thinking: “Melancholia”
Best Director: Michel Hazanavicius (“The Artist”), Martin Scorsese (“Hugo”), Woody Allen (“Midnight in Paris”), Alexander Payne (“The Descendants”), David Fincher (“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”)
Alternate: Terrence Malick (“Tree of Life”)
Hope I’m Wrong: David Fincher
Wishful Thinking: Lynne Ramsay (“We Need to Talk About Kevin”)
Best Actor: George Clooney (“The Descendants”), Brad Pitt (“Moneyball”), Jean Dujardin (“The Artist”), Michael Fassbinder (“Shame”), Leonardo DiCaprio (“J. Edgar”)
Alternate: Michael Shannon (“Take Shelter”)
Hope I’m Wrong: Leonardo DiCaprio
Wishful Thinking: Ryan Gosling (“Drive”)
Best Actress: Meryl Streep (“The Iron Lady”), Michelle Williams (“My Week with Marilyn”), Viola Davis (“The Help”), Tilda Swinton (“We Need to Talk About Kevin”), Charlize Theron (“Young Adult”)
Alternate: Glen Close (“Albert Nobbs”)
Hope I’m Wrong: none
Wishful Thinking: Kirsten Dunst (“Melancholia”)
Best Supporting Actor: Christopher Plummer (“Beginners”), Albert Brooks (“Drive”), Kenneth Branagh (“My Week with Marilyn”), Jonah Hill (“Moneyball”), Max von Sydow (“Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close”)
Alternate: Nick Nolte (“Warrior”)
Hope I’m Wrong: Jonah Hill
Wishful Thinking: Brad Pitt (“Tree of Life”)
Best Supporting Actress: Octavia Spencer (“The Help”), Jessica Chastain (“The Help”), Janet McTeer (“Albert Nobbs”), Berenice Bejo (“The Artist”), Shailene Woodley (“The Descendants”)
Alternate: Vanessa Redgrave (“Coriolanus”)
Hope I’m Wrong: Janet McTeer
Wishful Thinking: Charlotte Gainsbourg (“Melancholia”)
Best Animated Film: “Rango,” “Kung Fu Panda 2,” “Puss in Boots,” “Arthur Christmas,” “Cars 2”
Alternate: “Winnie the Pooh”
Hope I’m Wrong: “Cars 2”
Wishful Thinking: “The Secret World of Arietty”