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Sunday 28 February 2016

Oscars 2016 [Updated]

- Best actor:
Bryan Cranston in Trumbo 
Matt Damon in The Martian 
Leonardo DiCaprio in The Revenant
Michael Fassbender in Steve Jobs 
Eddie Redmayne in The Danish Girl 

My prediction: Leonardo DiCaprio, because of the brute force of his performance, because of his efforts throughout his career and the commitment to this role, because he's the beating heart of The Revenant, because Bryan Cranston is not as impressive, Matt Damon and Michael Fassbender, whom I haven't seen, are unlikely to be better, and Eddie Redmayne already won last year, and because if The Revenant doesn't win him an Oscar, perhaps nothing will. 
My wish: Eddie Redmayne's excellent performance in The Danish Girl proves him 1 of the best actors of his generation and he can convey the most subtle emotions in a way that Leonardo DiCaprio never can (whom I've seen in 17 films); Leonardo DiCaprio is limited when it comes to subtleties, his face isn't as sensitive and expressive as the faces of Daniel Day-Lewis, Marlon Brando, Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman, Al Pacino, Philip Seymour Hoffman, etc. but there are many styles of acting as there are many kinds of actors, and in The Revenant he transforms himself, he embodies strength, endurance and a drive for life and then revenge, he gives the film a beating heart, and his performance has a force I can't quite put into words that we don't often see in cinema; Leonardo DiCaprio deserves recognition for his attitude and efforts, whilst many actors such as Johnny Depp or even Robert De Niro seem to be quite careless, he takes art seriously, works hard, pursues challenging roles, strives to go beyond himself and commits to his roles, which is admirable; this is a great and rare opportunity for him, whereas Eddie Redmayne, with such talent, will have other chances to win a 2nd Oscar. 
Result: Leonardo DiCaprio in The Revenant!!!!!!!!


- Best actress:
Cate Blanchett in Carol 
Brie Larson in Room
Jennifer Lawrence in Joy 
Charlotte Rampling in 45 Years
Saoirse Ronan in Brooklyn

My prediction: Brie Larson. 
My wish: Brie Larson, because she's so real and so convincing and so heartbreaking as a mother, as a daughter, and as young woman bruised by the experience of being held captive in a room for 7 years, her performance in Room can be divided into 2 parts- before the escape, she tries to survive in a small room, never giving up the hope for freedom, and once free and back with her family, she has somehow been broken by the experience and has to try to live and make sense of the world; Charlotte Rampling, because 45 Years works on the subtle emotions and vague changes on her face; Cate Blanchett, because she's my favourite actress, though Carol hasn't come out in Norway; or perhaps anyone except the overrated Jennifer Lawrence. 
Result: Brie Larson in Room


- Best supporting actor:
Christian Bale in The Big Short
Tom Hardy in The Revenant
Mark Ruffalo in Spotlight
Mark Rylance in Bridge of Spies 
Sylvester Stallone in Creed

My prediction: Sylvester Stallone or Mark Ruffalo. 
My wish: None. 
Result: Mark Rylance in Bridge of Spies 


- Best supporting actress:
Jennifer Jason Leigh in The Hateful Eight
Rooney Mara in Carol 
Rachel McAdams in Spotlight
Alicia Vikander in The Danish Girl 
Kate Winslet in Steve Jobs

My prediction: Kate Winslet or Alicia Vikander. 
My wish: None, because I've just seen 2 out of 5. 
Result: Alicia Vikander in The Danish Girl 


- Best picture:
The Big Short 
Bridge of Spies 
Brooklyn 
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Martian
The Revenant 
Room
Spotlight 

My prediction: The Revenant or The Big Short or Spotlight. 
My wish: Room, because it's simple but well-done and touching, dealing with the psychology of a woman who is imprisoned in a room, isolated from everyone, for 7 years and who later has to struggle to get back to normal life, and of a boy born and brought up in a single room that goes out into the world for the 1st time at the age of 5, and because Room makes me think of many things in life that I have always taken for granted; I haven't seen Spotlight, The Martian and Mad Max
Result: Spotlight 


- Best director:
Adam McKay– The Big Short
George Miller– Mad Max: Fury Road
Alejandro G. Iñárritu– The Revenant
Lenny Abrahamson– Room
Tom McCarthy– Spotlight

My prediction: Alejandro G. Iñárritu. 
My wish: Alejandro G. Iñárritu, because whilst I don't think as highly of The Revenant as of Birdman and Babel, it is a beautiful film, a daring work, and it shows his great talent as a director, and he's 1 of the best directors working today. 
Result: Alejandro G. Iñárritu– The Revenant


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Some other awards: 
Best original screenplay: Spotlight 
Best adapted screenplay: The Big Short
Best foreign language film: Son of Saul (Hungary) 
Best documentary- feature: Amy 
Best animated feature film: Inside Out
Best original song: "Writing's on the Wall" from Spectre
Best original score: The Hateful Eight
Best cinematography: The Revenant 

8 comments:

  1. I think I am one of the exceptions in the world. I saw none of the movies, and I did not watch the Oscars presentation extravaganza (and BLM rant). I think the last movie I saw -- against my will -- was the first Lord of the Rings, which was an annoying waste of time. I prefer my movies on the TCM channel; they are old and entertaining (a bit like me).

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    Replies
    1. I think you should check out some of them. I especially like Room and 45 Years. The 1st one makes me think about a few things I've always taken for granted.
      Why do you dislike The Lord of the Rings? It's well done.

      Delete
  2. o/t

    Have you perhaps changed the title of the blog? Why?

    ReplyDelete
  3. All i get ever are 'smilies'..."Il rit. Il rit beaucoup...."

    :p

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hahahhhaa. I'm obsessed with the Alice books at the moment, that's why. They're hard to write about though.

      Delete
    2. And here i thought "obsession" was a bad word ... *shakes head*

      Delete

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