2011 Academy Award Predictions: Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress

By: Markos Papadatos, Reporter

The 83rd Annual Academy Awards, hosted by James Franco and Anne Hathaway, are slated to take place on February 27, 2011 at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California.

In the "Best Picture" category, ten films are up for the night's top prize. These motion pictures include "127 Hours," "Black Swan," "The Fighter," "Inception," "The Kids Are All Right," "The King's Speech," "The Social Network," "Toy Story 3," "True Grit" and "Winter's Bone."

Analysis: The two films to watch out for are "The Social Network" and "The King's Speech." Both would be equally worthy of the top honor; "The Social Network" deals with the phenomenon of Facebook, and "The King's Speech" features stellar performances from an all-star cast: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter. If superb acting plays a factor in this year's "Best Picture" race, "The King's Speech" is automatically the frontrunner.

The "Best Actor" race features Javier Barden in "Biutiful," Jeff Bridges in "True Grit," Jesse Eisenberg in "The Social Network," Colin Firth in "The King's Speech" as well as James Franco in "127 Hours."

Analysis: It will not be Bridges since he won last year for "Crazy Heart," nor will it be Javier Barden, especially since his performance is in a foreign language film. The two male acting performances to watch out for are Franco's portrayal of Aron Ralston in "127 Hours," and Firth transforming into King George VI in "The King's Speech." Most likely it will be Firth! He is the most deserving nominee. Hopefully, if Franco continues to deliver top acting performances of this caliber, his time will come as well in the near future.

For "Best Actress," the nominees include Annette Bening in "The Kids Are All Right," Nicole Kidman in "Rabbit Hole," Jennifer Lawrence in "Winter's Bone," Natalie Portman in "Black Swan," as well as Michelle Williams in "Blue Valentine."

Analysis: It is nice to see Michelle Williams in the "Best Actress" lineup. This marks her second career Oscar nomination since her heartbreaking supporting role in "Brokeback Mountain." Jennifer Lawrence was superb in "Winter's Bone," which resulted in her winning the "National Board of Review" award for "Best Actress"; however, the award this year is Natalie Portman's to lose. The only spoiler is Annette Bening. If Academy members base their vote on an actress' body of work, the Oscar will go to Bening.

2011 Academy Award Predictions: Best Director, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress

By: Markos Papadatos, Reporter

On Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011, the 83rd Academy Awards, hosted by James Franco and Anne Hathaway, are expected to take place on at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.

In the "Best Director" category, the five directors up for the award are Darren Aronofsky for "Black Swan," Joel and Ethan Coen (the Coen Brothers) for "True Grit," David Fincher for "The Social Network," Tom Hooper for "The King's Speech" and David O'Russell for "The Fighter."

Analysis: This race is between Tom Hooper for "The King's Speech" and David Fincher for "The Social Network." It's one of the most competitive categories on Oscar night, since there is no clear front-runner for the prize. Hooper won the BAFTA and the Director's Guild of America for directing "The King's Speech," but Fincher won The Golden Globe, as well as The National Board of Review. It should go to Fincher, especially after being nominated for his exceptional directing in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," and for being overdue for a win.

In the "Best Supporting Actor" race the nominees include Christian Bale in "The Fighter," John Hawkes in "Winter's Bone," Jeremy Renner in "The Town," Mark Ruffalo in "The Kids Are All Right" and Geoffrey Rush in "The King's Speech."

Analysis: Although "The Town" was a superb film, it won't be Renner since it was not his best acting performance; in fact, Ben Affleck's role was more memorable and Renner's leading performance in "The Hurt Locker" last year was far more superior. After sweeping the Golden Globes and the "National Board of Review" and multiple acting honors, the award is Christian Bale's to lose! His closest competition and the only possible spolier will be Australian actor Geoffrey Rush, who already has one Oscar under his belt for "Shine."

For "Best Supporting Actress" the five nominated women are Melissa Leo in "The Fighter," Helena Bonham Carter in "The King's Speech," Amy Adams in "The Fighter," Hailee Steinfeld in "True Grit" and Jacki Weaver in "Animal Kingdown."

Analysis: Hailee Steinfeld's nomination in this race is complete category fraud! She is by no means a "supporting actress," since she is in almost every scene of the "True Grit" film. Helena Bonham Carter won a BAFTA award for playing the Queen Mother in "The King's Speech," but her chances of winning the Oscar are not as likely, unless "The King's Speech" sweeps all categories. Based on acting ability the award should go to veteran Australian actress Jacki Weaver in "Animal Kingdom." Roger Friedman from Showbiz411.com praised her performance for portraying "one of the most diabolical mothers in cinematic history." Weaver had won the "National Board of Review" honor for her exquisite performance; however, this Australian film is too small and may be overlooked in the Academy Awards. As a result, most likely it will go to Melissa Leo for playing the controlling mother in "The Fighter." If that does happen, it will be a consolation prize for Leo for being snubbed for her equally compelling lead performance in "Frozen River" a few years ago.