2011 Oscar Predictions

Each February holds a night when celebrities dress up in floor-length satin and tuxedos to come together in a star-studded evening of ecstasy and disappointment. The hosts joke about their colleagues, and some films walk away with armfuls of gold. This year is shaping up to be another night of celebration and glamour at the Oscars.

This year’s hosts are Anne Hathaway and James Franco. Franco is nominated for Best Actor for his lead role in “127 Hours.” While their dynamics are untested, these young hosts can be expected to provide a night of somewhat-youthful jokes.

The favorite earlier in the year for Best Picture was the Facebook phenomenon “The Social Network,” which won several Golden Globes. It is threatened by “The King’s Speech,” which has won the SAG and BAFTA awards for Best Picture. Best Director will likely go to “The Social Network,” as David Fincher famous for cult-classics like “Fight Club” and “Se7en,” is overdue for an Oscar.

Best actor will likely go to Colin Firth for “The King’s Speech,” but Franco could pose a slight threat for his powerful performance in the difficult role of Aron Ralston in “127 Hours.”

Best actress will most likely go to Natalie Portman for her role in “Black Swan,” disappointing four-time nominee Annette Benning from “The Kids Are All Right.”

“The Fighter” is gearing up to clean house on supporting actors and actresses, with Christian Bale’s performance as a drug addict, a role for which he lost 30 pounds; and with actresses Melissa Leo and Amy Adams. The fourteen-year-old Hailee Steinfield of the Coen brother’s film “True Grit” also could pose a
threat.

Best documentary will no doubt go to the gritty “Exit Through the Gift Shop,” a documentary about the elusive street artist Banksy and his involvement with the creation of the pseudo-artist Mr. Brainwash.

The final category, Best Animated Picture, will likely go to “Toy Story 3.”

Less-publicized categories will no doubt be distributed between favorites “The King’s Speech” and “The Social Network,” with a few going to “Black Swan,” “True Grit” and Christopher Nolan’s “Inception.”

If you want to find out how accurate these predictions are, see the antics of Franco and Hathaway, watch celebrities show up and applaud for their colleagues, tune in Sunday Feb. 27 at 6:30 p.m. to watch the time-honored Hollywood tradition of the Oscars.