84th Academy Awards Predictions

At approximately 12.30am AEST tomorrow (aka Wednesday 25th Jan), the nominations for the 84th Annual Academy Awards will be announced in Los Angeles.

This season, Film Blerg has not bought into too much Oscar focus. However, predictions will be made for this year’s nominees. It’s always fun predicting the nominees rather than the winners, and in past years 88% of predictions made were correct come announcement time. So here are the predicted nominees of the main categories, based on

• a) precusor attention from critics and guilds alike;
• b) expert opinions from dedicated Oscar followers; and
• c) the “expert” opinion of Mr. Madden himself.

BEST PICTURE

• The Artist
• Bridesmaids
• The Descendants
• Drive
• The Help
• Hugo
• Midnight in Paris
• Moneyball
• The Tree of Life
• Warhorse

It’s quite likely that only 6 or 7 films may be nominated due to Academy rule changes.

BEST DIRECTOR

• Terrence Malick, The Tree of Life
• Martin Scorsese, Hugo
• Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris
• Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist
• Alexander Payne, The Descendants

Alternate: David Fincher, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

• Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris
• Asghar Farhadi, A Separation
• Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist
• Annie Mumolo and Kristen Wiig, Bridesmaids
• Will Reiser, 50/50

Alternate: Mike Mills, Beginners

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

• Nat Faxon, Alexander Payne, Jim Rash, The Descendants
• John Logan, Hugo
• Bridget O’Connor, Peter Straughan, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
• Aaron Sorkin, Steven Zallian, Moneyball
• Tate Taylor, The Help

Alternate: Steven Zallian, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

BEST ACTRESS

• Glenn Close, Albert Nobbs
• Viola Davis, The Help
• Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady
• Tilda Swinton, We Need to Talk About Kevin
• Michelle Williams, My Week with Marilyn

Alternate: Charlize Theron, Young Adult

BEST ACTOR

• George Clooney, The Descendants
• Jean Dujardin, The Artist
• Michael Fassbender, Shame
• Brad Pitt, Moneyball
• Michael Shannon, Take Shelter

Alternate: Ryan Gosling, The Ides of March

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

• Berenice Bejo, The Artist
• Jessica Chastain, The Help
• Janet McTeer, Albert Nobbs
• Octavia Spencer, The Help
• Shailene Woodley, The Descendants

Alternate: Carey Mulligan, Shame

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

• Kenneth Branagh, My Week with Marilyn
• Albert Brooks, Drive
• Jonah Hill, Moneyball
• Nick Nolte, Warrior
• Christopher Plummer, Beginners

Alternate: Corey Stoll, Midnight in Paris