Obligatory Oscar Prediction Post

I apologize (mostly to myself, for letting myself down) for not posting in awhile. I'm going to make a greater effort to keep posting in the future. Since every relevant pop culture blog in the world includes an Oscar prediction post, I decided that sharing my predictions would be a great opportunity to mark my comeback to the blogosphere.

Unfortunately, in the past few years, I've discovered that the Oscars bore me. This is most likely the result of my growing love for television, which coincides with my increasing lack of interest in film. But I also find them boring due their sheer predictability (of course, I may eat these words in the morning). Since the Oscars come at the end of the awards season, it's really not much of a surprise to see the winners walk onstage to accept their Academy Award. And the Academy itself has made it easy to guess the results based on obvious voting patterns created throughout the years. Nevertheless, I will still be watching the Oscars tonight, just as I have for as long as I can remember.

So without further ado, my 2010 Oscar Predictions:

Best Picture:

The Hurt Locker

When it comes to the Oscars, art house snob trumps visually dazzling blockbuster.

Possible Upsets - Avatar or even Inglourious Basterds

Best Director:

Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker

Say hello the first female Academy Award-winning director.

Best Actor:

Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart

Best Actress:

Sandra Bullock, The Blind Side

Possible Upsets - Any of the other ladies but most likely Meryl Streep for Julie & Julia

Best Supporting Actor:

Christoph Waltz, Inglourious Basterds

Best Supporting Actress:

Mo'Nique, Precious

The supporting categories are such locks, it's not even funny.

Original Screenplay:

Quentin Tarantino, Inglourious Basterds

Possible Upset - Mark Boal, The Hurt Locker

Adapted Screenplay:

Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner, Up in the Air

Animated Feature:

Up

Fantastic Mr. Fox was a better film. Yeah. I said it.

And now for the lesser categories, which I make no guarantees that my predictions will be anywhere near correct...

Documentary Feature:

The Cove

Documentary Short:

The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant

Foreign Language Film:

The White Ribbon - Germany

Cinematography:

Avatar

Art Direction:

Avatar

Animated Short Film:

A Matter of Loaf and Death

Live Action Short Film:

The New Tenants

Visual Effects:

Avatar

Costume Design:

The Young Victoria

Film Editing:

The Hurt Locker

Sound Mixing:

Avatar

Sound Editing:

Avatar

Original Score:

Up

Fun Fact: Michael Giacchino, who composed the score for Up, also composed the score for Lost!

Original Song:

"The Weary Kind" - Crazy Heart

Makeup:

Star Trek

There you have it. I'm not making any promises, but I did go six for six in the major categories last year, and I'm pretty confident in my picks this year as well. But the only guarantee I can make tonight, is that once the show is over, I will be heading over to HBOgo.com to watch the season four finale of Big Love. Enjoy!

Currently watching:

Dexter Season 1

Episode 5: Love American Style

The Ups & Downs of the Golden Globes

Well, the film side of the Golden Globes were pretty predicable (I guessed 7 out of 10 categories correctly), but the television categories were full of surprises (just 4 out of 8). Regardless of my prediction success, I enjoyed last night's show. As usual, the celebrities were drunkenly providing us with laughter all night (Felicity Huffman and T-Bone Streep), and several of my favorite shows and actors received awards. Of course, we can't always get what we want, so I'll just complain about it on here. Enjoy.

My highlights of the evening:

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television

Chloë Sevigny, Big Love

With season 3 of Big Love fresh in my mind, Sevigny's performance stands out the most. I love Jane Lynch on Glee, and I was truly shocked that she didn't win. But Sevigny acted her heart out this season, and she deserves her Globe. This is why comedic and dramatic actresses shouldn't be clumped into the same category.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama

Michael C. Hall, Dexter

I've only seen a few episodes of Dexter and Six Feet Under, but that was enough to know that Michael C. Hall is a superb actor. I'm happy to see he finally won an award for the show, and I can't wait to start watching soon. And the fact that he waited until voting had closed to announce his battle with cancer just makes him seem like such a classy man.

NBC Jokes

Since the awards show took place in the midst of all the NBC, Jay, and Conan drama, it was no surprise that NBC was the butt of many jokes made by the stars. My Favorites:

"Let's get on with it before NBC replaces me with Jay Leno." - Host Ricky Gervais in his opening monologue

"I just want to thank [CBS execs] Les Moonves and Nina Tassler for believing in the 10 o' clock drama." - Julianna Margulies of CBS's The Good Wife in her acceptance speech

"It's not rain. It's just God crying for NBC." - Tina Fey on the red carpet

The "not so Golden" Globes:

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Drama

Julianna Marguilies, The Good Wife

I was not surprised. But I was not angry either. I still firmly believe that January Jones is one of the most talented dramatic actresses on television, and I hope she will receive some recognition for her amazing third season as Betty Draper at this year's Emmy Awards. Nonetheless, I've been watching The Good Wife, and Marguilies gives a great performance week after week. She deserves the Golden Globe. We'll just give the Emmy to Jones...

Best Television Series - Comedy or Musical

Glee

I'm a HUGE Glee fan. I watch every week. I own both soundtracks. Heck, I even have a t-shirt! But would I say it's the best comedy on television right now? No. That title belongs to Modern Family - no contest. Glee isn't consistent enough week to week, and many of the plots seemed rushed in the first thirteen episodes. I believe it has the potential to be a great comedy, but it hasn't gotten there yet. Modern Family, on the other hand, has been there since the pilot. But now that the writers have gotten a chance to see the fans' reactions to the first half of the season, I have high hopes for the rest of this year on Glee.

Best Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical

The Hangover

This one was one of the biggest surprises in my opinion. I'm not going going to say it doesn't deserve the win since I haven't seen it yet. But is it really a better movie than It's Complicated, Julie & Julia, or (500) Days of Summer (which I consider to be one of the greatest films of the year)? Maybe once I see it I'll change my mind, since I keep hearing good things about it.

Currently watching:

Damages Season 2

Episode 1: I Lied, Too

My Golden Globe Predictions

The awards season is in full swing, and tomorrow night the stars will get wasted to celebrate the random, pointless awards known as the Golden Globes (let's face it, they're certainly no Oscar or Emmy). Just because they don't always make sense and aren't always accurate (Anna Paquin? Really?) doesn't mean we can't have our fun too.

Listed below are my predictions for tomorrow night's winners and commentary on some of the other nominees.

Best Drama Series:

Big Love - Although this season was definitely its strongest to date, I doubt it has the power or the buzz to take down the two-time champ.

Dexter

House

Mad Men - I'm almost positive nothing can top it. This season brought about so much change. Jon Hamm and January Jones gave their best performances ever as their marriage fell apart, and the world of Sterling Cooper was turned upside down in the monumental season finale.

True Blood

Best Performance by an Actor in a Drama Series:

Simon Baker, The Mentalist - A win for Baker definitely would not surprise me, but I feel like some of the others would be more deserving.

Michael C. Hall, Dexter

Jon Hamm, Mad Men - Hamm's performance on the show has just been improving since its first season. Since he won back then, it's only natural that he win tomorrow night as well.

Hugh Laurie, House - I'm not a House fan. At all. But I still believe Laurie does a great job on the show. If Mad Men doesn't sweep all of the drama categories, it will probably be because of him.

Bill Paxton, Big Love

Best Performance by an Actress in a Drama Series:

Glenn Close, Damages

January Jones, Mad Men - I'm voting with my heart. I have an unhealthy obsession with January Jones and her alter ego Betty Draper. The woman drops my jaw and leaves me speechless episode after episode. If they announce Jones as a winner tomorrow night, the loud shriek you'll hear will be me in my dorm room causing my roommate's eardrums to burst.

Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife - If I were voting with my head...

Anna Paquin, True Blood

Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer

Best Comedy Series:

30 Rock

Entourage

Glee - Yes, I am a fan. And yes, I am almost positive it will win. But I would prefer the award go to a more evenly written, consistent comedy.

Modern Family - This is the best comedy on television right now. Hands down. Every member of the ensemble leaves me in stitches, and it will be a shame to see them lose tomorrow night.

The Office

Best Performance by an Actor in a Comedy Series:

Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock - And the Globe goes to... Jim Parsons! Oh wait... Since the best performance by an actor in a comedy series didn't get a nomination, I guess it will have to go to Baldwin. Don't get me wrong, I love him and think he's hilarious. But it's so wrong that Parsons got snubbed.

Steve Carell, The Office

David Duchovny, Californication

Thomas Jane, Hung

Matthew Morrison, Glee

Best Performance by an Actress in a Comedy Series:

Toni Collette, The United States of Tara

Courteney Cox, Cougar Town

Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie - Falco's return to television turned into one of the most talked about shows of the summer. Since she has already won two Globes as Carmela Soprano, it would be no surprise for her to earn another one tomorrow night.

Tina Fey, 30 Rock - I would just like to take this opportunity to say how much I love this woman and this show.

Lea Michele, Glee - In my opinion, Michele gives the best performance on the show (besides Jane Lynch, I suppose). She's young, she sings, and she's everything the Globes love.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role:

Michael Emerson, Lost - This category could go to just about anyone. Emerson's performance on Lost would be a great way to go.

Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother - I'll refrain from using the words "wait for it" and "legendary." NPH is hilarious and awesome. End of story. I respect him so much and think he is far overdue for an award.

William Hurt, Damages

John Lithgow, Dexter - Dexter is one of the next shows on my TV to-do list, and I cannot wait to watch the fourth season and witness Lithgow's buzzed about performance (and the season finale I've already had spoiled for me).

Jeremy Piven, Entourage

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role:

Jane Adams, Hung

Rose Byrne, Damages - I haven't had a chance to experience season two yet, but Byrne was definitely my favorite part of the first season. I definitely would not mind seeing her go home with a Globe tomorrow.

Jane Lynch, Glee - Sue Sylvester has quickly become one of the funniest and most quotable characters on television, so I assume the Glee love will continue and score Lynch an award.

Janet McTeer, Into the Storm

Chloë Sevigny, Big Love - Season three was Nicki's season. Sevigny portrayed the part flawlessly, and I hope the love for Big Love carries over to this year's Emmys.

And since apparently they award movies on this show too...

Best Picture, Drama:

Avatar

Best Actor, Drama:

Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart

Best Actress, Drama:

Sandra Bullock, The Blind Side

Best Picture, Comedy/Musical:

It's Complicated

Best Actor, Comedy/Musical:

Daniel Day-Lewis, Nine

Best Actress, Comedy/Musical:

Meryl Streep, Julie & Julia

Best Supporting Actor:

Cristoph Waltz, Inglourious Basterds

Best Supporting Actress:

Mo'Nique, Precious

Best Director:

Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker

Best Animated Film:

Up

Watch the Golden Globes tomorrow night at 8 PM EST (7 PM CST) on NBC to see how well I did!

Currently watching:

Big Love Season 3

Episode 10 - Sacrament