Here we are, The Oscars.  Each year that I actually cover the Oscars the more I grow cynical because everything I think will win actually looses.  This year I have who I think will win that was chosen before the show.  Catch up on what went down and perhaps you can converse with that hot chick at the office in the morning.

Best Picture
The Artist
The Descendants
Extremely Loud And Incredibly Close
The Help
Hugo
Midnight In Paris
Moneyball
The Tree Of Life
War Horse

Who I think will win –The Artist

Who Won -The Artist

Mac D’s Thoughts – I really enjoyed the Help.  So much so that I wouldn’t hesitate for a second to vote for it in the Oscars.  But as I look back at the film, it had the actors but most other technical merits were good not great.  The things the Artist was able to do place it a bit higher.  I wonder how many people are going to complain that Hugo got robbed.

Best Director
Woody Allen for MidnightIn Paris
Michel Hazanavicius for The Artist
Terrence Malick for The Tree Of Life
Alexander Payne for The Descendants
Martin Scorsese for Hugo

Who I Think Will Win – Martin Scorsese for Hugo

Who Won – Michel Hazanavicius for The Artist

Mac D’s Thoughts – With Hugo winning all the technical awards I am surprised that Hazanavicius won here.

Best Actor In A Leading Role
Demian Bichir as Carlos Galindo in A Better Life
George Clooney as Matt King in The Descendants
Jean Dujardin as George Valentin in The Artist
Gary Oldman as George Smiley in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Brad Pitt as Billy Bean in Moneyball

Who I Think Will Win - Jean Dujardin as George Valentin in The Artist

Who Won - Jean Dujardin as George Valentin in The Artist

Mac D’s Thoughts – Its either Clooney or Dujardin so I flipped a coin.  Luck is on my side as I was correct.  It is incredibly hard and challenging to get the audience to believe anything with out speaking.

Best Actress In A Leading Role
Glenn Close as Albert Noobs in Albert Noobs
Viola Davis as Aibileen Clark in The Help
Ronney Mara as Lisbeth Salander in The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady
Michelle Williams as Marilyn Monroe in My Week With Marilyn

Who I Think Will Win – Viola Davis as Aibileen Clark in The Help

Who Won - Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady

Mac D’s Thoughts – I wanted Viola Davis to win BAD but Streep was a close second.  From the moment I heard of The Iron Lady I thought Meryl Streep would get an Oscar nod and would be a contender to win.

Best Actor In A Supporting Role
Kenneth Branagh as Laurence Olivier in My Week With Marilyn
Jonah Hill as Peter Brand in Moneyball
Nick Nolte as Paddy Conlon in Warrior
Christopher Plummer as Hal Fields in Beginners
Max Von Sydow as The Renter in Extremely Loud And Incredibly Close

Who I Think Will Win – Christopher Plummer as Hal Fields in Beginners

Who Won - Christopher Plummer as Hal Fields in Beginners

Mac D’s Thoughts – Must like Best Actress I had a hard time singling out one actor so I went with the guy who one the Golden Globe.  And I was right.  At 82 Plummer is the oldest Oscar winner.  Well I am happy I don’t live in bizzaro land where Jonah Hill would have won.

Best Actress In A Supporting Role
Berenice Bejo as Peppy Miller in The Artist
Jessica Chastain as Celia Foote in The Help
Melissa McCarthy as Megan Price in Bridesmaids
Janet McTeer as Hubert Page in Albert Noobs
Octavia Spencer as Minny Jackson in The Help

Who I Think Will Win – Octavia Spencer as Minny Jackson in The Help

Who Won - Octavia Spencer as Minny Jackson in The Help

Mac D’s Thoughts – The Help wins the first acting award out of the gate.  Spencer was humorous, angry, and feisty all in the same role.  The image of Octavia standing on stage stammering out thanks and crying before saying she is freaking out will stay with me for a while.

Other Awards Notes
Best Original Score – Ludovic Bource for The Artist – John Williams (Star Wars, Jaws) gets nominated twice for War Horse and The Adventures of Tin Tin and he looses?  What the H!

Best Original Song – Bret McKenzie for “Man Or Muppet” for The Muppets – Only two nominees but one of the guys from Flight Of The Concords won and it was for a Muppet movie so I am very surprised.

Best Adapted Screenplay – Alexander Payne Naxon, & Jim Rash for The Descendants – Jim Rash is also known as the Dean, Craig Pelton from Community (one of my favorite TV shows) GO HUMAN BEINGS!!!!

In Closing
I go 3 for 6 in the major categories, which is about average for me.  Through out the night Hugo was winning all the technical Oscars and am surprised it did not win any of the big awards that it was nominated for.  So if this helps your conversation at work I say: You’re welcome.