Even though the writers’ strike is over, the world is still without its favorite programs such as “24” and “Heroes.” But the one event we can count on returning is the 80th Annual Academy Awards Sunday.
If you are a betting man, this is the inside track to who will win and who will lose this Oscar season.
This year’s best actor category has some amazing actors including Johnny Depp for his dark, serial killing-barber role in “Sweeney Todd,” George Clooney as a attorney in “Michael Clayton,” Viggo Mortensen as a Russian gangster in “Eastern Promises” and Tommy Lee Jones for his role in “In the Valley of Elah.”
The little golden guy named Oscar will be going to Daniel Day-Lewis for “There Will Be Blood” for the scene where Lewis shouts that he has abandoned his child, which will send shivers down anyone’s spine.
For best actress, as amazing as it would be for Ellen Page to win for the little indie-that could, “Juno,” she has not earned the pedigree to win the award.
While Laura Linney and Cate Blanchett are some of my favorite actresses, the winner will be Julie Christie in “Away from Her.”
She last won the award in 1966 for her role in “Darling.”
The Academy loves honoring aging performers, especially when they play roles with a disabilities. So expect Christie to walk off with the award.
For Best Picture, it may seem clear, as most critics and your bookie are telling you, that “No Country for Old Men” will win the award this year.
However, as past Oscar seasons have shown, expect the unexpected.
I expect the World War II romance “Atonement” to win best picture, which may upset the directors and cast of “No Country for Old Men.”
Think two years back when “Brokeback Mountain” was the projected best picture winner. It had won many major awards, but when the Academy Awards announced its winner, “Crash,” it shocked everyone.
Everyone was tired of hearing the controversy over gay cowboys.
“Atonement” will win on the basis that it is essentially a classic Hollywood period picture.
So remember before you get caught up in the comedy antics of Jon Stewart, or the beauty of Angelina Jolie, place that hundred-dollar bet on “Atonement” and bask in the excellence that is the Academy Awards.
