Oscar Predictions

Best Picture-

An Education

Up in the Air

District 9

The Hurt Locker

Avatar

Inglourious Basterds

500 days of summer

Precious

Invictus

A Serious Man

Best Director-

Kathryn Bigelow- The Hurt Locker

James Cameron- Avatar

Jason Reitman- Up in the Air

Lee Daniels- Precious

Neill Blomkamp- District 9

Best Actor-

Jeff Bridges - Crazy Heart

Colin Firth- A Single Man

Morgan Freeman- Invictus

Jeremy Renner- The Hurt Locker

Sharlto Copley- District 9

Best Actress-

Sandra Bullock- The Blind Side

Meryl Streep- Julie and Julia

Carey Mulligan- An Education

Gabourey Sidibe- Precious

Emily Blunt- The Young Victoria

Best Supporting Actor-

Christoph Waltz- Inglourious Basterds

Alfred Molina- An Education

Peter Sarsgaard- An Education

Woody Harrelson- The Messenger

Anthonie Mackie- The Hurt Locker

Best Supporting Actress-

Mo'Nique- Precious

Anna Kendrick- Up in the Air

Vera Farmiga- Up in the Air

Paula Patton- Precious

Melanie Laurent- Inglourious Basterds

Best Original Screenplay-

Mark Boal- The Hurt Locker

Quentin Tarantino- Inglourious Basterds

Joel and Ethan Coen-A Serious Man

Scott Neustadter & Michael H.Webber-500 days of summer

Bob Peterson & Pete Docter-Up

Best Adapted Screenplay-

Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner- Up in the Air

Neill Blomkamp- District 9

Nick Hornby- An Education

Spike Jonze & Dave Eggers- Where the Wild things are

Geoffrey Fletcher- Precious

Precious: Based on the Novel PUSH by Sapphire (2009)

Precious is a powerful, audacious film. Although it has an affecting script and appears to have only one perspective, it is deep and insightful.

It is the story about a girl who is black,fat,lived an unhappy childhood and doesn't possess what we call self esteem. It might seem stimulated in the beginning but the entire crew cohesively pull off a good, if not great, movie in arguably the most overtly obvious premise.

Director Lee Daniels' style of direction might have been rather conventional, but what is really commendable is that he manages to hypnotize his cast thereby making them deliver outstanding performances. First timer Gabourey Sidibe might not have had to do much, taking into account her appearance which so perfectly suits her role, but she doesn't slack. A truly remarkable breakthrough performance is what she does give and will no doubt be recognized by The Academy. Comedian Mo'Nique as Precious' monstrous mother is terrifying and gives a solid performance which is far from subtle(or funny) as it should be. Yes,it will be nominated and is the front-runner in her category. Paula Patton on the other hand gives a warm ethereal performance as Precious' English teacher. In my opinion, this is the best and most difficult role of the three convincing performances which will bring about internal competition in the supporting actress category come awards season. The third one is from the pop star Mariah Carey who digs deep into her character as a social worker desperately trying to help Precious. Lee Daniels cast relatively unknown actors and has not only launched their acting careers, but with extravagance.

Rating - 8/10