Final 2009 Top 10

I think I've seen all of the films of 2009 that I want to, so here's my final Top 10 list for the year.

10. "Inglourious Basterds"
9. "A Serious Man"
8. "Avatar"
7. "Watchmen"
6. "(500) Days of Summer"
5. "The Hurt Locker"
4. "Up in the Air"
3. "Moon"
2. "Up"
1. "District 9"

Hooray for arbitrary lists.

2010 Oscar Predictions!

I want to inflate my ego by seeing how many Oscar winners I actually get right. I tend to do horribly predicting things, though I do think that I predicted the Super FoosBowl match-ups correctly for a few years in a row once, but frankly, you can file that under "who gives a shit."

I think I suck at these because I hold out hope that the Academy will reward the best in category, not the most politically correct in category, but alas. The biggest question that I have for this year's Oscars is whether or not the Academy will jerk James Cameron off similarly to 1998 when "Titanic" won everything. Truth be told, I'm not so sure it will.

Cameron "O-facing" after the infamous Academy circle-jerk of '98.

Anyway, here it goes:

Best Picture: "The Hurt Locker"
Based on the way that the awards season is wrapping up, "The Hurt Locker" seems to be riding the biggest wave of momentum. If it's not "The Hurt Locker," look for "Avatar," "Up in the Air," or "Inglourious Basterds" for the upset.

Best Director: Kathryn Bigelow, "The Hurt Locker"
Lots of press around this one because it's between Bigelow's tense lensing of "The Hurt Locker" and her ex-husband James Cameron's "Avatar." I expect the Best Picture winner to win this one (and vice versa).

Best Actor: Jeff Bridges, "Crazy Heart"
No contest here.

Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz, "Inglourious Basterds"
No contest here, either.

Best Actress: Sandra Bullock, "The Blind Side"
Can't for the life of me understand the love for "The Blind Side," but everything so far points to Bullock winning this.

Best Supporting Actress: Mo'Nique, "Precious"
"Precious" has to win something big. I'm guessing this will be it.

Best Animated Feature: "Up"
This category is loaded. I think you have to give the Pixar film the benefit of the doubt accordingly, though "The Fantastic Mr. Fox" and "Coraline" could be spoilers.

Best Original Score: Michael Giacchino, "Up"
Without a doubt the most beautiful score in the category. I could see James Horner's "Avatar" score running off with this one if this year's Oscars is anything like the 1998 Cameron orgy.

Best Visual Effects: "Avatar"
No way "Avatar" doesn't win this.

Best Adapted Screenplay: Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner, "Up in the Air"
I lurve the "Up in the Air" script. I hope it wins this one (sorry, nothing particularly insightful here).

Best Original Screenplay: Quentin Tarantino, "Inglourious Basterds"
Tarantino's script for "Inglorious Basterds" is sharp. With that much dialogue - and fine dialogue at that - I imagine it has to be the favorite.

As for the rest of the categories, I can't say I'm too qualified to offer an opinion. Best Makeup? What the fuck?

At any rate, check back after the Academy Awards to see just how right I was.

Oh, and here's my revised top five list of 2009:
1. "District 9"
2. "Up"
3. "Moon"
4. "Up in the Air"
5. "The Hurt Locker"

EDIT: Saw "The Hurt Locker." Damn, what a tense movie. Fabulous direction. I wouldn't be too upset seeing it win Best Picture.