Hammock's movie buffs spend a few minutes every Monday dissecting the films we've seen over the weekend, so I know you're not surprised that several of us have some definite opinions about this weekend's Oscar ceremony. [Ed. note: A few of us remain hopelessly behind, months away from seeing the nominees at our current pace on Netflix, despite the best efforts of our colleagues.]
Since I'm pretty ignorant on this topic, I queried my movie-fanatic coworkers. I'm curious to see how close they come.
Summer
I really hope "Juno" will do well. It's a tough subject matter, but it was a funny and endearing movie. All the other movies are so heavy and dramatic, it would be great to see the sweeter underdog do well. Oh, and "Ratatouille" has my vote in all its categories. But I really only care to see the jewels and the dresses...John
Every year, my wife and I see fewer movies than the year before. As a result, we are very choosy about what we see. Of course, when you see fewer movies, you may not be as discerning about quality. I haven't seen enough of the movies to offer an opinion other than my high opinion of two movies in the Best Picture category: "Juno" and "No Country for Old Men."I loved "Juno" because of how funny and warm this movie was. The subject matter wasn't something that enticed me, but the writing and the acting carried it. Plus the music was cool. I tend to like small movies like this one, and this one was as good to me as other recent favorites of mine, including "You Can Count on Me." "No Country" was the most powerful movie I saw this year, or in the past couple of years. I loved the book, first of all, and the adaptation of it to screen was pretty much spot-on, in my opinion. Javier Bardem was so off-beat and creepy, and the other leading roles were great. Plus, it had no music. So it was powerful based on the words and scenery and acting alone.
Rex
There's only one Oscar that I'm really pulling for someone to win: Ellen Page ("Juno") for best actress. I can't explain the reason I think she deserves it other than to describe her performance as magical.I'm guessing that "No Country for Old Men" will win best picture. The Coen Brothers did a great job of adapting Cormac McCarthy's book to film -- it was about as true to the novel as a film can be and stay under two hours. However, I found both the book and film a little disquieting.
Easiest pick of the night: Javier Bardem for best supporting actor. He was one scary dude in "No Country for Old Men": right up there with Hannibal Lecter.
Barbara L.
Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis. I haven't seen the movie but I listened to his interview on Fresh Air about the part. He truly embodies roles and says that is why he plays so few parts. He literally becomes the character. Johnny Depp was amazing as usual in "Sweeney Todd" but I hate musicals. Just can't get into them even if he's in them. Jamie LOVES Johnny thought so I bet she doesn't mind if he sings.Supporting Actor: Hands down, Javier Bardem. I heard his voice the other day on the radio and it give me the creeps. One of the scariest characters ever.
Actress: I'd love to see an upset here. Although I've read that the Oscar is going to Julie Christie or Marion Cotillard, I'm rooting for Laura Linney or Ellen Page.
Supporting Actress: Cate Blanchett. Her range is incredible.
Best Picture: "No Country for Old Men."
Megan G.
OK, I have only seen like one of the movies that are up for awards, so I am taking a shot in the dark here:Supporting actor: Javier Bardem (Even though I like Phillip Seymour Hoffman better because he looks like my doctor. But I don't think he will win.)
Leading actress: Ellen Page, because "Juno" is the only movie in this category I have even HEARD of.
Supporting actress: Cate Blanchett. Don't chicks playing dudes usually win? Well, if not, chicks playing Bob Dylan should at least get an honorable mention or something.
Art direction: "Sweeney Todd." Didn't Tim Burton direct it? [Ed. note: Yes.] It looks like some creepy business that he would be responsible for.
Cinematography: "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly," but only because this title makes no sense to me. As you can see, I'm not really casting my votes for the right reasons.
Jamie
If it's got George Clooney in it, I'm all for it.But I think "No Country for Old Men" will win. Such shocking (and sometimes gratuitous) violence, but great performances and a gripping plot. It sticks with you--especially Javier Bardem's ridiculously chilling use of a cattle air-gun.
Barbara M.
Barbara goes straight down the line with her prognosticating, even making predictions in categories like Makeup and Documentary Short Subject. I've stuck to the biggies in this clip from her notes:Best Picture: "No Country for Old Men"
Best Director: "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly"
Best Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis, "There Will Be Blood"
Best Supporting Actor: Javier Bardem, "No Country for Old Men"
Best Actress: Marion Cotillard, "La Vie in Rose"
Best Supporting Actress: Cate Blanchett, "I'm Not There"
Best Animation: "Persepolis"
Best Documentary: "Sicko"
Emily
Not sure what will win Best Picture, but I don't think "Atonement" should. I didn't even start caring about the characters or what happened to them until halfway through the movie—and that is never a good sign!As for me, "Atonement's" the only nominated movie I've seen, and I hate to disagree with Emily, but I loved it. I was expecting to dislike it immensely, since I'd not long before finished reading the book, but I thought it did a wonderful job of capturing the sensibility of the book. Still, I think best picture is going to be "No Country for Old Men." There's just so much hype for it.
