The 83rd Academy Awards takes place in Los Angeles on Sunday evening. The battle for supremacy is likely to be a three-way fight for Oscar statuettes between The Social Network, Inception and The King’s Speech, whose producer Iain Canning grew up in Bedminster Down.
Bristol’s other representative at the glittering ceremony might be Banksy, whose Exit Through the Gift Shop is nominated for best documentary; as well as the team behind Wish 143, up for best short film (live action), which was shot entirely in our fair city.
We have written about many of the nominated films over the last 12 months. Here are the films that have been featured on these pages, a short review, Oscar nominations received, and which gongs we think they will win.
127 Hours
Nominated for: Best Picture, Actor in a Leading Role (James Franco), Film Editing, Original Score, Original Song, Adapted Screenplay.
Predictions: Original Score.
What we said: “127 Hours is a movie that will stay long in the memory, quite a feat for something that is at its core a man trapped down a hole.”
Biutiful
Nominated for: Actor in a Leading Role (Javier Bardem), Foreign Language Film.
Predictions: No gongs.
What we said: “Biutiful is an understated work of real power from Alejandro González Iñárritu, featuring a stellar central performance from Bardem, one of the finest actors of his generation.”
Black Swan
Nominated for: Best Picture, Actress in a Leading Role (Natalie Portman), Cinematography, Directing (Darren Aronofsky), Film Editing.
Predictions: Actress in a Leading Role, Directing.
What we said: “Natalie Portman puts in the performance of her life in Black Swan… breathtaking in its brilliance.”
Blue Valentine
Nominated for: Actress in a Leading Role (Michelle Williams), Adapted Screenplay.
Predictions: No gongs.
What we said: “Blue Valentine is an intense and emotional drama which depicts the terrifying power of love, and its potential to bring misery and joy in equal measure.”
Exit Through the Gift Shop
Nominated for: Documentary feature.
Predictions: No gongs.
What we said: “Banksy’s star has reached its apex. He cannot appear fresh anymore… If the film is the latest attempt from the publicity-shy but hype-hungry Banksy to retain his profile as the undisputed king of urban artists, it is a disappointment.”
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1
Nominated for: Art Direction, Visual Effects.
Predictions: No gongs.
What we said: In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, it as if the dementors have sucked out all the fun and colour of the previous films… a fine beginning to what should be a terrific denouement.”
The Illusionist
Nominated for: Animated Feature Film.
Predictions: No gongs.
What we said: “There is a very fin de siecle feel about The Illusionist, a film about an ageing magician who leaves his native France in search of work… Poignant and bittersweet, it is a cinematic triumph, the likes of which are today rarely seen.”
Inception
Nominated for: Best Picture, Art Direction, Cinematography, Original Score, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, Visual Effects, Original Screenplay.
Predictions: Visual Effects, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing.
What we said: “Try to understand what an astonishing visual and cerebral feast you have just witnessed.”
The King’s Speech
Nominated for: Best Picture, Actor in a Leading Role (Colin Firth), Actor in a Supporting Role (Geoffrey Rush), Actress in a Supporting Role (Helena Bonham Carter), Art Direction, Cinematography, Costume Design, Directing (Tom Hooper), Film Editing, Original Score, Sound Mixing, Original Screenplay.
Predictions: Actor in a Leading Role, Actor in a Supporting Role, Original Screenplay.
The Social Network
Nominated for: Best Picture, Actor in a Leading Role (Jesse Eisenberg), Cinematography, Directing (David Fincher), Film Editing, Original Score, Sound Mixing, Adapted Screenplay.
Predictions: Best Picture, Adapted Screenplay.
What we said: “A story about computer nerds creating a website does not necessarily set hearts racing but this is an exciting tale.”
Toy Story 3
Nominated for: Best picture, Animated Feature Film, Original Song, Sound Editing, Adapted Screenplay.
Predictions: Animated Feature Film, Original Song.
What we said: “Toy Story 3 combines majestic storytelling with masterful animation. It is truly wondrous. We defy you not to weep like a baby at the emotional conclusion.”
True Grit
Nominated for: Best Picture, Actor in a Leading Role (Jeff Bridges), Actress in a Supporting Role (Hailee Steinfeld), Art Direction, Cinematography, Costume Design, Directing, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, Adapted Screenplay.
Predictions: Supporting Actress, Art Direction, Cinematography.
What we said: “A sumptuous new western.”
Winter’s Bone
Nominated for: Best Picture, Actress in a Leading Role (Jennifer Lawrence), Adapted Screenplay.
Predictions: No gongs.
What we said: “Incredibly powerful, with moments of real suspense, Winter’s Bone is a glimpse into a very different and troubling America, far removed from the glitz of Hollywood. It is an excellent and subtle thriller.”
