The Super Bowl for movies, the Academy Awards holds its annual trophy race this Sunday. Grab the popcorn as I offer some intuitive observations on Hollywood’s biggest night, which will be hosted by comedian Ellen Degeneres.
Gravity, the outer space saga, looks to chalk up considerable recognition by winning the most statues. However, it’s leading lady, Sandra Bullock, shouldn’t expect to complete a bookend set of Oscars yet (she won one for 2009’s The Blind Side).
Most think Cate Blanchett will nab Best Actress for Blue Jasmine. She’s scored every major acting honor so far this season, so her win seems pretty likely. However, during the Oscar show, expect attention to be heaped on Meryl Streep and her midwestern matriarch role in August: Osage County. Maybe, a skit with emcee Degeneres as one of Streep’s onscreen daughters?
For the men, I received an intuitive image of someone playing a big shot who’s adored for his rolling-in-the-money persona. Looks like Best Actor will be presented to Leonardo DiCaprio, who’s garnered acclaim for The Wolf of Wall Street. Don’t be surprised too if Degeneres takes a comedic whack at this movie and its co-star Jonah Hill, who I feel will take home Best Supporting Actor.
There are nine contenders for Best Picture and I’m sensing that the award will go to an ensemble cast movie that includes a mad mix of sex, greed and a slippery slope. That being said, American Hustle looks to steal the Oscar.
The producers of the upcoming telecast are touting appearances by Pink, U2 and Bette Midler, plus a tribute to 1939’s The Wizard of Oz. Please! Please! Let there be a skit with Degeneres flying across the stage as the Wicked Witch with an army of winged monkeys!
Love and light,
Tony