BAM's 2013 Oscars preview
It’s almost time for the 85th Annual Academy Awards, and I’m gearing up for my annual Oscars live blog Sunday night here at BAM’s Blog.
The Oscars Red Carpet Live official pre-show, hosted by Broken Arrow native Kristin Chenoweth, Entertainment Weekly Managing Editor Jess Cagle and “Good Morning America” anchors Lara Spencer and Robin Roberts, will air from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on ABC.
The Oscars will air live from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. on ABC with Seth MacFarlane hosting. Chenoweth will join MacFarlane in a special show-closing musical performance.
Here are my predictions for this year’s Oscars. To read the predictions of my fine colleagues Gene Triplett and George Lang, too, click here.
Best Picture
Brandy says: From the very day that Ben Affleck was denied an Academy Award nomination for best director, which some predicted would derail his historical thriller’s Oscar chances, “Argo” has swept every major awards show’s equivalent of best picture. Film fans can expect the breathless fact-based adventure to ride that momentum right into Sunday’s Academy Awards. “Lincoln” is the definition of classic Oscar bait, “Zero Dark Thirty” is the zeitgeist-capturing film that makes us take a less-than-comfortable look at our country and thus ourselves, but “Argo” deftly splits the difference with its still-timely political commentary coupled with its painstakingly recreated period drama.
Plus, the only thing that Hollywood loves more than movies about movies saving the day – quite literally a major theme in “Argo” – is a great comeback story. It’s hard to beat Affleck’s turnaround tale as the multi-hyphenate young buck who broke out co-writing an Oscar-winning screenplay, floundered as a leading man and finally found his place behind the camera. While Kathryn Bigelow’s immersive cinematic chronicle of the 10-year hunt for Osama bin Laden spoke more convincingly to me, it’s hard to argue with all the accolades “Argo” has received, not just because of the quality of the film but also because it somehow makes even Affleck’s box-office bomb “Gigli” seem like just a piece of a larger Hollywood story.
Should win: “Zero Dark Thirty.”
Will win: “Argo.”
Best Actor
Brandy says: Daniel Day-Lewis has been the overwhelming favorite since the unveiling of the first poster for “Lincoln.” Already a two-time Oscar winner, the British thespian again stunningly immersed himself into a role, veritably transforming himself into the 16th president of the United States. Even his creative decision to change Lincoln’s voice from the sonorous booms typically ascribed him onscreen to a more humbly high-pitched
tone was so commandingly accomplished that it seems like that’s the voice we were supposed to be hearing in the first place.
Should and will win: Daniel-Day Lewis, “Lincoln.”
Best Actress
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