The nominees for Best Adapted Screenplay include films that are different from their previously produced material – such as adding a new character (Up in the Air), expanding a short film (District 9), or playing off a TV show (In the Loop). Jeremy Martin says Jason Reitman is the favorite for “Up in the Air.”
Both AwardsPicks podcasts are now live. Listen to Phil Wallace, Kit Bowen of TheMovieKit.com, Nate Freiberg of MovieContests.org, and Adam Spunberg of AwardsPicks discuss this year’s nominees. Remember to sign up for Oscar pools on this site!
Road to the Oscars series:
Podcasts – Kit Bowen, Nate Freiberg, Adam Spunberg, and Phil Wallace
February 4: Live Action Short [...]
The nominees for Best Original Screenplay include three war movies, a Coen Brothers film, and an animated production. Jeremy Martin says “The Hurt Locker” is the favorite over Quentin Tarantino and “Inglourious Basterds,” but he doesn’t discount the possibility of an “Up”-set.
In many pools, Best Cinematography counts for just a little more than the other technical categories. This year, Academy members have to decide whether the 3D shots in “Avatar” were cinematically better than real-life war feel of “The Hurt Locker.” Paul Popiel prefers the latter, but predicts the former.
The Best Film Editing Oscar has a high correlation with the Best Picture winner, so it’s no surprise that the favorites are Best Picture contenders Avatar, The Hurt Locker, and Inglourious Basterds. While Avatar is favored in this category, Steve Neumann says an Inglourious upset is possible.
The five nominees for Best Art Direction could not be more different, writes Christa Youngpeter. The race could hinge on how the Academy views “Avatar.” The film could be rewarded for its dazzling sets or punished for its extensive use of CGI. After “Avatar” the race is wide open.
The nominees for Best Costume Design include two Victorian-era films, two films about designers, an “imaginarium,” and the sizzling “Nine.” Steve Neumann looks at this competitive category, dominated by Oscar veterans like Sandy Powell and Colleen Atwood, and sees a potential upset.
Only three films received nominations for Best Makeup – “Il Divo”, “Star Trek” and “The Young Victoria”. Will the Academy go for Androetti’s aging, Spock’s ears, or Victoria’s royal look? Christa Youngpeter likes Victoria as our “Road to the Oscars” series continues.
From James Horner to Alexandre Desplat to Hans Zimmer, the nominees for Best Original Score are filled with big name composers from big name movies. Adam Spunberg says it’s as competitive a field as he’s seen, but likes Michael Giacchino heartwarming tunes for “Up.”
Paramount moved the release of Martin Scorsese’s “Shutter Island” from October to February, taking it out of the ‘09 Oscar race. But some experts think it could still be a contender for next year’s Oscars. Will Academy voters remember it? Well, Kit Bowen says it’s a film that sticks with you for a long time.