Editor’s Note: The Reflector asked Rhonda Keenum, Hannah Rogers, Thomas Sellers, Melissa Smith and Johnson Thomasson to give their Oscar winner predictions.
Rhonda Keenum, MSU First Lady
Best Film: “Avatar”
Mark and I have seen two movies this year – you guessed it – one of those was “Avatar!” There’s no denying that once one straps on the 3-D glases; “Avatar” becomes a sensory experience that transports you to Pandora.
Best Actor: Morgan Freeman, “Invictus”
The opportunity to “predict” a fellow Mississippian for Best Actor – enough said.
Best Actress: Sandra Bullock, “The Blind Side”
The other movie Mark and I saw this year. Sandra Bullock’s role playing the mom of Southeastern Conference football player was believable, therefore brilliant.
Best Supporting Actor: Matt Damon, “Invictus”
Again, always going to support our great Mississippian Morgan Freeman.
Best Supporting Actress: Mo’Nique, “Precious”
This prediction was made on the heels of online research – the conclusion is that she is the odds on favorite for this recognition.
Best Director: James Cameron, “Avatar”
See Best Film narrative.
Best Animated Film: Disney, “The Princess and the Frog”
Our 5-year-old triplets Katie, Rett and Mary Phillips and our 3-year-old Torie voted this category and said “The Princess and the Frog” was the “bestest.”
Best Original Screenplay: Quentin Tarantino, “Inglourious Basterds”
Tarantino’s masterful productions typically prove to be genius.
Best Adapted Screenplay: Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackweel, Armando Iannucci and Tony Roche “In the Loop”
Little-seen films typically score big big-scene recognition.
Best Original Song: “The Princess and the Frog” Randy Newman, “Almost There” and “Down and New Orleans”
Katie and Mary Phillips voted for “Almost There” and Rett and Torie voted for “Down in New Orleans.”
Hannah Rogers, Entertainment Editor
Best Film: “The Hurt Locker”
It seems everyone in the entertainment world believes the Best Picture race is between “Avatar” and “The Hurt Locker.” Despite several controversies recently surrounding “The Hurt Locker,” I don’t think the Academy is going to give one of its most prestigious awards to over-hyped eye candy. Part of me thinks “Inglourious Basterds” will upset its competition, but “The Hurt Locker” has been the clear front runner this season.
Best Actor: Jeff Bridges, “Crazy Heart”
Despite George Clooney giving one of the best performances of his career in “Up in the Air,” I don’t think he will win &mdash Bridges has received all the Oscar buzz.
Best Actress: Sandra Bullock, “The Blind Side”
Sandra Bullock had an amazing year in 2009, and I think the Academy will want to reward that with an Oscar &mdash though there is a chance Meryl Streep or Gabourey Sidibe (the more deserving competitors) could steal the statue.
Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz, “Inglourious Basterds”
Waltz’s performance has blown anyone who has seen “Basterds” away and he already has a huge stack of awards from this season already.
Best Supporting Actress: Mo’Nique, “Precious”
As much as I want Anna Kendrick to win for “Up in the Air,” I know that Mo’Nique’s win is as sure as Waltz’s &mdash she’s won every award this season.
Best Director: Kathryn Bigelow
Kathryn Bigelow should and will win Best Director this year. She managed to make a gripping war drama with a mere $15 million budget.
Best Animated Film: Disney/PIXAR, “Up”
While I proclaimed “The Princess and the Frog” the best movie of 2009, everyone knows “Up” is going to win. The animated movies of 2009 were better than some of the Best Picture nominees and all deserve to be recognized for their story-telling risks and use of the medium to transport viewers to the world of characters.
Best Original Screenplay: Quentin Tarantino, “Inglourious Basterds”
He wasn’t afraid to rewrite history and produced one of the best films of the year. The Best Picture and Best Director categories are being dominated by Bigelow and Cameron; this is a category where the Academy can show Tarantino the love.
Best Adapted Screenplay: Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner, “Up in the Air”
“Up in the Air” is a great film. However, “The Hurt Locker,” “Avatar,” “Precious” and “Crazy Heart” have dominated the other categories this awards season and there’s no reason to think it will change. This is the one place that “Up in the Air” can and should be recognized.
Best Original Song: “Crazy Heart” T-Bone Burnett and Ryan Bingham, “The Weary Kind”
“Almost There” and “Down in New Orleans” are the only chances “The Princess and the Frog” have for an Oscar, however, the two songs will probably split Randy Newman’s vote. “The Weary Kind” will probably beat out “Loin de Paname” – a song that is virtually unknown – and “Take It All” because “Nine” seems to be losing any traction it has.
Thomas Sellers, Incoming SA President
Best Film: “Avatar”
This is a great film that set the bar for future films that will be in the similar science fiction film category. It is the highest grossing film in North America and worldwide because it revolutionized the film industry with its graphics and computer imaging.
Best Actor: Morgan Freeman, “Invictus”
Morgan Freeman had an amazing role in the movie “Invictus.” I am definitely a Morgan Freeman fan because of his Mississippi roots and great acting.
Best Actress: Sandra Bullock, “The Blind Side”
Sandra Bullock plays the role of Leigh Anne Tuohy in the movie “The Blind Side.” Like in all of her movies, she does a great job.
Best Supporting Actor: Matt Damon, “Invictus”
“Invictus” is a great movie. The acting of Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman was great.
Best Supporting Actress: Vera Farmiga, “Up in the Air”
Vera has been nominated for several awards because of her role in “Up in the Air.” She plays a very important role in the movie.
Best Director: James Cameron, “Avatar”
James Cameron put so much effort and thought into “Avatar.” There is not a doubt that he deserves the title of Best Director. Not only does this movie set the standard for future movies of this kind, but his past films also are amazing.
Best Animated Film: “Up”
“Up” is not your typical animated film. It contains a deep and intricate plot that symbolizes many things but also holds a lot of humor.
Best Original Screenplay: Mark Boal, “The Hurt Locker”
“The Hurt Locker” is an American war thriller that has earned numerous awards since its release in 2009.
Best Adapted Screenplay: Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner, “Up in the Air”
This comedy-drama film is based on a great book.
Best Original Song: “The Princess and the Frog,” Randy Newman, “Down and New Orleans”
Like many of the recent animated movies, “The Princess and the Frog” has many good original songs. I really like Randy Newman’s “Down in New Orleans.”
Dr. Melissa Smith, assistant professor in communication
Best Film: “The Hurt Locker”
Most people think the race will be between “Avatar” and “The Hurt Locker.” I come down on the side of “The Hurt Locker,” even though I’m a die-hard Coen brothers fan. I just don’t think “A Serious Man” has enough traction to warrant serious consideration.
Best Actor: Jeff Bridges, “Crazy Heart”
I’m a huge Jeff Bridges fan, so I’m pulling for him in this category. If Oscars are truly given for bodies of work, then it’s his turn.
Best Actress: Sandra Bullock, “The Blind Side”
I never thought I’d be saying this, but I think Sandra Bullock might have the edge in this category. Helen Mirren and Meryl Streep already have theirs, and not many people saw Carey Mulligan in “An Education.”
Best Supporting Actor: Stanley Tucci, “The Lovely Bones”
I’m going for Stanley Tucci in this category. I’ve loved his work ever since seeing him in “Big Night” many years ago. Christoph Waltz has some support, but I’m looking for a Tucci win.
Best Supporting Actress: Mo’ Nique, “Precious”
Mo’Nique has won all the awards in this category coming up to the Oscars, which might mean an upset in the making. However, I’m going to go with her to also pick up the Oscar. It could be an interesting acceptance speech if she wins . . .
Best Director: James Cameron, “Avatar”
I’m just not sure that the Academy will give both the Best Film and the Best Director honors to the same movie this year. Kathryn Bigelow is the popular choice in this category, and she has great sentiment, especially given that no female director has ever won this award before. But I think “The Hurt Locker” will win Best Film and either James Cameron or Lee Daniels will win this category. I’ll go for Cameron, fully realizing my logic may be totally wrong.
Best Animated Film: “Up”
Is there any real competition? John Lasseter (and all former Pixar folks) totally rock. “Up” should win this category.
Best Original Screenplay: Quentin Tarantino, “Inglourious Basterds”
This is a tough category. I think “The Hurt Locker” has a great chance to win this one also, but I’m going to go with Quentin Tarantino and “Inglourious Basterds.” It’s always hard to pick against Tarantino, even though my beloved Coen brothers are also nominated in this category.
Best Adapted Screenplay: Geoffery Fletcher, “Precious”
Geoffrey Fletcher for “Precious.” It had lots of momentum coming into the awards season, and voters might be looking for ways to reward Fletcher for this wrenching movie.
Best Original Song: “Crazy Heart” T-Bone Burnett and Ryan Bingham, “The Weary Kind”
One of my favorite categories, although there have been some mighty lame nods in the past. Two of my perennial faves – Randy Newman and T-Bone Burnett – are nominated again. Newman actually has two nominations this time, which strengthens his chances of winning. However, Newman has a pretty poor track record in this category. He’s been nominated 17 times before this year and only taken a statue home one time (in 2002). T-Bone is no slacker, either, having been nominated before in 2004. I’m going to say this year’s winner will be T-Bone Burnett and Ryan Bingham for “The Weary Kind,” from “Crazy Heart.”
Johnson Thomasson, senior computer science major, student filmmaker
Best Film: “The Hurt Locker”
The juicy drama in this and the Best ?Director categories is that directors Kathryn Bigelow (“The Hurt Locker”) ?and James Cameron (“Avatar”) are exes. They were married from ’89 to ’91, ?and now they’re the favorites competing against each other for the most ?cherished honor in all filmdom. The fact is “The Hurt Locker” is a better ?film than “Avatar.” For all its visual splendor and innovative use of ?technology, “Avatar,” as a story, is just adequate. “The Hurt Locker” has a ?quiet intensity unlike any film I’ve ever seen, and offers a potent and ?surprisingly apolitical new angle on the Iraq war.
Best Actor: Jeff Bridges, “Crazy Heart”
Jeff Bridges becomes Bad Blake ?almost as consummately as Mickey Rourke became The Ram in last year’s “?The Wrestler.” Rourke was slighted by the Academy, but Jeff Bridges ?shouldn’t be.
Best Actress: Gabourey Sidibe, “Precious”
I think Meryl Streep could win ?every time, but the Academy likes to spread the love. Gabourey Sidibe is ?the feel-good story of the year in the underdog movie of the year, and ?for that, I think she’ll win.?
Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz, “Inglourious Basterds”
I didn’t ?like “Basterds,” mainly for Tarantino’s inconsistent style and twisted ?sense of morality, but whenever Waltz was on the screen, I was entranced. ?He played a terrifically quirky yet menacing villain.?
Best Supporting Actress: Maggie Gyllenhaal, “Crazy Heart”
This is ?Gyllenhaal’s first Oscar nomination, and she earned it. She always ?delivers a solid performance, but here she shows more emotional reach ?than her competition. ?
Best Director: Kathryn Bigelow, “The Hurt Locker”
I strongly believe ?that the director is the author of the film. “The Hurt Locker” is the best ?film of the year, and thus Kathryn Bigelow has earned the title Best ?Director. (Note: Jason Reitman takes a close second.)
Best Animated Film: “Up”
While I thought the middle of the film wandered ?a little, the bookends more than made up for it. The brief montage that ?told Carl and Ellie’s love story was cinema at its finest. That the most ?poignant and tragic love story could be told without words in less than ?10 minutes is an award-worthy feat in and of itself.
Best Original Screenplay: Mark Boal, “The Hurt Locker”
This story looked ?seriously at the men in the trenches and what the Iraq war is doing to ?their psyches and their families. It didn’t treat them like pawns in an ?effort to make a political statement. It rang true for me and deserves ?this award.
Best Adapted Screenplay: Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner, “Up in the Air”
Reitman and Turner did an amazing job of correlating the pain of being ?laid off with the pain of being lied to in a relationship. Taking a ?personal story and making a broad social comment is difficult, and ?highlighting hope in the midst of so much disappointment is harder; this ?story does both.
Best Original Song: “Crazy Heart” T-Bone Burnett and Ryan Bingham, “The Weary Kind”
“The Princess and the ?Frog” offered fun, Disney-style tunes with a New Orleans twist and the ?hits from “Nine” and “Paris 36” are also enjoyable, but the heartbreaking ?Western ballad sung by Jeff Bridges in “Crazy Heart” really steals the show.