• I liked Seth MacFarlane as the host a lot. I’d be happy if he hosted again sometime.
• Argo was a bit of a surprise, but nice. I can easily understand why it won.
• We all knew Daniel Day-Lewis was going to win, and that’s great.
• I like Jennifer Lawrence a lot, but I didn’t really think she should’ve won for her performance in Silver Linings Playbook.
• I’m happy about Christoph Waltz. He’s awesome. Same with Quentin Tarantino.
• Ang Lee winning was a bit of a surprise too. Life of Pi isn’t my favourite film from him, but he’s still a great director.
• I didn’t do that well in predicting the major awards, but I guessed a lot of the others. It’s nice that it can be surprising though.
• I’m already looking forward to next year’s awards!

Since I have now seen all 9 nominations for best picture at the 85th Annual Academy Awards, I think it’s time to once again give my thoughts and predictions on the winners. For a full list, go here.

Best Motion Picture of the Year:

Lincoln is a safe bet, and Zero Dark Thirty and Argo also have chances. I think it’d be cooler if Amour or Django Unchained won, but it’s unlikely.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role:

Daniel Day-Lewis is pretty much sure to take this, and I have no problem with that. Denzel Washington may have a chance too. I think I’d like Joaquin Phoenix to win though.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role:

The Academy will probably give it to Jessica Chastain (which I support) or Naomi Watts (which I don’t support). I think it’d be cool if Emmanuelle Riva won.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role:

I think Philip Seymour Hoffman should take it, but it’ll more likely be Alan Arkin or Tommy Lee Jones.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role:

Anne Hathaway will almost definitely win this and I have no problem with that.

Best Achievement in Directing:

I suppose Steven Spielberg is the obvious choice here. I’d like it if Michael Haneke won, however.

Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen:

While I don’t think it’s the best screenplay Tarantino has written, I’d like Django Unchained to win. I also wouldn’t mind if Moonrise Kingdom won. I think Zero Dark Thirty is the most likely though.

Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published:

I think perhaps Argo will take it, but I’m not really sure.

Best Animated Feature Film of the Year:

Probably Wreck-It Ralph, but Brave certainly has a chance too.

Once again, I don’t have strong feelings one way or another about the other categories, except that I’m sure Adele will win for Skyfall.

This year’s awards are a bit more difficult to predict than other recent years, for sure. I can’t wait to find out who wins tomorrow!

• No big surprise about The Artist taking out several of the big awards. Not my pick, but I understand why it was so well-liked.
• Oh my god, on the red carpet, Sacha Baron Cohen as his new character, The Dictator, spilling what he claimed were Kim Jong-il’s ashes all over Ryan Seacrest? One of the best things I’ve ever seen.
• Like I said, Meryl Streep was the safe choice for best actress, but she’s brilliant, so I don’t care.
• I’m really happy about Christopher Plummer’s win. He’s had such a long career and has never won an Oscar until now. He deserves it.
• Emma Stone and Robert Downey Jr. were hilarious.
• I said Midnight in Paris would win best original screenplay, and it did.
• I hoped The Descendants would get best adapted screenplay, and I was very pleased to see that it did.
• It was nice having Billy Crystal back. Last year’s hosts just did not work. Crystal is classy, funny and charming.
• Like I said, Rango.
• Yay! Bret McKenzie won for best original song! It was so cool to see him get an Oscar. Plus, you know, fellow New Zealander = pride.

Since I have now seen all 9 nominations for best picture at the 84th Annual Academy Awards, I think it’s time to once again give my thoughts and predictions on the winners. For a full list, go here.

Best Motion Picture of the Year:

I think the Academy will give it to either The Artist, The Descendants or possibly The Help. I suppose Midnight in Paris may be in with a chance too. My vote would go for either The Descendants or The Tree of Life.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role:

I’m thinking maybe Jean Dujardin or George Clooney will get this. Even though I haven’t actually seen his performance in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, I’d be happy if Gary Oldman got it.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role:

I really have no idea about this one. From what I’ve seen or just read, all these actresses gave amazing performances. Meryl Streep is the safe option, of course. I love Streep, but I’d personally like it if Glenn Close or Rooney Mara won.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role:

I’ve only seen two of the performances, so I don’t really know. But maybe Christopher Plummer?

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role:

I haven’t seen a couple of the performances, but I think perhaps Octavia Spencer will win. I’d be quite happy with Jessica Chastain, myself.

Best Achievement in Directing:

I think this is a little up in the air but it’s quite likely that this will go to Michel Hazanavicius (The Artist). I’d be happier with Terrence Malick, Martin Scorsese or Alexander Payne, personally.

Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen:

It’ll probably go to Midnight in Paris, I think. Although, I haven’t seen 3 of the nominees for this, so I’m not too sure.

Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published:

I’d like this to go to The Descendants, and it very possibly could. I’d also be fine with Hugo. To be fair though, I haven’t seen Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy or The Ides of March.

Best Animated Feature Film of the Year:

Kung Fu Panda 2 was probably a bit more fun, but they’ll probably give it to Rango. I haven’t seen the other nominees though.

Again, I don’t have many strong feelings about the other categories. I really hope Bret McKenzie gets the award for best original song though.

Alright, there we go. I look forward to show in a few days!