I Won't Be Wearing Vera Wang...

The Oscars are tonight!  I did see the last two movies on my list and am ready for the show!  I have never been invited to an Oscar-watching party, which may be because I don't think I have any friends who throw them.  I know I'd like to have one, but it just hasn't ever worked out...but all in good time...

Glenn Close and Janet McTeer both gave wonderful performances in Albert Nobbs.  They have both been nominated for Oscars. Close plays the title character, a woman, who has chosen to live her life as a man in 19th century Dublin in order to be able to work and have financial security.  It is obvious that Albert is pretty naive about many things in life and it is easy to feel sorry for her, because you see what's coming at every one of her turns.  McTeer plays Hubert Page, a house painter, who we come to find out is also living her life as a man, but in happier circumstances.  Mia Wasikowska also stars in this very well acted, very good story of a movie.  I liked it.

In Warrior, Nick Nolte (nominated for Best Supporting Actor) plays Paddy, an ex-Marine alcoholic with almost 1000 days sobriety.  He trained both his sons to wrestle in high school, but one son felt Paddy seemed to favor one over the other.  Now grown, both sons come to the conclusion that they must fight for their livelihood.  Tommy, (Tom Hardy), is a Marine who fought in the Middle East.  He hates Paddy and Brenden for deserting him and his mom.  Brenden (Joel Edgerton) had stayed with his dad because he had a girlfriend (now his wife) that he didn't want to leave behind.  There is much tension in this family over perceptions that are more complicated than each person thinks.  It is a fight movie with mixed martial arts.  The fight scenes are hard to watch, but the story is good, and the final battle is predictable.  It was a good movie though, and Nolte did a pretty good job.

So, now it is down to the nitty gritty...MK has to make her picks (not predictions)...

Best Supporting Actress - This category is a toughie for me.  Each of the actresses up for the prize did really well.  There were no obvious standout performances in my opinion.  The nominees are Berenice Bejo in "The Artist," Jessica Chastain in "The Help," Melissa McCarthy in "Bridesmaids," Janet McTeer in "Albert Nobbs," Octavia Spencer in "The Help." The MK pick is Octavia Spencer.

Best Supporting Actor - It's another category with good actors and good performances and no obvious front-runner in MKs book.  The nominees are Kenneth Branagh in "My Week with Marilyn," Jonah Hill in "Moneyball,"  Nick Nolte in "Warrior," Christopher Plummer in "Beginners," Max von Sydow in "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close."  The MK pick is Christopher Plummer.

Best Actress - I stand by my pick of a few weeks ago, but the nominees are Glenn Close in "Albert Nobbs," Viola Davis in "The Help," Rooney Mara in "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo," Meryl Streep in "The Iron Lady," and Michelle Williams in "My Week With Marilyn."  All these ladies were extremely good, but the front-runner for the MK pick remains Michelle Williams.

Best Actor - This category at least has some variability for me, but all the performances were good.  The nominees are Demian Bechir in "A Better Life," George Clooney in "The Descendants," Jean Dujardin in "The Artist," Gary Oldman in "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy," Brad Pitt in "Moneyball."  The MK pick is Jean Dujardin.

Best Picture - The nominees are "The Artist," "The Descendants," "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close," "The Help," "Hugo," "Midnight in Paris," "Moneyball," "The Tree of Life," "War Horse."  All were good movies, but the standout and MK pick goes to The Artist.

I know that Oscar frequently disagrees with me...and after having learned recently that the Academy is comprised of mostly older males..there is no wonder.  I enjoy watching the movies and I enjoy watching the Oscars and I enjoy picking the movies I think should win in the big five categories.  It's all just for fun...

MK out.