Oscar predictions proved true for the most part

By Chase Gilley · The Mainstream
Published March 8, 2011

The Academy has spoken — “The King’s Speech” took home Best Picture. We also got James Franco in a dress, Gwyneth Paltrow “singing” and Mr. Katy Perry himself, Russell Brand, presenting the Best Foreign Language Film award. Though this year’s Oscars were a rather strange mash-up of movie culture, they weren’t nearly as bad as some have reported. In fact, I found them quite entertaining.

“The King’s Speech”

Far from a huge surprise, “The King’s Speech” was the big winner this year. Like I wrote in the last issue of The Mainstream, it was a toss up between this film and “Black Swan”. Though it wasn’t my pick to win, I completely see why the Academy chose this well-deserving film.

“Inception”

I must complain about the one pick I got wrong in my last column. I don’t understand why “Inception” won Best Cinematography.  I admit that this film does look great. But that is because of the editing and special effects, not the camera work that went into it. The camera work was on par with any other film and far from innovative. Cinematography isn’t about explosions or buildings shifting about; it’s the way you frame those explosions or how the camera moves through a scene. Yes, the special effects were great and innovative. The crew even built a rotating room for filming, which made for one awesome special effect. But considering most of the other nominations, this film does not stand up on a cinematography-to-cinematography level. I consider this one of the biggest disappointments of this year’s Oscars.

“Toy Story 3”

I also have to give a hand to Pixar for yet another Best Animated Feature win with “Toy Story 3.” It’s good to have some predictability in an award show. It would be horribly damaging to the social-psyche otherwise. Honestly, the industry is getting to the point where I don’t see why the other animation companies even bother anymore. As long as Pixar is around to make inanimate objects as well as animals talk, we will be seeing many more of these awards float their way.

The Hosts

With that being said, we can’t talk about the Oscars without talking about its hosts. And according to a tradition even older than Pixar’s annual animation win, we must brutally bash the host or hosts in the worst way possible. I, however, won’t take this route. I’ll admit that James Franco and Anne Hathaway weren’t the greatest Oscar hosts of all time (I personally consider Jon Stewart and Hugh Jackman the best in the last ten years). It is my feeling that Hathaway and Franco were simply a little young and could have used some polishing. This may also be a case of just too odd of a pairing. You had the overly energetic Hathaway paired with a rather sleepy Franco which made for some rough and un-funny moments throughout the night. I do feel that a lot of blame for the un-funniness that ensued should be redirected at the show’s writers. At best they may or may not have been responsible for the one good joke of the night that took a stab at Charlie Sheen.

This year’s Oscars made for a good way to spend a Sunday night. As much as I may complain about it, I did find it quite enjoyable.

And for those of you keeping score at home, I was correct on four out of my five predictions for winners.