Our 2012 Oscar Predictions
Although the great people on our team at the Arena Grand are not considered members of "The Academy", we do have some very strong opinions and insights as it relates to this year's nominees and anticipated winners to be announced during the 84th Academy Awards this Sunday, February 26th.
The office has been buzzing over the past few weeks leading up to the big night this weekend. In honor of our constant chatter, we thought we would share with you our picks and opinions for this year's Oscar's.
BEST PICTURE Nominees: "The Artist," "The Descendants," "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close," "The Help," "Hugo," "Midnight in Paris," "Moneyball," "The Tree of Life," and "War Horse"
*Arena Grand General Manager, Kara Bodle picks - "The Artist" for the win. However, if she got to pick the winner, she would choose to lean toward "The Descendants". If she wrote the ballot she would have been sure to include "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2". Unfortunately, her official invitation to become a member of the Academy must have been lost in the mail so her vote only counts for our blog.
ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE Nominees: Demian Bichir - "A Better Life," George Clooney - "The Descendants," Jean Dujardin - "The Artist," Gary Oldman - "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy," Brad Pitt - "Moneyball"
* Arena Grand Director of Group Sales, Cameron Yannayon picks- "Jean Dujardin" to win. However, he would rather see Brad Pitt take the trophy this year.
ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE Nominees: Glenn Close - "Albert Nobbs," Viola Davis - "The Help," Rooney Mara - "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," Meryl Streep - "The Iron Lady," Michelle Williams - "My Week With Marilyn"
* Arena Grand Bar & Bistro Manager Chris Wank, picks "Meryl Streep" as the winner. He thinks she will be properly recognized for her amazing portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in this picture.
ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE Nominees: Kenneth Branagh - "My Week With Marilyn," Jonah Hill - "Moneyball," Nick Nolte - "Warrior," Christopher Plummer - "Beginners," Max von Sydow - "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close"
* Arena Grand Bartender, Tony Fortunato chooses - "Max Von Sydow" because overall Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close was a great movie.
ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE Nominees: Berenice Bejo - "The Artist," Jessica Chastain - "The Help," Melissa McCarthy - "Bridesmaids," Janet McTeer - "Albert Nobbs," Octavia Spencer - "The Help"
* Arena Grand Concierge, Hannah O'Keefe predicts Octavia Spencer will take the award but she would like to see Melissa McCarthy win because comedies always seem to be excluded from this ceremony.
ANIMATED FEATURE FILM Nominees: "A Cat in Paris," "Chico & Rita," "Kung Fu Panda 2," "Puss in Boots," "Rango"
* Arena Grand Bistro Team Member, Casey Coe, picks "Rango". Why? Two words, Johnny Depp.
CINEMATOGRAPHY Nominees: "The Artist," "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," "Hugo," "The Tree of Life," "War Horse"
* Arena Grand Projectionist, Stan Manion, picks Janusz Kaminski for his work in "War Horse". While Emmanuel Lubezki's work in Tree of Life has been widely praised, Stan is not sure that Tree of Life has the broad appeal usually needed to win over the Academy. Kiminski has once again made cinematic choices with the camera that highlight the brutal landscape of war while also showing just how majestic this planet can be when freed from man's destructive designs. Is it as good as his work in Saving Private Ryan which won him an Academy Award in 1999? No, but it's close and Stan believes the Academy will recognize him for this achievement.
DIRECTING Nominees: Michael Hazanavicius - "The Artist," Alexander Payne - "The Descendants," Martin Scorsese - "Hugo," Woody Allen - "Midnight in Paris," Terrence Malick - "The Tree of Life"
* Arena Grand Manager, Jackie Kelley chooses Alexander Payne for "The Descendants". Jackie feels that Payne had success at the Academy Awards with the film "Sideways" and that once again they will give him the gold. Additionally she feels this picture needs to get some recognition as it may not have a chance in any other category.
