Who Will Win, Who Should Win - Oscars 2013

Just in case you have been living under a rock, the 85th Academy Awards are happening tonight. Like many other film enthusiaists and bloggers-alike, I have been doing my best to catch up and watch most of the of the movies that are up for a big award. Scheduling in time to make trips to the theatre when crunch-time hits and the Oscars are only days away is a ritual I can't let go of. Not only do I enjoy taking in all of the productions, it is crucial in order for me to feel like I am justified on the big night when I celebrate with winners whose work I too lauded, or when I yell at my television screen if the aforementioned doesn't win.

This leads me to the purpose of this post. Let's play a fun game I like to call Who Will Win, Who Should Win. The premise is simple, in fact I think the title says it all. I work my way through the larger categories of the Academy Award nominations and share which nominees I think will walk away with Oscar gold, countered by the nominees that I believe should win.

Let's begin.

Music - Original Score

Should Win & Will Win
I'm going to go with Dario Marianelli for Anna Karenina for this win. To me, a winning score should be a glue for the story and be a leading character without the audience being aware. Anna Karenina did a solid job of this.

Cinematography

Will Win
Janusz Kaminski for Lincoln will likely take this category. Lincoln has received a great deal of attention for its visual identity. Although I wasn't the biggest fan of this film, I will say that this is a category I am okay with it winning.

Should Win
Claudio Miranda for Life of Pi--hands down. This film was a treat for the eyes, not to mention just a solid production all around.

Directing

Will Win
Stephen Spielberg for Lincoln. Although I don't think Lincoln was his best work, he is still Spielberg so I can't be mad if he takes this category.

Should Win
Benh Zeitlin for Beasts of the Southern Wild.
It is no secret that I am absolutely enamored with this movie, but Zeitlin's recent success is a pretty inspiring story. This is his first feature and it is magical (says me). Seriously, do yourself a favour and Google him.

Actor - in a Supporting Role

Should Win & Will Win
Christoph Waltz in Django Unchained.
Anyone who wasn't charmed and captivated by his performance doesn't have a pulse. He pulled off a character that is fairly complex when you think about it, and he stole every scene he was in, despite having the tall task of acting alongside Hollywood heavy hitters.

Actress - in a Supporting Role

Will Win
Anne Hathaway in Les Misérables.
She sang. It sounded pretty good. Plus, she shaved her head so that essentially means she is a safe bet to walk away with gold.

Should Win
Honestly, none of these nominees really blew me away.

Actress - in a Leading Role

Will Win
Jessica Chastain in Zero Dark Thirty.
Solid performance, so no hate here. I would much rather Chastain take this over Jennifer Lawrence in Silver Linings Playbook. To this day, I am convinced that this movie was nominated in so many categories because of a clerical error that was too ackward to fess up to.

Should Win
Quvenzhané Wallis in Beasts of the Southern Wild. This little girl took my breath away.
Honourable mention: I must give props to Naomi Watts in The Impossible. That film wreaked havoc on my nervous system and she put in some major work. I am very surprised this movie didn't receive more nods.

Actor - in a Leading Role

Should Win & Will Win
Daniel Day-Lewis in Lincoln.
Day-Lewis is one of the few actors that lives up to his hype. The guy is unreal and I would line-up to watch him in anything.

Best Picture

Will Win
I think Argo will take home the big win. This film has been surprising everyone, including it's own team, by cleaning up at several award ceremonies over the past few weeks.

Should Win
Oh man, this is really hard for me. I liken this task to picking your favourite child, an impossible request. But since I must, I am going to go with Life of Pi. I can't go into details as to why this is my pick. This decision has been hard enough. That is all.


Agree or disagree with any of my picks, opinions, etc? Let me know! The comment section is there for a reason.

5 Artists,1 Love Opens With a Warm Welcome

The Art Gallery of Alberta is the host of one of the most anticipated events that is a part of Black History Month in Edmonton.

5Artists, 1 Love kicked-off on Feb 2 and will remain open to the public until March 1. The small exhibit in the lower level of Edmonton's glossy gallery is a modest display of five established visual artists, who selected handfuls of samples to display for Edmonton art enthusiasts. The opening reception was a warm and inviting space for locals to come and meet the artists, while enjoying music, spoken word performances, and delectable treats. The space was intimate, steeped in camaraderie and a mutual appreciation for supporting local talent.

Singer-songwriter Nuela Charles brought down the house with a powerful performance that included her acoustic guitar and a goose bumps-enducing voice. This woman is someone to watch and I will definitely keep my eyes peeled for other local performances she may headline in the future. 

Spoken word performers included Ahlam Sadik and Saida Barre. Both poets were brave and bold in their delivery, but Barre made a particular connection with the crowd when the weight of her words triggered a nerve and she broke down in tears, taking purposeful pauses mid-poem in order to regain her composure. The audience countered her vulnerability with loud snaps and hollers of encouragement. It was everything that spoken word is meant to be, a reflection of both heart and soul. 

The featured artists include, Pamela Parker, Philip Risby, Lorien Maheu, Melissa Ayenfisu and Blanche Thompson.

Spend an afternoon away from the television, and take a friend or family member to this exhibit. Even if art isn't typically 'your thing', you will appreciate the fresh air and the magnificence that is the AGA (that building is gorgeous).

Below are photos from the opening reception.

Jaimie Spurgeon enjoys the goodies

Saida Barre

Philip Risby, Artist

 

                                  Erin David-a lovely attendee who knows how to dress

Pamela Parker, Artist

Nuela Charles

Beasts of the Southern Wild Earns Buzz

It is no secret that I am a movie fanatic. On average, you can find me at the theatre at least once a week, and I am pretty sure I am known as a regular amongst the pre-teen ticket agents at the local cineplex. Film has always been an art form of which I genuinely appreciate every layer involved in the process.
With that, you can imagine I keep a close eye on the line-up of Academy Award nominations that are released each year. Beasts of the Southern Wild had a quiet release in June 2012 after receiving major buzz at the film festival circuit. It wasn't until the film, written and directed by Benh Zeitlin, was nominated for four Academy Awards that the fantasy-drama based in the Louisiana Bayou intrigued movers and shakers in the film industry, as well as the general public. Up against heavyweights like Lincoln, Django Unchained and Les Misérables in the best film category, it is natural to be curious about what this film has to offer.

This movie is a tribute to the art of film production. While reading up on Beasts, one synopsis described it as "poetry on screen", and that's exactly what it is. Similar to poetry, not everyone will connect with it or understand what it is trying to accomplish. But, those of us who do will find comfort in it's originality and simplistic story that is steeped in metaphors of what it means to love, survive, conquer and fight.

Quvenzhané Wallis (Hushpuppy), was only five when she accepted the lead role. Now 9-years-old, she has recently received a cascade of attention after her nomination in the best actress category. Being the youngest nominee in this category, the depth of her talent has been questioned. Now that I have seen her performance, I don't understand the debate. Wallis is a powerhouse and caries this film, along with Dwight Henry who plays her stubborn and eccentric father.

While I shake my head in disbelief at some of the choices for "top" films competing for a gold statue at the upcoming 85th Academy Awards, my sincere appreciation for film is affirmed knowing that a modest movie like this is elevated to the platform it deserves.

*Sidenote: Wallis is one of the most beautiful children, and there is a chance I may try and rock her wild-child look in the future. Consider this your heads-up.

-DTG