Saturday, February 23, 2008

Oscars! Final Predictions [Foreign & Screenplays]


Foreign Film

“Beaufort” (Israel)
“The Counterfeiters” (Austria)
“Katyń” (Poland)
“Mongol” (Kazakhstan)
“12” (Russia)


Should Win: I saw eight foreign-language films from last year and liked almost all of them, but none are featured here.

Will Win: Voters dissented against the populist choices of Persepolis and 4 Months, so theoretically anything could happen here. But the only one of these I can really pick for the win is The Counterfeiters, because it's the only one that's been given a release. It's also got great reviews.



Original Screenplay

“Juno”
“Lars and the Real Girl”
“Michael Clayton”
“Ratatouille”
“The Savages”


Should Win: Diablo Cody's Juno script is often indulgent but always clever, and manages to challenge pre-conceptions of its characters so wonderfully well. Way better than any of the other nominees, although I haven't seen Lars yet.

Will Win: Juno. Happy times.



Adapted Screenplay

“Atonement”
“Away from Her”
“The Diving Bell and the Butterfly”
“No Country for Old Men”
“There Will Be Blood”


Should Win: There Will Be Blood amalgamates a lot of different sources to achieve its dense script. Admittedly the amalgamation is not seamless but is certainly a victory for ambition.

Will Win: No Country For Old Men, since it's taken almost every critic prize and precursor.

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