King's Guide: Final Predictions for the Oscars 2013

Well the Oscars are this Sunday. I am actually excited to see all the shenanigans Seth MacFarlane gets up to.    I am excited to see what everyone will be wearing and whether or not we are going to have memorable acceptance speeches. I have composed a list of  my final predictions. There will be no clear winner for this year, several films will pick up multiple awards. I have tallied that Les Miserables should pick up the most wins for the night. Let me know what you predictions are. Make sure to check back on Monday for a full rundown of the big night.

Best Picture
Will Win: Argo
Could Win: Lincoln

Best  Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Will Win: Daniel Day- Lewis for Lincoln
Could Win: Joaquin Phoenix for The Master

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Will Win: Emmanuelle Riva for Amour
Could Win: Jennifer Lawrence for Silver Linings Playbook

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Will Win: Tommy Lee Jones for Lincoln
Could Win: Christoph Waltz for Django Unchained or Robert De Niro for Silver Linings Playbook

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Will Win: Anne Hathaway for Les Miserables
Could Win: Sally Field for Lincoln or Jacki Weaver for Silver Linings Playbook

Best Achievement in Directing
Will Win: Steven Spielberg for Lincoln
Could Win: David O. Russell for Silver Linings Playbook

Best Original Screenplay
Will Win: Quentin Tarantino for Django Unchained
Could Win: Mark Boal for Zero Dark Thirty

Best Adapted Screenplay
Will Win: Chris Terrio for Argo
Could Win: David O. Russell for Silver Linings Playbook

Best Animated Film
Will Win: Brave
Could Win: Wreck-It Ralph

Best Foreign Language Film
Will Win: Amour
Could Win: A Royal Affair

Best Cinematography
Will Win: Life of Pi
Could Win: Skyfall

Best Achievement in Editing
Will Win: Argo
Could Win: Zero Dark Thirty

Best Production Design
Will Win: Les Miserables
Could Win: Life of Pi

Best Achievement in Costume Design
Will Win: Anna Karenina
Could Win: Les Miserables

Best Achievement in Makeup
Will Win: Les Miserables
Could Win: The Hobbit

Best Original Score
Will Win: Life of Pi
Could Win: Skyfall

Best Original Song
Will Win: "Skyfall" for Skyfall 
Could Win: "Everybody Needs a Best Friend" for Ted

Best Achievement in Sound Mixing
Will Win: Les Miserables
Could Win: Skyfall

Best Achievement in Sound Editing
Will Win: Skyfall
Could Win: Zero Dark Thirty

Best Achievement in Visual Effects
Will Win: Life of Pi
Could Win: The Hobbit

Best Documentary
Will Win: Searching for Sugar Man
Could Win: The Gatekeepers

Best Documentary, Short Subject
Will Win: Open Heart
Could Win: Inocente

Best Short Film, Animated
Will Win: Paperman
Could Win: The Simpsons- The Longest Daycare

Best Short Film, Live Action
Will Win: Curfew
Could Win: Death of a Shadow

King Guide's Best Ten Films of 2012

Usually at the end of the calendar year film critics release their top ten list of the year's  best films. I would have posted my list but there were some films on to watch list that I had not gotten to. I have to admit 2012 was a great year for films. There were so many gems that came out. Now that the Oscars are about a week away here is my top ten.  

1.     Django Unchained

The highly anticipated Tarantino's revenge flick did not disappoint. It was filled with fantastic performances that were accompanied by a remarkable score. It was hilarious and horrific all at the same time. 

2.     Flight

Robert Zemeckis returns to live-action cinema with the thrilling Flight. Denzel Washington gives his finest performance to date. It is a damn shame that he remarkable performance is a bit of a whisper this award season. This compelling film will haunt you long after you finished watching it.

3.     Beasts of the Southern Wild

This tiny film that premiered at Sundance last year was a diamond in the rough. It was devastatingly beautiful.

4.     The Perks of Being a Wallflower

The second film to stomp all over my heart. Just an incredible coming of age story filled with funny and heartbreaking performances.

5.     The Avengers

Blockbusters usually skip on substance and overload on gimmicks.  The Avengers was one fun and smart hell of a ride. It put all other blockbusters to shame.

6.     21 Jump Street

The funniest film of the year was the biggest surprise for me.

7.     Silver Linings Playbook

It is not often that you find a smart romantic comedy that is well written with riveting performances.

8.     Life of Pi

The most visually striking film of the year is powered by the brilliant performance of Suraj Sharma and the wonderful direction of Ang Lee.

9.     Men in Black 3

Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that the final saga in the Men in Black series would make my top ten list. This wonderful surprise was hilarious and heartwarming.

10.  The Cabin in the Woods

The most original film that came out last year was a true love song to horror fans worldwide.

Honorable Mention: The Dark Knight Rises, Bernie, and Looper

Movies I have yet to watch but sure I would love: Argo, Lincoln, End of  Watch, Zero Dark Thirty, The Intouchables

State of the Race

Everyone in the US is getting ready for the big game tomorrow. They are getting treats for their parties and placing final bets. It is sort of like the World Cup but it happens every year. Lets face it, I have never been a football gal. The month of February for us Movie Buffs has always been about Oscar. All the premieres, all the press junkets, all the critical praise boils down to this magical moment. With three weeks before the big night, things are shaping up quite nicely this award season.

It appears that Argo may be the film to beat for Best Picture thanks to its recent wins at Golden Globes, Producers Guild Awards and Screen Actors Guild Awards. With Ben Affleck out of the mix, Steven Spielberg is on lock to win Best Director. Daniel Day- Lewis and Anne Hathaway are pretty much guaranteed to win in their respective categories. If they do not win it will be an upset. Actually, I can see Daniel Day- Lewis losing in two instances, one if Silver Linings Playbook does a sweep or the possibility of Joaquin Phoenix getting the most votes from the Academy. Those are the two possibilities that I could envision Mr. Day-Lewis not winning. The same goes for Anne Hathaway, if Silver Linings Playbook does a sweep then there is a possibility that Jacki Weaver may win this category.  Once again Best Supporting Actor is anyone's category. I think the academy is leaning towards Tommy Lee Jones for this prestigious award. Honestly it really is anyone's game in this category. Once again if Silver Linings Playbook is going to sweep then Robert De Niro will win this category.

The Best Actress category is still a toss up between Jennifer Lawrence and Jessica Chastain. Whomever wins the BAFTA will most likely win come February 24th. As of right now, I do not think anyone of them is in the lead for this category. This is the toughest category for me because I am torn between who I want to win. Honestly, I thought Quvenzhane had the best female performance of the year. I absolutely adore both Jennifer and Jessica. It really is a three women war going on in my head, trying to figure who I want to win the golden statue.

This has been my update for the big six categories. As the awards approach I will make my final predictions. So far it has been one hell of an award season.