MD Fearless Oscar Predictions - 2007

Here it is folks, time to get all liquored up, light a cigarette, and get behind the wheel with Movie Dearest for some Fearless Oscar Predictions:

• Best Picture: There seems to be no stopping No Country for Old Men.
• Best Actor: The surest bet of the evening: Daniel Day-Lewis for There Will Be Blood.
• Best Actress: Away from Her's Julie Christie has been an early favorite despite rising competition from the young'uns.
• Best Supporting Actor: The second surest bet of the evening: Javier Bardem for No Country.
• Best Supporting Actress: The toughest of the top five to call. I'll go out on a limb and say ... Tilda Swinton for Michael Clayton in a surprise upset.
• Best Director: No Country's Ethan and Joel. And it's about time.
• Best Adapted Screenplay: Ditto.
• Best Original Screenplay: Juno's Diablo Cody has had this one wrapped up for awhile now.
• Best Cinematography: Epic usually scores here, so: There Will Be Blood.
• Best Art Direction: Sweeney Todd -- Tim Burton films have done well here in the past (Batman, Sleepy Hollow).
• Costume Design: Atonement -- all because of that green dress.
• Original Score: I would love to see Ratatouille's Michael Giacchino get it (especially since he was robbed for The Incredibles), but it looks like Atonement will, you know, score.
• Original Song: Despite the mini-controversy about its eligibility, Once's "Falling Slowly" is right up Oscar's alley when it comes to tunes.
• Film Editing: Sorry, Roderick Jaynes: I say The Bourne Ultimatum.
• Sound Mixing: Congrats, Kevin O'Connell: I say Transformers.
• Sound Editing: As I (like most of the Academy) don't know the difference between these last two, let's go with ... Transformers!
• Visual Effects: Uh ... Transformers?
• Animated Feature: Pixar again -- Ratatouille.
• Makeup: Taking Marion Cotillard as Edith Piaf from a youthful 19 to a worn out 47 should nab it for La Vie en Rose.
• Foreign Language Film: The Counterfeiters from Austria has the sure fire element to win: it is set during the Holocaust.
• Best Documentary Feature: Amidst all the war-themed docs, No End in Sight feeds right into so-called "Hollywood liberalism".
• Best Documentary Short: We're getting into shaky territory now, but Freeheld (the only gay-themed nominee in any category this year) is getting the most buzz.
• Best Animated Short: Even Pigeons Go to Heaven seems to have the right mix of artistry, whimsy and storytelling.
• Best Live Action Short: As the only English language entry, maybe The Tonto Woman has an edge ... or not.

So that's it, set in stone. Be sure to tune into ABC tonight to watch the big show, and/or stop by here for a virtual Oscar party (I will be live blogging the winners as I have been for the other major award shows of late). And for those who can't wait until then, here's a little treat to tide you over.

See you at 8:30 ... don't forget the popcorn.