Oscars 2011

Now that I'm getting this site updated again, and since the Oscar season starts...next week, it seems like I should post my initial predictions. I know that the literal fives of people who read this are clamoring to know my thoughts. CLAMORING! I couldn't possibly disappoint. More commentary will come next week, but here's what I'm thinking so far:

Best Picture
(This is my list if there are ten choices. This year there could, and probably will be fewer.)
The Artist
The Descendants
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
The Help
The Ides of March
J. Edgar
Midnight in Paris
Moneyball
War Horse

Best Director
The Artist, Michel Harzanavicius
The Descendants, Alexander Payne
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, Stephen Daldry
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, David Fincher
War Horse, Steven Spielberg

Best Actress
Glenn Close, Albert Nobbs
Viola Davis, The Help
Meryl Streep, Iron Lady
Tilda Swinton, We Need to Talk About Kevin
Michelle Williams, My Week with Marilyn

Best Actor
George Clooney, The Descendants
Leonardo DiCaprio, J. Edgar
Jean Dujarin, The Artist
Woody Harrelson, Rampart
Brad Pitt, Moneyball

Best Supporting Actress
Jessica Chastain, Tree of Life
Vanessa Redgrave, Coriolanus
Octavia Spencer, The Help
Janet McTeer, Albert Nobbs
Shailene Woodley, The Descendants

Best Supporting Actor
Kenneth Branagh, My Week with Marilyn
Jim Broadbent, Iron Lady
Albert Brooks, Drive
Christopher Plummer, Beginners
Max von Sydow, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close