Napoli's Oscar Predictions

2013 Oscar Predictions

by Michael Napoli

I mentioned in my previous post that I would not post my predictions.  But my dear friend Daniel posted his predictions, so the competitive side of me decided to give my predictions and see who comes out on top.

Best Picture

Amour

Argo

Beasts of the Southern Wild

Django Unchained

Les Miserables

Life of Pi

Lincoln

Silver Linings Playbook

Zero Dark Thirty

Best Director

Michael Haneke - Amour

Benh Zeitlin - Beasts of the Southern Wild

Ang Lee - Life of Pi

Steven Spielberg - Lincoln

David O'Russell - Silver Linings Playbook

Best Actor in a Leading Role

Bradley Cooper - Silver Linings Playbook

Daniel Day-Lewis - Lincoln

Hugh Jackman - Les Miserables

Joaquin Phoenix - The Master

Denzel Washington - Flight

Best Actress in a Leading Role

Jessica Chastain - Zero Dark Thirty

Jennifer Lawrence - Silver Linings Playbook

Emmanuelle Riva - Amour

Quvenzhane Wallis - Beasts of the Southern Wild

Naomi Watts - The Impossible

Best Supporting Actor

Alan Arkin - Argo

Robert DeNiro - Silver Linings Playbook

Philip Seymour Hoffman - The Master

Tommy Lee Jones - Lincoln

Christoph Waltz - Django Unchained

Best Supporting Actress

Amy Adams - The Master

Sally Field - Lincoln

Anne Hathaway - Les Miserables

Helen Hunt - The Sessions

Jacki Weaver - Silver Linings Playbook

Best Original Screenplay

Amour - Michael Haneke

Django Unchained - Quentin Tarantino

Flight - John Gatins

Moonrise Kingdom - Wes Anderson & Roman Coppola

Zero Dark Thirty - Mark Boal

Best Adapted Screenplay

Argo - Chris Terrio

Beasts of the Southern Wild - Lucy Alibar & Benh Zeitlin

Life of Pi - David Magee

Lincoln - Tony Kushner

Silver Linings Playbook - David O'Russell

Best Animated Feature

Brave - Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman

Frankenweenie - Tim Burton

ParaNorman - Sam Fell and Chris Butler

Pirates: The Band of Misfits - Peter Lord

Wreck-It-Ralph - Rich Moore

Best Foreign Language Film

Amour (Austria)

Kon Tiki (Norway)

No (Chile)

A Royal Affair (Denmark)

War Witch (Canada)

Best Documentary Feature

5 Broken Cameras - Emad Burnat and Davidi

The Gatekeepers - Dror Moreh, Philippa Kowarsky, and Estelle Fialon

How to Survive a Plague - David France and Howard Gertler

The Invisible War - Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering

Searching for Sugarman - Malik Bendjelloul and Simon Chin

Best Documentary Short Film

Inocente

Kings Point

Mondays at Racine

Open Heart

Redemption

Best Live Action Short Film

Asad

Buzkashi Boys

Curfew

Death of a Shadow

Henry

Best Animated Short Film

Adam and Dog

Fresh Guacamole

Head Over Heels

The Longest Daycare

Paperman

Best Original Score

Anna Karenina

Argo

Life of Pi

Lincoln 

Skyfall

Best Original Song

Before My Time

Everybody Needs a Best Friend

Pi's Lullaby

Skyfall

Suddenly

Best Sound Editing

Argo

Django Unchained

Life of Pi

Skyfall

Zero Dark Thiry

Best Sound Mixing

Argo

Les Miserables

Life of Pi

Lincoln

Skyfall

Best Production Design

Anna Karenina

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Les Miserables

Life of Pi

Lincoln

Best Cinematography

Anna Karenina

Django Unchained

Life of Pi

Lincoln

Skyfall

Best Makeup and Hairstyling

Hitchcock

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Les Miserables

Best Costume Design

Anna Karenina

Les Miserables

Lincoln

Mirror, Mirror

Snow White and the Huntsman

Best Editing

Argo - William Goldenberg

Life of Pi - Tim Squyres

Lincoln - Michael Kahn

Silver Linings Playbook - Jay Cassidy and Crispin Struthers

Zero Dark Thirty - William Goldenberg and Dylan Tichenor

Best Visuals Effects

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Life of Pi

Marvel's The Avengers

Prometheus 

Snow White and the Huntsman

2013 Oscar Predictions- BAYLEY

Less than a week away...it's coming...it's almost here...finally.

It's the 2013 Academy Awards! The biggest film awards event of the year. The ceremony that will have just as many awkward, grating moments as satisfying enjoyments and yet I look forward to it every year. I love seeing the appreciation of film televised in a major way and getting into the history of film-making as seen through the prestigious eyes of this Academy. But man, there were years where I turned off the tube disappointed (Best Pictures' Crash and The King's Speech).

But it's a whole new year and 2012 was one for the record books. Some of the biggest blockbusters and  the most enjoyable awards season crop in a long time. And I even saw a movie four times in the theater this year with the Avengers!

But enough with all that. It's time for you to win your Oscar pool at work or just get prepared and excited to shout at the tv before the winners are announced. It's my predictions for the 2013 Oscars!

Best Original Screenplay
Will Win: Quentin Tarantino- Django Unchained
Should Win: Mark Boal- Zero Dark Thirty

The nominees in this category are "Zero Dark Thirty", "Django Unchained", "Moonrise Kingdom", "Amour", and "Flight".

 I'm frankly surprised that "Flight" is there but you'd be a drugged man in Vegas to bet on that film winning. "Amour" has a very good chance with Michael Haneke gaining much acclaim. But I see "Django Unchained" picking up the win. The Academy is back to appreciating Mr. Tarantino's work after "Inglorious Basterds" and after picking up the Golden Globe for Screenplay, I would say he is the favorite. I would have not awarded him for his overlong and frankly inconsistent work here and would have given the award to Mark Boal for his powerful character study and hard-hitting political drama, "Zero Dark Thirty".

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

The nominees are "Lincoln", "Silver Linings Playbook", "Argo", "Life of Pi" and "Beasts of the Southern Wild".

"Lincoln" may have taken 10 years to write and was seemingly historically accurate to a tee, but was very drawn out and thin, lacking subplot or developing dramatic value for me as a viewer. It still may come up as a winner so don't count it out. And while Russell I feel gives the most entertaining dramatic comedy film of the year, greatly in part for the writing, it is Terrio's "Argo" script that will be one of the big awards the film gets this year.

Best Supporting Actress
Will Win: Anne Hathaway- Les Miserables
Should Win: Anne Hathaway- Les Miserables

The nominees are Sally Field for "Lincoln", Anne Hathaway for "Les Miserables", Jacki Weaver for "Silver Linings Playbook", Helen Hunt for "The Sessions" and Amy Adams for "The Master".

 This is locked and set and the Oscar is in the mail for Ms. Hathaway. She has swept the awards' season board in this category, and deservedly so. With very little screen time, she gives a raw and powerful turn as Fantine that is the standout here. Her one-take performance of "I Dreamed A Dream" is a must-watch.

Best Supporting Actor
Will Win: Christoph Waltz-Django Unchained
Should Win: Robert De Niro-"Silver Linings Playbook".

The nominees in this category are Christoph Waltz for "Django Unchained", Philip Seymour Hoffman for "The Master", Robert De Niro for "Silver Linings Playbook", Alan Arkin for "Argo", and Tommy Lee Jones for "Lincoln".

 This is a three way race between Jones, Waltz, and De Niro. While Waltz and Jones picked up the Globe and SAG, De Niro has Weinstein campaigning hard for him and he has not won an Oscar since "Raging Bull". Not only is he long overdue, but this was the perfect performance to shake him out of his rut phoning in comedies that did not showcase his talents enough.

But alas I feel Waltz will shine on through here. His role as Dr. King Schultz was one of the best parts of "Django Unchained" and he is very settled in delivering Tarantino dialogue with just the right amount of smooth style and energy it demands. While Hans Landa was the charismatic and truly intimidating villain of "Basterds", Schultz is the equally charismatic sidekick to our hero who is in complete control of the film until Dicaprio's similarly showy performance rolls in. Tarantino is giving Waltz the roles of a lifetime and he hits them out of the park. The Oscar goes to Waltz here.

Best Actress

Will Win: Emmanuelle Riva- Amour
Should Win: Jessica Chastain- Zero Dark Thirty

The nominees are Naomi Watts for "The Impossible", Jessica Chastain for "Zero Dark Thirty", Jennifer Lawrence for "Silver Linings Playbook", Emmanuelle Riva for "Amour", and Quvenzhane' Walis for "Beasts of the Southern Wild".

I'm predicting Riva to win this due to her BAFTA "Best Actress" win and her critical acclaim. It will be a win reminiscent of Marion Cotillard in "La Vie en Rose" in 2007. While Lawrence and Chastain won the Globes, and Lawrence won the SAG, I think the Academy will go with the veteran actress here. She is the oldest nominee ever and would be the oldest to win (Fun Fact: She was also born the same year as the first Academy Award Best Picture "Wings" came out).

I would still award Chastain here. Maya was my favorite character of last year as a strong and stern CIA Officer in a male dominated government workplace that must stand up to superiors and stay true to her task in order to catch the most dangerous and lost terrorist in the world. I can't applaud this film enough.

Best Actor

Will Win: Daniel Day Lewis- Lincoln
Should Win: Hugh Jackman- Les Miserables

The nominees are Daniel Day Lewis for "Lincoln", Denzel Washington for "Flight", Hugh Jackman for "Les Miserables", Bradley Cooper for "Silver Linings Playbook" and Joequin Phoenix for "The Master".

In any other year I would say Jackman would have this. Reviving the musical, delivering riveting drama, and physical transformations are all on the plate for the role of Jean Valjean. Hugh Jackman gives the performance of a lifetime here. All of these performances had me walking out of the theater in awe, but none like the complexity the demanding role of Valjean had. Jackman has impressed me greatly. But alas...you just can't beat...

Daniel Day Lewis. This man is a machine. He loses himself in every role. There's nothing more I can say except he is one of the actors ever to grace the screen. He is the reason to go see "Lincoln". He creates a believable, likable, and surprisingly softer human out of our 16th president. What else more can I say. He will become the first actor to have won three Best Actor awards. You MUST bet on this win.

Best Director
Will Win: David O. Russell-Silver Linings Playbook
Should Win: David O. Russell- Silver Linings Playbook

The nominees are David O. Russell for "Silver Linings Playbook", Ang Lee for "Life of Pi", Steven Spielberg for "Lincoln", "Michael Haneke for "Amour" and Benh Zeitlin for "Beasts of the Southern Wild".

This is the most open race at the Oscars. With Ben Affleck being snubbed by the Academy, he has swept the board elsewhere probably due to equal parts sympathy and recognition by his peers.  "Argo" is a great film and I would have had Affleck included in this bunch. But the award must go somewhere. I feel Spielberg has a GREAT chance but has had his time. Lee has lost momentum. Haneke and Zeitlin are happy to be included. The winner is...

David O. Russell. "Silver Linings Playbook" was the crowd pleaser. Weinstein is going to back him for it. It was a very personal film that messed comedy and drama greatly and I can honestly say I never had a dull moment with it. Though Spielberg had a beautiful cinematic scope and Ang Lee had some very powerful imagery, Russell had the "balance" of tone that won everyone over and entertained the masses the most. He is the favorite in my eyes.

Best Picture
Will Win: Argo
Should Win: Silver Linings Playbook


I love Best Picture. It's the award where you look back on the year and you remember every film that came out but "that" Best Picture winner was the one that the Academy chose to represent the year for the history books. Now, that hasn't always gone right at times. In fact it's gone horribly wrong. But this year, it looks like "Argo" just has it in the bag. It's a very good film that has a suspenseful climax, great performances, and meshes history with drama/comedy well. A good watch. But "Zero Dark Thirty" is my favorite film of the year. I walked out of that and said, "That is it. That's a perfect movie". Absolutely spell-binding storytelling. Kathryn Bigelow can direct suspenseful drama like no other. If you thought "Argo" got you on the edge of your seat, go see "Zero Dark Thirty" and get ready for a real rush.

So...why did I choose "Silver Linings Playbook" as my choice if "Zero Dark Thirty" is my favorite film of the year? I rarely do that. But I would award SLP not only because it is the best comedy of the year, not only because Lawrence, De Niro, and Cooper give some of their best work, not only because I think Russell is the director the year, but because it was the universal crowd pleaser. If we look back in history, I don't think anyone would be horribly upset it won. In fact, I think everyone would be happy. If I showed you these 9 films listed below, I think it might be your favorite. It's not as controversial as the political films, not as violent as "Django Unchained", it's accessible, funny, and all around a just damn good movie. "Zero Dark Thirty" might ruffle too many feathers with a win. But what can I say except, go see it. In fact, go see all these movies. 2012, you were one for the record books.




My other predicted winners below in bold...

Best Animated Feature Film

Frankenweenie
The Pirates! Band of Misfits
Wreck-It Ralph
ParaNorman
Brave

Best Foreign-Language Film

Amour (Austria)
No (Chile)
War Witch (Canada)
A Royal Affair (Den)
Kontiki (Norway)

Original Score

Anna Karenina, Dario Marianelli
Argo, Alexandre Desplat
Life of Pi, Mychael Danna
Lincoln, John Williams
Skyfall, Thomas Newman

Original Song

"Before My Time," J. Ralph; Chasing Ice
"Pi's Lullaby," Mychael Danna & Bombay Jayashri; Life of Pi
"Suddenly," Claude-Michel Schönberg, Herbert Kretzmer and Alain Boulil; Les Misérables
"Everybody Needs a Best Friend," Walter Murphy & Seth McFarlane; Ted
"Skyfall," Adele Adkins & Paul Epworth; Skyfall

Achievement in Production Direction

Anna Karenina
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Les Misérables
Life of Pi
Lincoln

Achievement in Cinematography

Anna Karenina, Seamus McGarvey
Django Unchained, Robert Richardson
Life of Pi, Claudio Miranda
Lincoln, Janusz Kaminski
Skyfall, Roger Deakins

Achievement in Costume Design

Anna Karenina, Jacqueline Durran
Les Misérables, Paco Delgado
Lincoln, Joanna Johnston
Mirror Mirror, Eiko Ishioka
Snow White and the Huntsman, Colleen Atwood

Best Documentary Feature

5 Broken Cameras
The Gatekeepers
How to Survive a Plague
The Invisible War
Searching for a Sugar Man

Best Documentary Short Subject

Inocente
Kings Point
Mondays at Racine
Open Heart
Redemption

Achievement in Film Editing

Argo
Life of Pi
Lincoln
Silver Linings Playbook
Zero Dark Thirty

Achievement in Makeup & Hairstyling

Hitchcock
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Les Misérables

Best Animated Short Film

Adam and Dog
Fresh Guacamole
Head Over Heels
Maggie Simpson in "The Longest Daycare"
Paperman

Best Live-Action Short Film

Asad
Buzkashi Boys
Curfew
Death of a Shadow
Henry

Achievement in Sound Editing

Argo
Django Unchained
Life of Pi
Skyfall
Zero Dark Thirty

Achievement in Sound Mixing

Argo
Les Misérables
Life of Pi
Lincoln
Skyfall

Achievement in Visual Effects

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Life of Pi
Marvel's The Avengers
Prometheus
Snow White and the Huntsman

Don't miss the 85th Annual Academy Awards, Sunday February 24th. And write me who you think will go home with Oscar gold.

-Daniel Bayley

If Napoli Picked the Winners...and a Loser.

Author: Michael Napol

Two weeks until the Oscars. It is definitely one of the most interesting races I've seen since I started watching. 

Like every year we see our fair share of "favorite to win" scenario, this year is no exception. Daniel Day-Lewis, Anne Hathaway, and Life of Pi. All names you will most likely hear on Oscar night winning their respected categories.

As I write this review, the 6000 member Academy are voting and submitting their ballots for the best of the year.

Of course we never know how the Academy votes. Sometimes we predetermine how things will turn out. But sometimes they tend to surprise us. Some for the good and others...well you get the idea. 

Now you can go to any awards obsessed site to get your odds on what will win best makeup. Frankly,  people have made this a sport out of it. Every detail carefully thought out. BUT, I'm not going to give you my prediction on who will win. I will tell you who I would vote for if I was an Academy member. This would be my ballot.

Best Picture

Who Should Win: Life of Pi

Runner Up: Zero Dark Thirty

Snubbed: Skyfall, The Master, Moonrise Kingdom

For those who have seen my top ten of 2012, I chose Kathryn Bigelow's gripping Zero Dark Thirty as the best film of the year. Though the film is one of the best political thrillers in recent memory. Having performances, writing, and editing at the top of it's form. When it came down to handing the title of Best Picture, somehow Ang Lee's Life of Pi kept coming back to me. 

Though Zero Dark Thirty is a neatly constructed film, Life of Pi takes the scope and beauty of film as art and goes above and beyond. It's a true cinematic experience. A book that is considered unfilmable, becomes a beautiful tale of a boy's journey against nature, God (in Pi's case Gods), and of course Richard Parker. It's a blend of music, image and heart that only filmmakers of true passion can handle. Also, I think many people tend to forget that this was rated PG. This film is for everyone. It allows all people to be apart of Pi's spiritual journey through the seas. Not many movies do that anymore.

My personal ranking:

1. Life of Pi

2. Zero Dark Thirty

3. Beasts of the Southern Wild

4. Argo

5. Silver Linings Playbook

6. Lincoln

7. Amour

8. Les Miserables

9. Django Unchained

Best Actor

My choice: Joaquin Phoenix - The Master

This one was a no brainer. Watching Joaquin Phoenix in The Master, I was witnessing the performance of the year. 

Never before have I seen a character that is so unpredictable. A man that is the master of his own domain. He plays Freddie Quell,  a sex obsessed alcoholic veteran trying to adapt back to society post WWII.  The only things that he has learned is to act out of nature. A true human "animal". He comes across Lancaster Dodd, a leader of a following called "The Cause" which endorses redemption and self purification. Dodd and Quell often clash, which leads to the best scenes of year.  It could be argued that Quell is lost, I believe that he lives by what he knows. This is a man that doesn't need help, but toys with the idea of enlightenment, but falls back to his barbaric ways. Beyond Quell's leering stares in the camera, we can see Phoenix showing parts of himself. Someone who goes against the normal. Someone who is left out of the pack. Life imitates art. 

I give praise to the other nominated actors. Bradley Cooper for his comedic turn as a bi-polar man looking for his silver lining. Denzel Washington still proving to be one of our best actors and his work in Flight was one to remember. Daniel Day-Lewis captured our imaginations by playing the 16th president. Although I do feel that it was a bit of a distanced performance. Then there is Hugh Jackman, with whom I felt gave the least compelling performance as Jean Valjean in Les Miserables. It was hard to attach to his character within the first half of the film and then the film shifts to the revolution and he takes a bit of a back seat. Although his final scene was the best scene in the film. Kudos to him.

The best actor race is probably one of the best groups this year. Every performance is worthy of a nomination. The real let down of this race was that there were easily three, four other actors are equally worthy of a nomination as well. It's a case of too many to choice from. John Hawkes was a favorite for a nomination, but sadly he was the one that got left out for his excellent work in The Sessions. Although he was not a huge name, Tom Holland in The Impossible was one the key reasons of the films power. It's very rare that a child actor can have charisma that matches Naomi Watts. I wish he got more attention.

Runner Up: Bradley Cooper - Silver Linings Playbook
Snubbed: John Hawkes - The Sessions; Tom Halland - The Impossible

Best Actress

My Choice: Quvenzhane Wallis - Beasts of the Southern Wild

This year all five actress have turned in stunning work. But when I started to think about my choice. I was stuck between Jessica Chastain's work in Zero Dark Thirty or Quvenzhane Wallis in Beasts of the Southern Wild.

I chose Wallis for a very specific reason. Five years old at the time the film was made, she managed to intrigue us with her cuteness, but at the same time show us how child views the world. Where Chastain leads the way to Bin Laden, we ultimately know the end of the story and that our success is seen through her. Wallis is unaware of the mysteries of life and the creatures that inhabit it. Her character Hushpuppy learns about the world just as we learn about hers.

It is very rare that child actor can take a role and make it their own. Their presence as an actor should overshadow them being a child. She holds her own in scenes with her father played by the effective Dwight Henry. Their relationship is her guide to life. A life where survival and family is the only way. A world where you can be kicked aside and outcasted, and with that being able to take care of yourself. Now there is some controversy on whether she was truly acting and how she was directed by Ben Zeitlin. But who cares, I believed her.

As for the other nominees, they have my respect and admiration. Jessica Chastain is truly becoming one of the best actresses of our generation. I have loved every role she has been in and I truly hope she will be invited back more to the Oscars. Naomi Watts in any other year, would have my vote for her role in The Impossible. Emmanuelle Riva is a respected veteran getting recognized in a critically hailed film. I admit, Amour is the only nominated film I did not see. Jennifer Lawrence is in the same vain as Chastain. Her body work is continuing to grow with one great role after another. BUT, this is not the role to award her for. Yes, she is funny and outshines Cooper and DeNiro in a few scenes, but her character was so forced. It's a good role, but not an Oscar winning role.

Runner Up: Jessica Chastain - Zero Dark Thirty
Snubbed: Emayatzy Corinealdi - Middle of Nowhere

Best Supporting Actor

My choice: Robert DeNiro - Silver Linings Playbook

Well, we have a category where ALL the nominees have won an Oscar. That's pretty cool, but at the same time there could have been room for the likes of newcomers like Dwight Henry, Matthew McConaughey and John Goodman. But we have these fine gentlemen who all have the respect of Hollywood. But who would I want to see win?

Now Alan Arkin was a nice supporting role in Argo, but an Oscar winning role? Not in my book. Christoph Waltz is the lead role in Django Unchained. How he got to supporting is beyond me. It's too similar to his Oscar winning role in Inglorious Bastards. Tommy Lee Jones gives a surprising turn as Thaddeus Stevens in Lincoln. Though the role is a bit one note. And there are moments where we see the good naturedness of Jones. Finally, it can be argued that Philip Seymour Hoffman was a lead in The Master, but there are many scenes Phoenix holds the reigns of the film and Hoffamn takes the backseat. He is one of my favorite actors and its great to see him turn in another Oscar caliber performance.

Which leads to my choice. Now it can be said that Robert DeNiro hasn't been in a good film for sometime now. I can argue that he hasn't picked the best films, but he as an actor still shines in most of his roles. Most notably the very underrated performance in Everybody's Fine (check it out!). But in Silver Linings Playbook, it's the perfect blend of drama and comedy, the latter is what he's been leaning towards lately. He is just wonderful in this movie.

As Pat Solitano Sr., DeNiro hits the right cords with trying to connect with his bi-polar son, Bradley Cooper, as well as maintaing his own impulsive, erratic behavior. It shows how he could have influenced his son in his habits. The scene where he comes to a revelation about not being the best father. It's the DeNiro we longed for. I'm ecstatic about seeing him being nominated for an Oscar. He could be going for his third Oscar. He rightfully deserves it. He's DeNiro!

Runner Up: Philip Seymour Hoffman - The Master
Snubbed: Dwight Henry - Beasts of the Southern Wild

Best Supporting Actress

My choice: Helen Hunt - The Sessions

Supporting Actress is usually a category where we get some surprise wins. Maybe if the Academy played their cards right, they would vote for Helen Hunt in her moving performance in The Sessions over Anne Hathaway in Les Miserables.

Out of the five nominees, Hunt's performance was the one that really struck a cord with me. As a woman who is confident with her sexuality, she is also a woman who is insecure with her own life. It's not something we learn from the get go. It took the second viewing to understand how her job is her way of connecting with people. At home she is a stable mother, but she longs for connection from a higher power. What that is I don't know. She finds it in Mark O'Brien. He is a man who is physically unable to connect, but can connect in the most personal passionate of ways. Through poetry, humor and wit.  They are the ideal partner in all of us.

Now, what the real mastery of her performance is obvious. She bares it all. One of the true wonders of The Sessions is that it never builds to a moment where we sexually view Helen Hunt. She is sexy in her confidence. Her patience. Not many actresses will not even dare to show skin. Helen Hunt shows her soul. Behind a beautiful woman, lies a hidden soul.

My second choice would be Amy Adams in The Master. It's something I have never seen from Adams. She's stern, somewhat creepy and dominant over her husband sometimes. Sally Field has fun with her role as Mary Todd Lincoln. Anne Hathaway, I personally think is the most overrated performance of the year. Yes she has an impressive number in Les Miserables, but the role is so minimal that I didn't seem to care about her character. Plus people say how great of her it was to cut her hair. Really? Hunt had the braver role in my eyes. And then there's Jacki Weaver for Silver Linings Playbook. Why? 

Runner Up: Amy Adams - The Master

Snubbed: Maggie Smith - The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

The Worst Nomination: Django Unchained for Best Picture

Out of all the nominated films in all 24 categories, Django Unchained for Best Picture, is my choice for the worst nomination. It came down to either this or Jacki Weaver's nomination for Supporting Actress for Silver Linings Playbook. A role that is not memorable and that doesn't require much from the respected Weaver, who impressed us all in her nominated role in Animal Kingdom. But I digress.

The nomination for Django Unchained is a bit baffling. This a movie that I felt lacked inspiration and character. Many are citing this as one of Tarantino's best. I think he needs to stop making his "homage" films. The film draws so much attention to itself in its' camerawork, editing, performance and writing. It came off as self indulgent.

I know it has gotten much critical acclaim and box office, but to me I did not find the movie entertaining and overall very disappointing. I respect the Academy for taking chances this year. But for Best Picture, why didn't they choose films of integrity like The Master or Moonrise Kingdom? Or on  the other hand, go for a box office hit like the brilliant Skyfall, that managed to have the same amount of nominations as Django?

Well there you have it. My Oscar ballot in the major categories. Who would you pick as your winner? What was the worst nomination? Comment and let's discuss!

Only two week until the Oscars!!

Oscar Nomination: Napoli's Reactions

The Oscar Nominations: Or How I Feel the Academy Got It Right

by Michael Napoli

Well as many of you know by now, the Academy Award nominations came out this morning. There were many questions that were being asked the past few weeks. 

Which film, Lincoln or Les Miserables, will come out as the front runner?

How many films will round out Best Picture?

Will Joaquin Phoenix make it into the Best Actor race? If so, who gets kicked off?

Due to technicalities from every guild, does Beasts of the Southern Wild have what it takes to break into the major categories?

What we discovered this morning was quite surprising then what every pundit had been anticipating.

Best Picture

1. Amour (5 nominations)

2. Argo (7 nominations)

3. Beasts of the Southern Wild (4 nominations)

4. Django Unchained (5 nominations)

5. Les Miserables (8 nominations)

6. Life of Pi (11 nominations)

7. Lincoln (12 nominations)

8.Silver Linings Playbook (8 nominations)

9. Zero Dark Thirty (5 nominations)

Thought(s): This is quite of an impressive lineup of Best Picture nominees. Amour and Beasts of the Southern Wild managed to sneak into the race beating some of the more assumed films. But the most talked about films are there and all have multiple nominations to boost. Though I have my complaints about Les Miserables, it's a film that the Academy goes for. If I have any real problem is the inclusion of Django Unchained as a Best Picture Nominee.

Overall thought I could not be happier to see so many diverse films. Kudos Academy.

Snubbed: The Master. Moonrise Kingdom. Skyfall.

Best Director

1. Michael Haneke - Amour

2. Benh Zeitlin - Beasts of the Southern Wild

3. Ang Lee - Life of Pi

4. Steven Spielberg - Lincoln

5. David O. Russell - Silver Linings Playbook

Thought(s): I don't need to repeat what everyone else is going to say, but yes the biggest snubs were in this category. Ben Affleck (Argo) and Kathryn Bigelow (Zero Dark Thirty) were presumed favorites throughout the entire year, with one of them winning the big prize. You know, from my point of view, it maybe the fact that both film are similar in their storytelling. I am not knocking either filmmaker. Both have their own way of creating suspense and drama. The two films managed to be on my top ten among others, but maybe the Academy was looking for something different this year. I honestly have no idea what went wrong. 

I am not surprised of the omission of Tom Hooper. He has been criticized for his take of the famous musical and I know most directors are more particular in their choices and maybe the fact that Hooper's ambitions were too much. 

Snubbed: Kathryn Bigelow - Zero Dark Thirty. Ben Affleck - Argo.

Best Actor

1. Bradley Cooper - Silver Linings Playbook

2. Daniel Day Lewis - Lincoln

3. Hugh Jackman - Les Miserables

4. Joaquin Phoenix - The Master

5. Denzel Washington - Flight

Thought(s): Poor John Hawkes. It was a six man race and we all knew one out of these six great performances were going to get left out. I would've preferred Hawkes over Jackman, but I can't have everything I guess. 

Snubbed: John Hawkes - The Sessions

Best Actress

1. Jessica Chastain - Zero Dark Thirty

2. Jennifer Lawrence - Silver Linings Playbook

3. Emmanuelle Riva - Amour 

4. Quvenzhane Wallis - Beasts of the Southern Wild

5. Naomi Watts - The Impossible

Thought(s): As I wrote in my predictions, these were the five ladies that I wanted. I had my reasoning for Marion Cotillard being left out. I asked, therefore I received. 

Snubbed: Marion Cotillard - Rust and Bone

Best Supporting Actor

1. Alan Arkin - Argo

2. Robert DeNiro - Silver Linings Playbook

3. Philip Seymour Hoffman - The Master

4. Tommy Lee Jones - Lincoln

5. Christoph Waltz - Django Unchained

Thought(s): Well, someone is going to be a lucky man on Oscar night. Whoever wins, will walk away with either their second or third Oscar. I am thrilled to see Robert DeNiro as a nominee again. Out of all the Django men to get the nomination, I would've taken Samuel L. Jackson. But they went with Christoph Waltz for playing Hans Landa/Dr. Schultz. I guess his move to supporting really screwed Leonardo DiCaprio of getting nominated, let alone a win. I really wanted to see if Dwight Henry get in instead of Waltz or Arkin.

Snubbed: Leonardo DiCaprio - Django Unchained. Dwight Henry - Beasts of the Southern Wild. Matthew McConaughey - Magic Mike.

Best Supporting Actress

1. Amy Adams - The Master

2. Sally Field - Lincoln

3. Anne Hathaway - Les Miserables

4. Helen Hunt - The Sessions

5. Jacki Weaver - Silver Linings Playbook

Thought(s): They really liked Silver Linings Playbook. I never thought that Jacki Weaver would get in for her minimal role as the mother of Bradley Cooper. But she rode on the coattails of Cooper, DeNiro, and Lawrence and got herself nominated. As for the others, there were no surprises. Just the fifth spot that were speculated for Maggie Smith, Nicole Kidman etc. 

Snubbed: Ann Dowd - Compliance. Maggie Smith - The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Nicole Kidman - The Paperboy.

Best Screenplay(s)

Adapted    

1. Argo

2. Beasts of the Southern Wild

3. Life of Pi

4. Lincoln 

5. Silver Linings Playbook

Original

1. Amour

2. Django Unchained

3. Flight

4. Moonrise Kingdom

5. Zero Dark Thirty

Thought(s): All best picture nominees got a writing nomination with the exception of Les Miserables. It' pretty much expected. Too bad that writing was Moonrise Kingsdom's only nomination. Flight was the big surprise here. I really thought that Looper was going to get in. Paul Thomas Anderson was shut out this year for The Master. As for the adapted, no Perks of Being a Wallflower. One of the best book adaptions in recent years. The Academy tends to have a wider range in the writing categories, so I was expecting some more obscure nominations. 

Snubbed: Original Screenplay: Looper, Arbitrage, The Master, The Intouchables.

                Adapted Screenplay: Perks of Being a Wallflower.

Final Thoughts: 

As I heard the nominations being announced this morning, I had my initial reactions of how people got snubbed and how some got nominated. After looking over all the nominees, a big smile came across my face. Through out the years, I've seen the Academy show love for a particular film, which often makes it the frontrunner. But this year it seems a bit different. 

The Academy really embraced these film. If you add up all the nominations every Best Picture nominee has, you get a total of 65 nominations. Damn. That is sure better than some years when a Best Picture nominee gets two or three nominations.

I will say that Life of Pi has gotten a boost. I think because it speaks to the Academy beyond what the story takes us. My second time seeing it, I had a "spiritual experience", something that maybe too complicated to explain, but the idea that a movie with so much imagination, heart and spirit can receive as many nominations as it did, says something. 

The most significant thing I've noticed was the nominees for Best Director. Yes, there are huge snubs. But look what came ahead of them. The five directors really take the art of film and goes above and beyond. These directors had a unique vision and that's what ended up winning in the end. Creativity is something that people often criticize about modern film. But take a look at the Best Director nominees and the worlds, people, places, and I dare you to challenge me that there isn't. 

Through all the campaigning, it look like the art of film has really won this year. Amour and Beasts of the Southern Wild got big boosts today. Both prime examples of the art. People wrote off Joaquin Phoenix, but the PERFORMANCE made it. The acting nominees along proves that our actors are choosing the right roles for themselves. That Oscar will come to them as opposed to them chasing after it. Many of these actors took risks. Which is what movies are all about. Though we may disagree, but this is one of the best acting lineups I've seen. 

Overall, I am very happy about the nominations this year. And of course I have my grips, but them again everyone has something to complain about. All in all, it could be worse. Way worse. I congratulate the Academy for taking risks this year. For embracing the art and not the money. Performance over campaign. Keep it going. See you at the Oscars. 

The Best Films of 2012

What a strong year for film.  Though the first half of the year showed signs if greatness, I never expected to experience so many diverse and interesting movies in the later part of the year.

What I noticed this year was many anticipated films were in the realm of average or disappointing.  On the other hand, we saw many of the critically praised films become some of the years most popular films. Which really goes to show that no matter how large the budget is, people just want to see go movies. 

Looking back of all the films of 2012, it is very hard for me to compile this list together. Not for which ones are the best, but that there are so many to recommend and discuss about. I believe that's why people like top ten lists. It's always a good subject for debate. So without further ado. I present the Best Films of 2012.

10. Lincoln (Dir. Steven Spielberg)

You get one of the best actors. Put him with the best director in film. Add a smart, witty, truthful script.  Make it about one of the most influential men in American history and you get Lincoln. This really is an interesting film for Steven Spielberg, a man who has made so many visual spectacles. It's a film that relies heavily on the performances of his impressive ensemble cast. By far the best of this decade so far. Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, and most notably Tommy Lee Jones give stellar performances that transcend us to an era we know through textbooks. The film never lectures us about history, but more about how we create and determine our own.

9. Moonrise Kingdom (Dir. Wes Anderson)

This is not only one of Wes Anderson's best films but his most mature. He has created a new world that I have never seen. It has the best production design of any movie this year. Anderson wrote a beautiful love that has moments of charm and with along with a few moments of sad reality. It strikes a place in all of us where we long to live young and free. A true coming of age story. 

8. Silver Linings Playbook (Dir. David O. Russell)

When watching this movie, I was reminded of some of the great screwball comedies. I loved following these characters, despite them all being completely dysfunctional. I do feel that it's view on mental illness was a bit tame and force fed, I cared more about the love the characters genuinely had for one another. Bradley Cooper gives his best performance as Pat, who seems lost and betrayed; looking for that silver lining. Jennifer Lawrence proves that she is an actress of true range. And it is so good to see Robert DeNiro in one of his best roles in recent years. My favorite supporting performance of the year.

7. Argo (Dir. Ben Affleck)

Who would've thought that a film about a fake film used as a plan issued by the U.S. government to rescue hostages would work so well? Argo manages to act as a thriller that carries an ensemble that add to the very intricate plot. Affleck is becoming a master of being able to craft heart pounding suspense that is rested in human drama. The best part: it's all true.

6. The Sessions (Dir. Ben Lewin)

I love this film. I love the brave performances of John Hawkes and Helen Hunt. I love attitude the film has towards sex. How it is an experience that every human should have the right to have. That sex is something that brings the best out of all of us. I love the balance of heart and humor. The genuine spirit of Mark O'Brien on his quest for human connection. It never demeans its subjects, but is tended with affection and dedication of the filmmakers.

5. Beasts of the Southern Wild (Dir. Ben Zeitlin)

It has been a long time since I have seen a film that beats to its own drum. A film that is so unique in time and space. Another coming of age story about a place called the Bathtub and people that live among it. Quvenzhane Wallis is the eyes of the story as she learns about survival, family, and community. Dwight Henry gives the Oscar-worthy performance as her father, a man that loves and teaches, but aware of his own weakness. This film proves that film is an art form. It is 2012's hidden gem.

4. The Master (Dir. Paul Thomas Anderson)

Paul Thomas Anderson's The Master may be one of the boldest, strangest, puzzling, films I've seen in a while. This film does not have all the answers. Which is something I find the most rewarding. Joaquin Phoenix gives the performance of the year. Hands down. Freddie Quell is one of the most interesting characters in recent film. There is a living beast inside of him that conflicts with a decent man. It is truly a mesmerizing performance. Philip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams give exquisite supporting performances, most notably Hoffman in a scene where he and Phoenix go head to head. The years best scene. Great cinematography, score, editing. The Master takes more risks than most filmmakers do in a lifetime. 

3. Life of Pi (Dir. Ang Lee)

A beloved novel that no one thought it would be possible for it to be translated to film. But when put in the hands of Ang Lee, it is a film that is made with pure love and compassion.  I admit, I had to see this film a second time in order to see what I was missing. On that second viewing, I found myself moved to a few tears. Like the Tree of Life, it is one of the most beautifully arresting films I have ever seen. It is a film about faith, life and the will that drives us all. A true cinematic experience. 

2. Skyfall (Dir. Sam Mendes)

Now this is a Bond movie. Hollywood needs to use this movie as a guide on how to reboot a sequel. This movie satisfies everything we love about Bond for the past 50 years as well as being relevant to the changing times. Daniel Craig solidifies himself as one of the best James Bonds. Everything about this movie is just perfect. The villan that is menacing as well as equally enjoyable to watch. The sets, the score, cinematography all at its finest. There is never a dull moment. It allows us to understand some of the mystique behind the world's greatest spy. He is the reason we go to the movies. He is timeless. 

1. Zero Dark Thirty (Dir. Kathryn Bigelow)

Kathryn Bigelow's Zero Dark Thirty can be summed up in one word: spellbinding. This movie spans tens years in what is known as the greatest man hunt in human history. From it's first frame, Bigelow and writer Mark Boal pull us into the world of the Middle East and how a CIA operative's determination for closure. It presents to us how things are done. It is not a pretty sight. It is not glossed over with superficial patriotism. The movie speaks for itself. 

Like another great film, No Country for Old Men, it is one of the most thrilling movies I have ever seen. The raid sequence alone stands a testament to Bigelow's direction. Jessica Chastain gives a compelling performance of a woman so deep in obsession that in end thinks what is it all for?  This is a great movie.

Here are a few other mentions.

Honorable Mention (aka four star movies)

The Impossible

Marvel's The Avengers

Looper

Bernie

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

The Most Disappointing Film of 2012

Django Unchianed

The Worst Movie of 2012

Snow White and the Huntsman

There you are, 2012 in film. Let me know what you think. Happy 2013! See you at the movies!