Hurt Locker wins PGA - we have a race on our hands!

[tazber]

Posted: 1/25/10 at 7:51am

For those who love to follow the Oscars this year is really shaping up to be nail biter!

I can't recall a year this "up in the air" for some time.

Up In The Air took the early lead, followed closely by Hurt Locker.

Then came the behemoth known as Avatar, which after breaking records and winning the Globe jumped into the front runner place.

Then on Saturday Inglorious Basterds took the SAG award (which, given that actors make up the largest percentage of voters, increased it's chances).

Last night, Hurt Lokcer took the PGA (another strong indicator of Oscar).

This coming Saturday, the DGA names its best picture.

After several years of foregone conclusions it's great to finally have some real competition!

Nominations for the Academy Awards come out a week from tomorrow.

[ErikJ972]

Posted: 1/25/10 at 8:47am

I finally got around to watching Inglorious Basterds this weekend. I know it's a long shot but I'm hoping it wins.

[strummergirl]

Posted: 1/25/10 at 8:59am

The Hurt Locker was my favorite film of 2009 and I am hoping that those involved get rewarded in some way come Oscar time.

For those who haven't seen it, check it out. The film is more about tension and comraderie than explosions.

[Luscious]

Posted: 1/25/10 at 9:04am

AVATAR doesn't stand a chance of winning the best picture Oscar. Oscar likes to take itself seriously. THE HURT LOCKER will win.

[Stage Door Sally]

Posted: 1/25/10 at 10:20am

I saw The Hurt Locker this weekend (movies on demand) and really liked it. It is definitely Oscar worthy.

As it opened I thought this is so NOT the movie for me, it's more suited for my video-game playing son.... I'm glad I kept an open mind, because this movie was for me and him too.

I haven't seen all the top-rated films yet, but Hurt Locker was better IMHO than Inglorius B's. Tarantino's over the top moves - inappropriate music and writing on the screen, truly distracted from a film that could have been engrossing. Add a surprisingly lackluster performance by Brad Pitt and that kicks it down a few notches for me. Though Christoph Waltz and the two lead women actors were superb.

Hurt Locker had the whole package, and some tension scenes worthy of Hitchcock.

Posted: 1/25/10 at 11:21am

Not only have I not seen any of those contenders (oops- Avatar is a contender?) I have no desire to see any of them.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 1/25/10 at 11:25am

I'm still trying to wrap my head around the words 'Oscar Winner Sandra Bullock.'

I feel like there's a tear in the space-time continuum.

[Calvin]

Posted: 1/25/10 at 11:28am

How about "Oscar winners Sandra Bullock and Mo'Nique?"

[tazber]

Posted: 1/25/10 at 11:30am

A strange year to be sure.

I really hope Jeff Bridges wins this year.

[Calvin]

Posted: 1/25/10 at 11:32am

Me too, even though I have yet to see Crazy Heart. I also hope that Alfred Molina gets a nomination, though it's a long shot, for An Education.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 1/25/10 at 11:41am

LOVED An Education.

The boyfriend and I caught a little bit of Phat Girls a few weekends ago. No...I cannot say I'm surprised that Monique will be taking home the little gold man.

This whole awards season has been so trippy for me. Seeing someone you went to college with walk up and down those red carpets and who is about to be nommed for an Oscar is very, very heady.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 1/25/10 at 12:10pm

It's definitely a race--and 10 noms will make it possibly even more unpredictable with all of the vote splitting. Say District 9 and/or Star Trek get nominated--that really hurts Avatar's chances.

Bullock would seem to be destined to win. I adore her, so it doesn't bother me.

Maybe the DGAs will clear things up some.

[StageManager2]

Posted: 1/25/10 at 12:19pm

I was just thinking the other day, if Mo'nique wins, she'll be the 7th black person to win the Oscar THIS decade:

- Halle Berry, MONSTER'S BALL (2001)
- Denzel Washington, TRAINING DAY (2001)
- Jamie Foxx, RAY (2004)
- Morgan Freeman, MILLION DOLLAR BABY (2004)
- Forest Whitaker, THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND (2006)
- Jennifer Hudson, DREAMGIRLS (2006)

Why is that significant, you ask? 'Cuase before that, only 6 black actors had won since the Oscar's first ceremony in 1929:

- Hattie McDaniel, GONE WITH THE WIND (1939)
- Sidney Poitier, LILIES OF THE FIELD (1963)
- Louis Gossett, Jr., AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN (1982)
- Denzel Washingtong, GLORY (1989)
- Whoopi Goldberg, GHOST (1990)
- Cuba Gooding, Jr., JERRY MAGUIRE (1996)

That's 6 actors in 7 decades, and now 6 (possibly 7) actors in less than 10 years. I just thought it was interesting.

[ErikJ972]

Posted: 1/25/10 at 12:25pm

I don't think Avatar has a chance at best picture. And I doubt Cameron will win best director either.
I'm really hoping The Class snags a best foreign language nom.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 1/25/10 at 12:29pm

The Class was nominated last year.

[ErikJ972]

Posted: 1/25/10 at 12:31pm

Oops I remembered that after I posted the message. I keep forgetting because I just saw it this past spring.

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 1/25/10 at 12:39pm

My picks:
BEST PICTURE - The Hurt Locker
BEST DIRECTOR - Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker)
BEST ACTRESS - Meryl Streep (Julie & Julia)
BEST ACTOR - Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS - Mo'Nique (Precious)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR - Christoph Waltz (Inglorious Basterds)

"The Hurt Locker" is, hands down, the best movie of the year. A complete surprise. It's moving, suspenseful, and remarkably well-crafted. Under the steady and precise hands of Ms. Bigelow, it has Oscar written all over it.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 1/25/10 at 12:43pm

It is a very interesting race, I still think AVATAR will take Picture and Bigelow will take Director. I just think the Oscars won't be able to look past the fact that the movie will surpass TITANIC's record. My votes would go to:
Best Pic-UP IN THE AIR
Best Director-Kathryn Bigelow, THE HURT LOCKER
Best Lead Actor-Colin Firth, A SINGLE MAN
Best Lead Actress-Meryl Streep, JULIE & JULIA
Best Supporting Actress-Anna Kendrick, UP IN THE AIR or Melanie Laurent, INGLORIOUS BASTERDS (can't believe she is being campaigned for lead)
Best Supporting Actor-Christoph Waltz, INGLORIOUS BASTERDS

[ErikJ972]

Posted: 1/25/10 at 12:45pm

I really really really hope Christoph Waltz wins.

[Broadwayboobs]

Posted: 1/25/10 at 12:47pm

"- Denzel Washingtong, GLORY (1989)"

Stagey, isn't Mr. Washingtong Asian?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 1/25/10 at 12:55pm

I watched both CRAZY HEART & THE HURT LOCKER yesterday and they were both phenomenal. Bridges deserves the award this season, hands down.

While I'm hoping, PRAYING even that Bullock wins this year and finally proves to the world what a great actress she is, I do think Streep will sneak in there and win.

[StageManager2]

Posted: 1/25/10 at 1:04pm

LOL@boobs!

"I just think the Oscars won't be able to look past the fact that the movie will surpass TITANIC's record."

JURASSIC PARK beat ET's 11-year record back in 1993 and all it got were 3 technical awards.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 1/25/10 at 1:06pm

I haven't seen Up in the Air, but of what is thought to be the top 5 in contention (UITA, Avatar, Basterds, Hurt Locker, Precious), my personal fave is Precious. But I also LOVED Basterds.

I wish Gabby had a shot, but it's def a Bullock/Streep race, with Bullock out in front. Waltz, Mo'Nique, and Bridges seem to be locks, which makes me very happy.

I do think it's highly likely whichever way Best Picture goes that Bigelow will win Director and make history as the first female to win the award.