Tomorrow is like my own little Christmas morning. I've said this before but it's true. I get so excited the morning the Academy Award nominations are announced! I can't help it. The entire award season has been building to this. I say this now but it is almost more exciting than the night they announce the winners. Shortlisting is so much more fun than choosing one winner. C'mon!This year, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences has decided to expand their Best Picture nominee list to 10 contenders. This is something they haven't done since 1943, when CASABLANCA took home the prize. The obvious argument for the expansion of the category is to subsequently expand their viewership. People say that had THE DARK KNIGHT or WALL-E been nominated last year, that more people would have watched. These people are probably right. This move ensures that no beloved blue creatures will be left off the ballot. Good timing on the Academy's part, considering AVATAR is the new box office champion of all time. People will watch this year for sure. That is, unless AVATAR somehow doesn't make the cut ... which I will not complain about.
Rather than try to figure out the nominees in all the major categories, I'm just going to wager what will make the Top 10 in the Best Picture category. Seven out of the ten are sure bets for me and I filled my swing slots with DISTRICT 9, STAR TREK and A SERIOUS MAN. We'll find out if I'm on the right track or if the Academy fell for more Eastwood schlock this year tomorrow at 8:30 AM EST.
Here are Black Sheep's predictions for Best Picture ...
AVATAR
DISTRICT 9
AN EDUCATION
THE HURT LOCKER
INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS
PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL "PUSH" BY SAPPHIRE
A SERIOUS MAN
STAR TREK
UP!
UP IN THE AIR
I would love to see (500) DAYS OF SUMMER or FANTASTIC MR. FOX or A SINGLE MAN sneak in there. Let's make it interesting!
I hope I sleep tonight.