2010: A New Year, A New Decade of Cinematic Experiences

There's a part of me that is glad to see this past Oscar season finished with. After witnessing a "crashing" upset, an overdue auteur recieving his due, two of the decades best squaring off, a rags to riches sweep and the theory of ten taking their places in the pantheon of Oscar history and film lore, the first decade of the aughts is finally over.
After these past 5 years of Oscar Watching, it feels refreshing to think that the cinematic slate has been wiped clean and is beginning afresh. This is mostly in due to the unusual circumstances of the last year. With the 2009-2010 Oscar season came, for myself, a vibe of exciting banality. There was a wealth if excellent films recognized, from Avatar and The Hurt Locker to Inglourious Basterds and A Serious Man and even District 9. While I have no doubt that 2010 featured the best Best Picture nominee class of the past decade, due to the expansion of the category. the past year gave little room for any suprises. Well, at least not any pleasant ones (ahem, The Blind Side). This year was all about Avatar vs. The Hurt Locker, a shame since I felt neither were even in my top 5 of the films that were nominated for Best Picture this year. It was a disapointment to see Up in The Air, District 9 and A Serious Man go home empty handed, and a letdown that Inglourious Basterds took home only one(albeit deserved) Oscar for Christoph Waltz..
However, that is ancient history as we are now at the forefront of a new decade, one filled with oppurtunity and excitement for film lovers. This year alone theatregoers will be able to see potential classics in the making such as Inception, Toy Story 3, Shutter Island and True Grit. And with progress being made in the developments of Martin Scorsese's upcoming Silence and Paul Thomas Anderson's next, The Master, along with efforts from Terrence Malik, The Coen Brothers, David Fincher and Alexander Payne, this decade could be one of the best in terms of film since the 70's.
With a new year comes, of course, year in advanced predictions along with new reviews, features and thoughts from myself on the state of cinema. I am open to any and all criticisms, encouragement and ideas from readers of The Oscar Hut, and you can reach me at tjpratt@bellsouth.net or in the comments section of each and every post. As my creative partner and collaborater Aaron Morales has decided to end his prognostication hobbies following his accident and it's subsequent injuries , I am once again hoping that a fellow film/oscar lover(s) will step up and become a part of The Oscar Hut! Once again, to contact me about joing TOH you can reach me at tjpratt@bellsouth.net.
The official start of this new year for The Oscar Hut will begin sometime in the next week, kicking off with year in adavance predictions, So, heres to a new year and decade of Cinema! May it continue to make our lives extraordinary in every way!

Tyler j. Pratt,
The Oscar Hut

Final Oscar Predictions

Forgive me for the innactivity, I've been sick all winter and its left me with little enthusiasm or energy to put foward into the blog. However this being Oscar Night, the superbowl of movie awards I must admit that I am inclined to put forth my predictions.

Best Picture: The Hurt Locker
Best Director: Kathryn Bigelow for The Hurt Locker
Best Actor: Jeff Bridges for Crazy Heart
Best Actress: Sandra Bullock for The Blind Side
Best Sup. Actor: Christoph Waltz for Inglourious Basterds
Best Sup. Actress: Mo'Nique for Precious: Based on the novel by Sapphire
Best Adapted Screenplay: Up in The Air by Jason Reitman & Sheldon Turner
Best Original Screenplay: The Hurt Locker by Mark Boal

At this point I am guaranteed to be at least 8/24

Best Film Editing: The Hurt Locker
Best Cinematography: The Hurt Locker
Best Art Direction: Avatar
Best Costume Design: The Young Victoria
Best Make-Up: Star Trek
Best Visual F/X: Avatar
Best Sound Editing: Avatar
Best Sound Mixing: Avatar

At this point I'm 14/24 with the possibility of missing at least one of these

Best Original Score: Up by Michael Giacchino
Best Original Song: The Weary Kind from Crazy Heart by T-Bone Burnett & Ryan Bingham

16/24

Best Animated Film: Up
Best Foreign Laguage Film: A Prophet
Best Documentary: The Cove
Best Animated Short: A Matter of Loaf and Death
Best Live Action Short: The Door
Best Documentary Short: The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant

At this point I say I'll end up 21/24, I'll miss at least one tech award and Foreign Language is up in the air for me. Many insist that the Argentina selection will prevail but a Prophet was too amazing to be passed over. But, hey, what do I know?