Critics' Choice Movie Awards - Predictions and Preview Part 3 - The Films

The last of the previews -- here ya go! Tomorrow some things to watch as we get ready for the show.

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
In Darkness
Le Havre
A Separation
The Skin I Live In
Where Do We Go Now

 

One of those categories that is hard to predict in our group. I’m guessing it is between A Separation and The Skin I Live In based on what I know. But what do I know? I DID cast my vote the way of A Separation…if that means anything.

SHOULD WIN: A Separation

WILL WIN: The Skin I Live In

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
Buck
Cave of Forgotten Dreams
George Harrison: Living in the Material World
Page One: Inside the New York Times
Project Nim
Undefeated

The documentary category is missing my two favorites of the year, so I’m going to be honest…SHOULD WIN is The Interrupters, hands down. The film, unfortunately, was not shortlisted by the Academy also didn’t actively campaign for our award, but anyone who has seen it agrees with me. Was also a big fan of Senna which fell short of our list as well. This is a category that is hard to predict in our group. Everyone should have seen all of these films and for me I really liked Page One, but I’m a media junkie so that could have something to do with it.

SHOULD WIN: The Interrupters (hands down…but…it’s not here) or Senna (but, it’s not here either)

WILL WIN: ????? (I really have NO IDEA)

BEST ACTION MOVIE
Drive
Fast Five
Hanna
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Super 8

Action Movie is one of those categories that is unique at the CCMA’s. Really weird the nominees that are here as the group seems to miss some of the big titles of the year, action wise. Drive IS a great film but Drive is NOT an action movie in my mind. Fast Five is pure unadulterated action fun. Hanna is another that I probably wouldn’t call action. Rise of the Planet of the Apes has a real chance here and Super 8 has some amazing action sequences from the summer. I think the best action film of the year isn’t here, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol. For whatever reason, Paramount didn’t screen it before our deadlines. I really think it would have made it and MIGHT have won this award. Out of this batch, the love seems to be there, critically, for Rise of the Planet of the Apes DESPITE a very late campaign on it.

SHOULD WIN: Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol (or in this case Rise of the Planet of the Apes)

WILL WIN: Rise of the Planet of the Apes

BEST COMEDY
Bridesmaids
Crazy, Stupid, Love
Horrible Bosses
Midnight in Paris
The Muppets

Another category that should be awarded more often is Best Comedy. It’s one of the hardest things to do well. The reason most of the WORST of the year come from comedy ranks is…when you miss it you REALLY miss it. All these movies are funny in their own right but it seems like the race will come down to Bridesmaids, Midnight in Paris and The Muppets. The odds on favorite is Bridesmaids, the adult, original and funny film that stole the summer. Midnight in Paris has the Woody Allen factor going for it. Lastly, The Muppets could surprise, if anything would here. I have to believe that Bridesmaids will get the nod here though.

SHOULD WIN: Bridesmaids

WILL WIN: Bridesmaids

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
The Adventures of Tintin
Arthur Christmas
Kung Fu Panda 2
Puss in Boots
Rango

For the first year in recent memory we don’t have the Pixar film to say this is a lock. The category could truly go ANY way. There is support for each of these films in the category. The Adventures of Tintin brings motion capture to the category and an adventure plot. Arthur Christmas is a new Christmas classic that surprised. Kung Fu Panda 2 revisits characters we really like as does Puss in Boots. Rango was a spaghetti western – animated style. I have a feeling, and it’s just a feeling that The Adventures of Tintin prevails.

SHOULD WIN: The Adventures of Tintin, Arthur Christmas

WILL WIN: The Adventures of Tintin

BEST DIRECTOR
Stephen Daldry – “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close”
Michel Hazanavicius – “The Artist”
Alexander Payne – “The Descendants”
Nicolas Winding Refn – “Drive”
Martin Scorsese – “Hugo”
Steven Spielberg – “War Horse”

Ok, getting down to it now…not much more to discuss on some of the best directors of the year. I wouldn’t be surprised here if the race is about Hazanavicius versus Payne and Scorsese. If Hazanavicius wins, The Artist WILL win picture as well. I’m could see the surprise with Martin Scorsese walking away a winner for not only a great film, but the incorporation of 3D in his film like no one in years. (But I think some members didn’t get out to experience the film as the campaigning felt muted…just a hunch). And to me, The Descendants is the best film of the year, so I would personally lean towards Alexander Payne.

SHOULD WIN: Alexander Payne

WILL WIN: Michel Hazanavicius

BEST PICTURE

The Artist
The Descendants
Drive
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
The Help
Hugo
Midnight in Paris
Moneyball
The Tree of Life
War Horse

Wow, with this list and our group it is interesting to see where we go. I’m guessing this will be the first of a series of lovefests for The Artist, but I would be happy to be wrong. It’s a pretty standard list. We’ll see on Thursday night, January 12 on VH1.

SHOULD WIN: The Descendants

WILL WIN: The Descendants OR The Help OR The Artist OR ?????

Bottom line, I can’t wait for the awards. I can’t remember a recent year when there were this many major categories up for grabs. It could be a surprising night at the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards.