2009 Awards

Hello readers!

As you know this is a blog about my acting adventures but today I'm going to give out my awards for 2009...remember these are films I've seen this year. There are performances and movies out there that are getting "Oscar Buzz" that I have not seen yet."

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Best Actor: Sharlto Copley - District 9

Nominees:
George Clooney - Up in the Air
Morgan Freeman - Invictus
Joseph Gordon-Levitt - 500 Days of Summer
Brad Pitt - Inglourious Basterds

It's unbelievable to me that this man isn't getting any nominations for his performance in District 9. Maybe because it's a sci-fi film but his believable and breathtaking performance as a man who gets diseased by the alien creatures is remarkable. The power he needed and the transition from this little nerdy scientist/humanitarian to this hardcore badass trying to save himself and his new found friend is incredible.

Best Actress: Sandra Bullock - The Blindside

Nominees:
Meryl Streep - It's Complicated
Zoey Deschanel - 500 Days of Summer

So I still have yet to see Precious, or An Education or The Last Station where they all have outstanding female performances but out of the films I have seen Sandra Bullock's compelling, strong performance in The Blindside trumps all. Being such a high profile A list superstar that is known for romantic comedies and not being a "great actress" really could hurt her in the award season, but I believe she deserves it because of all that. Nobody thought she could pull off such a believable, and powerful performance as a tough southern mom taking in an inner city kid and helping him accomplish his goals.

Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz - Inglourious Basterds

Nominees:
Matt Damon - Invictus
Zach Galifianakis - The Hangover

No doubt in my mind, Christoph Waltz is winning the Oscar. This could be the best performance of the year out of any actor/actress. Not much else to say about it except...WOW.

Best Supporting Actress: Anna Kendrick - Up in the Air

Nominees:
Vera Farmiga - Up in the Air
Diane Kruger - Inglourious Basterds

Up in the Air is one of my favorite films of the year and part of it is because of all the brilliant performances in the film. Clooney is remarkable, Vera Farmiga is great, but Anna Kendrick as the young, naive new-comer is perfection. She holds her own around great actors and delivers a fun, corky, performance.

Best Ensemble Cast: The Hangover

Nominees:
Inglourious Basterds
Star Trek
Avatar
Moon (haha, j/k)

This was a tough one for me to choose because Inglourious had a great cast, but The Hangover needs to get some love. It's one of the best comedies of the decade and all 4 guys along with the random characters that come around give out perfect comedic performances. I just wish award shows would give it the time of day.

Best Director: Quentin Tarantino - Inglourious Basterds

Nominees:
James Cameron - Avatar
Neil Blomkamp - District 9
Mark Webb - 500 Days of Summer
Jason Reitman - Up in the Air

It's time. He delivered yet another amazing film, with perfect performances and stayed true to who he is as a film maker. When you turn on a film and know right away, this is a Tarantino film...that's talent. Not many directors have that ability. He does and deserves his Oscar.


Best Picture: Avatar

Nominees:
Up in the Air
District 9
Inglourious Basterds
500 Days of Summer

This film is revolutionary. The visuals are stunning, the story is good, and the message is great. There wasn't that many great films this year but this is the one movie I want to watch over and over and over and over again. I always think the best picture should be a revolutionary movie and without a question this one is.

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Thoughts? Agree? Disagree? Let me know what you think readers.

Have a Happy New Year! 2010...loads to come! Stay tuned....

Cheers,
Jonathan Baca