Academy Awards Week (Conclusion): Predictions

Best Picture
The Artist
The Descendants
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
The Help
Hugo
Midnight in Paris
Moneyball
The Tree of Life
War Horse 

Will Win: The Artist-This film has this in a landslide, it should not, but no one seems to like any of the other films enough this year.  The problem is it seems like no one loves this film either, but it has the hip factor of being a silent film.
Spoiler: The Descendants-Ironically the most nominated film Hugo is in third place.  The Descendants has been doing well at the box office, but it will have to settle for a screenplay win.

Best Actor
Damien Bichir-A Better Life
George Clooney-The Descendants
Jean Dujardin-The Artist
Brad Pitt-Moneyball
Gary Oldman-Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Will Win-Jen Dujardin-He won at the Globes and SAG; he is a like able unknown, and like Roberto Benigni who had traction late in the game he will win this award and be part of the The Artist sweep.
Very Close Second-George Clooney-Clooney won a lot of critics awards and the Globe (drama); he is well liked, but I could see him championing for votes for Pitt and Dujardin.
Spoiler: Brad Pitt-He is the only person to star in two Best Picture nominees (in this category) and he gives his best performances in years.

Best Actress

Glen Close-Albert Nobbs
Viola Davis-The Help
Meryl Streep-The Iron Lady
Rooney Mara-The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Michelle Williams-My Week with Marilyn

Will Win: Meryl Streep-This is a very very very close race between Streep and Davis.  I would not be surprised to hear either woman's name called.  At the moment Davis has the edge, and I keep going back and forth on who will win.  Right now I will go with Streep.

Best Supporting Actor
Kenneth Branagh-My Week with Marilyn
Jonah Hill-Moneyball
Nick Nolte-Warrior
Christopher Plummer-Beginners
Max Von Sydow-Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

Will Win-Christopher Plummer; he has won everything else there is no way he will lose.

Best Supporting Actress
Berenice Bejo-The Artist
Jessica Chasstain-The Help
Melissa McCarthy-Bridesmaids
Janet McTeer-Albert Nobbs
Octavia Spencer-The Help

Will Win: Octavia Spencer-Like Plummer she has won most things leading up and will surely follow suit tonight.

Best Director
Woody Allen-Midnight in Paris
Michel Hazanavicious-The Artist
Terrence Malick-The Tree of Life
Alexander Payne-The Descendants
Martin Scorsese-Hugo

Will Win: Michel Hazanavicious-The Artist-He will join the sweep for The Artist.  I thought Scorsese had a shot at one point, but that faded.  If anyone could spoil her I could see Malick winning the way Polanski did when The Pianist slowly prevented Chicago from being a bigger winner.

Best Adapted Screenplay-The Descendants
Best Original Screenplay-Midnight in Paris
Best Foreign Language Film-A Separation
Best Animated Feature-Rango
Best Documentary-Pina
Best Art Direction-Hugo
Best Costume Design-Hugo
Best Cinematography-The Tree of Life
Best Editing-The Artist
Best Make-Up-Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
Best Original Score-The Artist
Best Original Song-Man or Muppet
Best Sound Mixing-Hugo
Best Sound Editing-Hugo
Best Visual Effects-Hugo (no film nominated for Best Picture has lost)
Best Animated Short-La Luna
Best Documentary Short-The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom
Best Live Action Short-The Shore