Drowning, Not Waving

I think I may have used that post title before, but after the last few weeks, it is worth a repeat. Things have freakishly picked up at work. In general, that's good. More bids means the chance at more jobs. What is not good is having one of the reps losing track of what is bidding when...it results in me getting handed decent sized bids and having about 6 hrs. to get them finished. Ugh. I've pulled about 3-4 hours of overtime the last couple weeks which has left me less than enthused about getting on the computer when I get home.

But, if anything will pull me back, it will be the Oscars. And Maru the cat videos, but I digress.

I have a feeling that this year's Oscars will be more of a popularity contest than usual. I've had a chance to see most of the nom'd performances and movies so here's what I think:

Best Actor: I think Clooney or Colin Firth should win, but Jeff Bridges probably will win. And, he probably deserves it (I never did make it to Crazy Heart). Bridges has won most of the Best Actor awards that have already been given out and thankfully, is crazy talented.

Best Actress: I think it should go to Carey Mulligan for An Education. It will probably go to Sandra Bullock. Don't get me wrong. I am a Sandra fan. I don't always like her choices, but she's a nice person and I think she works hard when she makes a film. She's quite good in The Blind Side, but I'm not sure it's a role that has the traditional "Oscar-ness" to it. Still, she's a nice person, a lot of Hollywood folks like her and who knows when she will get another part that will bring her this close to taking home the golden man.

Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz in Inglourious Basterds should and will win. He is the absolute best thing about that movie. Well, that and the use of the song "Cat People (Putting Out Fire)." He makes the evil that is a Nazi all the more creepy by making him articulate and eerily calm.

Best Supporting Actress: Mo'Nique should and will win. She had no fear playing an abusive mother and her final monologue will knock the air out of your lungs. It's too bad that Up in The Air hadn't come out this year because Vera Farmiga and Anna Kendrick were both very good too.

Best Score: Up should win. When I watch this movie, I always cry at the same three places. I am convinced that the third time I cry, it's because of Michael Giacchino's score that calls back to the first time I cried. I love Giacchino's work (he does the music for Lost) and I'm pulling for him.

Best Foreign Film: I'll admit that I haven't seen any of the nominated films. Not surprising since it's rare that a foreign flick comes anywhere near where I live. But, the film A Prophet is directed by the guy who did "The Beat That My Heart Skipped" which I really enjoyed so I'm pulling for him. Another option is The White Ribbon, which I've heard lots of good things about. The only problem is it is really long and there's a chance not all the voters took the time to watch it.

Best Adapted Screenplay: In the Loop should win. I just watched this movie on DVD and it was one of the funniest and wittiest scripts I've heard in a while. The film is about the political maneuvering and backstabbing that occurs while Britain and the U.S. decide whether they are going to invade an unnamed Middle Eastern country on the premise of their being weapons of mass destruction, but no one has been able to provide evidence that the WMD's even exist. Sound familiar? I will admit that I pretty much love any movie that features British people cussing in profuse and creative ways. Sadly, that could be the downfall for this screenplay. If In The Loop doesn't get it, I'm pulling for either Up In The Air or An Education.

Best Original Screenplay: This was tough because I haven't seen The Messenger or A Serious Man. I'm leaning towards A Serious Man because I'd heard such good things about the script.

Best Animated Feature: Up. I wish Coraline and Fantastic Mr. Fox had come out in different years because they are worthy of this award as well.

Best Director: Kathryn Bigelow should win. After he snagged a Golden Globe though, I think James Cameron will take it home, which sucks.

Best Picture: I think it should be either Up or The Hurt Locker (though I am also secretly rooting for District 9, but there's no way that's happening...). I think if James doesn't get best director, The Hurt Locker has a shot here. It's been pretty traditional to have the film done by the best director win best picture. It doesn't happen all the time, but often enough. I do like James Cameron. I frickin' love Aliens. But, Avatar is not the best picture released this year.

We'll see how I do with these guesses come Sunday night. Good thing I'm not putting down any money on this stuff.