The New Oscar Generation 2011

Nikki Northstrom is officially feeling old.

And for the first time in Oscar history will hosts from my generation attempt to entertain the aging, yet still relevant, Hollywood greats. And in order for my generation to appeal to the boomers, this generation of actors will have to entice them with legitimate roles in biopics of artists that defined the generations before. James Franco is gaining appeal from his days in Freaks and Geeks to the recent portrayal of Beat poet, Alan Ginsburg in Howl. I like my actors obscure, weird, and offbeat and Franco is one that hasn't shown his best work yet, despite his nod for 127 Hours. Anne Hathaway is still a force and positioned herself well for the 2014 nominations as she will be portraying Judy Garland in the adaptation of Gerald Clarke's biography, Get Happy: The Life of Judy Garland. She got the chops and she is no stranger to play complex roles as she did in, Rachel Got Married. The two of them will be interesting to watch in an award show context, but I'm looking forward to it. Hosting the Oscars is a crap shoot for many, and it appears the Academy of the Motion Picture Arts & Science is looking for a fresh concept. This may work. (Drinking game: Any mention of of Garland, Get Happy, or the Oz, take a shot. If any mention of Freaks and Geeks, take two. Thanks to IFC, Freeks & Geeks is gaining popularity with a new audience)

In my last blog, I gave my two cents on both the Social Network and The Fighter. There is not much I want to add to that conversation other than the biggie. Social Network will not take the big win. The Golden Globes plays into the media hype because, well, they are the media. The Academy will not follow suit in this category. Personally, the four movies I watched twice were: Black Swan, The Fighter, Inception, and The King Speech. Didn't get a chance to watch only two: The Kids Are All Right, and Winters Bone. So, my voting is very skewed this year. Here are my top three Best Picture choices.

The King Speech
I'm one of those people that can go to the movies by herself with a tub of extra buttery popcorn and my current read and be happy. The theater was packed for a Saturday matinee and the audience received the movie very well. We shared collective laughter during Lionel's and Bertie's exchanges and tears when the soon-to-be Queen Elizabeth consoled her reluctant King. There are movies I want to craw into and due to my love of English royal settings, this is one of them. Colin Firth, as always, stoic and reserved plays the part predictably well. However, I could. not. keep my eyes of him. When an actor performance mesmerizes me, you have my vote for Best Actor, and I don't think you were trying. Damn your talent.

True Grit
I'm not too hard to please, really. Not very high maintenance, or so I think. Complex, yes, but I do like the simpler things in life. For Christmas I told my husband that I really, really want to go to the Warren in Old Town, and have dinner at my favorite movie theater.We went on a Wednesday during the holidays where the tickets were $5! Tried to catch an early evening show, but geez everyone in Wichita was there and only one movie was not sold out. Sad we couldn't have dinner , but glad we waited to catch True Grit for the late show. I'm not into Westerns and I'm not into John Wayne at all, so it is no wonder I made it to this with an open mind. I knew I would love cinematography on the big screen and thought the Warren would be the venue to watch. Based on my die hard Duke fans, I heard they really liked this version. According to my ultra hip and well informed Nemmie, this version was supposed to be the original one. I'm also one of those purists that believe all original films should never be remade, such as The Manchurian Candidate. FOR SHAME! Well, only the critically acclaimed masterpieces, and the original True Grit, is not one of them. The 2010 version is fantastic. If Hailee Steinfeld wasn't up against Melissa Leo, she would be my pick for Actress in a Supporting Role. I actually loved this movie and the ensemble performance more than I anticipated The Dude, himself, outshone the Duke's original performance. But not enough to garner the big award. Sorry, Dude, I gave it Colin.

Black Swan
When I first watched the preview I said about what half of America was saying: "Fight Club, but with ballerinas. It's on!" As much as I think I'm original, I guess I'm plugged into collective thought. Tchaikovsky is my favorite composer and according to one of my favorite, but dated, book (1976 version) stated that Swan Lake is one of the best ballets and most challenging to ballerinas. I am still fascinated that the off stage music was a variation of Swan Lake, but backwards. Brilliant. Two of my favorite young actresses that will stand the test of time Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis had a rather mild sex scene by Darren Aronosky's standards. Go watch, Requiem for a Dream, and get back to me. Speaking of . . . Barbara Hershey must have watched Requiem and channeled her inner, yet, younger version of Sara Goldfarb, on the verge of cracking herself. Going on my intricate love fest of this movie, is that magical realism played a part of the fantasy/dilusion of Nina Sayers' Kafka-like metamorphosis. Re-watching the movie I was able to confirm my original perception of mirrors in every scene, because I love a good mirror and tend to hold myself back in collecting them to fill space for this house. Recently watching this movie for the second time I was able to take it all again and find it is still brilliant.

Better than True Grit and The King Speech. Method acting, the drive, and the fierce competitive nature that many don't know is truly Portman. I'm biased about ballet dancers. Couldn't tell you if her techniques were lack luster, but her entire performance was exceptional. Doubt she will find a role like this again. So, enjoy every moment. Fingers cross this isn't your swan song. Best Actress goes to Portman. This is our generation's year.

(p.s. To PYT, you are about the most gorgeous person I know, personally from my past and my favorite dancer of all time. Well lets say they were obviously looking for someone tired and old to play Beth. You are too gorgeous for this role, but my sources say you nailed it. Can't wait to see you get your big break!)

2011 Oscar Picks
Best Picture
Black Swan

Actor in Leading Role
Colin Firth

Actor in a Supporting Role
Christian Bale

Actress in a Leading Role
Natalie Portman

Actress in a Supporting Role
Melissa Leo

Animated Feature
You-are-no-Up Toy Story 3

Director
Darren Aronosfsky

Foreign Language Film
Biutiful

Writing Adapted Screenplay
Arron Sorkin

Writing Original Screenplay
Christopher Nolan