With the Academy Awards back on, and fast approaching (Sunday night), I figured it was time for me to offer up my opinions, picks, and predictions.  Last year I correctly predicted 13 out of the 24 winners, and 5 out of the 8 winners in the major categories (acting, picture, director, and screenwriting).  I’m now going to give you my breakdown of the categories. For each category I have my prediction of who will win (the nominees can be found here), and my pick if I could choose from any film eligible, whether nominated or not. So without further ado.

Best Short Film, Live Action:
Prediction: Tanghi Argentini
My Pick: N/A

Best Foreign Language Film of the Year:
Prediction: Die Falscher (Austria)
My Pick: N/A

Best Animated Feature Film of the Year:
Prediction: Ratatouille
My Pick: Ratatouille
No Contest.

Best Achievement in Visual Effects:
Prediction: Transformers
My Pick: Transformers

Best Achievement in Sound Editing:
Prediction: Transformers
My Pick: Ratatouille

Best Achievement in Sound Mixing:
Prediction: Transformers
My Pick: Transformers
Kevin O’Connell, the nominee for Transformers, has been nominated 20 times and never won.  He finally will this year.

Best Achievement in Makeup:
Prediction: Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End
My Pick: Hairspray

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song:
Prediction: “That’s How You Know” – Enchanted
My Pick: “That’s How You Know” – Enchanted

There were some wonderful options for Best Original Song this year, many of which should have been nominated.  “Ladies’ Choice” from Hairspray, “Little Wonders” from Meet the Robinsons, and the wonderful songs from Enchanted.  “That’s How You Know” may not stand as good a chance as “Happy Working Song” but it is by far the best, and I’m hoping the voters see that.  It is truly brilliant.

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score:
Prediction: Dario Marianelli; Atonement
My Pick: Dario Marianelli; Atonement

Best Achievement in Costume Design:
Prediction: Atonement
My Pick: Atonement
Kiera Knightly’s green dress alone will win this award.

Best Achievement in Art Direction:
Prediction: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
My Pick: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Best Achievement in Editing:
Prediction: The Bourne Ultimatum
My Pick: The Bourne Ultimatum

Best Achievement in Cinematography:
Prediction: No Country for Old Men
My Pick: The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Published or Produced:
Prediction: No Country for Old Men
My Pick: No Country for Old Men

Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen:
Prediction: Juno
My Pick: Ratatouille
Ratatouille deserves this, but Juno has the best chance.

Best Achievement in Directing:
Prediction: Joel and Ethan Coen; No Country for Old Men
My Pick: Brad Bird; Ratatouille

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role:
Prediction: Javier Bardem; No Country for Old Men
My Pick: Javier Bardem; No Country for Old Men
Bardem was the embodiment of evil in this role.  Before that, I would have picked John Travolta for this award, but nothing comes close to Bardem.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role:
Prediction: Julie Christie; Away From Her
My Pick: Keri Russell; Waitress

The Academy rarely recognizes comedy, much less roles that aren’t flashy or intense.  Keri Russell was phenominal in Waitress, and it’s a crime she wasn’t nominated.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role:
Prediction: George Clooney; Michael Clayton
My Pick: George Clooney; Michael Clayton

Best Picture:
Prediction: No Country for Old Men
My Pick: Ratatouille

 As wonderful as No Country is, Ratatouille was, hands down, the best film of 2007.

So, what do you think?  Disagree with any of my predictions or picks?  Or agree?  The Oscars are Sunday, and afterwards I’ll post my score and my thoughts on the event and the awards for those interested.  Have a great Oscar Week.