A Rare Walt Blog: #MovieWalt & Oscar 2012

Unless you are a family member or friend of mine, you know me first and foremost as one of the ten guys in SNC.   When I tweet, I realize that when 95% of people who look to read a tweet from me cares only what I have to contribute regarding Straight No Chaser - not my passion for sports, not what food I’m eating at the time and not my opinion on the twelve movie I’ve seen that week. With all of that said, I guess that’s what is great about Twitter and more broadly the world.  If you’re bored with something or someone, you can “unfollow” or simply tune out that individual.  That premise is how I justify #MovieWalt.  I enjoy tweeting and commenting on this group and do my best to make it the majority of my contributions.  But once a year, I go movie crazy.#MovieWalt kicks into gear after the fall tour and concludes the night of the Academy Awards.  By no one’s motivation but my own, I take it upon myself to watch everything that has been nominated or movies that I believe will be nominated during my January and February’s down time.  Here are my findings of what I thought was the best of the best this past year in movies along with my predictions of Oscar night 2012.Walt’s Top 10 Movies for 2012: #10 Hugo -  Blown away, visually spectacular, screenplay outstanding. Wish I would have seen in 35mm, just don't dig 3D #9 A Better Life - Demián Bichir knocks it out of the park. Everyone that cares about the illegal immigrants debate should be forced to watch #8 Extremely Loud/Incredibly Close - Tribute to NYC, captures every emotion so well. Bravo Thomas Horn - 1st role ever!?!? #7 Margin Call - Only nominated for screenplay, but overall one of the best. Underrated, powerful & important #6 Warrior - Nearly on par with "The Fighter" which is high praise.  Don't get ultimate fighting?  Neither do I & I love this movie #5 Iron Lady - Name best actress Oscar after Meryl Streep, unreal. King Speech will steal thunder (having won last year & being so similar), might have liked this more #4 The Descendants - Beautiful, screenplay & Clooney outstanding. Be prepared to be depressed for its entirety. Good 4 Hawaiian tourism #3 Moneyball - Wife enjoyed as much if not more. Never cared for Jonah Hill until now: Outstanding. Pitt solid. Absolute must see #2 Ides of March - Beyond outstanding. How is it not nominated for best picture? Strongest cast performance outside The Help #1 The Help - So solid, best cast of anything I've seen yet. Screenplay outstanding. Must see if you haven'tHonorable mention: Crazy Stupid Love, Bridesmaids, Beginners, Drive Walt’s “Boo List” for 2012 (movies I despised): The Artist - Silent film, not for everyone (not sure for me). Recommend for folks watching nominations, too artsy otherwise Midnight in Paris - Couldn't wait for it to end. Pretentious, predictable. Need an encyclopedia set to follow. In a word: BOOO! Tree of Life - Beautiful, epic, out there, & not for me. I didn't get it. Deeeeeep, long, left confused. Speechless in a bad way Hangover 2 - Money grab and now... Walt's Oscar Picks 2012: BEST PICTURE- What WILL win: The Artist- What should win: The Help BEST ACTOR- Who WILL win: Jean Dujardin, The Artist- Who should win: George Clooney, The DescendantsBEST ACTRESS- Who WILL and should win: Meryl Streep, The Iron LadyBEST DIRECTION- Who WILL win: Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist- Who should win: George Clooney, The Ides of MarchBEST SUPPORTING ACTOR- Who WILL win: Christopher Plummer, Beginners- Who should win: Paul Giamatti, Ides of MarchBEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS- Who WILL and should win: Octavia Spencer, The Help BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY- What WILL win: Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist- What should win: J.C. Chandor, Margin CallBEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY- What WILL win: Aaron Sorkin and Steven Zaillian, Moneyball- What should win: George Clooney, Grant Heslov, and Beau Willimon, The Ides of March Full disclosure: Movies I did not see that are nominated in these categories: A Separation, Albert Nobbs, My Week With Marilyn, Tinker Tailor Solider Spy, War Horse, Girl with the Dragon Tattoo … Just my opinions.  For the record, I was a “Social Network” supporter last year when “The King’s Speech” took it all.  Nothing wrong with being wrong as long as you enjoyed the movie.  Enjoy the Oscars, I’ll be watching (and tweeting of course).-#MovieWalt