five on friday :: oscar favorites

sunday we will be watching the oscars, at home, with some friends.  thinking of having a taco bar, margaritas, chips and salsa and five kids running around like crazy.  it's such a glamorous evening, isn't it?

bobby and i saw a lot of the films and performances that are nominated this year.  it helps that he works in the "business" and seeing the films is part of his job.

here's how i would vote this year.  these aren't predictions, just my favorites.

1. best actor in a leading role - colin firth in king's speech. he was incredible as king george vi.   he embodied who this character was, in speech and emotion.  this is a performance i will not forget.

2. best actor in a supporting role - christian bale in the fighter.  we saw this over the weekend and his performance made a huge impression on me.  he was funny and stupid, dependent and desperate, proud and ashamed all at the same time.  a truly moving performance.

3. best actress in a leading role - nicole kidman in rabbit hole.  let me tell you i cried like a baby in this movie.  she nailed it as a grief stricken mom trying to come to terms with the death of her son and watching her marriage suffer because of it.  beautiful performance.

4. best actress in a supporting role - hailee steinfeld in true grit.  one confession, i fell asleep during this movie.  but it was towards the end so i did get to see most of the performances.  i am a sucker for young actors.  it's amazing that they have enough life experience to look back on a pull a performance like this together.  and she really carried the movie.

5. best picture - king's speech.  i fell in love with this movie when i saw it.  it's a simple story, all about relationships and overcoming adversity.  who doesn't love that?  it was a great film.  i love a movie where i can walk away feeling good.  that was king's speech for me.

other stand outs for me were:
127 hours - gross but had me suffering right along with him.
social network - so smart.  great dialogue and intensity.
geoffrey rush in king's speech
natalie portman in black swan (i'm pretty sure she'll win)

looking forward to seeing ann hathaway and james franco host.  wondering if they will pull it off.

will you be watching?