2011 Academy Award Predictions

Continuing my annual tradition, I thought I would share my predictions for the winners of the major awards. Updated - only missed one - Fincher shoulda got it though

Best Picture - The Kings Speech
Best Director - David Fincher (The Social Network) Tom Hooper (The Kings Speech)
Best Actor - Colin Firth (The Kings Speech)
Best Supporting Actor - Christian Bale (The Fighter)
Best Actress - Natalie Portman (The Black Swan)
Best Supporting Actress - Melissa Leo (The Fighter)
Best Original Screenplay - The Kings Speech
Best Adapted Screenplay - The Social Network
Best Animated Film - Toy Story 3

The pick that I am most uncertain about is best picture. The Social Network could take it.

Best Albums of 2010

Last night's Grammy Awards reminded me that I forgot to list my top albums of 2010. Two of my top three took home some hardware last night, with Arcade Fire deservedly winning Album of the Year, and The Black Keys taking home the awards for Best Rock Album by a Group and Best Alternative Album (Kanye's album was released after the cutoff date). Here are the albums that I really enjoyed last year.

Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Nightmare
Drop your biases against Kanye. Yeezy takes it to a whole nutha level as he confidently hops between different styles and puts together arguably the best rap album of the last decade.

The Black Keys - Brothers
Great blues influenced garage rock. They could have trimmed off some of the fat at the end of this album and made it an even better album, but I won't complain about getting more songs for my money.

Arcade Fire - The Suburbs

I love Arcade Fire, and this album contains some amazing music. However, as someone who grew up and currently lives in the suburbs, I don't quite think they captured the Suburbia theme they were seeking. Still, a great album.

The Broken Bells - The Broken Bells

James Mercer of The Shins plus Danger Mouse equals a kick ass album.

The National - High Violet

This album got a huge write up in the NY Times, which is great for a deserving band such as The National.

Mumford and Sons

An english band who sounds like and Irish band playing American folk rock. Good stuff.

Kings of Leon - Come Aound Sundown

Other really good albums from 2010:
Jack Johnson - To the Sea

The New Pornographers - Together
Broken Social Scene - Forgiveness Rock Record
Band of Horses - Cease to Begin
Spoon - Got Nuffin
She & Him - Volume 2