The Oscars

Just like last year, when "The King's Speech" swept the board with best film, director and actor, so "The Artist" triumphed in this year's Oscars in the same three categories. (Thank goodness it didn't win best screenplay as it did at the BAFTA's). If it was left to me, "The Artist" would have never been nominated for a single award, and last year I didn't rate "The King's Speech" as a winner in any category.

None of this year's movies actually stood out above the rest. The top ones I went to see were just good: "Win Win", "Larry Crowne", "The Help", "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo", "The Skin I Live In", "We Need To Talk About Kevin", "Hugo", "Margin Call" and "Drive". I missed "Moneyball", Beginners", "The Tree of Life" etc, but here are my selections:

Best Film: Margin Call.   (I went for the movie with the best original screenplay, for which this film was nominated.  "Midnight in Paris" won the Oscar, but only because it was Woody Allen).

Best Director: David Fincher for The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (far better than his "Social Network"). Closely followed by Nicolas Winding Refn for "Drive".

Best Actor: Ryan Gosling for Drive. (Nearly Tom Hanks for "Larry Crowne").

Best Actress: Tilda Swinton for We Need To Talk About Kevin. (By miles).

Best Supporting Actor: Jeremy Irons for Margin Call. (He was surprisingly superb). Closely followed by Mark Strong for "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy".

Best Supporting Actress: Jessica Chastain for The Help. (Demi Moore was also brilliant in "Margin Call").

Best Film in a Foriegn Language: The Skin I Live In.