Oscar Predictions Yearn for Surprises

The Wrap’s Steve Pond runs down the predictions thus far. He does a good job, I think, of summing it all up and reminding his readers that there are still some big question marks left dangling. This is going to change within the next few weeks. Take a deep breath. We must once again invoke the great Iggy Pop who once said at a concert to his disgruntled fans, “it’ll all be over soon!” And then somebody threw a beer bottle at him.

Pond says:

With four months to go until the 82nd Academy Awards, can we really say with confidence that the Best Picture winner will be “Up in the Air” or “Precious” or “The Hurt Locker,” the acting winners Jeff Bridges, Carey Mulligan, Christoph Waltz and Mo’Nique?

I hope not. I hope things come along to shock us all, to catch us pundits flat-footed, to throw the race into turmoil.

One of the hardest things about caring about the Oscar race is fighting the urge to get bored with the frontrunners. It’s a terrible affliction. No matter what year it is, no matter what films are nominated – we all get pretty sick of them too early on. That’s why it is so fun to cheer for not just the underdog but the least likely contender.