And the Oscar Goes to…

The 85th Academy Awards takes place Sunday, February 24.

In a move, more akin to the Golden Globes, Seth MacFarlane will serve as master of ceremonies. The creative force behind TV’s Family Guy and American Dad and one of the year’s raunchiest comedies, Ted, MacFarlane is distinct departure from nine-time host Billy Crystal and other predecessors.

At Reel Takes we think MacFarlane, whose only previous hosting gig was the Charlie Sheen Roast, will serve up the laughs and manage to ruffle a few feathers, while keeping it relatively in check for Oscar night standards.

However, when MacFarlane and actress Emma Stone recently announced the nominations, he managed to insult Stone, belittle several of the nominees, and look vaguely uncomfortable throughout, so it’s anybody’s guess. Good or bad, tasteless or classy, MacFarlane is bound to be a better pick than the last attempt at a younger demographic, which pitted the unfortunate pairing of Anne Hathaway and James Franco.

Tune in to ABC February 24 at 7 p.m. for all the red carpet excitement and Hollywood’s biggest night.

Chip’s Take

Last year I complained about leaving all the other major categories at five nominations while increasing the Best Picture nominees to nine. This year I take it all back.

I want the other categories to remain where they are and I want the Best Picture one to return to five. Perhaps this would keep the Academy from nominating foreign films like Amour and good but hardly Best Picture material like Beasts of the Southern Wild while hopefully getting them to match up Best Picture nominees with those of Best Director (I must say that I was highly surprised by the fact that Argo seems to have directed itself).

While 2012 was a better than average year for good films, I find that far fewer movies this year have had the staying power that last year’s did. As far as I’m concerned, many of the films that are highly touted lack the originality, the visual ingenuity, or the well made solidity that make a film stay with me. If I were to make up a list of nominees, it would have been quite different from the one that I now have to vote on.

With that in mind, here are my picks on the final outcome versus my preferences for the six major awards from the choices available to me…

Best Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis (Lincoln). My preference: Hugh Jackman (Les Miserables).

Best Actress: Jessica Chastain (Zero Dark Thirty). My preference: The Same.

Best Supporting Actor: Tommy Lee Jones (Lincoln). My preference: Christoph Waltz (Django Unchained).

Best Supporting Actress: Anne Hathaway (Les Miserables). My preference: Amy Adams (The Master).

Best Director: Steven Spielberg (Lincoln). My preference: David O. Russell (Silver Linings Playbook).

Best Picture: Lincoln. My preference: Les Miserables.

Michelle’s Take

I echo many of the sentiments mentioned by my esteemed co-reviewer, Chip Kaufmann. This year was not as memorable or magical a movie year for me. When the nominations came out I was surprised by several snubs, but that’s nothing new.

The most delightful cinematic moments for me this past year came primarily from little movies such as Moonrise Kingdom, The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Safety Not Guaranteed.

Of the films nominated for awards this year, here’s who I think will win versus who I’d like to see take home the gold statuette.

Best Actor: Who will win: Daniel Day-Lewis (Lincoln). My preference: The same.

Best Actress: Jennifer Lawrence (Silver Linings Playbook). My preference: Jessica Chastain (Zero Dark Thirty)

Best Supporting Actor: Tommy Lee Jones (Lincoln). My preference: Christoph Waltz (Django Unchained).

Best Supporting Actress: Anne Hathaway (Les Miserables). My preference: The same.

Best Director: Steven Spielberg (Lincoln). My preference: David O. Russell (Silver Linings Playbook).

Best Picture: Lincoln. My preference: Argo (the film that apparently directed itself).