Hey there, Sploich here with my final Oscar predictions for the 84th Academy Awards. I got a 56% accuracy rating on my nomination predictions so I'm hoping to get even better with my winner predictions. The thing is, this year is a bit tricky. My head and my heart are telling me several different things based on the other award ceremonies this year (not including the Golden Globes because, as I've stated before, they mean nothing) as well as the way the Academy typically votes. I'm just going to tell you now that my predictions might be a little controversial. But what do I care? They're my predictions. If I'm wrong then I'm the only one to blame. BUT ENOUGH RAMBLING! ON WITH THE PREDICTIONS!

BEST SCORE
What I Think Will Win: The Artist
What I Want To Win: The Artist*

How can the silent film NOT win Best Score? There were some really great scores this year but when it comes to memorable...War Horse wins. But if memorable scores were the ones that won this award then the score from the first Pirates of the Caribbean would have been nominated. Like it should have been. But yeah, The Artist, hands down.

BEST SONG
What I Think Will Win: "Man or Muppet" from The Muppets
What I Want To Win: "Real in Rio" from Rio

This category is very strange this year. I literally have a 50/50 chance of getting it right (hey, there's a movie that got snubbed at the Oscars this year: 50/50). I figure they'll go with the Muppet's song because, well, it's the Muppets. That and it's written by that guy from that show on HBO or Showtime or whatever that I've never watched. I'd love to see "Real in Rio" win but I'm pretty confident the Muppets will take it, and I'm perfectly okay with that.

BEST SOUND
What I Think Will Win: Hugo
What I Want To Win: Hugo*

BEST SOUND EDITING
What I Think Will Win: Hugo
What I Want To Win: Hugo*

Hugo may not have struck me the way it struck other critics, but you'd find it difficult to find a soul who doesn't praise the film for its technicals. It even got some of the most cynical, dismissive critics to admit that the 3D was great (though admittedly, I didn't see it in 3D myself, yet). Both of these could go to War Horse, or maybe even The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, but I'm siding with the most marketable answer and saying Hugo takes both.

BEST FILM EDITING
What I Think Will Win: The Descendants
What I Want To Win: The Descendants

Film Editing is always an interesting category. Well, not on the surface for most people I guess, but it's one that I personally am always interested in. It really could be any of the five nominees, but I'm saying The Descendants because it just seems like more the type of film the Academy would pick. You can have your fancy gimmicks like with Hugo and The Artist, and they work great for those movies, but I like to think the thing the film editors look for is subtlety, and The Descendants is graceful, to say the least.

BEST MAKEUP
What I Think Will Win: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
What I Want To Win: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2*

Did you ever realize that not a single Harry Potter film has ever won an Oscar? This is the last chance for them to give one to The Boy Who Lived and this is the perfect category to do it in. It's up against two movies that were not only not very strong with critics but movies that didn't do a whole lot with their makeup. HP, on the other hand, was tasked with creating a battlefield of sorcery, and the makeup works wonders for that goal.

BEST COSTUME DESIGN
What I Think Will Win: The Artist
What I Want To Win: The Artist*

This one is really tough this time around because all five nominees have an equal shot at the Title. I might be taking a bit of a risk with this one because usually this category goes to a lesser known film like Jane Eyre or W.E. I can't imagine they would give a Roland Emmerich film an Oscar these days but they have done it before. And then there's Hugo, which could take it I guess. I dunno, I'm sticking with The Artist, for no reason other than that I just can't choose between the five.

BEST ART DIRECTION
What I Think Will Win: The Artist
What I Want To Win: The Artist*

Once again, the silent film is sort of the obvious winner just on the basis of it being a silent film. The art direction is what makes The Artist such a lovable film, and the Academy is more than likely going to award it for this.

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
What I Think Will Win: Rise of the Planet of the Apes
What I Want To Win: Real Steel*

Alright, I'm being pretty bias here. You have no idea how excited I was to see Real Steel nominated in this category. I loved the hell out of that movie and totally didn't expect it to get such a lousy welcome. I know Rise is easily the most technologically advanced film in the group, with some of the most astonishing CG I have ever seen in a movie, but for my personal pick I've just got to go with the one I didn't expect to show up. Now if only my favorite movie of the year, Captain America: The First Avenger, had been nominated for anything...

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
What I Think Will Win: Hugo
What I Want To Win: The Artist

I really don't know about this one. War Horse has some beautiful cinematography, but Terrence Malick is one of those guys who could easily steal this one away. I think Hugo wins if only for that opening shot and the allegedly (again haven't seen the effect) masterful 3D work. I'd definitely like to see The Artist take it though, considering, again, that cinematography is sort of one of the major benefactors to a silent film.

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
What I Think Will Win: The Descendants
What I Want To Win: The Descendants

Easily the front-runner due to its sheerly masterful pacing, humor and grace. I'm sad to see The Ides of March only got nominated in this one category, but if it belongs anywhere at the Oscars this is where it belongs. Seeing as it is the only nomination for the movie, however, it probably doesn't have a chance. I'm honestly not even sure how Hugo got in here, but that could be my own feelings on the film poking through. Meanwhile I really did not like Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy but I totally understand what it's doing in this category. I just disagree. But none of that really matters because this is going to be a very easy win for The Descendants.

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
What I Think Will Win: Midnight in Paris
What I Want To Win: Midnight in Paris*

I wonder if Woody Allen is going to show up this year. Anyway, this is probably the category with the most surprises, with only two of the nominees having even been on my radar for the category. It's nice to see A Separation on here as I've heard very good things about it and I'm looking forward to seeing it. But Margin Call? Really? I've heard nothing but BAD things about that movie. And then there's Bridesmaids. Ugh. If you're one of the handful of people who have been following my reviews then you know I do not like Bridesmaids. Nay, I loathe and despise it and refuse to even call it a film. Why people think this is funny, why they would think it's good writing, I will never know. Anyway, Midnight in Paris wins this one easy. I need to get off of this category before I burst a blood vessel.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
What I Think Will Win: Octavia Spencer for The Help
What I Want To Win: Bérénice Bejo for The Artist*

And I get right into another category featuring Bridesmaids. Joy. Actually I'm not at all upset with Melissa McCarthy being nominated. Well, okay a little bit, but I do really like her even if I couldn't stand her character in that movie. She's one of those actresses who should have gotten a bigger name for herself a long time ago but just didn't have the chance until now. This one is a hard race between Chastain, Bejo and Spencer, but I'm going with Octavia mainly because of her Globe win. I know that goes against everything I say about the Globes but honestly I just don't know what to think of the acting categories this year.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
What I Think Will Win: Christopher Plummer for Beginners
What I Want To Win: Nick Nolte for Warrior*

All I've been hearing for months is how easily Christopher Plummer is going to win this award, so I figure that's probably the best person to go with. I'm sure I'll regret it if Branagh takes it, but then I'll shrug it off since Branagh totally deserves it. I don't have a review up for Warrior for technical reasons (I will eventually) but Nick Nolte gave the performance of a lifetime in that movie and I'd love to see him win. But really? Jonah Hill? I mean, he was good, but Oscar-worthy? I don't know...

BEST ACTRESS
What I Think Will Win: Michelle Williams for My Week with Marilyn
What I Want To Win: Michelle Williams for My Week with Marilyn*

I have to admit that this is a somewhat bias opinion. I feel like I'm the only person who really just didn't see a lot of acting from Viola Davis in The Help. Don't get me wrong, she's a great actress who deserves plenty of Oscars, but for that movie specifically I just do not see it. She's barely in the movie enough to even call her a lead actress and when she is on screen she's just looking kind of mopey. Michelle Williams on the other hand was considered a casting catastrophe, but what she did with the role was magnificent. She embodied Marilyn Monroe in a way that is so unique and graceful that I really want to believe the Academy won't overlook her the way they did Frank Langella when he did the same in Frost/Nixon.

BEST ACTOR
What I Think Will Win: George Clooney for The Descendants
What I Want To Win: Jean Dujardin for The Artist*

Clooney really gave two of his best performances in 2011: One in front of the camera in The Descendants and one behind the camera making The Ides of March. And since this is the only one that he got nominated for, this is the one he's going to win for. Honestly, it could be any of the five nominees, but The Descendants is just the right movie in just the right year to win Clooney the Oscar for a second time. As for my pick though? It's tough but for now I'm going with Dujardin because I just really loved him in The Artist.

BEST DIRECTION
What I Think Will Win: The Descendants
What I Want To Win: The Descendants

I really truly honestly and thoroughly can't stand that they would nominate Terrence Malick, one of the most pretentious, laziest, hacky-est directors working today, who isn't Lars von Trier or freaking Baz Luhrmann, for Best Director. But I digress. This year it's being considered a race between The Artist and The Descendants for the big awards, and I just think The Descendants is more the kind of film the Academy chooses. That's not to say either of them is better than the other. In fact, I gave both of them a 9/10 on my site. But The Descendants is a much more down-to-earth, less gimmicky film. Gimmick has never won a movie the big ones, and that's why The Descendants is the only movie in this category that makes sense for the win. But hey, what do I know? They might want to give it to Scorsese again, even though he only won six years ago.

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
What I Think Will Win: Rango
What I Want To Win: Rango

Puss in Boots really got 5% of the vote? Really? Anyway, Rango gets it unless one of the lesser known films, A Cat in Paris and Chico & Rita, make some sort of surprise win. They don't look like they will though, so I'm saying Rango takes it. And why shouldn't it? It's a beautifully artistic, hysterical western that treats kids like adults and allows adults to be kids again. And really, what more do you need than that?

BEST PICTURE
What I Think Will Win: The Descendants
What I Want To Win: Midnight in Paris

And thus we come to the grand finale, with my most controversial pick of all. As I stated before, I just don't see The Artist getting the win. Send-ups like that don't win. It's actually kind of funny that we have a silent film, making homage to the history of film, Hugo, making homage to the history of filmmaking and War Horse, which feels like it should have come out in the '90s, both nominated for Best Picture alongside Midnight in Paris which is about how much B.S. nostalgia is. The Descendants is the strongest film in the running that seems like something the Academy would give the big award to, and it deserves it. Really, about half of the movies on the list deserve it in my mind. If you see my reviews on my site, I gave the other half a meh-to-awful rating, and the only two I absolutely loved were Midnight in Paris and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. The reason I choose Midnight in Paris as my personal hopeful is because it's a highly enjoyable film with a powerful message that everyone needs to receive, especially today. It's my second-favorite movie of 2011 and I'm just glad to see it nominated. But as for winning, it's between The Artist and The Descendants and I think The Descendants is just stronger among Academy voters.

Welp, that's all there is. I may make a post-Awards blog to express my feelings on the results and tell you how completely wrong my guesses probably were. Or maybe I'll be back to gloat. Oh how I wait for the day on which I can actually gloat about getting these predictions right. Curse me and my taking chances with my predictions. Oh well, it's fun all the same. If you'd like to see a full list of the nominees as well as a few predictions I didn't state on here, go to my site at Spoich.com. And while you're there, you can check out my reviews, watch me eat a cupcake (you'll understand when you see it) and follow me on Twitter @Sploich and @SploichCom and Facebook!

* - Indicates a personal pick in a category where I haven't reviewed every nominee, so my pick is subject to change.

Hello readers, I am a long-time fan of this site but a first time blogger so forgive me if I may seem out of place.  I am a big fan of debating and also analysing movies so I thought I’d come up with debating certain factors in the film industry.  What I tend to do is argue both FOR and AGAINST what it is I am debating.  There is no right or wrong answer it is just an overview and I am up for discussions.  Please do I enjoy a good conversation on these topics but I am not looking for a fight or to disprove anyone it is just for fun.  So, let’s get started.

FOR 

The good thing about a sequel is that it gets to expand the simple storyline or theme of the original; let's take Alien for example.  In the first one we see how a crew discover an ancient alien ship that has crash landed and how an alien life form they come across gestates inside someone and after birth goes on to kill the crew with acid for blood and a crazy 'tongue-puncher' as I call it.  Now the sequel Aliens takes this life form and expands it into massive infestation amongst a colony of hundreds of people.  This expands the idea of the original because it looks into exactly how deadly it is for these creatures to populate and more into their qualities against technology with their biological adapting skills.  It also uncovers how the alien life cycle with a Queen Alien laying these eggs (which was created by James Cameron himself).  The sequel also takes a horror icon and places it into an action situation with soldiers armed to the teeth and exploring the true extent of these creatures' merciless nature, thus emphasising the seriousness to destroy the Alien in the first film.  This is an example of how sequels allow a basic idea of the original to expand and create a bigger or even new situation. 

As a quasi follow-up to my previous lists based on oddity in video games (Enemy attacks and customs/tendencies), this time, we are looking at game elements that have real world applications yet have dissimilar effects in video games. Whether it is deliberate developer design or just whimsy on the programmer's part, I'm sure we can all agree that these following objects don't do quite what they should!

Using well-known power-ups that just have odd or unrealistic effects (SMB Mushrooms/Mega Man 2's Metal Blade) but are limited to video games would make the list too long and probably not very interesting. For example, you can't say that PacMan's power pellets are odd because you can't chew animal food pellets and have a similar effect in real life, but no one would expect them to. (Don't forget alcohol in a myriad of games; sorry college freshman...)

As always, this is my list and only includes games that I've played. If you have a suggestion, make a comment below or consider making your own list on the topic.

{"video":"http://blip.tv/ugly-bob/top-ten-contradictive-or-misleading-items-and-abilities-in-video-games-5889172","width":"400","height":"300"}

Let's see what looks interesting.

Description of the anime below, and also don't forgot to share with your friends. ^,,,,,^

Busou Chuugakusei Basketarmy:  The story is set in August of 2026 at the Fuji Training Facility. Tōko Natori (voiced by Ami Koshimizu) is a third-year middle school student in the Eastern Defense Academy — Japan's first private organization to be established under the National Defense Education Law two years earlier.
Tōko is entrenched in field training with instructor Kamiya. It has been a harsh training regiment, but it is finally the last day. Kamiya proposes a "extracurricular class" under the name "Newest Weapons Research." But then, an incident occurs that turns the training facility into a sea of blood.

Another:  Spring, 1998. Recently transferred to Yomiyama Kita Middle School, Kouichi Sakakibara (15) gets the feeling something isn't quite right with his class, who all seem to be afraid of something. He finds himself attracted to the strange yet beautiful Mei Misaki, but his efforts to get closer only confound things further. Then there is a horrible accident... What on earth is happening in this place?

Senhime Zesshou Symphogear:  Created by video game producer Akifumi Kaneko and Elements Garden composer Noriyasu Agematsu, this new series follows two girls in a musical group named Zweiwing. Together, they must protect Earth against a threat known as "Noise" by donning weapons called Symphogear.

Recorder to Randoseru:  Recorder to Randoseru follows two unique siblings— Atsushi Miyagawa, an 11 year-old boy with the height and looks of an adult, and his elder sister Atsumi, a 17 year-old with the short frame of a child. Even though Atsumi looks like a grade schooler, she needs to look after her brother, who despite his tall physique, still acts his age. The anime is based on Meme Higashiya's four-panel manga.

Kill me Baby:  Sonya is an assassin, but in between all her missions, she still has to go to school like every other kid. She's joined by her fearless, but air-headed friend Yasuna, and a girl name Agiri, a ninja from her organization. The manga is based on the four-panel manga series of the same name, which ran in Manga Time Kirara Carat.

Kyousogiga:  Three kids are stuck in a strange city causing massive mayhem through the land. They are searching for an atypical rabbit in order to return home. Koto, the eldest of the three, seems to have some sort of connection to this weird place ruled by a monk, a demon, and a priest.

These days many gamers are getting excited for big games Like Cod: MW3, Battlefield 3, Zelda, and so much more. But what about the lesser know games that no one will take notice? Killatia takes a look at such a game with Cartoon Network Punch Time Explosion XL. Is it a hit for the home consoles or just as crappy as the original 3ds version? Watch to find out. 

Catch my review of Otomedius Excellent on gotgame.com right now!

Make your news year resolution to expose people to this video(particularly somebody you don't like).

A Taken Out of Context holiday.

Just in time for Hallow—WHAT DO YOU MEAN TWO MONTHS LATE!!!

It’s Blood: The Last Vampire, on Anime For Dummies!

Visit:

Anime For Dummies on Blip.TV

So yeah, I decided to talk about 1992 after all.  1992 is a year you should familiarize yourself with when it comes to gaming.  Sure, there were a lot of cool things going on in the console world, but the PC gaming market was especially interesting.  I already briefly went over Terminator 2029 and Gun Buster, so let's go over what ELSE came out this year.

Ultima Underworld

While it is going to be fairly obvious who takes home the gold this year, this was the first year to actually have a lot of FPS titles, many of which are...well, at least passable.  Okay, no, there wasn't anything mindblowing this year, but it was still a decent year, all things considered.  With that said, let's hop right into it!

Blake Stone - Aliens of Gold

Blake Stone's not a bad game, actually.  It's got some fairly interesting concepts to it and it's made by Apogee, who did plenty of oldschool PC action games, including the older Duke Nukem titles.  Great game?  No, but still pretty fun.

This one's going to be a little different and here's why.  So once again, I thought I would start in 1990.  I mean, that seems to be a pretty good year to start with and it worked with everything else, so why not?  I'LL TELL YOU WHY NOT.  Wolfenstein 3D wasn't even released until 1992.  BUT that's not to say there weren't FPSs before then.  So let's briefly go over...those that came before.  Also, I have videos prepared for each entry, but it does take a while for that amount of content to load, so instead click on the pictures to see the videos.

Corporation

http://www.magicinkgaming.com

Just an unboxing video of the recently released limited bundle of The Legend of Zelda Skywards Swords.

The epic tale.

http://www.youtube.com/user/takenoutofcontext

http://blip.tv/takenoutofcontext

The FanFic Critic reads her first Hunchback of Notre Dame fanfiction that is NOT based on the Disney film.

Story URL:

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4537683/1/The_bBell_b_bRinging_b_bAngel_b

We take a look at the DVD collectors tin of the best film ever, The Machine Girl!!  (not a review of the movie itself since no words could describe the awesomeness)

>

The movie is still up to legally watch free here: http://www.crunchyroll.com/the-machine-girl-movie/-the-machine-girl-movie-the-machine-girl-421332?skip_wall=1

The FanFic Critic revisits the author RichardTerminator and reads yet another LBT crossover. This time, it involves THE FUTURE!

Story URL:

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6418730/1/Back_to_the_Future_4_land_before_time

Killatia enjoys a fun and enjoyable mini vacation at the Collectible Gaming Anime Show in Crystal River!

If you want know more just click the link to CGA'S offical website: http://cgashows.com/news.php

Check ouy my review of Dead Island on GotGame.com

Me and Nootrac (my drawing from when I was 7 years old come to life) talk about animated films and TV shows, and give two separate opinions; one of someone thinking as a somewhat cynical adult, and one in the mindset of a child. I hope you enjoy it!

This week we be gettin' crazy! Warning: There may be some creepy imagery.  

Camera work: Juan Hernandez & Tom Reginaldo.

In this season 7 finale, Susan steps in for the unconscious FanFic Critic (who was knocked out by Susan in our last episode to no one's surprise) to take on the final installment of the ComicsNix Challenge.

You all need to learn to grow up, in this review of Hanamaru Kindergarten!

Watch Hanamaru Kindergarten for free here; http://www.crunchyroll.com/hanamaru-kindergarten

The flesh eating dead with a side of rice. A review of High School of The Dead.

Watch High School of The Dead for free here: http://www.hulu.com/high-school-of-the-dead

The FanFic Critic is not very pleased to have two more Peter Chimaera fanfics pop up on her laptop. Oh, well. At least it's only two!

URLs to the stories:

http://www.peterchimaera.com/doom.html http://www.peterchimaera.com/batman.txt

Yes friends, for one week only, It's a Double feature! 2 videos for the Price of one! We kick off with your regular scheduled House of Love...

...And we follow it up with a long-awaited (at least in some circles) new episode of History of Turrican!

And if that isn't enough for you, then check out my Vlogs on Youtube! http://www/youtube.com/funkym217 See ya in seven!

'This time with 200% more yandere!

Audio problems fixed. Video glitches fixed. Lighting still needs work through

So I picked up this graphic novel called the mighty Skullboy army.
It's pretty interesting, real funny too.
I discuss it a bit in my latest video.

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBSvKD7WjH8
Blip TV: http://blip.tv/nero/nero-s-first-impression-of-the-mighty-skullboy-army-graphic-novel-5455689

I admit it I went and saw The Smurfs... yeah I'm man enough to admit it. Remember a true man can admit when he has done right or wrong... not sure what I did here but I saw the Smurfs.

Please subscribe before befriending.

Blip TV: http://blip.tv/nero/nero-s-first-impression-of-the-smurfs-2011-5445511

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5FUz4Ck_3A



Please subscribe before befriending.

 
Me and Nootrac (my drawing from when I was 7 years old come to life) talk about animated films and TV shows, and give two separate opinions; one of someone thinking as a somewhat cynical adult, and one in the mindset of a child. I hope you enjoy it!

Ep. 4: The Little Mermaid 2

This was a particularly whacky ride and I honestly don't know how some of the occurrences around the end... occurred, but I hope it was at least entertaining.

Hey folks, No time for Small talk, it's Saturday, and you know what that means!

And before I go today, I'd just like to mention that I've had to replace my PSU this week. Sixty flippin' quid! But on the bright side, I may yet decide to do something with this storyline...

See you next week for something decidedly... Green...

I attempt to channel my inner detective...and wind up embroiled in a mystery of my own....

Please leave comments below! You can also watch this and many other funny videos at our website:

Pantsless Shorts

In this episode, Jeremy gets a little more personal in describing how the geekery of his past has shaped hhow he sees himself in the present and will continue to shape his future.

Reminder: Special birthday stream featuring the rom hack Pokemon: Chaos Black at 7pm-ish Eastern/6p Central at Justin.tv

C.R.I.T.I.C. TV, reporting on all reviewer events weekly.

And I'm back, with a look at Ferngully.

And next week, we move out of the realm of movies for a while...

Basically: This is my review of Avatar: The Last Airbender. I started the series Drawing Criticism as a way of showing my exploration into animation to see whether or not it's really gotten worse, or if we've just gotten older. There's also a companion piece to my reviews of American animations with reviews of Japanese animation as well, in order to show good examples of how animation can be used as a serious story telling medium.

Hey folks, it's Saturday, and time for a new HoL!

I'm keeping next week's a secret. But be assured - it's a doozy!

Comments! Ratings! I thrive on your attentions!!!

Tactics:

Time to try something new...

Magicka:

Hold out as long as you can!

Dragon Age 2:

A brand new commentator joins us!

Kamen Rider is great. The Dark Knight is great. Put them together and you get this movie. But is it just as good? Read more to find out.

Dan and Bob from Gigaboots.com play El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron. The cel-shaded action game based on the dead sea scrolls.

Oblivion:

A TOTALLY new commentator joins us!

Magic:

Kyle refuses to give up. Give him props for being a worthy opponent!

Forces:

I guess we can do co-op if I HAVE to...

Long title and roommate breaking in for the win!

Dan and Bob from GigaBoots.com check out The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile, a hack & Slash action game for the Xbox Live Arcade. Disappointingly there is no dishwashing minigame as far as we know.

The GigaBoots crew checks out The 3rd Birthday for the PSP. It features the main character from the Parasite Eve series and enough changes in it's style and her personality to piss off just about any venomous fanboy. I don't know about you, but my 3rd birthday didn't involve time travel or giant tentacle monsters. I suppose that's for the best though.

Gigantic update today!

My friends and I went to Magfest 9 this January. Here is a video showcase of our experience. Including our "Bring Back Crystal Pepsi" at Magfest experience.
and many more in the blog.

In case you missed it:

Prolouge:  http://animatedamnesia.blip.tv/file/4635153/

Chapter One:  http://animatedamnesia.blip.tv/file/4659533/

Chapter Two:  http://animatedamnesia.blip.tv/file/4692362/

And now, it continues....on....