BAFTAs 2011

The British Academy of Film Awards were today in London. I watched the ceremony and found it interesting that with less categories included in the telecast than the Oscars, the actual awards show was 2 1/2 hours of the three hour telecast (the first half hour was red carpet coverage). From what I can make out, the BAFTAs also have 23 categories. The Harry Potter film franchise was honored and JK Rowling was present. There was one montage for the dearly departed and no one was rushed in their acceptance speech. Maybe the event was not live like the Oscars, so it only appeared to be so succinct. The thing is, it wasn't as much fun. I enjoyed it, I love movies. There was a host and presenters, but those song and dance numbers or other sketches that lengthen our show, the Oscars, are what make it fun and create memorable moments. I suppose its the fun that makes us American. I have read that the producers of this year's Oscar ceremony have encourage all nominees to be prepared to speak for 45 seconds, to not have anything written, if they win and were even provided with DVDs to practice with.

The King's Speech began the night with 14 nominations (it also leads the Oscars with 12 noms). It won seven. As of this moment, I think it will win four Oscars, a tie with Social Network of four wins each. Inception will win three Oscars. My official predictions for all 24 categories and how I would vote, what I think deserves the Oscar, will be posted Oscar weekend.

After you check out the winners below, read Dave Kager's article about how historically the BAFTAs have been an accurate predictor of the Oscars and to what degree. It looks like at least 10 of the categories will repeat winners at the February 27th Oscar telecast.
http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/02/13/bafta-winners-repeat-oscars/

The BAFTA winners (what does the T stand for?!):
BEST FILM: The King’s Speech
OUTSTANDING BRITISH FILM: The King’s Speech
OUTSTANDING DEBUT BY A BRITISH WRITER, DIRECTOR OR PRODUCER: Four Lions, Director/Writer Chris Morris
DIRECTOR: The Social Network, David Fincher
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: The King’s Speech, David Seidler
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: The Social Network, Aaron Sorkin
FILM NOT IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
ANIMATED FILM: Toy Story 3
LEADING ACTOR: Colin Firth, The King’s Speech
LEADING ACTRESS: Natalie Portman, Black Swan
SUPPORTING ACTOR: Geoffrey Rush, The King’s Speech
SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Helena Bonham Carter, The King’s Speech
ORIGINAL MUSIC: The King’s Speech, Alexandre Desplat
CINEMATOGRAPHY: True Grit, Roger Deakins
EDITING: The Social Network, Angus Wall and Kirk Baxter
PRODUCTION DESIGN: Alice in Wonderland, Robert Stromberg and Karen O’Hara
COSTUME DESIGN: Alice in Wonderland, Colleen Atwood
SOUND: Inception, Richard King, Lora Hirschberg, Gary A. Rizzo, and Ed Novick
SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS: Inception, Chris Corbould, Paul Franklin, Andrew Lockley, and Peter Bebb
MAKE UP AND HAIR: Alice in Wonderland
SHORT ANIMATION: The Eagleman Stag
SHORT FILM: Until the River Runs Red
ORANGE WEDNESDAYS RISING AWARD: Tom Hardy