Oscar Preview: Can't Be Worse Than Last Year

The Academy Awards are imminent, and things are looking, well, better than last year. With old pros Brian Grazer and Billy Crystal at the helm, things should run smoothly, and are certain to be less awkward than the mediocre affair hosted last year by James Franco and Anne Hathaway. A major misstep was avoided when the none-too-bright Brett Ratner essentially ousted himself from the producer's spot with idiotic comments, taking with him entertaining, but perennially out-of-touch '80s icon Eddie Murphy.

So how is the ceremony likely to play out? The Artist will deservedly pick up at least a few awards, most likely Best Picture and Best Actor (Jean Dujardin), though it would be wonderful to see Gary Oldman snag the latter prize for his cool, calculating turn in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. Viola Davis and co-star Octavia Spencer will probably win Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress, respectively, for their emotive performances in The Help, but it would be lovely to see Michelle Williams get the former award for her immersive turn as Marilyn Monroe in the otherwise-underwhelming My Week with Marilyn. And though she'll certainly be back, the radiant Jessica Chastain would make a fine Best Supporting Actress as well, both for The Help and her many other exemplary 2011 films. Rounding out the acting prizes will inevitably be 82-year-old acting vet Christopher Plummer for his utterly charming supporting role in Beginners.

Naturally, what often makes or breaks the Oscars are the host and the presenters. Crystal is bound to be reliably amusing, and on tap to present are the entire Bridesmaids cast (whoo-hoo!), Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy (a floppy-armed yeah!), Colin Firth (splendid), Milla Jovovich (huh?), and Tom Cruise (zzzz). Will it be a mixed bag? Most likely. Will we watch every minute of it, regardless? Of course.

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