7^th Annual Predict The Oscars! Contest Wrap-up

It was certainly a different awards show this year and that's exactly what was promised in order to pump up the numbers.  I haven't seen viewer ratings yet so can't say if it worked but I'm pretty sure a fair portion of the 20% drop in views last year had to do with the Writers Guild strike so would expect them to be back up some this year.  But as has been the trend in recent years, there is obviously an ever widening gap between what the Academy and what the viewing public think makes a film award worthy.

I've read a good bit on this subject and think it can be summed up by saying that the Academy has no problem awarding a singularly outstanding performance in an otherwise marginal film whereas the general public expects the film as a whole to meet certain minimum requirements to qualify for award consideration.  Those that side with the Academy contend that they are better trained to recognize these "diamond in the rough" performances and those that don't claim that times and tastes change and the Academy is out of touch with what should be considered a great film.  As is generally the case in an argument, the truth is probably somewhere in the middle.

Having been involved with performance arts most of my life as an avocation, I find myself closer to the Academy's side but think they  have to become more flexible and appreciative of the audiences' wants.  Let's face it, without an audience, there would be no Academy and box office revenues show that the theatre going audience is dwindling.  Now the reason for that is a whole topic in itself but if the trend continues, and more people wait to see movies on DVD, the Oscars viewing audience will continue to decline.  So yes, it's probably in the Academy's best interest to reward those that go to the theatre.

Unfortunately, I don't know exactly what changes need to be made.  If I did, I'd quit my day job and market my consulting services to AMPAS!  I certainly don't want the Oscars to become another People's Choice Awards but I would like to see people feel more involved in the process.  After all, that's why I've been hosting this little game for seven years.

So, end of rant and here are this year's winners:

I'll certainly throw out a special mention to Stephen Gasparich with 92 points who only came in 4^th by, literally, the luck of the draw as all three of the contestants with scores of 92 picked Slumdog Millionaire and 7 awards.

Finally, as is customary, I'd like to thank all of our contestants this year.  I hope you all had fun and playing our game made your Oscar season a little more enjoyable.  Thanks to the Academy for once again hosting a great show.  And, as always, thanks to all the men and women of the film industry who's dedication and hard work makes all this possible.

Bob Stanza - Editor - Predict The Oscars!

3^rd Annual Predict The Golden Globes! Contest

How great is was to see things back to normal.  While the Hollywood Foreign Press attempted to appease the viewing audience with last year's press conference announcing the award winners, seeing the pageantry and glamour of the show again was tremendous.  In particular, seeing the Cecil B. DeMille award presented to Steven Spielberg, and watching clips from the huge number of his award winning films, made the show even more memorable.

And now what you've all been waiting for, the winners of this year's contest are:

Honorable mention goes to Barb Carroll who also scored 66.  You can still look at the summary of predictions and final leader board including all contestants.

So, in keeping with the evening, I'd like to thank the Hollywood Foreign Press for a fine show and all the men and women who bring us these great films and television shows.  And finally, thank you all for playing our game this year.  It allowed us to work out a few of the kinks in the site and that will make things run smoother for our next contest.  That's right, the Academy Awards nominations are just around the corner so please plan to return and play the 7^th Annual Predict The Oscars! contest.

Bob Stanza - Editor - Predict The Oscars!

6^th Annual Predict The Oscars! Contest

As usual, it's late but it was a good show and everything seemed to go off smoothly.  I guess we got an idea of what we would have seen if the strike hadn't ended but I'm sure we're all are glad it did.  Even though No Country For Old Men came in with the most awards (four), it didn't clean up the way many of our contestants seemed to think it would.  La Vie En Rose and The Bourne Ultimatum did better then I expected, winning everything whey were nominated for except Best Costume Design (La Vie En Rose) whereas Michael Clayton and Atonement each won just one Oscar out of the seven nominations they each received.

Anyway, things must have gone pretty much as expected, at least for some of you, because the scores this year are in line with previous contests.  With that said {drum roll, please}...

Our 2008 Predict The Oscars! Winners

I'd also like to give mention to Brian Buchana who also scored 76 points and to Ron Parres who was in first place until the last award but took a chance on Juno for Best Picture.

Finally, since it seems the thing to do tonight, I would like to thank everyone who participated in our contest this year; The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for putting the Awards together during difficult times, The Writers Guild of America, motion picture studios and television networks for coming to an agreement to end the three month strike; all the industry professionals who work tirelessly on and off the screen to bring us these fine motion pictures; and my wife Kathy, who supports me during the many hours required to host this site.

2^nd Annual Predict The Golden Globes! Contest

Due to the strike by the Writers Guild the televised presentation was a bit lacking this year and I'm not sure why NBC couldn't have announced all the award winners on the show.  It made trying to provide up to date leaders a little difficult.  But we got through it!

Our winners in this year's Golden Globes Contest

Congratulations to the winners and to everyone who joined our contest.  Thanks to those who tried out our new site features.  It will make for a smoother Oscars contest in a few weeks.  Thank you to the Hollywood Foreign Press for seeing the Awards through during difficult times.  And finally, we would like to express our appreciation to all the members of the movie and television industry who enrich our lives through their work. 

Bob Stanza - Editor, Predict The Oscars!

5^th Annual Predict The Oscars! Contest

It was a late night Sunday, later than I remember the Oscars running for a number of years.  I'm not sure if that was due to the host, programming changes, honorary awards or what.  I've heard from several people that they didn't care for this year's show in general but liked some of the acts, the sound effects choir and the shape forming tumblers, very much.  Oh well, last year the buzz was all about what didn't win Best Picture and based on our player's predictions, there weren't any major upsets this year.  Closest ones were probably Happy Feet beating Cars and The Lives Of Others over Pan's Labyrinth.  Maybe the fact that the top six awards went so much as expected lead to some of the ho-hum feelings expressed.  There's nothing like a good controversy to excite people.

Thank you to everyone who played in our 5^th Annual Predict The Oscars! contest.  It continues to draw a larger audience each year which tells me we must be doing something right.  Thanks also to those of you who have made suggestions and comments to help us improve the site.  Later this week I'll be publishing a timeline of new features so you'll have an idea when and what changes can be expected.  Several of these are intended to make our site a better year round resource so please check back from time to time, try out the enhancements and let us know what you think.

Our winners this year are:

Congratulations to our winners and thanks again to all this year's contestants.

Bob Stanza - Editor, Predict The Oscars!

1^st Annual Predict The Golden Globes!

It was an exciting night and things couldn't have gone off much smoother.  Thanks to all of you who participated in this year's inaugural Predict The Golden Globes! contest.  We hope you enjoyed playing and want you to know how much it helped us to have you test the new site structure.  We found a few ways to improve the balloting method and are ready for the the Oscars contest next week.  Please return after the Academy nominees are announced to make your predictions.

The winner of our Golden Globes contest this year is José Saad with a score of 75!  Other top scores included:

Congratulations to our winners.  Thank you to the Hollywood Foreign Press.  And a special thank you to all the award winners and nominees as well as all those involved with bring us the finest motion pictures and television in the world.