The B.A.F.T.As

So here it is, the award show that isn't the Golden Globes, but nowhere near the majesty of the Oscars. Winning a Bafta is much like winning a Silver medal at the Olympics, it's good, but you don't wear it around the house. Anyway, allusions aside, below are the original nominees with my take on who I think will win each respective awards. However, I'm not going to do 'Best Make-up' etc. because let's be honest, I don't care. Brilliant.

BEST FILM

THE ARTIST - Thomas Langmann

THE DESCENDANTS - Jim Burke, Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor

DRIVE - Marc Platt, Adam Siegel

THE HELP - Brunson Green, Chris Columbus, Michael Barnathan

TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY - Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Robyn Slovo

My take: I reckon The Descendants will have this one. It is yet to be released in the UK, but judging by Clooney's Golden Globe win and the other posts I follow it seems that The Descendants has the potential to be a real great of 2012.

DIRECTOR

THE ARTIST - MICHEL HAZANAVICIUS

DRIVE - NICOLAS WINDING REFN

HUGO - MARTIN SCORSESE

TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY - TOMAS ALFREDSON

WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN - LYNNE RAMSEY

My take: It's got to go to the big man hasn't it? Scorsese's 'Hugo' is a spectacular family film and the direction is some of his best. However, I think Alfredson may have a steal from the master. Such fun.

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

THE ARTIST - MICHEL HAZANAVICIUS

BRIDESMAIDS - ANNIE MUMULO, KRISTEN WIG

THE GUARD - JOHN MICHAEL MCDONAGH

THE IRON LADY - ABI MORGAN

MIDNIGHT IN PARIS - WOODY ALLEN.

My take: You can probably guess what I'm going to say here if you've read my Iron Lady post. Abi Morgan's script is fantastic, and if I'm honest I think The Iron Lady will take it, however, from other sources I'm told that Bridesmaids and Midnight In Paris are strong contenders. My money though stays with Morgan's biographical drama.

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

THE DESCENDANTS - ALEXANDER PAYNE, NAT FAXON, JIM RASH

THE HELP - TATE TAYLOR

THE IDES OF MARCH - GEORGE CLOONEY, GRANT HESLOV, BEAU WILLIMON

MONEYBALL - STEVEN ZAILLIAN, AARON SORKIN

TINKER TAYLOR SOLDIER SPY - BRIDGET O'CONNOR, PETER STRAUGHAN

My take: Now I've only seen Tinker Taylor out of these, and I didn't think the script was anything special, so a Bafta seems unlikely. Judging by friend's and other blog's opinions, I'm going to say The Descendants. Big George has hedged his bets though hasn't he. Clever fella.

ANIMATED FILM

THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN: THE SECRET OF THE UNICORN - STEVEN SPIELBERG

ARTHUR CHRISTMAS - SARAH SMITH

RANGO - GORE VIBINKSI

My take: Tintin. Hands down. Genuinely found myself engrossed in it, then again, life long fan of Tintin right here, bias? If not then Rango. If not that then Arthur Christmas. Nice.

LEADING ACTOR

BRAD PITT - MONEYBALL

GARY OLDMAN - TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY

GEORGE CLOONEY - THE DESCENDANTS

JEAN DUJARDIN - THE ARTIST

MICHAEL FESSBENDER - SHAME

My take: I'll have a poke at Clooney for this, his Golden Globe success alongside Oscar rumours, who knows! Also, gonna say it because everyone is thinking it, Fessbender must have been so horrendously bullied at school.

LEADING ACTRESS

BERENICE BEJO - THE ARTIST

MERYL STREEP - THE IRON LADY

MICHELLE WILLIAMS - MY WEEK WITH MARILYN

TILDA SWINTON - WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN

VIOLA DAVIS - THE HELP

My take: Streep. Anyone else is an insult.

SUPPORTING ACTOR

CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER - BEGINNERS

JIM BROADBENT - THE IRON LADY

JONAH HILL - MONEYBALL

KENETH BRANAGH - MY WEEK WITH MARILYN

PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN - THE IDES OF MARCH

My take: Probably the toughest category, but I would have to say Broadbent who is phenomenal as Dennis Thatcher, his chemistry with Streep is sublime and I feel an Oscar may be in the waters.

SUPPORTING ACTRESS

CAREY MULLIGAN - DRIVE

JESSICA CHASTAIN - THE HELP

JUDI DENCH - MY WEEK WITH MARILYN

MELISSA MCCARTHY - BRIDESMAIDS

OCTAVIA SPENCER - THE HELP

My take: Spencer I reckon, from what I've heard Dench is good, as always, but Spencer's Golden Globe win is gonna nab it.

SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS

THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN: THE SECRET OF THE UNICORN - JOE LETTERI

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS - PART 2: TIM BURKE, JOHN RICHARDSON, GREG BUTLER, DAVID VICKERY

HUGO - ROB LEGATO, BEN GROSSMAN, JOSS WILLIAMS

RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES - JOE LETTERI, DAN LEMMON, R. CHRISTOPHER WHITE

WAR HORSE - BEN MORRIS, NEIL CORBOULD

My take: Joe Letteri gets around eh? Erm, I'm not sure, quite a few strong contenders, I reckon Harry Potter just because it's Harry Potter, and in fairness, the special effects were pretty darn good.

Well there you go. Maybe not all the nominees but my knowledge of Production Design, Short Animation and Short Film is lacking so I'm not going to unload un-researched nonsense on you. Anyway, let's hope I'm not far off. Fingers crossed.