2008 Oscar Picks
The Oscar telecast is this Sunday, February 22nd and this year is shaping up to be one of the most ‘independent’ Academy Awards ever! Nearly all of the films nominated are independent films in nature and none of them can be deemed a ‘blockbuster’ by today’s standard. Notably missing from the nominations to everyone’s surprise, for both Best Picture and Best Director is ‘The Dark Knight’ along with Director Christopher Nolan, a notable snub considering the picture was a critical as well as audience favorite.
Here now – are my predictions for this year’s winners! So get out your scorecards and see if you can outguess me!
And the nominees are:
Supporting Actress:
Amy Adams: ‘Doubt’
Penelope Cruz: ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’
Viola
Taraji P. Henson: ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’
Marisa Tomei: ‘The Wrestler’
And the winner is: Most critics are looking at Viola Davis for her heart wrenching scene opposite Meryl Streep in ‘Doubt’; and let’s face it – if you can hold your own with Streep, you deserve an Oscar – but I am going with Marisa Tomei for ‘The Wrestler’. Tomei was wonderful as the tough, yet sweet stripper in a role that was more powerful than her Oscar performance in ‘My Cousin Vinny’.
Supporting Actor:
Josh Brolin: ‘Milk’
Robert Downey Jr: ‘Tropic Thunder’
Philip Seymour Hoffman: ‘Doubt’
Heath Ledger: The Dark Knight’
Michael Shannon: ‘
And the winner is: The lolling tongue, the rolling eyes, the heavy breathing, the maniacal laughter, that crazy make-up; an even scarier performance than Jack Nicholson in the first ‘Batman’ – Heath Ledger, no questions asked.
Actress:
Anne Hathaway: ‘Rachel Getting Married’
Angelina Jolie: ‘Changeling’
Melissa Leo: ‘Frozen River’
Meryl Streep: ‘Doubt’
Kate Winslet: ‘The Reader’
And the winner is: This I a tough one and I think most critics are banking on Meryl Streep for ‘Doubt’ because of a simply stunning performance. But, I am going with Kate Winslet here; her role in ‘The Reader’ wasn’t her only virtuoso this year – she gave another stunning performance in ‘Revolutionary Road’; having two outstanding films in one year is enough to put votes in her column.
Actor:
Richard Jenkins: ‘The Visitor’
Frank Langella: ‘Frost/Nixon’
Sean Penn: ‘Milk’
Brad Pitt: ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’
Mickey Rourke: ‘The Wrestler’
And the winner is: Without a doubt – Sean Penn for ‘Milk’. Penn’s portrayal of Harvey Milk was one of the most natural and effective performances by any performer nominated. Penn was Harvey Milk in this film.
Best Director:
David Fincher: ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’
Ron Howard: ‘Frost/Nixon’
Gus Van Sant: ‘Milk’
Stephen Daldry: ‘The Reader’
Danny Boyle: ‘Slumdog Millionaire’
And the winner is: Directing a film with no name actors, in a country that he was unfamiliar with, in a language he did not know, Danny Boyle pulled off the impossible with a modern day rags to riches story in ‘Slumdog Millionaire’.
Best Picture:
‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’
‘Frost/Nixon’
‘Milk’
‘The Reader’
‘Slumdog Millionaire’
And the winner is: ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ – this is not a major Hollywood production; rather, this is the ultimate rags to riches story that is filled with natural excitement; a feel good to your toes piece of entertainment that defied everything
Those are the picks for Oscar 2008! It was an interesting year at the movies and this new year is shaping up to be even more interesting!
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