Best Picture

Nominees: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Frost/Nixon, Milk, The Reader, Slumdog Millionaire

 

Projected Winner: Slumdog Millionaire            Should Win: Slumdog Millionaire

 

            I have a sneaking suspicion that The Curious Case of Benjamin Button could steal this one. The Golden Globes and the Academy haven’t picked the same film for best picture in four years. The Academy likes to proof its worth, that it isn’t a rubber stamp for the Golden Globes, and that they have more sophisticated opinions. With that said the Golden Globes got this one exactly right. Slumdog Millionaire is the best film in the lot by a long shot. It is also the perfect film for the time. The film is relatively low budget especially in comparison to its competitors, and it is the true underdog story of defying the odds and becoming something from nothing. With bad ratings over the past few years for the awards show, with the best picture going to “less mainstream films” it is very likely they could choose to go with the big budget and the big names in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

 

Best Actor

Nominees: Richard Jenkins (The Visitor), Frank Langella (Frost/Nixon), Sean Penn (Milk), Brad Pitt (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button), Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler)

 

Projected Winner: Mickey Rourke            Should Win: Mickey Rourke

 

            This will be a well-deserved win for Rourke. His performance in The Wrestler is one that most actors can only dream of. He not only acts the part of Randy “The Ram” Robinson, he embodies him. I think to give this award to anyone else would be a crime, however it is highly unlikely the Academy will get this one wrong.

 

Best Supporting Actor

Nominees: Josh Brolin (Milk), Robert Downey Jr. (Tropic Thunder), Philip Seymour Hoffman (Doubt), Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight), Michael Shannon (Revolutionary Road)

 

Projected Winner: Heath Ledger            Should Win: Heath Ledger

 

            After getting snubbed in most of the major categories this one has almost become a no-brainer. I had originally said there was no way that one of the major awards would go to a comic book movie, but after realizing that most of the supporting roles this year were less than formidable, the late Ledger’s disturbing yet enthralling portrayal of the Joker will definitely get him a trophy.

 

Best Actress

Nominees: Anne Hathaway (Rachel Getting Married), Angelina Jolie (Changeling), Melissa Leo (Frozen River), Meryl Streep (Doubt), Kate Winslet (The Reader)

 

Projected Winner: Kate Winslet            Should Win: Meryl Streep

 

            After winning best supporting actress for The Reader at the Golden Globes, the Academy threw us a curveball, nominating Winslet for best actress in the film. Winslet’s performance shouldn’t simply be dismissed as it was very good, however Streep is outrageous, and witty, and everything everyone has come to know or think about nuns embodied.

 

Best Supporting Actress

Nominees: Amy Adams (Doubt), Penelope Cruz (Vicky Cristina Barcelona), Viola Davis (Doubt), Taraji P. Henson (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button), Marisa Tomei (The Wrestler

 

Projected Winner: Amy Adams            Should Win: Marisa Tomei

 

            This one is a true toss up. I feel like both the actresses from Doubt are deserving but will be fighting with each other for votes, Henson’s performance in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button was good, but really she was the choice from that film? Vicky Cristina Barcelona, just isn’t the type of film that best supporting actresses come from, leaving me with one true option, Marisa Tomei as the perfect counterpart to Mickey Rourke in The Wrestler.

 

Best Animated Film

Nominees: Bolt, Kung Fu Panda, Wall-E

 

Projected Winner: Wall-E            Should Win: Wall-E

 

            There is no question about the answer to this one. Wall-E was even in early consideration for best picture. The other two films aren’t even close to being in the same category as Wall-E, there is no chance that Bolt or Kung Fu Panda leave the victor.