Okay, here are my picks for this year's Oscars. I'm excluding nominations for stuff like sound editing (how would I know who was best?) and documentaries/foreign films/shorts (since I haven't seen any from the category and know nothing about them). Here's the key:
* a film I've seen
My pick to win
The actual winner
Best Motion Picture of the Year
*The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: Ceán Chaffin, Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall
*Slumdog Millionaire: Christian Colson
Notes: I am too in love with Benjamin Button to even contemplate anything else winning. It was just too good. There are a few films I'm surprised not to see here, but then when has the Academy ever listened to me?
*edit: 2/20/2009 I just saw Slumdog Millionaire, and I loved it. I'm really torn now.*
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Notes: This is going to be a tough competition. There's been a lot of buzz about these movies, and based on the previews for Frost/Nixon and the Wrestler, Langella and Rourke are definitely contenders. Sean Penn was incredible in Milk, but I still don't think he deserved the win for Mystic River, so not winning this one would even it out. Also, I think Brad Pitt is long overdue for an Oscar. The fact that he was only nominated once before this is inconceivable. And this was definitely one of his best performances yet. If he doesn't win, I will be unhappy.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Notes: This one is also tough. First, why did Cate Blanchett not get nominated for Benjamin Button? The woman deserves at least that. As for the rest, it's no secret that I love Jolie and Winslet. Jolie was great in Changeling, but if she was competing against herself in other roles, I'm not sure if she'd win or not. On the other hand, the same is kind of true for Winslet. But this is her 6th nomination, and like Pitt, she deserves one. So I'm going to pull for her (even though I would be just as thrilled if Angie won another). Still, I have never liked Anne Hathaway, and she was wonderful in Rachel Getting Married. Something tells me she will end up being the real winner, but I refuse to pull for her!
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Notes: Heath. Need we say more? He was robbed in 2005 for Brokeback, and I don't think anyone can deny his Joker was incredible. If he doesn't win, this might just be the last year I watch the Awards. *edit: Michael Shannon was really great in Revolutionary Road, so he definitely deserved the nomination... just a comment. I'm still all for Heath.*
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Notes: I've barely seen any of these, but I'm going to make a wild guess at Amy Adams for this one, because I think she's good.
Best Achievement in Directing
Notes: Just because I love it.
Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen
Notes: I don't really have enough to go on in this category, but I remember being surprised when I saw In Bruges that it was so funny and moving all at the same time. Which probably comes down to good writing.
Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published
Notes: Again, I just love it.
Best Achievement in Cinematography
*Changeling: Tom Stern
Notes: Seems like I pick the visually stunning films to watch! Of all of these, I think Benjamin Button was best. I loved Changeling and really liked The Reader and Dark Knight, but Benjamin Button just seems right for this win. *edit 2/20/2009 Uh oh, now I've seen all five, and Slumdog was visually stunning too!*
Best Achievement in Art Direction
Notes: Period pieces always win art direction. It's a fact.
Best Achievement in Costume Design
*Australia: Catherine Martin
Notes: Look, a bunch of period films got nominated! 19th century, scattered 20th century, 17th century, 1970s, 1950s. I get the feeling that the more elaborate the costumes, the more likely an Oscar is. Which is why I'm going for The Duchess.
Best Achievement in Makeup
Notes: I decided Benjamin Button would win makeup before I even saw it was nominated. The aging done on Blanchett and Pitt was too incredible. I will be beyond shocked if this doesn't win.
Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score
WALL·E: Thomas Newman
Notes: This is probably the hardest category for me, because I will be disappointed for almost anyone who doesn't win. Desplat, Howard, Elfman, and Newman are four of my all time favorite composers. But of the three of these films I've seen, I can easily say that Defiance will win, since my immediate reaction to the film was that the score was the best, best part. It was haunting, beautiful, perfect.
Best Achievement in Visual Effects
Notes: I'm a sucker for this film.
Best Animated Feature Film of the Year
Notes: I haven't seen any of these, but I've just heard too much hype about WALL·E to think it won't win.
1 comment:
I wish the Oscars weren't on a Sunday. I'd want to have an Oscar viewing party night! Those are always a lot of fun
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