My Oscar Predictions!

jackman_tuxThe Oscars are finally here! I’m looking forward to seeing Hugh Jackman in a tux and hopefully shaking his money maker a little. There’s a rumor that Anne Hathaway will be doing the opening musical number with him (click here to see him rehearsing, sans Anne). Hathaway can definitely sing (have you seen Ella Enchanted or her hosting stint on SNL?) and we have plenty evidence of Jackman’s musical prowess so it should be entertaining if it does happen.

Now, I know everyone and his best friend’s second cousin’s lip waxer have already done predictions so I wasn’t gonna do any more than the ones I already made back in December and January. But then I thought, Why not? Maybe I can help someone win fifty bucks in an Oscar pool to put towards next week’s groceries. I’ve seen all the nominated movies, except for the shorts and foreign films (you’re on your own there!) so I’m not making wild guesses based on hype. These are my (hopefully) informed opinions based on the actual quality of the films. I know—the Oscars are sometimes more about PR but I can hope, right?

Here goes:

Best Picture: Slumdog Millionaire

Best Actor: Sean Penn — Milk

Best Actor: Kate Winslet — The Reader

Best Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger — The Dark Knight

Best Supporting Actress: Penelope Cruz — Vicky Christina Barcelona

Best Director: Danny Boyle — Slumdog Millionaire

Best Animated Feature: WALL*E

Best Original Screenplay: Dustin Lance Black — Milk

Best Adapted Screenplay: Simon Beaufoy — Slumdog Millionaire

Best Art Direction: Donald Graham Burt (Art Direction); Victor J. Zolfo (Set Decoration) — The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Best Cinematography: Anthony Dod Mantle — Slumdog Millionaire 

Best Costume Design: Michael O’ Connor — The Duchess (no contest—Keira’s dresses were eye-popping)

Best Editing: Chris Dickens — Slumdog Millionaire

Best Makeup: Greg Cannom — The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Best Score: A.R. Rahman — Slumdog Millionaire

Best Song: “Jai Ho” — Slumdog Millionaire

Best Sound Editing: Glenn Freemantle and Tom Sayers — Slumdog Millionaire

Best Sound Mixing: Ian Tapp, Richard Pryke and Resul Pookutty — Slumdog Millionaire

Best Visual Effects: Eric Barba, Steve Preeg, Burt Dalton and Craig Barron — The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Best Foreign Film: Waltz with Bashir 

Best Documentary Feature: Man on Wire

Do you agree with my choices? Who are you rooting for? Post a comment then check back Monday for scoopy stuff from inside the Oscars from my sources who will be there!

Share

11 Comments

  • Reply
    The Cinema Hub
    February 20, 2009 at 4:24 pm

    Pretty good picks you got there!

  • Reply
    ShelleyP
    February 21, 2009 at 12:00 am

    PCN, I’ve printed off your list so I can tick it as I watch! I don’t really mind who wins what, as long as WALL*E gets Best Picture. {Oh, DAMN!}

    And Hugh in a tux? I think I’ll have to fan myself. Seriously, though, I’m really looking forward to seeing what he does. He’s the consummate performer.

  • Reply
    Lizabeth Ann
    February 21, 2009 at 2:40 pm

    Haven’t yet seen Slumdog, but agree pretty much all ’round with your predictions. I wish, though, that there were room for Melissa Leo. Her performance in Frozen River is amazing! Is Tell No One up for anything?
    It’ll surely be an exciting night!

    • Reply
      popculturenerd
      February 21, 2009 at 2:46 pm

      Hi Lizabeth Ann,

      I agree that Melissa Leo’s performance is amazing. It’s so tough and uncompromising.

      Tell No One isn’t up for anything. I guess France didn’t submit it for consideration. Boo!

  • Reply
    BizMan5
    February 21, 2009 at 3:37 pm

    I like-y!!

    Button shouldn’t get anything beyond a shout out from the Best Art Direction category.

  • Reply
    ScriptPimp
    February 21, 2009 at 3:39 pm

    SLUMDOG!! SLUMDOG!! Everybody now, SLUMDOG! SLUMDOG!! People in the back, SLUMDOG, SLUMDOG!!

  • Reply
    EireGo
    February 21, 2009 at 3:41 pm

    I can only hope that the studios learn something about which stories they put their money behind once Slumdog Millionaire sweeps the oscars.

  • Reply
    FFBUFF8
    February 21, 2009 at 3:44 pm

    Ugh, I’m sooooo sick of hearing how wonderful Man On Wire was! You, too? I agree with everything else you chose, PCN, but I gotta draw the line at Man On Wire.

  • Reply
    ARB
    February 21, 2009 at 3:49 pm

    Good predictions! I am sad Josh Brolin didn’t make your list either.

    You are probably right though, I guess it was just too subtle a performance.

    BTW: Can you tell me why there’s no mention of Nothing But The Truth? I saw a private screening and I thought it was released in theaters…..What happened?

  • Reply
    ScriptPimp
    February 23, 2009 at 1:15 pm

    Thanks, PCN! I WON $200 IN MY OFFICE OSCAR POOL USING YOUR CHOICES!

    • Reply
      popculturenerd
      February 23, 2009 at 3:26 pm

      WHOA, ScriptPimp! Congrats!

      I shall accept a commission in cash or cookies.

Leave a Reply