The 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!
11 Comments
The Cinema Hub
February 20, 2009 at 4:24 pmPretty good picks you got there!
ShelleyP
February 21, 2009 at 12:00 amPCN, 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.
Lizabeth Ann
February 21, 2009 at 2:40 pmHaven’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!
popculturenerd
February 21, 2009 at 2:46 pmHi 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!
BizMan5
February 21, 2009 at 3:37 pmI like-y!!
Button shouldn’t get anything beyond a shout out from the Best Art Direction category.
ScriptPimp
February 21, 2009 at 3:39 pmSLUMDOG!! SLUMDOG!! Everybody now, SLUMDOG! SLUMDOG!! People in the back, SLUMDOG, SLUMDOG!!
EireGo
February 21, 2009 at 3:41 pmI can only hope that the studios learn something about which stories they put their money behind once Slumdog Millionaire sweeps the oscars.
FFBUFF8
February 21, 2009 at 3:44 pmUgh, 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.
ARB
February 21, 2009 at 3:49 pmGood 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?
ScriptPimp
February 23, 2009 at 1:15 pmThanks, PCN! I WON $200 IN MY OFFICE OSCAR POOL USING YOUR CHOICES!
popculturenerd
February 23, 2009 at 3:26 pmWHOA, ScriptPimp! Congrats!
I shall accept a commission in cash or cookies.