i know i haven't been around in a while, but i felt like putting this up. The Oscars are tonight, and i've had a lot of trouble with my predictions. i simply don't want to admit that certain things are likely to win because there are something i think deserve it more. So here is my ideal winners list, if only i picked them. The only nominated films i've not seen are The Visitor (nominated for best actor, Richard Jenkins), Defiance(nominated best music score, James Newton Howard), and Bolt (nominated for best animated feature).
Picture - The Reader. i know Slumdog Millionaire is supposed to win, but this one really stuck with me for a few days after watching it. It actually affected me, and it's not terribly easy for movies to do that.
Actor - Sean Penn in Milk. i'd be fine if Mickey Rourke wins, but i lean just a little towards Penn on this one. i've got a feeling, though, that if i see The Visitor i might be pulling for Richard Jenkins. But tonight i'm with Penn.
Actress - Kate Winslet in The Reader. Because she deserves it, frankly. i think it's the best performance in the category. Melissa Leo is a fairly close second (and there are apparently some murmurs of an upset from her tonight), but for me, it's gotta be Winslet.
Supporting Actor - Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight. Again, because he deserves it. as much as i loved Robert Downey Jr. in Tropic Thunder, Ledger is simply amazing here.
Supporting Actress - Viola Davis in Doubt. By far the most difficult role in the film, and she nailed it. i'll be okay if Penelope Cruz wins for Vicky Christina Barcelona, but Davis takes her ten minutes on screen and makes the movie work.
Director - Danny Boyle
Original Screenplay - Milk (though i'd love to see Wall-E win it)
Adapted Screenplay - Slumdog Millionaire (or i wouldn't mind Doubt, but that won't happen)
Now we're gonna get into the technical and artistic categories. Some of them are more obvious than others, but again, these are just gonna be the ones i think deserve it most.
Cinematography - The Dark Knight
Editing - The Dark Knight (Slumdog Millionaire is a close 2nd)
Art Direction - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Costume Design - The Duchess (or The Curious Case of Benjamin Button)
Makeup - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Score - Wall-E. i know Slumdog is the frontrunner, but i love this score, and think it does more for the movie than Slumdog's score. for instance, the first 20-30 minutes of Wall-E have no dialogue - the music has probably half the responsibility in carrying the story along, and it does it almost without even letting you know it's there. it's such a naturally integrated part of the movie, and i think it deserves this one because of it.
Song - "Down to Earth" from Wall-E. i just like the song a little better, and i kind of want Wall-E to get as many as it can, but i won't be devastated if "Jai Ho" from Slumdog wins, just as long as it's not "O Saya."
Sound - The Dark Knight (or Wall-E)
Sound Editing - The Dark Knight (or Slumdog Millionaire)
Visual Effects - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Animated - Wall-E
That's what i want to happen. Deal with it.
