Oscar Picks

I've only seen a few of the movies that are nominated in the major categories. So most of my picks are guesswork based on personal preferences and what I've read about the movies.

My predictions are in bold.

Best Picture
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
Milk
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire

I actually did see Slumdog Millionaire and absolutely loved it. So I'm hoping that it will continue its award winning streak. But I am worried that it might be a little too edgy for Academy voters.

Best Actress
Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Jolie, Changeling
Melissa Leo, Frozen River
Meryl Streep, Doubt
Kate Winslet, The Reader

I saw RGM, and I thought Anne Hathaway was great as the lead in it. Until I saw I've Loved You So Long, which was basically the same movie but better. And I'd love for Melissa Leo to get the award, even though I haven't seen Frozen River (it's at the top of my Netflix queue, though), but because I've seen her in so many other things and think she's such an underrated actress. But I'm going with the odds on this one.

Best Actor
Richard Jenkins, The Visitor
Frank Langella, Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn, Milk
Brad Pitt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler

Of these, I've only seen The Visitor (and I highly recommend it), but I think both the movie and the actor are too understated to get the award.

Best Supporting Actress
Amy Adams, Doubt
Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Viola Davis, Doubt
Taraji P. Henson, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Mariso Tomei, The Wrestler

I was torn between Penelope Cruz and Taraji Henson (I haven't seen either movie), but I think the voters will want to give something to The Curious Case of Benjamin Button just because it is nominated in so many categories.

Best Supporting Actor
Josh Brolin, Milk
Robert Downey Jr., Tropic Thunder
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Doubt
Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
Michael Shannon, Revolutionary Road

Haven't seen any of the movies in this category, but Heath Ledger seems a good bet.

Best Director
Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
Gus Van Sant, Milk
Ron Howard, Frost/Nixon
David Fincher, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Stephen Daldry, The Reader

I'm rooting for Danny Boyle, but I think David Fincher also has a chance.

Animated Feature Film
Bolt
Wall*E
Kung Fu Panda

Again, I haven't seen any of these, but based on buzz, I think Wall*E is a gimmee.

Documentary Feature
The Betrayal
Encounters at the End of the World
The Garden
Man on Wire
Trouble the Waters

Another category in which I'm purely guessing.

Writing: Adapted Screenplay
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Doubt
Frost/Nixon
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire

Writing: Original Screenplay
Frozen River
Happy-Go-Lucky
In Bruges
Milk
Wall*E

Music: Score
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Slumdog Millionaire
Defiance
Milk
Wall*E

I think Slumdog Millionaire should win, but Benjamin Button probably will win. Wall*E has a good chance, too.

Music: Song
"Down to Earth," Wall*E
"Jai Ho," Slumdog Millionaire
"O Saya," Slumdog Millionaire

I like Jai Ho more---I can't seem to get it out of my head, and I've decided that all movies should end with a dance routine---but O Saya was more integral to the movie.