By Rachel West
BEST PICTURE
Slumdog Millionaire
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
Milk
The Dark Knight
Should be nominated: In Bruges. It’s not even a contender, but the film is one of my highlights from 2008. A superb cast, a darkly witty script, and fantastic scenery make it one of the most refreshing movies of the year. Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson received Golden Globe nominations for their efforts in this film which oddly parallels the mysterious Don’t Look Now.
BEST DIRECTOR
Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire)
David Fincher (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button)
Gus Van Sant (Milk)
Ron Howard (Frost/Nixon)
Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight)
Should be nominated: Mike Leigh for Happy-Go-Lucky. A sweet and sometimes difficult to watch film, Happy-Go-Lucky is vastly different from his previously nominated offerings Vera Drake and Secrets and Lies. The Academy seems to love Leigh, so he may be able to edge out Ron Howard or Christopher Nolan to score the nomination.
In Bruges
BEST ACTOR
Sean Penn (Milk)
Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler)
Brad Pitt (The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button)
Frank Langella (Frost/Nixon)
Colin Farrell (In Bruges)
Love him or hate him, Mickey Rourke is a contender. He’s the comeback kid, having disappeared off the Hollywood radar for several years to return to his roots as a boxer. His face may be mangled and almost unrecognizable from one too many punches to the face and some bad plastic surgery, but Rourke turns in a triumphant and gutsy performance as a washed up wrestler in The Wrestler, earning himself a spot on the list.
BEST ACTRESS
Kate Winslet (Revolutionary Road)
Sally Hawkins (Happy-Go-Lucky)
Anne Hathaway (Rachel Getting Married)
Meryl Streep (Doubt)
Angelina Jolie (Changeling)
Happy-Go-Lucky
Sally Hawkins may be the only name that leaves your average movie-goer scratching their head come Awards time. A relative unknown, she’s stormed onto the awards scene with her affecting performance as the eternal optimist in Mike Leigh’s Happy-Go-Lucky. She’s accumulated more trophies for her performance than the rest of her competitors combined proving that she may be the go-to girl on Oscar night.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Eddie Marsan (Happy Go-Lucky)
Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight)
Philip Seymour Hoffman (Doubt)
Josh Brolin (Milk)
Dev Patel (Slumdog Millionaire)
The Supporting Actor race pulls from a wide variety of roles and genres. It could be anyone’s award. The Academy loves to award young actors so this could be Dev Patel’s year although the nomination will likely serve as his award. Heath Ledger has the sympathy and momentum, but I’m hoping for Eddie Marsan or Josh Brolin to be recognized.
BEST SUPORTING ACTRESS
Kate Winslet (The Reader)
Marisa Tomei (The Wrestler)
Penelope Cruz (Vicky Crisitna Barcelona)
Viola Davis (Doubt)
Taraji P. Henson (The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button)
Viola Davis may have minimal screen time in Doubt, but in those few fiery minutes against Meryl Streep more than warrant a nomination for her role as the mother of a boy who has possibly been abused.
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Slumdog Millionaire
Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
The Reader
Doubt
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Slumdog Millionaire is on a hot streak. It’s the film with everything: romance, action, comedy, and drama.
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Milk
Rachel Getting Married
Burn After Reading
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Happy Go Lucky
Love him or loathe him, Woody’s Allen’s Vicky Cristina Barcelona provided well-rounded and interesting characters in an intricately woven tale of youth and love.
