SLUMDOG SWEEP CONTINUES

Danny Boyle unsurprisingly took home the top prize at the Director's Guild Awards. Fellow nominees Ron Howard, Christopher Nolan (should have won), David Fincher, and Gus Van Sant never stood a chance. At this point SLUMDOG is an unbeatable force. If this win hasn't already sealed the deal, it's upcoming WGA win will.

MY TOP TEN MOVIES OF THE YEAR

Since Daniel has been posting his top ten movies of 2008, I thought I'd share my favourites. There not all "Oscar bait" but simply the films I enjoyed most this year.

1. THE DARK KNIGHT
2. WALL-E
3. IN BRUGES
4. THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
5. MILK
6. THE READER
7. PINEAPPLE EXPRESS
8. CLOVERFIELD
9. THE WRESTLER
10. THE STRANGERS
Honourable Mention: REVOLUTIONARY ROAD

KUNG FU PANDA SWEEPS

At the 36th annual Annie Awards (which honours the best in animated film each year) held yesterday night, the Dreamworks comedy KUNG FU PANDA surprised everyone by winning 11 awards. Leaving the supposed front runner and critical darling WALL-E without even one award. I couldn't imagine that this could have much effect on the Oscar race for Best Animated Feautre since WALL-E seems like as big a lock (if not bigger) as SLUMDOG is in the Best Picture race.

TCM'S 31 DAYS OF OSCAR!

Tomorrow one of my favourite TV events of the year begins: the annual TCM 31 Days of Oscar marathon. It's 31 straight days of Oscar nominated or winning films. Last year they were sorted by genre with each day of the week representing a different decade. This time around they are sorted by subject. For example tomorrow NETWORK, ACE IN THE HOLE, and THE CHINA SYNDROME are on as part of the Contemporary Issues in Mass Media section. It's a great way to catch up with some great Oscar winners from the past.

MY NEW TOP TEN MOVIES

Again, I have to change my list of top 10. I watch REVOLUTIONARY ROAD, FROZEN RIVER and rewatch MILK and SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE. Now, I'm just waiting to see DOUBT and THE READER.

1. WALL.E

2. The Dark Knight
3. Changeling
4. The Wrestler

5. Slumdog Millionaire

6. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

7. Frozen River

8. Frost/Nixon
9. Vicky Cristina Barcelona

10. Revolutionary Road

BEST ACTOR RACE... AGAIN

I watch MILK again. I had the chance to see some details. It's unbelievable but in one scene, with Emile Hirsch and Sean Penn, we can actually scene a microphone. But, anyway, the movie doesn't seem so good at a second time. It's one of the best of the year, but... not enough. And about Sean Penn performance: it's brilliant but I have to choose Mickey Rourke for the "should win". I loved Rourke, Langella and Penn performances, but I think Rourke gave the best one, the most surprising, the most depp, the one I can't forget.

ELEVATING THE OSCARS

Roger Ebert has been doing a series this week called Elevating the Oscar Winners. He explains the series like this: "This continues my experiment with predicting this year's Oscars entirely without logical thought of reference to rumors and odds, but entirely on the basis of my emotions, with reference to the newly-named human emotion of Elevation". But what it really comes down are his personal preferences. Every day this week he covered one of the categories. His choices are:
Picture-MILK
Actor-Mickey Rourke
Actress-Melisa Leo
Supporting Actor-Heath Ledger
Supporting Actress-Viola Davis

Hopefully he continues with Director, and the screenplay categories. But what does all this mean? Probably nothing but let's not forget that during the 2005 race when BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN seemed like the inevitable winner, Ebert wrote about how CRASH deserved to win and then a month later it ended up being one of the biggest surprises in Academy Award history. It's never too late for a nominated film to pick up momentum. We'll just have to wait and see.

CRUZ OR TOMEI? THAT'S THE QUESTION.

And here's the answer. Originally I was rooting for Tomei to win her second Best Supporting Actress Oscar this February. I though her mature presentation of an aging stripper was surely the best of the five but a second viewing of VICKY CHRISTINA BARCELONA has me second guessing that statement. I always thought Cruz was great in that flick but it wasn't until my second viewing that I realized just how pivotal she was to the movie. Her character shows up for the last half an hour of the film and shoots a much needed shot of adrenaline into it's veins. When the story was beginning to lull, her hilarious, bi-polar, bisexual, suicidal ex-wife of Bardem basically saves the movie. She deserves the Oscar for raising the film to another level. Don't get me wrong, I thought it was a good film to begin with but her performance and the way her character was written is a stroke of genius. While Tomei was great (there's no questioning that) her movie would have been basically just as good without her. The same can not be said of Cruz, she makes her movie what it is. In a very, very strong cast she stands out as the absolute highlight.

This is the first year that my picks for the four acting categories are the front runners (Winslet, Penn, Cruz, Ledger), I can only hope they follow through.

THE LAST BEST BEST PICTURE

And probably the last really interesting Oscar race... 2002 was the best year for movies. We had the second part of LORD OF THE RINGS, we had the highly waited GANGS OF NEW YORK, "little" movies like ABOUT SCHMIDT or MY BIG FAT GREEK WEEDING. And unbelievable great works of art like THE HOURS, ADAPTATION, FAR FROM HEAVEN, CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, THE PIANIST, ROAD TO PERDITION, PANIC ROOM, INSOMNIA, UNFAITHFUL or FRIDA. And then we had CHICAGO. What an amazing experience to see it on the big screen. And the final scene with that lights made me think: this is cinema. After seeing CHICAGO, I even forgot that THE GODFATHER (I and II) is my favourite picture. CHICAGO was the finest surprise I ever had on a movie theather. I hope there it's still movies out there to uau us. Since that, RETURN OF THE KING had won (I agree, I love the trilogy), MILLION DOLLAR BABY (Clint Eastwood only overestimated picture), CRASH (one of the worst pictures and the most stupid one), THE DEPARTED (not Scorsese best work, THE QUEEN and BABEL were better) and NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN (loved but THERE WILL BE BLOOD was better). And this year, my favourite of the year - WALL.E - isn't even a nominee... So, I really hope to see again a movie like CHICAGO. Like Steve Martin said when he hosted the Oscars: "Miramax made a great movie that everybody likes". Can someone do it again?

NINE PLUS ONE

Here's another picture. After Daniel Day-Lewis with Sophia Loren, here's Day-Lewis with Penelope Cruz. You know I have my eyes on NINE for best picture of 2009. And we have Harvey Weinstein as a producer to make us believe the movie will be nominee. I hope so. I have this feeling.

THE MOST INTERESTING RACE IS...

...the best actor race. Last year, it was the best supporting actress. Many believe it was the best actress, but I always said that Marion Cotillard was a lock. Everyone who saw the movie would vote for her. But this year, the best actor is the most uncertain. I was reading Jared post and believe me I haven't decide if I prefer Rourke performance or Penn or even Langella. The last one I saw was Rourke's. I decided to see FROST/NIXON again and I still feel Rourke is the best. And you know that I never liked Rourke. I will see MILK again. I first saw it on November. I saw THE WRESTLER this month. Here's some thoughts about the best actor race:

1) Brad Pitt is the weakest link of THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON. The movie would be perfect if: a) cut one hour of the movie; b) other actor (Johnny Depp?) play the role of Benjamin Button.

2) Jenkins already received his award: the nomination itself.

3) Sean Penn won the SAG, but we can forget that this was his first SAG. Penn didn't win for MYSTIC RIVER. Johnny Depp won that year with PIRATES. So, how the fact that he didn't have a SAG affect this choice? Is Penn really the frontrunner?

4) Mickey Rourke gave an amazing speech at the Golden Globes. Many said that Rourke doesn't have all that love from Hollywood. But don't forget that the new Academy members like Rourke. But they still also love Penn. The press loves a comeback. Will the Academy love too? Maybe if we were talking about a woman, they would. But he are talking about bad boy Mickey Rourke. Penn was the typical bad boy five years ago when the Academy gave him the Oscar for MYSTIC RIVER.

5) Academy proved that they don't have problems giving an actor two Oscar with a five years time gap. Remember Hillary Sawnk (God, how I think she is overestimated...) or Jodie Foster, to name a few. So, Penn could win his second

6) It's Obama age and Harvey Milk was a civil rights' man. With Prop 8, will members of the Academy want to give a statement? Is BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN still in Academy members' minds? Will that be good or bad?

7) Jared said that we can have here a case like Adrien Brody. Daniel Day-Lewis vs. Jack Nicholson was so strong that a third element won. This can happen again.

8) I think we all loved Langella and Penn and Rourke's performances. So, we will like to see any of them with the Oscar.

THE BEST ACTOR RACE

After seeing THE VISITOR last night I have now seen all of the nominees for Best Actor this year and I can now make a full assessment of the roster. I'll start off by saying just how happy I am that long time character actor Jenkins finally got some recognition for such a subtle and realistic role. He probably wouldn't have made my short list (I prefer DiCaprio's fiery portrayal in REVOLUTIONARY ROAD and Phillip Seymour Hoffman's clearly lead role in DOUBT) but it's just great that his name is finally really getting out there. He plays a very contained character who has an unprecedented outbreak in one memorable scene in a detention center, and it is likely that scene that stuck in voters minds.

The one name that truly sticks out like a sore thumb is Brad Pitt. I loved the movie (possibly my favourite of the nominees) and he was good enough in it but in a year of truly fantastic acting he didn't deserve to make the cut. His performance is mostly technical and he was shown up by costars Blanchett, Henson, and Swinton. He did everything that was required for the role but he never really left me in awe the way that a lot of other performances this year did.

When it comes down to the race there are only three with a legitimate shot (some more than others), those three are obviously Langella, Rourke, and my personal favourite and pick for the front runner: Penn. I would be ecstatic if any of these three men won (I'd also love to see Jenkins up on the podium, though it could never happen, at least not this year.) but Penn is my favourite just because it's just such a different role for him and he nails it even though he's out of his comfort zone as an actor. He's used to playing tough characters (MYSTIC RIVER, DEAD MAN WALKING) and here he plays a flamboyant homosexual and he just completely loses himself in the character.

While I think Penn is the front runner (as everyone should now that he's won the SAG), it is not a sure thing. Rourke has been appearing on Letterman, The View, and doing the awards circuit, while Penn has been sitting at home not giving a damn about the entire thing. At least he showed up at the SAG awards. Another potential factor that could help Rourke reach to the top is the fact that this is most likely his only chance at a win. Penn's already won and he'll probably win again but for Rourke it looks like a once in a lifetime thing, so they might want to award this underdog when they have the chance. Also Rourke has the best story. Hollywood loves a comeback. As for Langella, I can still see him winning the way Brody did in 2002. That year it looked like it was down to Daniel Day Lewis in GANGS OF NEW YORK and Jack Nicholson in ABOUT SCHMIDT but the award then went to Brody for THE PIANIST. The two high profile contenders cancelled each other out and Brody swooped in for the win. Langella has a chance at doing that and it's the only way he could win. He's a respected veteran and a theatre legend so it is possible but at this stage in the game I wouldn't bet on it.

THE NEW OSCAR SEASON JUST STARTED

The new Oscar season seems much more fun than this one. I already told: I want NINE to be the big picture of 2009. Directed by Rob Marshall, starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Nicole Kidman, Sophia Loren, Marion Cotillard, Penelope Cruz, Judi Dench, Kate Hudson and Fergie. ONTD has amazing photos. Go there. It's spectacular.

THE READER IS WORTHY OF IT'S NOMINATIONS!

This comes as a surprise to me since I went into this film basically expecting to be disappointed. Ever since it was announced that my favourite film of the year (THE DARK KNIGHT) was left off the list of Best Picture and Best Director I directed my frustration towards this film, assuming it took TDK's place. But what I experienced was this year's ATONEMENT (actually I think I prefer this film): a tragic period piece/love story that wasn't about the love as much as it was about what came between the love. In ATONEMENT what stood between the love was the crime that Robbie was accused of, in this film it was the crime that Hannah (a career best for Winslet) did commit.

Kate Winslet does deserve to win the Oscar because of the transformation her character goes through. First she is a sex symbol and a kind of mother figure for the David Kross character, later on she is a disgraced nazi criminal, and by the end she is a peaceful old woman who finds redemption in her own intelligence. It is rare now a days that a character goes through such a definitive and interesting arc. Winslet nails every emotion Hannah feels from beginning to end. In a year of very, very strong performances from both genders in all categories this single performance is very near the top. The fact that Winslet could craft two completely three dimensional characters in one year is a unique triumph.

The entire rest of the cast was good but Kross in particular deserved a nomination. He perfectly captures first the amazement of a young man experiencing love and sex for the first time and then the hurt that man feels when he discovers his first true love wasn't who he thought she was. It's a great film (though I would have still rather seen THE DARK KNIGHT and Christopher Nolan come up in the nominations) that fills me with the urge to run to the library immediately and grab a copy of the novel.

Out of the nominees this may be my favourite. I still need some time to think it over but whatever my final conclusion may be this was still one of the most pleasant cinematic surprises I experienced all year. Kate has this thing absolutely locked.

IT'S WAR: MERYL VS. KATE

Meryl Streep is my favourite actress. That's not all. I believe she is the best actress ever. I think she deserves all the awards in the world. But she doesn't need it. Apparently. I was thinking about two recent appearance by this great actress. Rumor has it that Hollywood, especially some actors, don't like Kate Winslet. Meryl is one of those. A portuguese reporter told this week on TV that Meryl, once asked about Kate Winslet, answered "I don't talk about that woman". It seems, according to the reporter, that Kate Winslet is a big diva. (I personally don't care. She's a wonderful actress. But will never be as good as Meryl).

I started to think about those words and suddenly some things made sense.

1) Last week, Winslet was on Oprah. Of course it was mentioned that Kate Winslet could become the actress with most Oscar nods without getting an Oscar. (I believe Deborah Kerr has the record, with 7 nods. This Oprah show was aired before we knew that Kate would only get one Oscar nod this year and not two - the two would make 7 in total). After the break, Meryl Streep joined Oprah via satelite (interview with Kate had already finished) and remember everyone the true. She is the actress that had lost more Oscars. She was nominated 15 times and lose the Oscar 13 times!!! So, let's think who is the greatest loser after all, Kate or Meryl? Losing 13 times?

2) And what about last night speech when Meryl won the SAG? Doubt's genuinely surprised Meryl Streep said "I'm really, really, really shocked, and even though awards mean nothing to me anymore, I'm really happy." And she mention the fact that she is called "the greatest living actress". She was speaking to... My bet? Kate Winslet and all the Oscar ladies that will have to work a lot to be like Meryl Streep. Entertainment Weekly tries a translation: "Please give the Oscar to one of the other deserving ladies. She might not want to be called the "best actress" or the "greatest living actress," but would she settle for the most-liked? "

Meryl is the best. And the Academy knows that. But the Academy can't give the Oscar to Meryl every year. Let's just see when the third will came. Because I think Meryl really wants the third.

FINALLY MERYL

Here's the SAG winners. It was GOOOOOD to see Meryl's win.

Film

Ensemble Cast: Slumdog Millionaire

Lead Actress: Meryl Streep, Doubt

Lead Actor: Sean Penn, Milk

Supporting Actress: Kate Winslet, The Reader

Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
Lifetime Achievement Award: James Earl Jones

Stunt: The Dark Knight

Television

Lead Actress, Comedy Series: Tina Fey, 30 Rock

Lead Actor, Comedy Series: Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock

Ensemble Cast, Comedy Series: 30 Rock

Lead Acress, Drama Series: Sally Field, Brothers & Sisters

Lead Actor, Drama Series: Hugh Laurie, House

Ensemble Cast, Drama Series: Mad Men

Lead Actress, Miniseries: Laura Linney, John Adams

Lead Actor, Miniseries: Paul Giamatti, John Adams

Stunt: Heroes

SLUMDOG WINS PGA

It's official. SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE is the one to beat... Like we didn't know... Maybe Academy is really changing. Right now, the only movie who can gain momentum is THE READER. And we know how the Weinstein can create momentum. Let's see if they still got it.

FINAL SAG PREDIX

BEST ENSEMBLE
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
DOUBT
FROST/NIXON
MILK
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

will win: MILK. So, we are talking about the best ensemble, but sometimes they give the award to the one they think is the best picture. I think that they will go with best ensemble and the proof is that DOUBT is nominated here. We have four strong contenders and I believe it's between MILK and DOUBT. Maybe Obama and Prop 8 will help MILK.


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

will win: Sean Penn. Here is what I think: Penn never won a SAG. The year he was nominated with MYSTIC RIVER, he lost the SAG to Johnny Depp with PIRATES. Rourke maybe the frontrunner but Penn could win here and then Rourke will win the Oscar. But never forget Langella. And he was fabulous on Broadway with A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS.

BEST ACTRESS
Anne Hathaway, RACHEL GETTING MARRIED
Angelina Jolie, CHANGELING
Melissa Leo, FROZEN RIVER
Meryl Streep, DOUBT
Kate Winslet, REVOLUTIONARY ROAD

will win: Kate Winslet. The SAG are more interesting than the Oscars this year. Why? Because of double nominee Kate Winslet, who can make us fail all the prediction. Meryl only has one SAG (for TV series ANGELS IN AMERICA). But voters will prefer Kate.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Josh Brolin, MILK
Robert Downey Jr., TROPIC THUNDER
Phillip Seymour Hoffman, DOUBT
Heath Ledger, THE DARK KNIGHT
Dev Patel, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

will will: Robert Downey Jr. Just kidding, Heath Ledger.


BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Adams, DOUBT
Penelope Cruz, VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA
Viola Davis, DOUBT
Taraji P. Henson, THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
Kate Winslet, THE READER

will win: Kate Winslet. Something tells me she will win again. Hail Weinstein!


BEST TV SERIES DRAMA
BOSTON LEGAL
THE CLOSER
DEXTER
HOUSE
MAD MEN

BEST TV ACTRESS DRAMA
Sally Field, BROTHERS & SISTERS

Mariska Hargitay, LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT
Holly Hunter, SAVING GRACE
Elisabeth Moss, MAD MEN
Kyra Sedwick, THE CLOSER

BEST TV ACTOR DRAMA
Michael C. Hall, DEXTER
Jon Hamm, MAD MEN
Hugh Laurie, HOUSE
William Shatner, BOSTON LEGAL
James Spader, BOSTON LEGAL

BEST TV SERIES COMEDY
30 ROCK
DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES
ENTOURAGE
THE OFFICE
WEEDS

BEST TV ACTRESS COMEDY
Christina Applegate, SAMANTHA WHO?
America Ferrera, UGLY BETTY
Tina Fey, 30 ROCK
Mary Louise Parker, WEEDS
Tracey Ullman, STATE OF THE UNION

BEST TV ACTOR COMEDY
Alec Baldwin, 30 ROCK
Steve Carrell, THE OFFICE
David Duchovny, CALIFORNICATION
Jeremy Piven, ENTOURAGE
Tony Shalhoub, MONK

BEST ACTRESS IN A MINI SERIES OR MOVIE FOR TV
Laura Dern, RECOUNT
Laura Linney, JOHN ADAMS
Shirley MacLAINE, COCO CHANEL
Phylicia Rashad, A RAISIN IN THE SUN
Susan Sarandon, BERNARD AND DORIS

BEST ACTOR IN A MINI SERIES OR MOVIE FOR TV
Ralph Fiennes, BERNARD AND DORIS
Paul Giamatti, JOHN ADAMS
Kevin Spacey, RECOUNT
Kiefer Sutherland, 24: REDEMPTION
Tom Wilkinson, JOHN ADAMS

BEST MOVIE STUNT ENSEMBLE
THE DARK KNIGHT

HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY
INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL
IRON MAN
WANTED

BEST TV STUNT ENSEMBLE
THE CLOSER
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
HEROES
PRISON BREAK

THE UNIT

FINAL PGA PREDIX

PGA

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Frost/Nixon
Milk
Slumdog Millionaire

will win: SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

should win: THE DARK KNIGHT

WHO WILL/SHOULD WIN?

For the first time, the Academy did not nominate my favourite movie of the year for best picture. Poor WALL.E... I will only write the "should win" where I have seen all the nominees.

BEST PICTURE
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
FROST/NIXON
MILK

THE READER
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

will win: SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

BEST DIRECTOR
Danny Boyle, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
David Fincher, THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
Ron Howard, FROST/NIXON
Stephen Daldry, THE READER

Gus Van Sant, MILK

will win: Danny Boyle, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

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

will win: Mickey Rourke, THE WRESTLER

should win: Mickey Rourke, THE WRESTLER

BEST ACTRESS
Anne Hathaway, RACHEL GETTING MARRIED
Angelina Jolie, CHANGELING
Sally Hawkins, FROZEN RIVER

Meryl Streep, DOUBT
Kate Winslet, THE READER

will win: Kate Winslet, THE READER

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Josh Brolin, MILK
Robert Downey Jr., TROPIC THUNDER
Phillip Seymour Hoffman, DOUBT
Heath Ledger, THE DARK KNIGHT
Michael Shannon, REVOLUTIONARY ROAD

will win: Heath Ledger, THE DARK KNIGHT

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Adams, DOUBT
Penelope Cruz, VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA
Viola Davis, DOUBT
Marisa Tomei, THE WRESTLER
Taraji P. Henson, THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

will win: Penelope Cruz, VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
FROZEN RIVER
HAPPY-GO-LUCKY
MILK
IN BRUGES

WALL.E

will win: MILK

should win: WALL.E

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
DOUBT
FROST/NIXON
THE READER
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

will win: SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

BEST EDITING
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
THE DARK KNIGHT
FROST/NIXON
MILK
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

will win: SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

BEST ART DIRECTION
THE DARK KNIGHT

CHANGELING
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
THE DUCHESS

REVOLUTIONARY ROAD

will win: THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
THE READER
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
THE DARK KNIGHT
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
CHANGELING

will win: SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

BEST COSTUME DESIGN
AUSTRALIA

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
MILK

THE DUCHESS
REVOLUTIONARY ROAD

will win: THE DUCHESS

BEST MAKE UP
THE DARK KNIGHT
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
HELL BOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY

will win: THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

BEST SCORE
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
MILK
DEFIANCE

WALL.E

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

will win: SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

BEST ORIGINAL SONG
Down to Earth, WALL.E

Jai Ho, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

O Saya, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

will win: WALL.E

should win: WALL.E

BEST SOUND MIXING
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
THE DARK KNIGHT
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
WANTED

WALL.E

will win: THE DARK KNIGHT

should win: THE DARK KNIGHT

BEST SOUND EDITING
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

WANTED
THE DARK KNIGHT
IRON MAN
WALL.E

will win: SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

should win: THE DARK KNIGHT

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
THE DARK KNIGHT
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
IRON MAN

will win: THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

should win: THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
KUNG FU PANDA
WALL.E

BOLT

will win: WALL.E

should win: WALL.E

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
THE CLASS (FRANCE)
DEPARTURES (JAPAN)
REVANCHE (AUSTRIA)
WALTZ WITH BASHIR (ISRAEL)
THE BAADER MEINHOF COMPLEX (GERMANY)

will win: WALTZ WITH BASHIR

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
MAN ON WIRE
ENCOUNTERS AT THE END OF THE WORLD
THE BETRAYAL

THE GARDEN
TROUBLE THE WATER

will win: MAN ON WIRE

BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT
THE CONSCIENCE OF NEHM EN
THE FINAL INCH
SMILI PINKI
THE WITNESS

will win: THE CONSCIENCE OF NEHM EN

BEST ANIMATED SHORT

LAVATORY - LOVESTORY

OKTAPODI

LA MAISON EN PETIT CUBS

PRESTO

THIS WAY UP

will win: OKTAPODI

BEST LIVE-ACTION SHORT

AUF DER STRECKE (ON THE LINE)

MANON ON THE ASPHALT

NEW BOY

THE PIG

SPIELZEUGLAND (TOYLAND)

will win: THE PIG

VICKY OSCAR PENELOPE

I went to see VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA and it's wonderful to see Woody Allen in shape. More wonderful? Penelope's performance. After Kate Winslet being moved to best actress, Penelope is the frontrunner. Who can beat her? Viola Davis

Here's the new list of my favorite movies 2008. I haven't seen REVOLUTIONARY ROAD, DOUBT and THE READER.

1. WALL.E
2. The Dark Knight

3. Milk

4. Changeling

5. Frost/Nixon

6. The Wrestler

7. Slumdog Millionaire
8. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

9. Gran Torino
10. Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Hey!

I'm Jared. I'm the newest addition to this blog. I love the Oscars almost as much as Daniel does and am looking forward to sharing my knowledge and opinions this Oscar season.

Oscar Nominees: Who Will Win, Who Should Win?

It's an interesting bunch of nominees, I might not agree with all of them but it sure wasn't a boring announcement this morning. If only The Dark Knight earned more major nominations like it should have, this could have been the most interesting race in a while. But it's still more interesting than most. Here's what I think of the nominees (these are not my final prediction, just my thoughts at the moment:

BEST PICTURE
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
Milk
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire

Who Will Win: Slumdog Millionaire looks unbeatable at this point but it's not too late for one of these other movies (particularly Benjamin Button) to gain momentum. At the moment though I got to go with Slumdog.

Who Should Win: For me it comes down to Benjamin Button and Milk. And because I'm a sucker for the epics I have to go with BB.

Who Got Robbed: The Dark Knight!! And to a lesser extent Wall-E. The year's two best movies.

Who Doesn't Belong There At All: Frost/Nixon. Without Langella's fantastic performance there isn't anything really special about this by the numbers Ron Howard production. It's not bad but it isn't good enough to be in this race either.

Unseen: The Reader. Hopefully I'll see it this weekend.

BEST DIRECTOR

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

Who Will Win: Most likely Danny Boyle will repeat his Golden Globe victory. And to think a couple years ago he was directing Zombie movies.

Who Should Win: I'll be happy when Boyle wins but Fincher has the more impressive career and crafted the better film this year. His presence is seen in every frame of this film. Van Sant would be a close second for his passionate Milk.

Who Got Robbed: Christopher Nolan is now the most talented living director without a nomination in this category in my opinion. It is truly disgusting that he was overlooked.

Who Doesn't Belong There at All: Ron Howard is a good but uninteresting director who already has an Oscar. Was this nomination really necessary?

Unseen: Stephen Daldry. Though I'm not the biggest fan of his work, I am looking forward to this.

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

Who Will Win: With Clint surprisingly out of the picture it's between Penn and Rourke. I've been thinking Penn since the beginning and all the love (8 nominations) for Milk makes this even more clear. But Rourke could easily steal it.

Who Should Win: Penn, Langella, and Rourke are all great. But Penn is the greatest working actor right now and every single performance he does is an absolute classic. His third best performance is still better than the best of Rourke's and Langella's career.

Who Got Robbed: Leonardo DiCaprio was great in Revolutionary Road, he's another actor that just hits it out of the park every time. I also would have loved to see James Franco's comedic performance in Pineapple Express get picked.

Who Doesn't Belong There at All: Brad Pitt is quite good in his very technical performance but there were a lot of great lead actor performances this year and with this competition he shouldn't have made it.

Unseen: Richard Jenkins. I really have to rent that one!

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

Who Will Win: Now that the chance of the voters splitting her vote are gone Winslet is a lock to win. The fact that she is the only nominee to also have her movie nominated for Best Picture is also a huge factor.

Who Should Win: Kate Winslet but not for The Reader (which I haven't seen yet) but for Revolutionary Road but since she wasn't nominated I'm going to have to go with Melissa Leo's realistic portrayl of a desperate mother. That might all change when I see The Reader though.

Who Got Robbed: Cate Blanchett. It's amazing that last year she got nominated for two movies that were basically not liked by the academy but this year she appears in the movie with the most nominations and gives one of her best performances and she gets snubbed by almost every awards show. Unbelievable.

Who Doesn't Belong There at All: In one way or another all these ladies earned it. I could go with Jolie's mostly one note performance but the fact that she carried an entire film proves that she is a capable actress.

Unseen: Kate Winslet.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Josh Brolin, Milk
Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
Robert Downey Jr., Tropic Thunder
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Doubt
Michael Shannon, Revolutionary Road

Who Will Win: Since July we've all known the answer to this one-Heath!

Who Should Win: It may be the strongest category this year but nothing compares to Ledger's iconic take on a classic character.

Who Got Robbed: Aaron Eckhart as the tragically fated D.A should have got recognition as well, he's almost as good as Heath was. Also Ralph Fiennes as a fiesty crime boss in In Bruges deserved to be here.

Who Doesn't Belong Here at All: Phillip Seymour Hoffman. It's more of a lead performance. It's a good performance but it's in the wrong category.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Adams, Doubt
Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Viola Davis, Doubt
Taraji P. Henson, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Marisa Tomei, The Wrestler

Who Will Win: Cruz is definitlety the frontrunner now that Winslet is out of the picture and I'm predicting her for the win but.....Tomei could upset.

Who Should Win: Again this is a very strong category but Marisa Tomei as an aging stripper may be her career best. I'm rooting for her all the way.

Who Got Robbed: Why dose the academy so rarely nominate comedic performances? Mila Kunis in Forgetting Sarah Marsahall was charming, funny, sexy and really helped make the movie work. Watching her performance in this lets you know she's going to be a star.

Who Doesn't Belong There at All: Amy Adams was good but totally upstaged by the entire cast of Doubt. There were a lot of better choices out there.

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Frozen River, Courtney Hunt
Happy-Go-Lucky, Mike Leigh
In Bruges, Martin McDonagh
Milk, Dustin Lance Black
WALL-E, Andrew Stanton, Jim Reardon, Pete Docter

Who Will Win: Newcomer Black should have this in the bag for Milk. But Wall-E is very much in the race.

Who Should Win: Wall-E for being truly original. Followed by In Bruges.

Who Got Robbed: Sexy, rude comedies like Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Pineapple Express always get the shaft....a shame. And what about The Wrestler or VCB? I guess there were too many great original scripts this year.

Who Doesn't Belong There at All: There all good enough.

Unseen: Happy Go Lucky. It doesn't really appeal to me but I'll probably see it at one point before the ceremony.

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Eric Roth
Doubt, John Patrick Shanley
Frost/Nixon, Peter Morgan
The Reader, David Hare
Slumdog Millionaire, Simon Beaufoy

Who Will Win: Slumdog Millionaire. God this might be a really boring telecast.

Who Should Win: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. It has it's problems but turning a short story into an epic deserves something.

Who Got Robbed: The Dark Knight (once again) and Revolutionary Road.

Who Doesn't Belong There at All: Personally I think Doubt and Frost/Nixon are both too theatrical but they are still exibits of good, solid writing.

Unseen: The Reader.

MEET JARED, THE NEW BLOGGER

Hey, just to say that we will have a new blogger, Jared. I hope he will introduce himself but I assure you he is also mad about the Oscars. Welcome, Jared!

SOME SURPRISES!

1) Will the Academy ever learn the lesson? They didn't nominated THE DARK KNIGHT for best picture, so don't be suprise to see other articles about the ceremony's low ratings

2) Kate Winslet became a lock for best actress. Why? The votes won't split with her performance with REVOLUTIONARY ROAD. Finally, she will win.

3) SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE is strong... Even two nods for best song. But Dev Patel wasn't nominated.

4) Where the f*** happened with Bruce Springsteen song THE WRESTLER???

5) Michael Shannon. At least something for REVOLUTIONARY ROAD.

6) DOUBT with four acting nods. Great.

WILL THIS HAPPEN TOMORROW?

Some surprises will happen tomorrow. We always have surprises. Here is what it can happen (and we probably don't mind)

1) Kate Winslet gets the Best Actress nod with THE READER.

2) WALL.E sneaks into best picture over FROST/NIXON. And what about GRAN TORINO?

3) THE READER is a surprise nominee, with a best picture, best director, best actress and best supporting actor nod.

4) Brad Pitt doesn't get nomin. Dev Patel orLeonardo DiCaprio takes the fifth slot. oh, yeah, Clint is almost sure.

5) Best director fifth sloth: not Ron Howard, but Mike Leigh or Stephen Daldry.

6) Poor Brangelina fans... no nods for Brad and Angelina

7) SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE is the most nom. movie of the year.

8) REVOLUTIONARY ROAD gets love from the Academy.

PERFECT MOVIES FOR A OSCAR COUNTDOWN

I don't know about you but during my oscar countdown, I usually see Academy Award winner movies that are somehow related to the next ceremony. But I have a tradition. I always start to see AS GOOD AS IT GETS and I watch ERIN BROKOVICH just right before the ceremony. Here's the list of movies I will see this year:

22 JAN - 30 JAN

AS GOOD AS IT GETS

ADAPTATION.

A PATCH OF BLUE

LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE

AMERICAN BEAUTY

OUT OF AFRICA

HUD

COOL HAND LUKE

MONSTER'S BALL

31 JAN - 6 FEB

GIRL, INTERRUPTED

THE AVIATOR

A BEAUTIFUL MIND

SOPHIE'S CHOICE

IRIS

MICHAEL CLAYTON

MILLION DOLLAR BABY

THE HOURS

THE COLOR OF MONEY

7 FEB - 13 FEB

MYSTIC RIVER

COLD MOUNTAIN

NETWORK

NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

PHILADELPHIA

LILIES OF THE FIELD

CABARET

MISERY

THE QUEEN

14 FEB - 20 FEB

DREAMGIRLS

PAPER MOON

THE DEPARTED

THERE WILL BE BLOOD

CHICAGO

BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN

THE DARK KNIGHT

WALL.E

TITANIC

21 FEB - 22 FEB

LA VIE EN ROSE

ERIN BROCKOVICH

WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH EW???

Yeah, we like to remember Heath Ledger, but what is happening with Entertainment Weekly? First of all, "Heath Ledger: The Untold Story"? Is this People magazine? Second of all, where is the usual "The Oscar race begins" cover story? It was a EW tradition. Well, I think I know the reason, EW is too concerned with TWILIGHT and the sequel and the vampires and all the bullshit from a movie that they want it to become a blockbuster...

BENJAMIN DOESN'T DESERVE BEST PICTURE

Benjamin Button was, in so many things, a disapointment. Let's start with the good times: the ending, the direction by David Fincher, the cinematography. The bad thing? Too long.

Brad Pitt hasn't the best option for the role. Wasn't necessary to see Cate Blanchett dying in the hospital. The movie has a great message, the last scene is remarkable and there are moments of that deserve to became classics (that Cate Blanchett dance...). But the extremely positive things doesn't erase the fact that we waited to long for the ending.

NEW TOP TEN

After seeing THE CURIOUS CASE, I had to change my top 10 of 2008. The list is not the final yet. I haven't seen REVOLUTIONARY ROAD, DOUBT, VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA and THE READER.

1. WALL.E

2. The Dark Knight
3. Changeling

4. Frost/Nixon

5. Slumdog Millionaire

6. Milk
7. The Wrestler

8. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
9. Gran Torino

10. The Class

THE CURIOUS CASE OF SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

Here's the strange case of the Slumdog. Instead of losing momentum, the movie gains it. The BAFTA nominees here announced today. Guess what? The movie has 11 (!) nods, just like THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON.

Check the nominees here: http://www.bafta.org/awards/film/film-nominations-in-2009,657,BA.html

Sasha Stone wrote this (http://www.awardsdaily.com/): "Slumdog will always be looked upon as a great film but the others will very likely become more prominent as the years wear on to make 2008 look like almost every other year in Oscar history; the heart wants what it wants. Depth or complexity of story never withstands the floods of passion in the awards race and people have fallen in love with Slumdog Millionaire. And who could blame them."

OSCAR: STRANGE THINGS THAT CAN HAPPEN

Here a list of strange things that could happen at the Oscars:

1) This year, we can't have the fabulous four actors for the usual picture. Heath will win and we gonna have just three. But what if Winslet wins two? For the first time, we are going to have just two actors for the final picture.

2) Kate Winslet loses both? She become the biggest loser in the history of the Academy with 7 nods and no award.

3) It's a possibility this year that the six big awards (pic, dir, 4 acting oscars) go to 6 different movies again. He can expect that n the acting categories. Will Slumdog and Boyle both win?

4) If Gran Torino is nom for best song, Clint Eastwood will sing at the Oscars?

5) If Pitt, Henson and Blanchett get nominations, can Benjamin Button become the movie with 15 Oscar nods, a record?

MY FINAL OSCAR PREDIX

BEST PICTURE

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

FROST/NIXON

MILK

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

THE DARK KNIGHT

BEST DIRECTOR

Danny Boyle, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

David Fincher, THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

Ron Howard, FROST/NIXON

Christopher Nolan, THE DARK KNIGHT

Gus Van Sant, MILK

BEST ACTOR

Richard Jenkins, THE VISITOR

Frank Langella, FROST/NIXON

Sean Penn, MILK

Clint Eastwood, GRAN TORINO

Mickey Rourke, THE WRESTLER

BEST ACTRESS

Anne Hathaway, RACHEL GETTING MARRIED

Angelina Jolie, CHANGELING

Sally Hawkins, HAPPY-GO-LUCKY

Meryl Streep, DOUBT

Kate Winslet, REVOLUTIONARY ROAD

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Josh Brolin, MILK

Robert Downey Jr., TROPIC THUNDER

Phillip Seymour Hoffman, DOUBT

Heath Ledger, THE DARK KNIGHT

Dev Patel, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Amy Adams, DOUBT

Penelope Cruz, VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA

Viola Davis, DOUBT

Marisa Tomei, THE WRESTLER

Kate Winslet, THE READER

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA

HAPPY-GO-LUCKY

MILK

RACHEL GETTING MARRIED

THE WRESTLER

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

DOUBT

FROST/NIXON

THE READER

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

BEST EDITING

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

THE DARK KNIGHT

FROST/NIXON

MILK

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

BEST ART DIRECTION

AUSTRALIA

CHANGELING

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

THE DARK KNIGHT

REVOLUTIONARY ROAD

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

THE READER

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

THE DARK KNIGHT

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

REVOLUTIONARY ROAD

BEST COSTUME DESIGN

SEX AND THE CITY

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

CHANGELING

THE DUCHESS

REVOLUTIONARY ROAD

BEST MAKE UP

THE READER

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BANJAMIN BUTTON

TROPIC THUNDER

BEST SCORE

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

THE DARK KNIGHT

DEFIANCE
FROST/NIXON

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

BEST ORIGINAL SONG

BOLT

CADILLAC RECORDS

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

WALL.E

THE WRESTLER

BEST SOUND MIXING

QUANTUM OF SOLACE

THE DARK KNIGHT

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

IRON MAN

WALL.E

BEST SOUND EDITING

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

QUANTUM OF SOLACE

THE DARK KNIGHT

IRON MAN

WALL.E

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

HELL BOY II

THE DARK KNIGHT

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

THE MUMMY...

IRON MAN

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE

KUNG FU PANDA

WALL.E
WALTZ WITH BASHIR

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

THE CLASS (FRANCE)

EVERLASTING MOMENTS (SWEDEN)

3 MONKEYS (TURKEY)

WALTZ WITH BASHIR (ISRAEL)

THE BAADER MEINHOF COMPLEX (GERMANY)

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

BLESSED IS THE MATCH

ENCOUNTERS AT THE END OF THE WORLD

GLASS
MAN ON WIRE

TROUBLE THE WATER

BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT

DAVID MCCULLOUGH

THE FINAL INCH

TONGZHI IN LOVE

VIVA LA CAUSA

GREAT OSCAR CAMPAIGN

Are you aware of this site www.biggestmovieevent.com? I just discover the site clicking on a banner. I didn't knew what it was until I saw a date: 02.22.09. Then, I found a video where you can write your name or send it to a friend. Guess what, I send it to my e-mail and... it's official. The first Oscar campaign of this year. I received a mail from ABC.com with this:

"PAPARAZZI FAVORITE ... TO STAR IN THE BIGGEST MOVIE EVENT OF THE YEAR! The word is out, rumors are flying, and entertainment news program "Red Carpet" has put together a special report all about someone you know. Maybe you should look into this..."

Oscar is getting hi-tech.

Visit the site.

GOLDEN GLOBES LESSONS

Last year, I said that Golden Globes told us a couple of things: Daniel Day-Lewis and Javier Bardem were locks; Marion Cotillard could win; Atonement would lose momentum to No Country for Old Men. Let's see if I'm right this time:

1) For the past four years, the Golden Globes and the Oscars doesn't match the best picture. We had The Aviator (GG) and Million Dollar Baby (O), Brokeback Mountain (GG) and Crash (O), Babel (GG) and Babel (O), Atonement (GG) and No Country for Old Men (O). Why is that? The movies have different momentums and right now, SLUMDOG has it. But we saw movies losing it in just one month. I don't know if SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE will keep its momentum. This is the time to THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON to gain momentum.
Just look at GRAN TORINO. The movie made 29 million in one weekend, the best opening ever for a Clint Eastwood movie. And the GRAN TORINO promotion just reminds me MILLION DOLLAR BABY... that gained momentum just after the Golden Globes. I believe that people will be tired about SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE. Let's wait to SAG and especially BAFTA to see if SLUMDOG doesn't lose the hype.

2) Kate Winslet can really win two Oscars. Voters want clearily to give her the Oscar this year. Many would vote two times for her just to avoid past cases like Sigourney Weaver or Juliane Moore losing both. Kate Winslet is more close to win both that to lose both.

3) Heath Ledger will win everything. :)

4) Rourke was recognized by the Hollywood Foreign Press. The same press that wrote 1000 articles about his comeback. And we know how much the press loves comebacks. But Rourke speech at the Golden Globes was moving so it will impress voters. Rourke is now the frontrunner for best actor. Does anyone can stop him? Yes... Clint Eastwood.

5) If Brad Pitt and Taraji p. Henson failed the acting nod, expect lack of love for THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON.

6) BAFTA are now much more important to predict Oscars and the Golden Globes. Golden Globes made its nomination in December. Too early! BAFTA nominations will be announced next thursday.

GOLDEN GLOBES WINNERS HERE

BEST MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
Mickey Rourke, THE WRESTLER
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
Kate Winslet, REVOLUTIONARY ROAD
BEST MOTION PICTURE – MUSICAL OR COMEDY
VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – MUSICAL OR COMEDY
Colin Farrell, IN BRUGES
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – MUSICAL OR COMEDY
Sally Hawkins, HAPPY-GO-LUCKY
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
Heath Ledger, THE DARK KNIGHT
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
Kate Winslet, THE READER
BEST DIRECTOR
Danny Boyle, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
WALL.E
BEST SCREENPLAY
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
WALTZ WITH BASHIR

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

BEST ORIGINAL SONG
THE WRESTLER

FINAL GOLDEN GLOBES PREDIX

BEST MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA

Slumdog Millionaire

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA

Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA

Kate Winslet, Revolutionary Road

BEST MOTION PICTURE – MUSICAL OR COMEDY

Mamma Mia!

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – MUSICAL OR COMEDY~

Dustin Hoffman, Last Chance Harvey

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – MUSICAL OR COMEDY

Meryl Streep, Mamma Mia!

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE

Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE

Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona

BEST DIRECTOR – MOTION PICTURE

David Fincher, Benjamin Button

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM

WALL-E

BEST SCREENPLAY – MOTION PICTURE

Slumdog Millionaire

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

Waltz with Bashir

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE – MOTION PICTURE

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

BEST ORIGINAL SONG – MOTION PICTURE

The Wrestler

"CHANGELING" IS A MASTERPIECE

I didn't expect that. CHANGELING is perfect. Clint Eastwood surprises us again with a movie beautifully directed, meticulously written and with an Angelina Jolie waiting for an Oscar nod. This movie deserved much more recognition. A masterpiece to love.

MY TOP 10 FILMS (SO FAR)

After seeing THE WRESTLER, I had to change my top 10 of 2008. The list is not the final yet. I haven't seen BENJAMIN BUTTON, REVOLUTIONARY ROAD, DOUBT, VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA and THE READER.

1. WALL.E
2. The Dark Knight

3. Changeling
4. Frost/Nixon
5. Slumdog Millionaire
6. Milk

7. The Wrestler

8. Gran Torino
9. Australia
10. The Class

I LOVED "THE WRESTLER"

Remember my doubts about THE WRESTLER? Forget them. The movie is an excellent surprise. Mickey Rourke - and you know I don't find him a great actor - gaves an amazing performance and mix up my mind even more about who should be this year's best actor. Last year was easy. Daniel Day-Lewis in THERE WILL BE BLOOD just gave THE BEST MALE PERFORMANCE ever. This year, I have four that I really liked watching: Sean Penn, Frank Langella, Mickey Rourke and... Clint Eastwood (let's see if he is nom). I just love a ceremony where some things are not decided...

WALTZ: IMPRESSIVE BUT NOT THAT GREAT

I saw WALTZ WITH BASHIR. The movie is visually impressive but I was expecting something even better. Blame the critics. They ruined the movie for me. I guess that I loved so much last year PERSEPOLIS that I thought I would be surprised with WALTZ like I was with PERSEPOLIS. WALTZ is a necessary movie, will win the Oscar for best foreign picture and has been released n the perfect timing. But in 2008, WALL.E was the king of the animated feature. And the simple WALL.E is much more deep and moving than WALTZ.

DGA=PGA=OSCAR

And we have no surprises. Directors Guild of America announced their nominees:

David Fincher, Benjamin Button

Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire

Ron Howard, Frost/Nixon

Christopher Nolan, The Dark Knight

Gus Van Sant, Milk

Which means that, after the DGA nods and PGA nods, we have a list for the best picture nominees: Benjamin Button, Milk, Dark Knight, Frost/Nixon, Slumdog Millionaire.

But we had one surprise with the WGA nods... no support for WALL. E :(

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Burn After Reading, Written by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen

Milk, Written by Dustin Lance Black

Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Written by Woody Allen

The Visitor, Written by Tom McCarthy

The Wrestler, Written by Robert Siegel

I believe Milk will win this one.

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Doubt
Frost/Nixon
Slumdog Millionaire

I vote Benjamin Button.

AND THE BEST PICTURE NOMINEES ARE...

And here they are, the PGA nominees, which means that it's almost sure that these five movies will be the five nominees to best picture:

- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

- The Dark Knight

- Frost/Nixon

- Milk

- Slumdog Millionaire