BEST PICTURE
1. “Revolutionary Road”
2. “The Road”
3. “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
4. “Milk”
5. “Frost/Nixon”
6. “The Changeling”
7. “Australia”
8. “Wall-E”
9. “Doubt”
10. “The Dark Knight”
BEST DIRECTOR
1. Sam Mendes, “Revolutionary Road”
2. Ron Howard, “Frost/Nixon”
3. Gus van Sant, “Milk”
4. David Fincher, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
5. Christopher Nolan, “The Dark Knight”
6. Clint Eastwood, “The Changeling”
7. Mike Leigh, “Happy Go Lucky”
8. Baz Luhrmann, “Australia”
9. John Hilcoat, “The Road”
10. Jonathan Demme, “Rachel Getting Married”
BEST ACTOR
1. Leonardo DiCaprio, “Revolutionary Road”
2. Frank Langella, “Frost/Nixon”
3. Phillip Seymour Hoffman, “Doubt”
4. Brad Pitt, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
5. Viggo Mortensen, “The Road”
6. Daniel Craig, “Defiance”
7. Phillip Seymour Hoffman, “Synecdoche, New York”
8. Will Smith, “Seven Pounds”
9. Benicio del Toro, “The Argentine”/ “Guerilla”
10. Sean Penn, “Milk”
BEST ACTRESS
1. Kate Winslet, “Revolutionary Road”
2. Meryl Streep, “Doubt”
3. Rachel McAdams, “The Time Traveler’s Wife”
4. Angelina Jolie, “The Changeling”
5. Anne Hathaway, “Rachel Getting Married”
6. Sally Hawkins, “Happy Go Lucky”
7. Nicole Kidman, “Australia”
8. Drew Barrymore, “Grey Gardens”
9. Cate Blanchett, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
10. Kristin Scott Thomas, “I’ve Loved You So Long”
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
1. Heath Ledger, “The Dark Knight”
2. Robert Downey, Jr., “The Soloist”
3. Live Schreiber, “Defiance”
4. Michael Sheen, “Frost/Nixon”
5. Kodi Smit-McPhee, “The Road”
6. Josh Brolin, “Milk”
7. Emile Hirsch, “Milk”
8. John Malkovich, “The Changeling”
9. Ralph Fiennes, “The Reader”
10. Tom Cruise, “Tropic Thunder”
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
1.Amy Adams, “Doubt”
2. Jessica Lange, “Grey Gardens”
3. Penelope Cruz, “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”
4. Taraji P. Henson, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
5. Rachel Weisz, “The Brothers Bloom”
6. Amy Ryan, ‘The Changeling”
7. Catherine Keener, “The Soloist”
8. Rinko Kikuchi, “The Brothers Bloom”
9. Rachel McAdams, “The Lucky Ones”
10. Kathy Bates, “Revolutionary Road”
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
1. “Synecdoche, New York”
2. “The Changeling”
3. “Wall-E”
4. “Milk”
5. “Rachel Getting Married”
6. “Happy Go Lucky”
7. “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”
8. “Seven Pounds”
9. “Australia”
10. “The Soloist”
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
1. “Revolutionary Road”
2. “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
3. “The Road”
4. “Doubt”
5. “Frost/Nixon”
6. “House of Lies”
7. “The Reader”
8. “Grey Gardens”
9. “Defiance”
10. “The Dark Knight”
I tried to be a little bold when I updated my predictions. I have a strange feeling about "The Road." I included it in my top 5, but my feelings change about that daily. The one performance that I am adamant about is Rachel McAdams in "The Time Traveler's Wife." No one else has predicted this that I know of, but after reading the novel, this is the performance that I am most excited about for the rest of the year.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
The Dark Knight (*** 1/2)
The Dark Knight is quite possibly the greatest superhero movie ever made, if it could be called that. It transcends the superhero genre that it is mistaken as, having more in common with recent crime dramas such as The Departed and Zodiac. I, however, would hesitate to call it the masterpiece that many people are rushing to label it as. While it is apparent that this film will probably be one of the greatest achievements of the year, I think it is a film that needs to be mulled over and thought after before being labeled as a masterpiece. I think it will take many repeat viewings and/or years for it to achieve this status, but all great films are like this.
The story picks up right where Batman Begins left off. Gotham City is being terrorized by the Joker, in my opinion, the most menacing villain to probably ever appear on screen. He is a character shrouded in mystery. His scars are mementos of a violent past, but what that past is the viewer cannot be certain. He is a villain that does not do what he does for money, but rather for sport. As one character says, he wants to see what happens when the world around him burns.
Heath Ledger plays the Joker brilliantly, completely embodying this menacing character. He portrays him with this manic devilry that is quite frightening but saddening at the same time. The Joker has been labeled as a freak. While he is a totally demented character that seems like he is causing all of this chaos mainly for fun, it seems like another motive of his is to find others like him. He feels secluded from the world because of his scars. He sets up the citizens of Gotham in extreme moral predicaments where the boundaries of good and evil will be tested. The social experiments, as one may call them, almost appear to be the Joker’s way of trying to establish that he is not alone in the world. He wants to find others as demented as he is.
Without a doubt, Heath Ledger deserves a Best Supporting Actor nomination (and perhaps a win). He should have won Best Actor for Brokeback Mountain. With this performance Heath Ledger was showing that he was just hitting his stride, and the sky was the limit for this amazing performer, but his untimely death probably robbed movie fans of many amazing performances to come.
It is up to Batman to stop the Joker’s reign of chaos on Gotham City, with the aid of Lieutenant Gordon and District Attorney Harvey Dent. Here is where the film’s central message comes about. What defines a hero? Where does a hero trying to do good cross the line into villainy?
In the film Bruce Wayne is struggling with his Batman persona. Batman is supposed to be a symbol of justice, an impenetrable force that can protect Gotham for crises. Wayne believes that eventually Batman will not be needed in Gotham anymore, and when this time comes he can leave the mask behind and live a normal life with his longtime friend/lover Rachel Dawes. This is not something easily done, however, because the viewer gets the sense that it is not Batman that is the persona, but Bruce Wayne. Mr. Wayne will never be able to leave Batman behind, and Rachel realizes this.
Still, how much good is Batman actually doing? Innocent lives are being lost everyday that Batman does not reveal himself to the Joker. When Mr. Wayne is finally ready to reveal himself, Harvey Dent takes the fall for him. Is this something a hero would let happen? In the many battles with the criminal of Gotham, when does the violence turn Batman into a cruel villain himself. These are the questions presented to Bruce Wayne, and these are hard questions to answer. I have thought about them after viewing the film myself and still can’t come up with definite answers. The Joker sees this kindred spirit in Batman. He sees a freak like him, someone that is not fully accepted by Gotham, and when he is not needed anymore, the citizens will just turn their backs on him.
The one definite hero of the film, however, is Harvey Dent. He is a beacon of light for Gotham City, not someone that has to hide in the shadows. It may not be good to be labeled the hero, though. As Harvey says, “"You either die a hero, or live long enough to become a villain." While Dent may be the hero that Gotham needs, below the surface is this menacing man who will do whatever it takes to achieve justice. When tragedy strikes Dent that hidden monster is unleashed. Dent may have been a hero, but not for long.
Going back over my review, I feel like I have barely scratched the surface of this film. It is a film that needs to be studied, each character analyzed in depth. Is a complex, multi-layered film that for the most part works (greatly). I think the film could have used some trimming off the hefty run time. Also, the film only reaches greatness when Heath Ledger is on screen. I wish I could have seen more of him. It probably could have worked better as two films, but Christopher Nolan does a fine job piecing it together as one. Overall, I really enjoyed the film. Now let me go mull over it some more.
The story picks up right where Batman Begins left off. Gotham City is being terrorized by the Joker, in my opinion, the most menacing villain to probably ever appear on screen. He is a character shrouded in mystery. His scars are mementos of a violent past, but what that past is the viewer cannot be certain. He is a villain that does not do what he does for money, but rather for sport. As one character says, he wants to see what happens when the world around him burns.
Heath Ledger plays the Joker brilliantly, completely embodying this menacing character. He portrays him with this manic devilry that is quite frightening but saddening at the same time. The Joker has been labeled as a freak. While he is a totally demented character that seems like he is causing all of this chaos mainly for fun, it seems like another motive of his is to find others like him. He feels secluded from the world because of his scars. He sets up the citizens of Gotham in extreme moral predicaments where the boundaries of good and evil will be tested. The social experiments, as one may call them, almost appear to be the Joker’s way of trying to establish that he is not alone in the world. He wants to find others as demented as he is.
Without a doubt, Heath Ledger deserves a Best Supporting Actor nomination (and perhaps a win). He should have won Best Actor for Brokeback Mountain. With this performance Heath Ledger was showing that he was just hitting his stride, and the sky was the limit for this amazing performer, but his untimely death probably robbed movie fans of many amazing performances to come.
It is up to Batman to stop the Joker’s reign of chaos on Gotham City, with the aid of Lieutenant Gordon and District Attorney Harvey Dent. Here is where the film’s central message comes about. What defines a hero? Where does a hero trying to do good cross the line into villainy?
In the film Bruce Wayne is struggling with his Batman persona. Batman is supposed to be a symbol of justice, an impenetrable force that can protect Gotham for crises. Wayne believes that eventually Batman will not be needed in Gotham anymore, and when this time comes he can leave the mask behind and live a normal life with his longtime friend/lover Rachel Dawes. This is not something easily done, however, because the viewer gets the sense that it is not Batman that is the persona, but Bruce Wayne. Mr. Wayne will never be able to leave Batman behind, and Rachel realizes this.
Still, how much good is Batman actually doing? Innocent lives are being lost everyday that Batman does not reveal himself to the Joker. When Mr. Wayne is finally ready to reveal himself, Harvey Dent takes the fall for him. Is this something a hero would let happen? In the many battles with the criminal of Gotham, when does the violence turn Batman into a cruel villain himself. These are the questions presented to Bruce Wayne, and these are hard questions to answer. I have thought about them after viewing the film myself and still can’t come up with definite answers. The Joker sees this kindred spirit in Batman. He sees a freak like him, someone that is not fully accepted by Gotham, and when he is not needed anymore, the citizens will just turn their backs on him.
The one definite hero of the film, however, is Harvey Dent. He is a beacon of light for Gotham City, not someone that has to hide in the shadows. It may not be good to be labeled the hero, though. As Harvey says, “"You either die a hero, or live long enough to become a villain." While Dent may be the hero that Gotham needs, below the surface is this menacing man who will do whatever it takes to achieve justice. When tragedy strikes Dent that hidden monster is unleashed. Dent may have been a hero, but not for long.
Going back over my review, I feel like I have barely scratched the surface of this film. It is a film that needs to be studied, each character analyzed in depth. Is a complex, multi-layered film that for the most part works (greatly). I think the film could have used some trimming off the hefty run time. Also, the film only reaches greatness when Heath Ledger is on screen. I wish I could have seen more of him. It probably could have worked better as two films, but Christopher Nolan does a fine job piecing it together as one. Overall, I really enjoyed the film. Now let me go mull over it some more.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Random Thoughts
I just glanced over my Oscar predictions. I read a review for "Blindness" on aintitcool.com that liked the film, but I don't think they gave it a lot of acclaim. Then again, those reviews can't really be trusted to be the most accurate indicators of the upcoming and long away Oscar season.
Two actresses that have been really catching my attention are Diane Lane and Rachel McAdams. I think Diane Lane has a shot for "Nights in Roadanthe." She is overdue, and the role seems good. The one actress that I really want to predict, however, is Rachel McAdams for "The Time Traveler's Wife." The role seems baity, and in my opinion she is overdue for a nomination also. She is definitely one to watch.
Two actresses that have been really catching my attention are Diane Lane and Rachel McAdams. I think Diane Lane has a shot for "Nights in Roadanthe." She is overdue, and the role seems good. The one actress that I really want to predict, however, is Rachel McAdams for "The Time Traveler's Wife." The role seems baity, and in my opinion she is overdue for a nomination also. She is definitely one to watch.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Day After Oscar Predictions
I wanted to briefly share with you my picks for next year's Academy Awards. I have only predicted the top 8 categories with 5 alternates in each. At the end of the list I will also give my winner predictions. In my opinion, it's never too early to start predicting the Oscars and maybe if my picks are accurate enough someone may notice me. Here they are:
BEST PICTURE
1. “Revolutionary Road”
2. “Blindness”
3. “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
4. “Milk”
5. “Frost/Nixon”
6. “The Soloist”
7. “Australia”
8. “The Changeling”
9. “Doubt”
10. “The Reader”
BEST DIRECTOR
1. Sam Mendes, “Revolutionary Road”
2. Ron Howard, “Frost/Nixon”
3. Gus van Sant, “Milk”
4. David Fincher, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
5. Fernando Meirelles, “Blindness”
6. Charlie Kaufman, “Synecdoche, New York”
7. Stephen Daldry, “The Reader”
8. Baz Luhrmann, “Australia”
9. Joe Wright, “The Soloist”
10. Clint Eastwood, “The Changeling”
BEST ACTOR
1. Leonardo DiCaprio, “Revolutionary Road”
2. Frank Langella, “Frost/Nixon”
3. Algenis Perez Soto, “Sugar”
4. Brad Pitt, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
5. Sean Penn, “Milk”
6. Ben Kingsley, “The Dying Animal”
7. Hugh Jackman, “Australia”
8. Will Smith, “Seven Pounds”
9. Benicio del Toro, “The Argentine”/ “Guerilla”
10. Jamie Foxx, “The Soloist”
BEST ACTRESS
1. Kate Winslet, “Revolutionary Road”
2. Meryl Streep, “Doubt”
3. Julianne Moore, “Blindness”
4. Angelina Jolie, “The Changeling”
5. Anne Hathaway, “Dancing with Schiva
6. Keira Knightley, “The Duchess”
7. Nicole Kidman, “Australia”
8. Penelope Cruz, “The Dying Animal”
9. Naomi Watts, “The International”
10. Diane Lane, “Nights in Rodanthe”
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
1. Heath Ledger, “The Dark Knight”
2. Robert Downey, Jr., “The Soloist”
3. Phillip Seymour Hoffman, “Doubt”
4. Michael Sheen, “Frost/Nixon”
5. Gael Garcia Bernal, “Blindness”
6. Josh Brolin, “Milk”
7. Russell Crowe, “Body of Lies”
8. John Malkovich, “The Changeling”
9. Ralph Fiennes, “The Reader”
10. Jim Broadbent, “Dirty Tricks”
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
1.Amy Adams, “Doubt”
2. Cate Blanchett, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
3. Amy Ryan, “The Changeling”
4. Catherine Keener, “Synecdoche, New York”
5. Catalina Sandino Moreno, “The Argentine”/“Guerilla”
6. Rachel McAdams, “The Time Traveler’s Wife”
7. Samantha Morton, “Synecdoche, New York”
8. Frances McDormand, “Burn After Reading”
9. Franke Potente, “The Argentine”/ “Guerilla”
10. Kathy Bates, “Revolutionary Road”
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
1. “Synecdoche, New York”
2. “The Wackness”
3. “Wall-E”
4. “Milk”
5. “The Soloist”
6. “Burn After Reading”
7. “Hamlet 2”
8. “The Changeling”
9. “Australia”
10. “The Argentine”/“Guerilla”
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
1. “Revolutionary Road”
2. “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
3. “Blindness”
4. “Doubt”
5. “Frost/Nixon”
6. “Body of Lies”
7. “The Reader”
8. “The Road”
9. “Defiance”
10. “The Box”
WINNERS:
PICTURE: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
DIRECTOR: Sam Mendes, "Revolutionary Road"
ACTOR: Frank Langella, "Frost/Nixon"
ACTRESS: Kate Winslet, "Revolutionary Road"
SUPPORTING ACTOR: Heath Ledger, "The Dark Night"
SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Amy Adams, "Doubt"
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: "Milk"
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
BEST PICTURE
1. “Revolutionary Road”
2. “Blindness”
3. “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
4. “Milk”
5. “Frost/Nixon”
6. “The Soloist”
7. “Australia”
8. “The Changeling”
9. “Doubt”
10. “The Reader”
BEST DIRECTOR
1. Sam Mendes, “Revolutionary Road”
2. Ron Howard, “Frost/Nixon”
3. Gus van Sant, “Milk”
4. David Fincher, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
5. Fernando Meirelles, “Blindness”
6. Charlie Kaufman, “Synecdoche, New York”
7. Stephen Daldry, “The Reader”
8. Baz Luhrmann, “Australia”
9. Joe Wright, “The Soloist”
10. Clint Eastwood, “The Changeling”
BEST ACTOR
1. Leonardo DiCaprio, “Revolutionary Road”
2. Frank Langella, “Frost/Nixon”
3. Algenis Perez Soto, “Sugar”
4. Brad Pitt, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
5. Sean Penn, “Milk”
6. Ben Kingsley, “The Dying Animal”
7. Hugh Jackman, “Australia”
8. Will Smith, “Seven Pounds”
9. Benicio del Toro, “The Argentine”/ “Guerilla”
10. Jamie Foxx, “The Soloist”
BEST ACTRESS
1. Kate Winslet, “Revolutionary Road”
2. Meryl Streep, “Doubt”
3. Julianne Moore, “Blindness”
4. Angelina Jolie, “The Changeling”
5. Anne Hathaway, “Dancing with Schiva
6. Keira Knightley, “The Duchess”
7. Nicole Kidman, “Australia”
8. Penelope Cruz, “The Dying Animal”
9. Naomi Watts, “The International”
10. Diane Lane, “Nights in Rodanthe”
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
1. Heath Ledger, “The Dark Knight”
2. Robert Downey, Jr., “The Soloist”
3. Phillip Seymour Hoffman, “Doubt”
4. Michael Sheen, “Frost/Nixon”
5. Gael Garcia Bernal, “Blindness”
6. Josh Brolin, “Milk”
7. Russell Crowe, “Body of Lies”
8. John Malkovich, “The Changeling”
9. Ralph Fiennes, “The Reader”
10. Jim Broadbent, “Dirty Tricks”
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
1.Amy Adams, “Doubt”
2. Cate Blanchett, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
3. Amy Ryan, “The Changeling”
4. Catherine Keener, “Synecdoche, New York”
5. Catalina Sandino Moreno, “The Argentine”/“Guerilla”
6. Rachel McAdams, “The Time Traveler’s Wife”
7. Samantha Morton, “Synecdoche, New York”
8. Frances McDormand, “Burn After Reading”
9. Franke Potente, “The Argentine”/ “Guerilla”
10. Kathy Bates, “Revolutionary Road”
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
1. “Synecdoche, New York”
2. “The Wackness”
3. “Wall-E”
4. “Milk”
5. “The Soloist”
6. “Burn After Reading”
7. “Hamlet 2”
8. “The Changeling”
9. “Australia”
10. “The Argentine”/“Guerilla”
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
1. “Revolutionary Road”
2. “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
3. “Blindness”
4. “Doubt”
5. “Frost/Nixon”
6. “Body of Lies”
7. “The Reader”
8. “The Road”
9. “Defiance”
10. “The Box”
WINNERS:
PICTURE: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
DIRECTOR: Sam Mendes, "Revolutionary Road"
ACTOR: Frank Langella, "Frost/Nixon"
ACTRESS: Kate Winslet, "Revolutionary Road"
SUPPORTING ACTOR: Heath Ledger, "The Dark Night"
SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Amy Adams, "Doubt"
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: "Milk"
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
Post-Oscar Thoughts.
I found this year's Academy Awards to be quite entertaining. There were not really any major upsets, except for maybe "The Golden Compass" winning for Best Visual Effects. Here's a rundown of what I liked and didn't like.
3 Best Acceptance Speeches:
1. Marion Cotillard, "La Vie en Rose"- You could see the shock, excitement, and joy resonating on her face when they called her name. She was at a total loss for words, and even though I didn't particularly care for the movie, she did give a good performance. It was exhilarating to watch her just take the moment in.
2. Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, "Once"- I loved Hansard's humbleness when he spoke. He was truly grateful. My favorite moment of the entire night was Jon Steward calling Marketa Irglova back out to give the speech she didn't get a chance to give. It was a really good speech and much better than just the typical "Thank you....." From the reaction, the crowd really loved this film. This is truly the great independent film story of the year.
3. Tilda Swinton, "Michael Clayton"- I thought her speech was hilarious. She gave a very entertaining speech even though she looked dreadful. She, like Cotillard, was shocked, and that is when the best Oscar moments occur.
BEST DRESSED (Don't have the time to find pictures right now, but I am just going to name who I liked.)
Amy Adams
Katherine Heigl
Jennifer Garner
Marion Cotillard
WORST
Tilda Swinton
Ellen Page
Also, I am working on next year's predictions all ready. I hope to have those out later today.
3 Best Acceptance Speeches:
1. Marion Cotillard, "La Vie en Rose"- You could see the shock, excitement, and joy resonating on her face when they called her name. She was at a total loss for words, and even though I didn't particularly care for the movie, she did give a good performance. It was exhilarating to watch her just take the moment in.
2. Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, "Once"- I loved Hansard's humbleness when he spoke. He was truly grateful. My favorite moment of the entire night was Jon Steward calling Marketa Irglova back out to give the speech she didn't get a chance to give. It was a really good speech and much better than just the typical "Thank you....." From the reaction, the crowd really loved this film. This is truly the great independent film story of the year.
3. Tilda Swinton, "Michael Clayton"- I thought her speech was hilarious. She gave a very entertaining speech even though she looked dreadful. She, like Cotillard, was shocked, and that is when the best Oscar moments occur.
BEST DRESSED (Don't have the time to find pictures right now, but I am just going to name who I liked.)
Amy Adams
Katherine Heigl
Jennifer Garner
Marion Cotillard
WORST
Tilda Swinton
Ellen Page
Also, I am working on next year's predictions all ready. I hope to have those out later today.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Final Predictions
Sorry the blog hasn't been active lately (if anybody reads this). I wanted to post my final Oscar predictions. I am thinking about recalling some of my gutsy calls that I made for my initial reactions of the nominees. Well, here are my predictions:
PICTURE
No Country for Old Men
alt: Juno
DIRECTOR
Joel & Ethan Coen, No Country for Old Men
alt: Paul Thomas Anderson, There Will Be Blood
ACTOR
Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood
alt: George Clooney, Michael Clayton
ACTRESS
Julie Christie, Away from Her
alt: Ellen Page, Juno
SUPPORTING ACTOR
Javier Bardem, No Country for Old Men
Casey Affleck, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Ruby Dee, American Gangster
alt: Tilda Swinton, Michael Clayton
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Juno
alt: Michael Clayton
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
No Country for Old Men
alt: The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
ART DIRECTION
Sweeney Todd
alt: Atonement
CINEMATOGRAPHY
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
alt: There will Be Blood
COSTUME DESIGN
Atonement
alt: Sweeney Todd
EDITING
There Will Be Blood
alt: The Bourne Ultimatum
MAKEUP
La Vie en Rose
alt: At World's End
SONG
"Falling Slowly" Once
alt: "That's How You Know" Enchanted
SCORE
Atonement
alt: 3:10 to Yuma
SOUND EDITING
Transformers
alt: No Country for Old Men
SOUND MIXING
Transformers
alt: The Bourne Ultimatum
VISUAL EFFECTS
Transformers
alt: At World's End
PICTURE
No Country for Old Men
alt: Juno
DIRECTOR
Joel & Ethan Coen, No Country for Old Men
alt: Paul Thomas Anderson, There Will Be Blood
ACTOR
Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood
alt: George Clooney, Michael Clayton
ACTRESS
Julie Christie, Away from Her
alt: Ellen Page, Juno
SUPPORTING ACTOR
Javier Bardem, No Country for Old Men
Casey Affleck, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Ruby Dee, American Gangster
alt: Tilda Swinton, Michael Clayton
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Juno
alt: Michael Clayton
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
No Country for Old Men
alt: The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
ART DIRECTION
Sweeney Todd
alt: Atonement
CINEMATOGRAPHY
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
alt: There will Be Blood
COSTUME DESIGN
Atonement
alt: Sweeney Todd
EDITING
There Will Be Blood
alt: The Bourne Ultimatum
MAKEUP
La Vie en Rose
alt: At World's End
SONG
"Falling Slowly" Once
alt: "That's How You Know" Enchanted
SCORE
Atonement
alt: 3:10 to Yuma
SOUND EDITING
Transformers
alt: No Country for Old Men
SOUND MIXING
Transformers
alt: The Bourne Ultimatum
VISUAL EFFECTS
Transformers
alt: At World's End
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Early Oscar Predictions
It seems like many of the more acclaimed Oscar prognosticators (maybe that will include me one of these days) are posting their thoughts on who they think will win. I figure I should go ahead and add my two cents before I am accused of stealing ideas.
PICTURE
Juno
Some people are not going to agree with me on this, but I think "Juno" will win Best Picture this year. I see "No Country for Old Men" and "There Will Be Blood" splitting the vote which leaves the winning slot wide open for "Juno." "Michael Clayton" doesn't seem feasible to me, and I think "Atonement" barely (but thankfully) made it into the top five. Plus, the support is there for "Juno." Not many expected it to receive a director nod. It is also the highest grossing film of the five contenders and should not have a problem crossing the $100 million mark.
DIRECTOR
Joel & Ethan Coen, No Country for Old Men
I think it's theirs to lose. They have won many of the critics' awards, and the film is the "safe" choice to win Best Picture. I could also see Paul Thomas Anderson or Julian Schnabel winning though. Probably not Schnabel, though the Globe win was a nice surprise. Anderson, however, seems to be picking up steam.
ACTOR
Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood
I wouldn't say he is guaranteed a win because nothing in the Oscar race is a guarantee, but I'll just I am fairly confident that we will see him on the podium come Oscar night.
ACTRESS
Julie Christie, Away from Her
The support for this film is there, as can be seen by the surprise Adapted Screenplay nod. She is the safe choice right now, even though I really wanted to pick Ellen Page for "Juno."
SUPPORTING ACTOR
Casey Affleck, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
For some reason my gut is telling me to pick him. If he loses the SAG award I may be inclined to switch my pick to Bardem, but I right now I am sticking with Affleck. This prediction may also be a little bit of wishful thinking too.....
SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Ryan, Gone Baby Gone
I don't particularly care for this pick right now and may end up changing it later. I do not think Blanchett will win because of her win a few years back. I could see Saoirse Ronan coming out of nowhere and winning, on what I think will be an odd Oscar night.
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Juno
Another prediction that I am fairly confident about.
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
No Country for Old Men
This has won most of the critics' awards in this category. I could see a possible upset, but I do not think it is likely.
ANIMATED
Ratatouille
DOCUMENTARY
Sicko
FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
The Counterfeiters
ART DIRECTION
Sweeney Todd
CINEMATOGRAPHY
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
COSTUME DESIGN
Atonement
FILM EDITING
There Will Be Blood
MAKEUP
La Vie en Rose
SCORE
Atonement
SONG
"Falling Slowly" Once
SOUND EDITING
Transformers
SOUND MIXING
Transformers
VISUAL EFFECTS
Transformers
PICTURE
Juno
Some people are not going to agree with me on this, but I think "Juno" will win Best Picture this year. I see "No Country for Old Men" and "There Will Be Blood" splitting the vote which leaves the winning slot wide open for "Juno." "Michael Clayton" doesn't seem feasible to me, and I think "Atonement" barely (but thankfully) made it into the top five. Plus, the support is there for "Juno." Not many expected it to receive a director nod. It is also the highest grossing film of the five contenders and should not have a problem crossing the $100 million mark.
DIRECTOR
Joel & Ethan Coen, No Country for Old Men
I think it's theirs to lose. They have won many of the critics' awards, and the film is the "safe" choice to win Best Picture. I could also see Paul Thomas Anderson or Julian Schnabel winning though. Probably not Schnabel, though the Globe win was a nice surprise. Anderson, however, seems to be picking up steam.
ACTOR
Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood
I wouldn't say he is guaranteed a win because nothing in the Oscar race is a guarantee, but I'll just I am fairly confident that we will see him on the podium come Oscar night.
ACTRESS
Julie Christie, Away from Her
The support for this film is there, as can be seen by the surprise Adapted Screenplay nod. She is the safe choice right now, even though I really wanted to pick Ellen Page for "Juno."
SUPPORTING ACTOR
Casey Affleck, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
For some reason my gut is telling me to pick him. If he loses the SAG award I may be inclined to switch my pick to Bardem, but I right now I am sticking with Affleck. This prediction may also be a little bit of wishful thinking too.....
SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Ryan, Gone Baby Gone
I don't particularly care for this pick right now and may end up changing it later. I do not think Blanchett will win because of her win a few years back. I could see Saoirse Ronan coming out of nowhere and winning, on what I think will be an odd Oscar night.
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Juno
Another prediction that I am fairly confident about.
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
No Country for Old Men
This has won most of the critics' awards in this category. I could see a possible upset, but I do not think it is likely.
ANIMATED
Ratatouille
DOCUMENTARY
Sicko
FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
The Counterfeiters
ART DIRECTION
Sweeney Todd
CINEMATOGRAPHY
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
COSTUME DESIGN
Atonement
FILM EDITING
There Will Be Blood
MAKEUP
La Vie en Rose
SCORE
Atonement
SONG
"Falling Slowly" Once
SOUND EDITING
Transformers
SOUND MIXING
Transformers
VISUAL EFFECTS
Transformers
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