I'm gonna take my blind stab in the dark at guessing next year's Oscar nominees. I've carefully researched via IMDB and Kris Tapley's amazing compilation of 2009 films at incontention.com. Anyways here is what I see getting nominated followed by my predicted winners. From last night's ceremony I correctly predicted Sean Penn and Heath Ledger wins in my day after the Oscars predictions.

Day After the Oscars Predictions

BEST PICTURE
1. Shutter Island
2. Untitled Nelson Mandela Project
3. Nine
4. The Lovely Bones
5. Away We Go

6. Broken Embraces
7. Taking Woostock
8. Public Enemies
9. A Serious Man
10. Amelia

BEST DIRECTOR
1. Martin Scorsese, Shutter Island
2. Clint Eastwood, Untitled Nelson Mandela Project
3. Rob Marshall, Nine
4. Peter Jackson, The Lovely Bones
5. Pedro Almodovar, Broken Embraces

6. Same Mendes, Away We Go
7. Ang Lee, Taking Woodstock
8. Joel and Ethan Coen, A Serious Man
9. John Hillcoat, The Road
10. Michael Mann, Public Enemies

BEST ACTOR
1. Leonardo DiCaprio, Shutter Island
2. Daniel Day-Lewis, Nine
3. Morgan Freeman, Untitled Nelson Mandela Project
4. Viggo Mortensen, The Road
5. Algenis Perez Soto, Sugar

6. Matt Damon, The Informant
7. Philip Seymour Hoffman, The Boat that Rocked
8. Johnny Depp, Public Enemies
9. Mark Wahlberg, The Lovely Bones
10. Brad Pitt, The Tree of Life

BEST ACTRESS
1. Penelope Cruz, Broken Embraces
2. Carey Mulligan, An Education
3. Ellen Burstyn, Lovely, Still
4. Helen Mirren, The Tempest
5. Nicole Kidman, Nine

6. Ellen Page, Whip It
7. Saoirse Ronan, The Lovely Bones
8. Maya Rudolph, Away We Go
9. Gabourey Sidibe, Push: Based on a Novel by Sapphire
10. Michelle Pfeiffer, Cheri

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
1. Stanley Tucci, The Lovely Bones
2. Christian McKay, Me and Orson Welles
3. Mark Ruffalo, Shutter Island
4. Richard Kind, A Serious Man
5. Emile Hirsch, Taking Woodstock

6. Christian Bale, Public Enemies
7. Kodi Scott-McPhee, The Road
8. Jamie Foxx, The Soloist
9. Kevin Space, Men Who Stare at Goats
10. Sean Penn, The Tree of Life

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
1. Marion Cotillard, Nine
2. Meryl Streep, Julie & Julia
3. Patricia Clarkson, Whatever Works
4. Mo’nique, Push: Based on a Novel by Sapphire
5. Rachel Weisz, The Lovely Bones

6. Kathy Bates, Cheri
7. Penelope Cruz, Nine
8. Jennifer Connely, Creation
9. Sophia Loren, Nine
10. Charlize Theron, The Road

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
1. Up
2. Broken Embraces
3. Away We Go
4. Funny People
5. A Serious Man

6. The Boat that Rocked
7. Whatever Works
8. 500 Days of Summer
9. The Limits of Control
10. Bitutiful

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
1. Nine
2. Shutter Island
3. The Lovely Bones
4. An Education
5. Public Enemies

6. The Informant
7. Untitled Nelson Mandela Project
8. Taking Woodstock
9. The Road
10. Push: Based on the Novel by Sapphire

ANIMATED FEATURE
1. Up
2. Mary & Max
3.Coraline

4. Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea
5. The Princess and the Frog
6. 9

WINNERS:
PICTURE: Nine
DIRECTOR: Pedro Almodovar, Broken Embraces
ACTOR: Leonardo DiCaprio, Shutter Island
ACTRESS: Ellen Burstyn, Lovely, Still
SUPPORTING ACTOR: Stanley Tucci, The Lovely Bones
SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Meryl Streep, Julie & Julia
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: Broken Embraces
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: Nine

Most Anticipated Films of 2009

This morning I sort of haphazardly threw together my 10 most anticipated films of 2009. It's an interesting list in my opinion, but then again I made it. Without further ado:


10. All Good Things
I love the pairing of Ryan Gosling and Kirsten Dunst in this mystery love drama. After The Notebook, Half Nelson, and Lars and the Real Girl I will watch Gosling in anything. I also thought Dunst was the shining light of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, but she sadly never gained the recognition she deserved.

9. The Lovely Bones
I am briefly familiar with this popular novel. I really need to pick it up and read it. This should be an emotional tearjerker. I would like to see how Peter Jackson handles this because this is not a film I had imagined him doing. The cast looks great led by Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, and Saoirse Ronan. Still, this has to live up to the hype of the novel and please its fanbase.

8. The Box
This was much higher last year on my most anticipated films of 2008, but it sadly got pushed back to 2009. It has done a lot of shifting between the September and November release months, and it has (hopefully) settled on November. Richard Kelly created the masterpiece Donnie Darko. Southland Tales was hugely underwhelming, but I think this will be a step in the right direction.

7. Sherlock Holmes
This should be one of the movie events of the year. Robert Downey, Jr. is coming off a banner year, and this film should help increase his rising star power. I don’t know if this remake will turn out to be one of the best films of the year, but it could turn out to be one of the most fun ones. Extra kudos to casting Rachel McAdams—my favorite working actress today.

6. Shutter Island
This could be the big Oscar movie of 2009. Martin Scorsese directs Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Michelle Williams, Emily Mortimer, and Ben Kingsley in this drama/thriller. Huge expectations from critics could lead to huge disappointment, but I don’t think so.

5. Watchmen
I knew practically nothing of this graphic novel before the announcement of the film. Still, the film looks intriguing and promises to be one of the movie events, if not THE movie event, of the year. The copyright debate has gotten me even more intrigued. This should be a film to watch out for, a force to be reckoned with.

4. 500 Days of Summer
I feel kind of stupid putting this on my most anticipated list, but this trailer is amazing. It looks just like a film that Fox Searchlight would release. The trailer is undeniably charming. I am a sucker for a good love story, or a story about love, as the trailer suggests. This also appears to have mainstream appeal, and I would not be surprised if it brings in a hefty amount at the box-office.

3. Nine
Felinni’s 8 ½ is a great film, and this adaptation sounds like a winner. The cast is amazing led by Daniel Day-Lewis under the direction of Rob Marshall. This film could totally end up bombing because I’m sure this could possibly receive early front-runner status at next year’s Oscars, but for now I am intrigued.

2. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
I love Harry Potter with a passion, and anytime a film will be released it will appear close to the top of my most anticipated list. Enough said.

1. The Time Traveler’s Wife
I fell in love with this beautiful novel when I read it last summer and have been eagerly anticipating the movie ever since. It should be a beautiful love story if done right. Rachel McAdams as the lead is great casting, but this was supposed to be released by New Line before their demise. I won’t hold that against it until I see it.

Nominations!

And here they are:

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

I'm surprised at The Reader's mention. It's a good movie, but not one of the best. I think the only film from my personal top 5 that matches with this category is The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

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

A nice crop of nominees. I would loved to have seen DiCaprio nominated but oh well.

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

I thought Jolie would be snubbed, but at least Hawkins missed out. I found nothing special in Happy-Go-Lucky. I really hate the fact that Winslet got in for The Reader and not Revolutionary Road. My last major Oscar contender to see is The Wrestler (on Friday), and Winslet and DiCaprio give the two best performances out of any actors this year. It's a shame they don't get the attention they deserve.

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

Loved the mention of Michael Shannon! This is Ledger's hands down though.

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

Glad that The Reader wasn't included since it doesn't belong here. It would have been nice to see DeWitt get in.

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

Where the fu#@ is The Dark Knight?!

Original Screenplay
Courtney Hunt - Frozen River
Mike Leigh - Happy-Go-Lucky
Martin McDonagh - In Bruges
Dustin Lance Black - Milk
Andrew Stanton - WALL•E

My personal favorite category. I loved the mention of Frozen River! It's one of the year's best.

Adapted Screenplay
Eric Roth + Robin Swicord - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
John Patrick Shanley - Doubt
Peter Morgan - Frost/Nixon
David Hare - The Reader
Simon Beaufoy - Slumdog Millionaire

Nothing too special. Slumdog pretty much has this.

Oscar Predictions

Here are my Oscar predictions. Tomorrow is the big day! I also included a dark horse that could pop out of nowhere to be nominated in each of the top 8 categories.

PICTURE
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Slumdog Millionaire
Milk
The Dark Knight
Frost/Nixon
Dark Horse: The Wrestler

DIRECTOR
David Fincher, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
Christopher Nolan, The Dark Knight
Gus van Sant, Milk
Darren Aronofsky, The Wrestler
Dark Horse: Mike Leigh, Happy-Go-Lucky

ACTOR
Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler
Sean Penn, Milk
Frank Langella, Frost/Nixon
Richard Jenkins, The Visitor
Clint Eastwood, Gran Torino
Dark Horse: Josh Brolin, W

ACTRESS
Kate Winslet, Revolutionary Road
Meryl Streep, Doubt
Sally Hawkins, Happy-Go-Lucky
Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married
Melissa Leo, Frozen River
Dark Horse: Michelle Williams, Wendy & Lucy

SUPPORTING ACTOR
Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
Josh Brolin, Milk
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Doubt
Dev Patel, Slumdog Millionaire
Robert Downey, Jr., Tropic Thunder
Dark Horse: Michael Shannon, Revolutionary Road

SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Freida Pinto, Slumdog Millionaire
Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Marisa Tomei, The Wrestler
Kate Winslet, The Reader
Rosemarie DeWitt, Rachel Getting Married
Dark Horse: Debra Winger, Rachel Getting Married

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Milk
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Wall-E
The Wrestler
Happy-Go-Lucky
Dark Horse: The Visitor

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Slumdog Millionaire
Frost/Nixon
The Dark Knight
Revolutionary Road
Dark Horse: Let the Right One In

ANIMATED FEATURE
Wall-E
Waltz with Bashir
Kung Fu Panda

ART DIRECTION
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Milk
Revolutionary Road
Frost/Nixon
Australia

CINEMATOGRAPHY
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Revolutionary Road
Slumdog Millionaire
The Dark Knight
Australia

COSTUME DESIGN
The Duchess
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Fall
Revolutionary Road
Changeling

FILM EDITING
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Slumdog Millionaire
Milk
The Dark Knight
The Wrestler

MAKEUP
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Reader
The Wrestler

SCORE
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Slumdog Millionaire
Wall-E
The Dark Knight
Revolutionary Road

SONG
The Wrestler
Slumdog Millionaire
High School Musical 3
Trouble the Water
Wall-E

SOUND EDITING
Wall-E
The Dark Knight
Iron Man
Slumdog Millionaire
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

SOUND MIXING
Wall-E
The Dark Knight
Iron Man
Slumdog Millionaire
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

VISUAL EFFECTS
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Iron Man

What It All Comes Down To

I haven't been keeping up with this as I should. I have mainly been using the site as a formal means of documenting my predictions to the public. Anyways, awards have been given out, and this year promises to be one of the craziest in years. Still, a consensus is forming, and I would like to show the top films competing for awards in each of the top 8 categories. I will present each film with my thoughts on the likelihood of a nomination. Then I will have the films that I see that stand a chance as well as a film that could come out of nowhere to garner a nomination on nomination day. So without further ado:

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

Revolutionary Road
Wall-E
Dark Horse: Happy-Go-Lucky

BEST DIRECTOR
David Fincher, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
Christopher Nolan, The Dark Knight
Gus van Sant, Milk
Darren Aronofsky, The Wrestler

Ron Howard, Frost/Nixon
Sam Mendes, Revolutionary Road
Dark Horse: Mike Leigh, Happy-Go-Lucky

BEST ACTOR
Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler
Sean Penn, Milk
Frank Langella, Frost/Nixon
Leonardo DiCaprio, Revolutionary Road
Clint Eastwood, Gran Torino

Richard Jenkins, The Visitor
Brad Pitt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Dark Horse: Christian Bale, The Dark Knight

BEST ACTRESS
Kate Winslet, Revolutionary Road
Meryl Streep, Doubt
Cate Blanchett, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married
Melissa Leo, Frozen River

Sally Hawkins, Happy-Go-Lucky
Angelina Jolie, Changeling
Kristin Scott Thomas, I've Loved You So Long
Dark Horse: Kate Beckinsale, Nothing But the Truth

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

James Franco, Milk
Dark Horse: Emile Hirsch, Milk

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Viola Davis, Doubt
Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Marisa Tomei, The Wrestler
Kate Winslet, The Reader
Rosemarie DeWitt, Rachel Getting Married

Taraji P. Henson, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Dark Horse: Vera Farmiga, Nothing But the Truth

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Milk
Rachel Getting Married
Wall-E
The Visitor
Happy-Go-Lucky

The Wrestler
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Dark Horse: In Bruges

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Slumdog Millionaire
Frost/Nixon
The Dark Knight
Revolutionary Road

The Reader
Doubt
Dark Horse: Gomorrah

5 Most Anticipated Films

So the Oscar season is getting underway. It is now October and there have only been a few standout's--"Cloverfield," "Wall-E," and "The Dark Knight." Besides Heath Ledger's performance there have been few performances that will make it through the Oscar season. Anyways, I would like to list my top 5 most anticipated films for the rest of the year (I'm only including films that have released trailers.).

5. "Australia"- I loved the recent trailer that was released for this film. I think Nicole Kidman can get nominated again, but it is going to be tough because she is facing stiff competition. The first trailer for this film was very underwhelming, in my opinion so I am still a little skeptical. However, if it lives up to the new trailer, this could be something truly remarkable and epic.

4."Revolutionary Road"-The trailer for the film was good. It showed that this film has potential. I personally am rooting for it, but I wasn't sure how I felt about Kate Winslet in the preview. She seemed to be somewhat off. Still, it was a well-made trailer that has me intrigued. I want this film to do well, and I just hope it can deliver.

3. "Doubt"-I loved the music in this trailer, and the performances appear powerful. I think this will be one of those slow-paced, methodical dramas that really get you thinking.The feeling I got from the trailer reminded me a lot of the vibe I got after watching "A History of Violence." If it comes close to this, then "Doubt" could be one of the best films of the year.

2. "Rachel Getting Married"-The trailer for this film was amazing. I think the performances are going to be absolutely phenomenol, and I am glad that I went with my gut and included Anne Hathaway in my predictions in the beginning of the year. I think the film may be a little cliched, but it should be powerful nonetheless. This has all the potential of becoming my favorite indie of the year.

1."The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"- This film looks magical. I think it will be an enchanting experience that will leave audiences gasping for breath. If anyone can pull this film off it's definitely Fincher. My only concern is that I heard they have moved the time period up, and they actually show up to modern times during Hurricane Katrina. The trailer gave me this period piece feel, and I don't know how that is going to contrast with that. It could wind up being really good or disasterous. We'll find out in December.

Other noteworthies: "The City of Ember," "The Road," "Milk," "The Time Traveler's Wife", and "Twilight"

What I've Learned From Toronto

Predictions Update (September 15, 2008-After Toronto)

BEST PICTURE
1. “Revolutionary Road”
2. “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
3. “The Dark Knight”
4. “Milk”
5. “Frost/Nixon”

6. “The Changeling”
7. “Australia”
8. “The Road”
9. “Doubt”
10. “The Wrestler”

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. Danny Boyle, “Slumdog Millionaire”
8. Baz Luhrmann, “Australia”
9. John Hilcoat, “The Road”
10. Darren Aronofsky, “The Wrestler”

BEST ACTOR
1. Leonardo DiCaprio, “Revolutionary Road”
2. Frank Langella, “Frost/Nixon”
3. Sean Penn, “Milk”
4. Mickey Rourke, “The Wrestler”
5. Viggo Mortensen, “The Road”

6. Michael Sheen, “Frost/Nixon”
7. Brad Pitt, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
8. Will Smith, “Seven Pounds”
9. Benicio del Toro, “Che”
10. Robert Downey, Jr., “The Soloist”

BEST ACTRESS
1. Kate Winslet, “Revolutionary Road”
2. Meryl Streep, “Doubt”
3. Kristen Scott Thomas, “I’ve Loved You So Long”
4. Angelina Jolie, “The Changeling”
5. Anne Hathaway, “Rachel Getting Married”

6. Sally Hawkins, “Happy Go Lucky”
7. Rachel McAdams, “The Time Traveler’s Wife”
8. Melissa Leo, “Frozen River”
9. Ellen Burstyn, “Lovely, Still”
10. Kate Beckinsale, “Nothing but the Truth”

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
1. Heath Ledger, “The Dark Knight”
2. Josh Brolin, “Milk”
3. Philip Seymour Hoffman, “Doubt”
4. Michael Sheen, “Frost/Nixon”
5. Kodi Smit-McPhee, “The Road”

6. Christian McKay, “Me and Orson Welles’
7. Emile Hirsch, “Milk”
8. Bill Irwin, “Rachel Getting Married”
9. Jamie Foxx, “The Soloist”
10. Peter O’Toole, “Dean Spanley”

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
1.Rosemarie DeWitt, “Rachel Getting Married”
2. Marisa Tomei, “The Wrestler”
3. Penelope Cruz, “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”
4. Taraji P. Henson, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
5. Vera Farmiga, “Nothing but the Truth”

6. Viola Davis, “Doubt”
7. Kate Winslet, “The Reader”
8. Charlize Theron, “The Road”
9. Elizabeth Banks, “W”
10. Kathy Bates, “Revolutionary Road”

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
1. “The Changeling”
2. “Happy-Go-Lucky”
3. “The Wrestler”
4. “Milk”
5. “Rachel Getting Married”

6. “Wall-E”
7. “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”
8. “I’ve Loved You So Long”
9. “Australia”
10. “The Soloist”


BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
1. “Revolutionary Road”
2. “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
3. “The Road”
4. “Slumdog Millionaire”
5. “Frost/Nixon”

6. “Body of Lies”
7. “The Reader”
8. “Doubt”
9. “Defiance”
10. “The Dark Knight”