Best Picture
An extremely average year for film in my opinion. 2007 left me in awe over and over again. 3 films from 2007 are probably in my top 10 of the decade, yes the decade. But anyways, back to 08, of all the five nominated, "Slumdog Millionaire" makes the most sense to win. It's uplifting, and its themes are universal. This film has won basically every precursor possible, and the Oscar is the last thing standing in it ways.
Prediction: Slumdog Millionaire
Preference: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Best Director
The academy made one of its many mistakes by not nominating Christopher Nolan for "The Dark Knight," instead they let in Stephen Daldry for "The Reader." This is also another easy category to predict, look for Danny Boyle to win the best directing award right before Slumdog wins best picture
Prediction: Danny Boyle
Preference: David Fincher
Best Actor
This is where things get interesting. This has been a two way race ever since The Critics Choice Awards back in early January. Penn has won The Critics Choice, and The SAG, but Rourke has won The Golden Globe and The Bafta. This is basically a coin-flip, will The Academy look to reward new blood with Rourke, or will they award Penn with his 2nd Oscar?
Prediction: Sean Penn
Preference: Mickey Rourke
Best Actress
First, I would just like to vent real quick, Kate Winslet was nominated in this category for "The Reader," when she should have been nominated for "Revolutionary Road." Not only does she give the better performance in the latter, but I firmly believe the Academy is going to reward her for the wrong performance. Streep and Hatheway could both win, but this is Winslet's year.
Prediction: Kate Winslet
Preference: Anne Hatheway
Best Supporting Actor
This category has been a joke (no pun intended) since July.
Prediction: Heath Ledger
Preference: Heath Ledger
Best Supporting Actress
Over the years, this has always been the toughest category to predict. Last year, everyone thought Blanchett or Amy Ryan, then Tilda Swinton who hadn't won a precursor all year, snuck in and stole the whole thing. Much of the same could happen this year, but I think since the Academy didn't nominate Winslet in this category for "The Reader," the trophy will go to Penelope Cruz.
Prediction: Penelope Cruz
Preference: Marisa Tomei
