Here we are, a few hours before the 81st Academy Awards. While there were a lot of quality films released in 2008, I have to admit that none of them had the same kind of impact on me that No Country For Old Men had on me in 2007. Still, I love movies and I am curious to see who wins what this year.

Best Motion Picture of the Year
Nominees:
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Ceán Chaffin, Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall
Frost/Nixon (2008): Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, Eric Fellner
Milk (2008/I): Bruce Cohen, Dan Jinks
The Reader (2008): Anthony Minghella, Sydney Pollack, Donna Gigliotti, Redmond Morris
Slumdog Millionaire (2008): Christian Colson

I actually saw each of these films and while the field is a little closer this year than last, I have no doubt that Slumdog was the best film of 2008. Benjamin Button, while impressive, still had a “felt like I’ve seen it before” vibe to it. Frost/Nixon was a quality film, but I can’t say that I look at that film and say to myself, “THIS is why I go to the movies.” In truth, Milk is probably number two on my list. The Reader was a good film, but I can’t determine how much of my liking of it stems from seeing Kate Winslet in the buff. It’s Slumdog all the way. To be honest, it also had a “seen it before vibe” as well, because it reminded me of City of God. Still, I was not expecting much from Slumdog and walked out of the theater thoroughly pleased.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Nominees:

Richard Jenkins for The Visitor (2007/I)
Frank Langella for Frost/Nixon (2008)
Sean Penn for Milk (2008/I)
Brad Pitt for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
Mickey Rourke for The Wrestler (2008)

Interesting category. There are two frontrunners here for me, and I’ve actually seen all of the performances nominated, including The Visitor. Jenkins would be a sentimental favorite for me because his subtle, vulnerable performace was really endearing, but the true race is between Rourke and Penn. After all the attention The Wrestler received, I was swayed into thinking Rourke was the shoe-in. However, after actually viewing the movie and thinking of how the political climate has changed in the last few months, I actually think Penn will walk away with the award this evening. And deservingly so.

Update:
Changed my mind. I think Rourke may take it. I still think Milk is a better film, but moments of redemption always trump simple brilliant performances.

Update #2:
I was wrong. And I’m glad I was wrong. :o)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Nominees:

Anne Hathaway for Rachel Getting Married (2008)
Angelina Jolie for Changeling (2008)
Melissa Leo for Frozen River (2008)
Meryl Streep for Doubt (2008/I)
Kate Winslet for The Reader (2008)

Loved Hathaway’s performance. But Winslet has been invited to the dance so many times and always went home empty handed, she will not be overlooked this year.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Nominees:

Josh Brolin for Milk (2008/I)
Robert Downey Jr. for Tropic Thunder (2008)
Philip Seymour Hoffman for Doubt (2008/I)
Heath Ledger for The Dark Knight (2008)
Michael Shannon for Revolutionary Road (2008)

Honestly, any other year this category would be a complete toss-up. However, this year, we ALL know who is going to win. Ledger’s death may have sealed the deal here, but I don’t think anyone would complain. His portrayal of the Joker is both haunting and hauntingly beautiful. Incredible performance. For the sake of argument, who do I think would win had Ledger lived? I loved Brolin in Milk, I went crazy for Downey Jr. in Thunder and Hoffman was his usually superb self in Doubt. But honestly, I secretly feel like Shannon may have been the best of all. When I think of Revolutionary Road, my mind doesn’t immediately go to Winslet or Di Caprio. It goes to Shannon.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Nominees:

Amy Adams for Doubt (2008/I)
Penélope Cruz for Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)
Viola Davis for Doubt (2008/I)
Taraji P. Henson for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
Marisa Tomei for The Wrestler (2008)

I saw all performances here but Cruz’s, and she may be the one to walk away with the award. If not, I think the race is between Adams and Davis. Being secretly in love with Viola Davis, I will go with my heart here and not my head and hope, hope, hope that she walks away with the trophy. That would make my night.

Best Achievement in Directing
Nominees:

Danny Boyle for Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
Stephen Daldry for The Reader (2008)
David Fincher for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
Ron Howard for Frost/Nixon (2008)
Gus Van Sant for Milk (2008/I)

The best director prize should always go to the person who directed the best film. Danny Boyle all the way.

Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen
Nominees:

Frozen River (2008): Courtney Hunt
Happy-Go-Lucky (2008): Mike Leigh
In Bruges (2008): Martin McDonagh
Milk (2008/I): Dustin Lance Black
WALL·E (2008): Andrew Stanton, Pete Docter, Jim Reardon

I’m going to go out on a limb here and say In Bruges. Otherwise, I’ll go with Milk. I think this may be the category with the surprise.

Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published
Nominees:

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Eric Roth, Robin Swicord
Doubt (2008/I): John Patrick Shanley
Frost/Nixon (2008): Peter Morgan
The Reader (2008): David Hare
Slumdog Millionaire (2008): Simon Beaufoy

Say it: Millionaire.

Best Achievement in Cinematography
Nominees:

Changeling (2008): Tom Stern
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Claudio Miranda
The Dark Knight (2008): Wally Pfister
The Reader (2008): Roger Deakins, Chris Menges
Slumdog Millionaire (2008): Anthony Dod Mantle

To me, this is easier than others. Changeling, best art direction. Button and Dark Knight, best effects. The Reader, good everything but not great. Slumdog wins this one. Or should anyway.

We can guess the rest. One question, how did Bruce Springsteen get screwed on Original Song??