The most lauded films in the entire Hollywood realm will be awarded statues of naked men Sunday at 5 p.m. This highly-sought-after golden god of an icon beckons many royalty of the screen to come dressed (with the help of Rachel Zoe) for success. Most leave with nothing (at least they looked good right?) but for a select few their lives will be inexplicably changed forever.
This year’s picks of politically correct propaganda – corrupt presidents gay politicians romantic Nazis and India’s impovershed – are all stunning works of art. Although films like “Revolutionary Road Gran Torino” and “The Dark Knight” were almost completely snubbed those films nominated are still mostly deserving.
We at the Graphic have once more given you our predictions for each major category.
Best PictureStaff Pick
“‘Slumdog Millionaire’ was arguably the year’s best film which has a tangential impact on the Academy’s decision but more importantly it’s quirkily familiar and gives the impression of being an edgy foreign film without being overly challenging or bizarre. You can get guilty pleasure out of a kid jumping into a poop pit and tell yourself you watched a thought-provoking analysis of India and the human condition. Who am I kidding? It’s just a great movie.”
~Ryan Hagen Assistant News Editor
Who Should NOT Win“The Reader?” Come again “The Reader?” Although child seduction slapped against a backdrop of Nazi Germany is truly a big Oscar bait story the film’s nomination meant that great movies like “The Dark Knight” and “Wall-E” were taken out of the running for the BP slot. (These films of course grossed the most money this year making them less likely to be chosen as the Academy hates to choose what the people like.) If “The Reader” wins it will be the largest upset not only in Oscar history but most likely world history.
Who Will WinLuckily “Slumdog Millionaire” is also in contention. Although stories about men growing backwards Nixon gay rights and the Holocaust are all important this is one that shows issues (extreme poverty in India) through the lens of a boy with a beautiful heart. It is truly powerful and does deserve all of the hype it’s been receiving even if there is a huge song and dance number as the credits roll.
Best DirectorStaff Pick
“Definitely Ron Howard for ‘Frost/Nixon’ because I have a curious feeling his balding head will out shine the little golden man …”
~Ashley Welling Life and Arts Editor
Who Will WinGus Van Sant may pull it out of the fridge for “Milk” but everyone knows it is Danny Boyle’s to be had. As a white guy his foreign made “Slumdog Millionaire” forced audiences everywhere to look at the turmoil in India. It is a deeply personal film to him that shows the rest of the world a place we do not know that much about.
Best ActorStaff Pick
“‘Benjamin Button’ was by far the most uniquely written movie I have seen all year and possibly my life. Brad Pitt did an outstanding job and the makeup/special effects people made his reverse aging look natural.”
~Courtney Niemann Life and Arts Page Designer
Who Will WinIf the Oscar was based on looks alone Brad Pitt would win every year. Luckily for Mickey Rourke it is not. With his beefy mashed-up face Rourke’s impressive comeback in the film “The Wrestler” has proved that a once famous 80s film star can return to the limelight if given a chance. Almost eerily autobiographical his performance as a washed-up WWF-type wrestler is a subject not usually tackled. It looks like Rourke has a good chance at winning this matchup.
P.S. Sean Penn look out for flying chairs if you do happen to yank this one away from him.
Best ActressStaff Pick
“Oscar winning formula: 60 percent merit 40 percent politics. That being said the Best Actress award will go to Kate Winslet. She’s been waiting patiently in line and now it’s her turn.”
~Ashley Hickman Perspectives Editor
Who Will WinAlthough Meryl Streep’s genius should never be overlooked and Anne Hathaway’s performance in “Rachel Getting Married” is mind numbing Kate Winslet will snag the prize on Sunday. Streep has already won enough little guys in her long career as an actress but in her fourth nominated role for “The Reader” (which she really should have got for her turn as a housewife stuck in the suburbs in “Revolutionary Road”) Winslet’s time has finally come.
Best Supporting ActorStaff Pick
“I nominate my would-be husband Heath Ledger for best supporting actor as the creepy-on-the-outside- but sexy-on-the-inside Joker in the “Dark Knight.” Heath deserves all the awards in the world for his outstanding performance of the man who didn’t need it but decided to wear a crap load of makeup and play a shady character.”
~Lexi Sebring Life and Arts Assistant
Who Will WinIf only Robert Downing Jr. could get it for his crazy performance as an Australian method actor who plays blackface for the film “Tropic Thunder.” Of course the Academy never awards comedy and Downing is unfortunately still alive. Really the other nominees in this category are only there for looks. Heath Ledger will be the second person ever to win an Oscar posthumously. No one else even has a chance. And that is not a joke.
Best Supporting ActressStaff Pick
“There is no doubt that Viola Davie even though her role was fleeting left an impression on me that transcended all other actors performances in the film.”
~Sarah Schott Staff Writer
Who Will WinUsually the category that is most up in the air. This year it will probably go to Penelope Cruz simply because she is the best looking and she was nominated last year for “Volver so that will still be fresh in the voters’ minds. Marissa Tomei, playing a stripper, may sway some male voters, and Viola Davis, who plays a worried mother in Doubt may alsohave a chance at the win. It will all be revealed soon.
Best script (from original material)Staff Pick
‘Milk’ will probably win because it’s about a gay guy. Not that I have a problem with that.”
~Taylor Bird Sports Editor
Who Will Win“Wall-E” should win. It has the smartest script of any film this year. It actually makes the audience care about fat people. It is a scary portrait of what the world may turn out to be if serious measures are not taken and has one of the most rousing love stories in years. It is a burrito of hilarity sadness and joy. How many films have absolutely no talking for the first 20 minutes and not cause people to stampede the exit? “Milk” is going to win this category but we do not have to think about that. Back to “Wall-E”…
Best AnimatedStaff Pick
“Best Animated Feature Film must go to ‘Kung Fu Panda’ or I will be very disappointed. I haven’t laughed that much since ‘The Incredibles’ which was hilarious. Jack Black was brilliant. The animation was perfect. It made me wish I was a pseudo-ninja too.”
~Heather Maynes Assistant Perspectives Editor
Who Will WinIf our little loveable robot “Wall-E” cannot win for best picture he certainly has to win this award. He is the little robot who could and should give the Pixar animation studio another accolade. Pandas and dogs may have more fluffy fur than “Wall-E” but they are not as cute.