Well, at least "In Bruges" got one nomination.

I'm really not that upset with the Oscar nominations this year... minus a few areas. Let's be honest, "The Reader" just isn't supposed to be there... "The Dark Knight" is. As usual, there are a few places where I would have done things differently, but in terms of predicting the nominees... I was pretty close. I thought "The Dark Knight" would get more love than it did (and it still got alot) and I thought "Gran Torino" would get at least a Best Actor nomination for Clint and possibly a few others.

Here are the nominees, my commentary, and what I would have picked (in blue).

Best motion picture of the year

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

Let me just start by quoting myself from last year... Talking about movies worthy of a Best Picture nomination, I said:

"Zodiac" is such a strong film... when David Fincher finally gets recognized, it is going to be powerful. "Ratatouille" is probably the best animated movie ever made and very deserving of a Best Picture nod.

Looks like I was right about David Fincher. Thirteen nominations is nothing to sneeze at. He won't win Picture or Director this year... but I'm glad he's officially on the board now. Also, "Wall-e" is even more-so in that boat that "Ratatouille" was in. It is pretty much the most loved film of the year and now it's the most nominated animated film ever. Pretty impressive.

I'll admit that I've only seen three of the Best Picture nominees and that I probably won't see the other two. I'll give "Milk" it's place since it was pretty widely acclaimed, Gus Van Sant is a fantastic filmmaker and it has a very strong cast. However, "The Reader?" No. Although this wasn't the best year for film (and certainly a far cry from last year), there are still a film films that could've been Best Picture nominees. I would include "The Dark Knight," "In Bruges" and "Wall-e" in that group and "Changeling" and "Happy-Go-Lucky," and "Waltz With Bashir" as almost there.

"Slumdog Millionaire" is, of course, amazing and will easily win the prize. "Frost/Nixon" is a great film and as much as I enjoyed watching it, I could take it or leave it as a Best Picture nominee. It's better than "The Queen" was a few years ago, that's for sure. I think in the end, I would put both "Wall-e" and "In Bruges" in over "Frost/Nixon" and "Milk." But whatever.

"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
"The Dark Knight"
"In Bruges"
"Slumdog Millionaire"
"Wall-e"

Performance by an actor in a leading role

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

Good grief... it's about time Brad Pitt got his second nomination. I've been harping about him getting unjustly snubbed the past two years (for "Babel" and "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford"). Langella, Penn and Rourke were all locks and congratulations to them all. Frank Langella came close to deserving a nomination last year for "Starting Out in the Evening" even though the film wasn't as good as his performance. I thought Clint Eastwood would get nominated for "Gran Torino" since he was really good and the Academy loves them some Clint. I guess it came out too late and the category was too crowded. I am thrilled that Richard Jenkins was nominated! I saw the film back in April or May and had him in mind as a potential nominee all year. I really hoped he wouldn't get forgotten. I would love nothing more than too see Richard Jenkins walk away with it (except maybe to see both him and Melissa Leo win). Who else gave a nod-worthy performance this year? I would say Colin Farrell in "In Bruges," Benicio Del Toro in "Che" (He's better in Part 2 than in Part 1 if they must be split up... but as a film overall, I liked Part 1 better), and Dev Patel in "Slumdog Millionaire." But as things go with campaigning, Patel was campaigned as supporting actor since the role is shared by 2 other actors.

Benicio Del Toro in "Che"
Colin Farrell in "In Bruges"
Richard Jenkins in "The Visitor"
Frank Langella in "Frost/Nixon"
Brad Pitt in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"

Performance by an actress in a leading role

Anne Hathaway in “Rachel Getting Married”
Angelina Jolie in “Changeling”
Melissa Leo in “Frozen River”
Meryl Streep in “Doubt”
Kate Winslet in “The Reader”

Anne Hathaway was good in "Rachel Getting Married," definitely. But I don't think she was good enough for this nomination... I mean she was even outshone by another cast member in the same movie (Rosemarie DeWitt). Meryl Streep is fantastic as always in "Doubt" but I just don't know if I would have nominated her for it. I was shocked at first that Kate Winslet was nominated for "The Reader" over "Revolutionary Road." I'm happy Angelina Jolie got a nomination for her fine work (it was deserved last year too, for "A Mighty Heart"). Melissa Leo is finally getting the recognition she's deserved for so long (like Richard Jenkins). I think Cate Blanchett deserved a nomination for Daisy, the heart of "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button." I also think Sally Hawkins should not only have been nominated for "Happy-Go-Lucky" but have been in a dead heat with Melissa Leo for the win. I didn't see "I've Loved You So Long" but I've heard wonderful things about Kristen Scott Thomas in it (and while I've never been much of a fan of hers... sometimes you can just tell that you'll like a movie before even seeing it). Finally, Michelle Williams was terrific in "Wendy & Lucy."

Cate Blanchett in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Sally Hawkins in "Happy-Go-Lucky"
Angelina Jolie in “Changeling”
Melissa Leo in “Frozen River”
Michelle Williams in "Wendy & Lucy”


Performance by an actor in a supporting role

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

Congratulations on your nominations: Josh, Robert, Philip and Michael. Better luck next time. Heath will win it not because he is dead but because he deserves it. Ralph Fiennes had a great year as a supporting actor in three films... my favorite turn from him was in "In Bruges." Other supporting actors of note this year include Dev Patel in "Slumdog Millionaire," Russell Crowe in "Body of Lies," Jeffrey Wright in "Cadillac Records," Liev Schreiber in "Defiance," Haaz Sleiman in "The Visitor," Brandon Walters in "Australia," Bill Nighy in "Valkyrie," Brendan Gleeson in "In Bruges," and Eddie Marsan in "Happy-Go-Lucky." Finally, it's really hard to decide between keeping Robert Downey Jr. in and adding Anil Kapoor for his magnetic game show host in "Slumdog Millionaire."

Robert Downey, Jr. in "Tropic Thunder"
Ralph Fiennes in "In Bruges"
Heath Ledger in "The Dark Knight"
Eddie Marsan in "Happy-Go-Lucky"
Dev Patel in "Slumdog Millionaire"



Performance by an actress in a supporting role

Amy Adams in "Doubt"
Penelope Cruz in "Vicky Cristina Barcelona"
Viola Davis in "Doubt"
Taraji P. Henson in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
Marisa Tomei in "The Wrestler"

While Cate was the heart of "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," Taraji P. Henson is the soul and her nomination is rightly deserved. Viola Davis was the best thing about "Doubt" (even though I didn't find much to choose from) and Penelope Cruz might have been the only good thing about "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" (aside from the city itself). I didn't see "The Wrestler" yet but Marisa Tomei is an Academy favorite for a reason... she's a fine actress (and she's fine). I wouldn't have nominated Amy Adams but she was good. I liked Misty Upham in "Frozen River," Juliette Binoche in "Flight of the Red Balloon," Frances McDormand in "Burn After Reading," Hanna Schygulla in "The Edge of Heaven," Hiam Abbass in "The Visitor" and Frieda Pinto in "Slumdog Millionaire" but I doubt I would have put any of them on my ballot. Instead, I probably would have gone with Beyonce Knowles in "Cadillac Records," surprisingly enough. She really blew me away with her turn as Etta James. I think my final slot would have gone to Rosemarie DeWitt for "Rachel Getting Married." I have a feeling I would definitely have picked Marisa had I seen the movie already.

Penelope Cruz in "Vicky Cristina Barcelona"
Viola Davis in "Doubt"
Rosemarie DeWitt in "Rachel Getting Married"
Taraji P. Henson in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
Beyonce Knowles in "Cadillac Records"

Achievement in directing

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

Sub Christopher Nolan in for Stephen Daldry and there is a good list. I might go a bit further though and drop Ron Howard in favor of Clint Eastwood or Mike Leigh. And of course, I have complete confidence in Gus Van Sant but I didn't see his film. Danny Boyle's got this, though. His film is the bell of the ball already and he's shown us with his filmography that he is one of the most versatile directors around.

"Changeling" - Clint Eastwood
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" - David Fincher
"The Dark Knight" - Christopher Nolan
"Happy-Go-Lucky" - Mike Leigh
"Slumdog Millionaire" - Danny Boyle

Adapted screenplay

"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
"Doubt"
"Frost/Nixon"
"The Reader"
"Slumdog Millionaire"

No doubt about it (sorry), "Doubt" has no business here. That movie gets by (well...) solely on it's cast and nothing else. "Frost/Nixon" had a dynamite screenplay, I thought, and "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" is quite epic. Insert "The Dark Knight." I know I'd love "Gommorah" and "The Class" here but I didn't see them. I really don't know what else...? I don't think "Waltz With Bashir" was adapted from anything and it being a documentary makes the screenplay a bit tricky for awards like this... but it is masterful. "Body of Lies" had a good screenplay, as did "Iron Man." I am more impressed with the original screenplay offerings this year.

"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
"The Dark Knight
"Frost/Nixon"
"Iron Man"
"Slumdog Millionaire"


Original screenplay

"Frozen River"
"Happy-Go-Lucky"
"In Bruges"
"Milk"
"Wall-e"

Great list. Again, if "Waltz With Bashir" being a documentary wasn't an issue... it might come into play here. Instead, I have to say "The Band's Visit" has a wonderful, quirky screenplay.

"The Band's Visit"
"Frozen River"
"Happy-Go-Lucky"
"In Bruges"
"Wall-e"


Best animated feature film of the year

"Bolt"
"Kung Fu Panda"
"Wall-e"

No "Waltz With Bashir?" Unbelievable. Although, it might have won over "Wall-e" had it been nominated and they love "Wall-e" way too much to risk that.

"Kung Fu Panda"
"Wall-e"
"Waltz With Bashir"


Achievement in art direction

"Changeling"
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
"The Dark Knight"
"The Duchess"
"Revolutionary Road"

I feel that "Australia" definitely gets high marks in Art Direction regardless of whether you liked the film or not (I did). Also, "The Fall" has pretty spectacular aesthetics. "The Duchess" looks great, but we've see it every year.

"Australia"
"Changeling"
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
"The Dark Knight"
"The Fall"



Achievement in cinematography

"Changeling"
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
"The Dark Knight"
"The Reader"
"Slumdog Millionaire"

I have to include "Defiance" in here. I also liked the cinematography in "The Year My Parents Went on Vacation," "My Blueberry Nights," "Australia," and "Che" (specifically Part 2, although Part 1 used better technology).

"Changeling"
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
"The Dark Knight"
"Defiance"
"Slumdog Millionaire"



Achievement in costume design

"Australia"
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
"The Duchess"
"Milk"
"Revolutionary Road"

All of these are appropriate. "Changeling," "The Dark Knight," and "The Fall" all could work too.

"Australia"
"Changeling"
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
"The Duchess"
"The Fall"



Best documentary feature

"The Betrayal (Nerakhoon)"
"Encounters at the End of the World"
"The Garden"
"Man on Wire"
"Trouble the Water"

I've only seen "Man on Wire" and it's great. I doubt they consider "Waltz With Bashir" solely a documentary, otherwise it would be a definite pick.


Best documentary short subject

"The Conscience of Nhem En"
"The Final Inch"
"Smile Pinki"
"The Witness from the Balcony of Room 306"

Cool.


Achievement in film editing

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

Good choices. I recently watched the Norwegian film "Reprise" and I must say, that movie is ALL editing. I would have to include it here.

"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
"The Dark Knight"
"Frost/Nixon"
"Reprise"
"Slumdog Millionaire"


Best foreign language film of the year

"The Baader Meinhof Complex" Germany
"The Class" France
"Departures" Japan
"Revanche" Austria
"Waltz with Bashir" Israel

I've only seen "Waltz With Bashir" and it might be the biggest injustice of the evening if it doesn't win. Although, I am very exciting about seeing "The Class" soon.


Achievement in makeup

"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
"The Dark Knight"
"Hellboy II: The Golden Army"

Sure, these sound fine. "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" would've been fine too.


Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score)

"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" - Alexandre Desplat
"Defiance" - James Newton Howard
"Milk" - Danny Elfman
"Slumdog Millionaire" - A.R. Rahman
"Wall-e" - Thomas Newman

Haven't heard the "Milk" score but I'm pleased with the others. "Benjamin Button" has an extremely melodic and moving score, my favorite of the year. "Slumdog Millionaire" is very modern and poppy, thus it's different from what the Academy usually goes for. Thomas Newman did a great job with "Wall-e" and I'm excited that "Defiance" didn't get forgotten since it truly has one of the best scores of the year. I love the use of Bach's "Sheep May Safely Graze" in the main theme of "Australia."

"Australia" - David Hirschfelder
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" - Alexandre Desplat
"Defiance" - James Newton Howard
"Slumdog Millionaire" - A.R. Rahman
"Wall-e" - Thomas Newman


Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song)

"Down to Earth" from "Wall-e"
"Jai-Ho" from "Slumdog Millionaire"
"O... Saya" from "Slumdog Millionaire"

I expected all three of these to be nominees. However, I also expected "The Wrestler" as well. I'd throw in "Gran Torino" also... as long as Clint Eastwood isn't the one singing it.

"Down to Earth" from "Wall-e"
"Gran Torino" from "Gran Torino"
"Jai-Ho" from "Slumdog Millionaire"
"O... Saya" from "Slumdog Millionaire"
"The Wrestler" from "The Wrestler"


Best animated short film

"La maison en petits cubes"
"Lavatory - Lovestory"
"Oktapodi"
"Presto"
"This Way Up"

Congratulations to them all.


Best live action short film

"Auf der Strecke (On the Line)"
"Manon on the Asphalt"
"New Boy"
"The Pig"
"Spielzeugland (Toyland)""

Nice.

Achievement in sound editing

"The Dark Knight"
"Iron Man"
"Slumdog Millionaire"
"WALL·E"
"Wanted"

Good choices. Don't know what I would change.


Achievement in sound mixing

"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
"The Dark Knight"
"Slumdog Millionaire"
"WALL·E"
"Wanted" "

Good choices again. Don't know what I would change.

Achievement in visual effects

"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
"The Dark Knight"
"Iron Man"

And your winner is... "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button."