Oscar Predictions 2008

Every year I go through this ritual of picking my oscars predictions and more often than not these predictions stand up pretty well when compared the actual oscar nominations.

But, this year it has been particularly difficult to predict which way the academy would go. There have been so many movies and strong performances which have been of the highest order, resulting in stiff competition in almost every major category, and the Academy would find itself in an un-enviable position of having to decide which of those top-notch productions/performances would have to be left out. For instance, Philip Seymour Hoffman had an amazing year showcasing his acting abilities in three very diverse roles- Before the devil knows you are dead, The Savages & Charlie Wilson's War. In any other year he would've been nominated for best actor in a lead role for any of those performances, but this year he may well have to settle for best supporting role in Charlie Wilson's War.

So having said that, here are my predictions -

Best Motion Picture
1) Atonement
2) No country for old men
3) Juno
4) Eastern Promises
5) There will be Blood

A tricky category. The key nomination here is Atonement. People and critics have either loved it or panned it. It'll be interesting to see if the Academy gets carried away with the buzz generated by Atonement in the current awards season. I personally liked the movie, and in the past, the academy have been rather kind to such emotional dramas (especially british productions). So I'm going with my gut feeling that Atonement would be a key nomination in most categories. That'll leave no place for 'Into the wild' (excellent directorial debut of oscar winner sean penn--which I havent seen, but the book was an un-inspiring read) , 'Michael Clayton' and over-hyped 'American Gangster' (which I felt was a stale and dreadfully predictable piece of film-making).

My task was made much easier given that three of best movies of the year would get slotted into the Best Foreign Motion picture category - 'The Kite Runner'(wonderful adaptation of the Khaled Hossseini's heart-wrenching novel of the same name) , 'The Diving Bell and the Butterfly' and Ang Lee's provocative 'Lust, Caution'.

Best Actor in a lead role-

1) Daniel Day Lewis - There will be Blood
2) Johnny Depp - Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
3) James McAvoy - Atonement
4) George Clooney - Michael Clayton
5) Viggo Mortensen - Eastern Promises

Daniel Day-Lewis has stormed into contention with his dynamic potrayal of multi-layered, complex Daniel Plainview. George Clooney has been a shoo-in since the the release of Michael Clayton. However, the same can't be said of Denzel Washington who riveted audiences with his performance in American Gangster, but since then the buzz has slowly faded and would surely die down by the time oscars nominations are announced. Instead I feel the academy would go with Johnny Depp's earnest effort in 'Sweeny Todd:The Demon Barber of Fleet Street'. Depp once again impresses and shows his versatile range and depth to his acting skills. He is the probably the only actor who seamlessly transitions into varied roles. Unlucky to miss out - Emile Hirsche's brilliant performance in 'Into the Wild'.

Best Actress in a lead role -

1) Julie Christie - Away from Her
2) Cate Blanchett - Elizabeth II- The Golden Age
3) Marion Cotillard - La Mome'
4) Ellen Page - Juno
5) Kiera Knightley - Atonement

Kiera Knightley for atonement? Hmm, it was between Kiera Knightley, Angelina Jolie (for 'A mighty Heart') and Jodie Foster ('The Brave One'). Unlucky to miss out - Laura Linney who provides a credible performance in the Savages


Best Actor in a Supporting Role

1) Javier Bardem - No Country for Old Men
2) Casey Affleck - Asssassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
3) Philip Seymour Hoffman - Charlie Wilson's War
4) Tom Wilkinson - Michael Clayton
5) Hal Holbrook - Into the Wild

Probably the only category where every actor was a lock as soon as the movies hit the big screens. I'd be very surprised if these were not the final nominees. Unlucky to miss out - Tommy Lee Jones for 'No Country for Old Men'


Best actress in a supporting Role
1) Cate Blanchett - I'm not there
2) Tilda Swinton - Michael Clayton
3) Amy Ryan - Gone Baby Gone
4) Catherine Keener - Into the Wild
5) Saoirse ronan - Atonement

Difficult category, although i'm certain the top three are sure picks. Catherine Keener sizzles in her performance in Into the Wild. Unlucky to miss out - Ruby Dee, the veteran actress for her role in American Gangster.

Best director
1) Joe wright - Atonement
2) Julian Schnabel - The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
3) Ethan & Joel Cohen - No Country for Old Men
4) Tony Gilroy - Michael Clayton
5) Paul Thomas Anderson - There will be Blood

Is it possible to pick a director but not his/her creation? I mean how could they competing for the best when their product or work of art is not equally competing in their respective categories either? Case in point - Julian Schnabel. Interesting question for which I have no definite answer.

Best Original Screenplay -

1) Juno -
2) Michael Clayton
3) The Savages
4) Ratoutille
5) Lars and the Real Girl

Best Adapted Screenplay
1) Atonement
2) No Country for Old Men
3) There will be Blood
4) The Kite Runner
5) Charlie Wilson's War

Unlucky to lose out - Into the Wild, but boy what a category this would turn out to be.

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