MY COMPLETE OSCAR WINNER PREDICTION LIST

BEST PICTURE - Slumdog Millionaire (Fox Searchlight)
BEST DIRECTOR - Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
BEST ACTOR - Sean Penn, Milk
BEST ACTRESS - Kate Winslet, The Reader
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR - Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS - Viola Davis, Doubt.
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY - Dustin Lance Black, Milk
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY - Simon Beaufoy, Slumdog Millionaire
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM - Waltz with Bashir (Israel)
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE - WALL-E
BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE - Man on Wire
BEST ART DIRECTION - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY - Anthony Dod Mantle, Slumdog Millionaire
BEST FILM EDITING - Chris Dickens, Slumdog Millionaire
BEST ORIGINAL SONG - “Down to Earth” from WALL-E; Music by Peter Gabriel and Thomas Newman, Lyric by Peter Gabriel
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE - A. H. Rahman, Slumdog Millionaire
BEST COSTUME DESIGN - Michael O'Connor, The Duchess
BEST SOUND MIXING - The Dark Knight, Lora Hirschberg, Gary Rizzo and Ed Novick
BEST SOUND EDITING - WALL-E, Ben Burtt and Matthew Wood
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
BEST MAKE-UP - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

AND FINALLY... BEST PICTURE

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
PLUSSES: Ambitious big screen adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's short story has attractive and talented leads (Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Tilda Swinton) and impressive technical credits in it; the only $100 million box office grossing Best Picture nominee this year.
MINUSES: The Slumdog fever is unstoppable; destined to win some minor awards, not Best Picture.
PROBABILITY: 3/5

FROST/NIXON
PLUSSES: Well reviewed adaptation of Peter Morgan's Tony Award nominated play gets due points for its strong performances and adroit writing.
MINUSES: The Slumdog fever is unstoppable; disappointing box office; no Nixon movie has won an Oscar before; the performances and writing are its assets, not the film as a whole.
PROBABILITY: 4/5

MILK
PLUSSES: The movie was released at the right time, given the current state of American politics; sentiment for the late California mayor remains in most Academy members; terrific reviews.
MINUSES: The Slumdog fever is unstoppable; anti-gay members and activists are distracting; so-so box office performance
PROBABILITY: 2/5

THE READER
PLUSSES: Holocaust themed pictures are typical Oscar contenders; international cast (Bruno Ganz, Alexandra Maria Lara, David Kross) added to its art-house cred; it's a Weinstein Brothers movie.
MINUSES: It's a Weinstein Brothers movie; the Slumdog fever is unstoppable; mixed reviews; many people say it snagged the slot that is reserved for The Dark Knight.
PROBABILITY: 5/5

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
PLUSSES: The only film in Oscar history to sweep all guilds' (PGA, DGA, WGA, ACE, ASC, PDGA) and pre-Oscar (Globes, SAG, BAFTA, BFCA) nods, the British film has universal appeal, global scope (India, UK, and US cast and crew), and touching production back story (release delays, budget constraints, mixed reception in India)in it.
MINUSES: None, unless some Academy members become jealous of its countless awards and give the top prize to another movie (which is unlikely).
PROBABILITY: 1/1

THE LOWDOWN: Slumdog Millionaire couldn't have been released at the right time. After three years in contention, Fox Searchlight will have its first Best Picture winner in its hands.

OSCAR-WATCH PREDICTIONS: BEST DIRECTOR

DAVID FINCHER, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
PLUSSES: Contemporary auteur overdue for Oscar recognition; consistently daring and well lensed projects (Zodiac, Fight Club; Panic Room; Seven) with artistic and mainstream appeal
MINUSES: Isn't Danny Boyle; will win in the future
PROBABILITY: 2/5

RON HOWARD, Frost/Nixon
PLUSSES: The former Happy Days star and Beautiful Mind auteur tackles a historical event in American politics and media; the film's thematic urgency is an asset.
MINUSES: Isn't Danny Boyle; Movies about former U.S. President Richard Nixon have never received an Oscar; the film is an achievement in acting and writing, not directing; won Best Director nine years ago.
PROBABILITY: 5/5

GUS VAN SANT, Milk
PLUSSES: The Good Will Hunting helmer has tackled a politically urgent film that wowed critics (if not audiences); established cred and appeal with other filmmakers and art-house literati; the only openly-gay director to be nominated by the Academy twice
MINUSES: Isn't Danny Boyle; uncompromising vision and choice of projects.
PROBABILITY: 3/5

STEPHEN DALDRY, The Reader
PLUSSES: Received his third Best Director nod for his third film; much publicized struggles while making the film are an asset.
MINUSES: Isn't Danny Boyle; the movie has many vocal detractors.
PROBABILITY: 5/5

DANNY BOYLE, Slumdog Millionaire
PLUSSES: After many years of unconventional and art-house films (Shallow Grave; Trainspotting; The Beach; 28 Days), the 53 year old Brit has helmed a touching love story with universal appeal; his DGA win sealed his Oscar chances.
MINUSES: Envy factor (though small); has no projects lined up in the future.

LOWDOWN: It's Danny Boyle, hands-down. No contest.

OSCAR-WATCH PREDICTIONS: BEST ACTRESS

ANNE HATHAWAY, Rachel Getting Married
PLUSSES: Ingenue factor: young actress played against type; Jonathan Demme has a knack for unconventional female characters; won Broadcast Film Critics Award (tied with Meryl Streep).
MINUSES: It's Kate vs. Meryl year; the film was a box office disappointment.
PROBABILITY: 4/5

ANGELINA JOLIE, Changeling
PLUSSES: Change of pace role for the Girl, Interrupted Best Sup. Actress winner; fact-based story has a chilling, emotional complexity (with happy ending); Clint Eastwood directed Hilary Swank to her second Oscar for Million Dollar Baby in 2005.
MINUSES: It's Kate vs. Meryl year; media backlash (Brangelina) could hurt her chances; prickly personality on and off-screen; mixed reviews for her performance; poor box office performance of the film; won Oscar in 2000.
PROBABILITY: 5/5

MELISSA LEO, Frozen River
PLUSSES: Hard-working character actress overdue for Oscar recognition; excellent reviews for her performance; strong support from Academy members (Clint Eastwood, Sean Penn, Josh Brolin, Whoopi Goldberg) and mainstream press (Roger Ebert); the movie has thematic urgency, given the current political and economic climate; women's groups rallied for her and the movie as well.
MINUSES: It's Kate vs. Meryl year; Frozen River is the lowest grossing nominee in this category.
PROBABILITY: 3/5

MERYL STREEP, Doubt.
PLUSSES: "The greatest living actress of all time" received her record setting 15th acting nod for her role as a crusading nun; reviews wise, this is her best chance for a third Oscar; the movie's fourth acting nominations indicate a strong ensemble cast.
MINUSES: Immense support for six-time nominee Kate Winslet; no major nods (Best Picture, Director) for the film; won two Oscars already ("share the wealth" factor); the movie's detractors faulted her studied, unnatural acting compared to Cherry Jones' Tony Award winning performance on Broadway.
PROBABILITY: 2/5

KATE WINSLET, The Reader
PLUSSES: Winslet is the youngest acting nominee with six nods before the age of 33; consistently engaging performances make her overdue for Oscar recognition; Holocaust themed films are Oscar-bait material.
MINUSES: Fine but not great reviews for her performance; her character is unrepentant and repugnant; detractors consider her Golden Globe winning role in Revolutionary Road more emotionally complex and dramatically resonant; the film is a Weinstein Brothers release; category fraud (won Golden Globe and SAG awards for the role); Meryl Streep is overdue for a third Oscar.
PROBABILITY: 1/5

THE LOWDOWN: Call it a battle of benchmark nominees: Winslet is the youngest acting nominee with six nods, while Streep garnered her 15th acting nod; the 33 year old Brit has enough momentum and support from her co-thespians and the media, hence the Oscar should go to... Kate Winslet.

OSCAR-WATCH PREDICTIONS: BEST ACTOR

RICHARD JENKINS, The Visitor
PLUSSES: After many years of consistently engaging performances in films such as North Country, Absolute Power, and Rumor Has It, Jenkins lands a well deserved nod for his affecting portrayal of a graduate school professor in Thomas McCarthy's The Visitor.
MINUSES: If the low budget film was released last November, he may stand a better chance of winning the pre-cursor awards (Golden Globes, SAG, BAFTA). Plus, it's a Sean Penn vs. Mickey Rourke battle.
PROBABILITY: 5/5

FRANK LANGELLA, Frost/Nixon
PLUSSES: Another character actor nominated this year is longtime Academy member Langella who reprised his Tony Award winning role to the big screen.
MINUSES: The film was tepidly received by critics and audiences. Actors who play the disgraced former president don't win Oscars (Anthony Hopkins in 1995, as an example). It's a Penn vs. Rourke showdown in the end.
PROBABILITY: 3/5

SEAN PENN, Milk
PLUSSES: Penn received some of the best reviews of his acting career for his critically praised portrayal of the late openly gay California mayor Harvey Milk. He won the critics' trifecta (LA, NY, National Society) and SAG awards for his performance.
MINUSES: Conservative (and homophobic) voters (Ernest Borgnine, Tony Curtis, to name a few) are a dominant voice in the Academy. He won the award five years ago for Mystic River (spread the wealth factor). Mickey Rourke's career comeback has found immense support from the Globes and BAFTA.
PROBABILITY: 1/5

BRAD PITT, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
PLUSSES: Fine reviews for his role. The film's 13 nominations isn't a fluke either.
MINUSES: Better chances in the technical categories, nothing else. It's a Penn vs. Rourke showdown come Oscar night.
PROBABILITY: 4/5

MICKEY ROURKE, The Wrestler
PLUSSES: Hollywood's biggest comeback story of 2008 is Mickey Rourke. After a self-inflicted career nosedive and obscurity, he hit the spotlight after 15 years for his well received performance in The Wrestler. He won the Golden Globe and BAFTA awards for the role of a lifetime.
MINUSES: Some Academy members may prefer to "wait and see" if he has changed already. (He has to pay his dues after all these years.) The movie's two nods and miniscule box office aren't impressive either. Sentiment for Sean Penn and the film have greater weight.
PROBABILITY: 2/5

THE LOWDOWN: It's a battle between the former bratpacks. Penn has the right political timing for his role as Harvey Milk, while Rourke's career comeback was one of 2008's entertainment highlights. Performance wise, both were great. Since most Academy members vote with their hearts and not with their minds, Penn has greater impact.

OSCAR-WATCH PREDICTIONS: BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

THE BAADER MEINHOF COMPLEX, Germany
- Controversy surrounding the characters in this fact-based post-Holocaust drama is in litigation now, and Germany won the award two years ago.
PROBABILITY: 5/5

THE CLASS, France (pictured)
- This is France's 34th Best Foreign Film nod, and in a year of true-to-life films 2008's Palme d'Or winner has strong appeal with traditional Academy voters.
PROBABILITY: 2/5

DEPARTURES, Japan
- No Japanese film has won the award since its inauguration as a competitive category in 1956.
PROBABILITY: 3/5

REVANCHE, Austria
- Austria won the award last year for The Counterfeiters, a well received film than this love on the run drama.
PROBABILITY: 4/5

WALTZ WITH BASHIR, Israel
- Ari Folman's partly autobiographical debut feature went home empty handed at Cannes last year, but it emerged victorious Stateside (winning numerous awards including the Golden Globe, WGA, and National Society for Film Critics for Best Film). Its cinematic roots (animated docu-drama) may prove too confusing for old fashioned voters.
PROBABILITY: 1/5


THE LOWDOWN: Sony Pictures Classics is busy campaigning for The Class and Bashir, but only one will win. France should find itself a winner though.

OSCAR-WATCH PREDICTIONS: BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON, Screenplay by Eric Roth, Screen story by Eric Roth and Robin Swicord
- This is Roth's third Oscar nomination, though the film may fare better in the technical categories. The Slumdog train may derail his chances.
PROBABILITY: 2/5

DOUBT, Written by John Patrick Shanley
- Shanley won the Best Original Screenplay Oscar for Moonstruck in 1988 and the Tony Award for Best Play in 2006. The film received mixed critical traction, and its performances were far better received than his writing. Plus, the Slumdog train may derail his chances.
PROBABILITY: 4/5

FROST/NIXON, Screenplay by Peter Morgan
- Just like Shanley, Morgan adapted his Tony winning play for the screen with divisive results. Plus, the Slumdog train may derail his chances.
PROBABILITY: 3/5

THE READER, Screenplay by David Hare
- Hare had a better chance of winning six years ago for The Hours and not for this Weinstein Brothers production. Plus, the Slumdog train may derail his chances.
PROBABILITY: 5/5

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE, Screenplay by Simon Beaufoy (pictured)
- 2008 is Slumdog's year, and the Full Monty (1997) nominee is assured of a ticket to the podium.
PROBABILITY: 1/5

THE LOWDOWN: Beaufoy swept most of the Best Screenplay awards (including the WGA for Adapted Writing) this year, and the Slumdog fever isn't resting on its laurels.

OSCAR-WATCH PREDICTIONS: BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

FROZEN RIVER, Written by Courtney Hunt (pictured, right)
- Melissa Leo's widely praised performance was the center of the film and not her debut screenplay.
PROBABILITY: 2/5

HAPPY-GO-LUCKY, Written by Mike Leigh
- The lack of love for four-time nominee Leigh's critically acclaimed film was obvious with Sally Hawkins' surprise snub from the Academy and BAFTA. This is the movie's sole nomination, and its own reward.
PROBABILITY: 4/5

IN BRUGES, Written by Martin McDonagh
- The Belgium-set Irish tragicomedy surprisingly scored a Best Screenplay nod despite its March 2008 release, so its nomination is enough.
PROBABILITY: 5/5

MILK, Written by Dustin Lance Black
- This is Black's first produced screenplay and the category's sole Best Picture nominee. After winning the WGA last month, will Oscar be next? Common sense says he will (and deserves it).
PROBABILITY: 1/5

WALL-E, Screenplay by Andrew Stanton, Jim Reardon, Original story by Andrew Stanton, Pete Docter
- Pixar films are a staple in this category every year, and WALL-E is no exception. This is Stanton's second nomination as a writer, though animated films stand no chance of winning the Best Screenplay award.
PROBABILITY: 3/5

THE LOWDOWN: Milk may repeat its WGA win on March 22, though WALL-E and Frozen River have its ardent supporters.

10th OSCAR-WATCH PREDICTIONS: BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Aside from Best Foreign Language Film and Best Original Screenplay, this year's Best Sup. Actress race is unpredictable. Take a look at my predictions and stats:

AMY ADAMS, DOUBT
PLUSSES: Fine performance in an ensemble film; previously nominated for 2005's Junebug (same category); newly minted Academy member has a good reputation in Hollywood for her vivacity, graciousness, and talent.
MINUSES: Viola Davis' performance was more lauded than hers; lacked "big emotional" scene to put her on top
PROBABILITY: 4/5


PENELOPE CRUZ, VICKY CHRISTINA BARCELONA
PLUSSES: Critically acclaimed performance that won her a BAFTA two weeks ago over Viola Davis and Amy Adams; actresses in Woody Allen films are an Oscar favorite
MINUSES: The "killer" role; the movie was surprisingly snubbed by the Academy in other categories
PROBABILITY: 3/5


VIOLA DAVIS, DOUBT.
PLUSSES: In a year wherein hard working character actors and actresses are honored, hers stole the spotlight; being praised by the "greatest living actress of all time" Meryl Streep last month at the Screen Actors Guild Awards is a big deal of class and traction for her widely praised performance.
MINUSES: Internal competition from Cruz and Henson
PROBABILITY: 1/5


TARAJI P. HENSON, THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
PLUSSES: Well received performance in the biggest nominated film of the year
MINUSES: Davis packed more emotional punch and media attention, while Cruz has the powerful Weinstein Brothers behind her; Button has better chances in technical categories
PROBABILITY: 2/5


MARISA TOMEI, THE WRESTLER
PLUSSES: The category's only previous winner (1992's My Cousin Vinny) received some of the best reviews of her career for her performance in the movie; holding her own against Best Actor nominee and 2008's comeback story Mickey Rourke isn't much of a stretch either.
MINUSES: Won an Oscar before (spread the wealth); Rourke stole the spotlight from her; internal competition.
PROBABILITY: 5/5


PREDICTIONS: It's a three-way race: Davis has the actors' branch to back her up, while Cruz has the Weinstein Brothers and critics to support her, and Henson as the long-shot.

10th OSCAR-WATCH PREDICTIONS

2009 marks the tenth year of Reel Reviews' Annual Oscar-Watch Predictions Game. Though the grand slam guilds' performance of Slumdog Millionaire make it the "only" sure thing for multiple Oscars (including Best Picture), the primary objective is to assess the probability of a film, performance, or technical aspect/detail to win an Academy Award.

Today, I will discuss the Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress predictions. (These are the two major awards that are announced earlier in the telecast.)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

JOSH BROLIN, MILK
PLUSSES: Performance was acclaimed; he is a new Academy member; retribution for being snubbed last year for his career comeback in the four-time winning "No Country for Old Men"
MINUSES: Competition from Heath Ledger; unsympathetic role; "Milk" spotlight focused on Sean Penn and the movie, not on him.
PROBABILITY: 3/5


ROBERT DOWNEY, JR., TROPIC THUNDER
PLUSSES: Career comeback for the 1993 Best Actor nominee and former Hollywood wild child (drug addict); starring in 2008's third highest grossing film "Iron Man" do not hurt either.
MINUSES: Isn't Heath Ledger; Controversial nature of the role was brutally savaged by many critics; the Ben Stiller-directed film was a relative box office disappointment
PROBABILITY: 5/5


PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN, DOUBT.
PLUSSES: Well received performance of a controversial role (played on stage by Tony Award nominee Brian F. O'Byrne)
MINUSES: Isn't Heath Ledger; won Best Actor Oscar for "Capote" three years ago (spread the wealth); the movie was a relative box office and critical disappointment; Meryl Streep and Viola Davis gained more press traction than him
PROBABILITY: 5/5


HEATH LEDGER, THE DARK KNIGHT
PLUSSES: The "killer" role that put his performance on the map; the film was a critical and box office success (second highest grossing movie of all time); 1976 posthumous Best Actor winner Peter Finch ("Network") proved that dead actors can win an Oscar too.
MINUSES: He's dead already, so what is he to gain?
PROBABILITY: 1/5


MICHAEL SHANNON, REVOLUTIONARY ROAD
PLUSSES: Hard working character actor was honored for a well received performance
MINUSES: Heath Ledger; the film is a critical and box office disappointment; minimal screen time
PROBABILITY: 2/5


PREDICTION: Heath Ledger's family should prepare a speech just in case his name is called, though Michael Shannon might score a huge upset. Ouch!

"SLUMDOG" WINS SEVEN BAFTAs; KATE, MICKEY, PENELOPE HONORED

BEST PICTURE: Slumdog Millionaire, Christian Colson, producer
BEST DIRECTOR: Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
BEST ACTRESS: Kate Winslet, The Reader
BEST ACTOR: Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler
SUPPORTING ACTOR: Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
BRITISH FILM: Man on Wire
ANIMATED FILM: WALL•E
CARL FOREMAN AWARD: Steve McQueen, Hunger
FILM NOT IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE: I’ve Loved You So Long
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: Martin McDonagh, In Bruges
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: Simon Beaufoy, Slumdog Millionaire
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Anthony Dod Mantle, Slumdog Millionaire
VISUAL EFFECTS: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
MAKEUP and HAIR: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
PRODUCTION DESIGN: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
SCORE: A. R. Rahman, Slumdog Millionaire
SOUND: Slumdog Millionaire
EDITING: Slumdog Millionaire
COSTUMES: The Duchess
RISING STAR: Noel Clarke
SHORT ANIMATION: Wallace & Gromit: A Matter of Loaf and Death
ACADEMY FELLOWSHIP: Terry Gilliam

"SLUMDOG" WINS SAG ENSEMBLE AWARD

... If ever "Slumdog" didn't win it, what film will it be?

BEST MALE ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE - Sean Penn, Milk(first SAG award)
BEST FEMALE ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE - Meryl Streep, Doubt. (first SAG; she predictably won it since frontrunner Kate Winslet was nominated-and ultimately won-the Best Sup. Actress award for The Reader)
BEST MALE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE - Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
BEST FEMALE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE - Kate Winslet, The Reader (oh well...)
BEST ENSEMBLE CAST OF A THEATRICAL MOTION PICTURE - Slumdog Millionaire

GUILDS ROUND-UP: 'SLUMDOG' TAKES IT LIKE A "WALK IN THE PARK"

DIRECTORS GUILD OF AMERICA (DGA)

OUTSTANDING DIRECTORIAL ACHIEVEMENT IN MOTION PICTURES - Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire


PRODUCERS GUILD OF AMERICA (PGA)
The Darryl F. Zanuck Producer of the Year Award in Theatrical Motion Pictures
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE, Christian Colson

The Producers Guild of America Producer of the Year Award in Documentary Theatrical Motion Pictures
MAN ON WIRE, Simon Chinn

The Producers Guild of America Producer of the Year Award in Animated Theatrical Motion Pictures
WALL-E, Jim Morris


WGA Winners (SCREEN WINNERS)

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Milk, Written by Dustin Lance Black, Focus Features

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Slumdog Millionaire, Screenplay by Simon Beaufoy, Based on the Novel Q and A by Vikas Swarup, Fox Searchlight Pictures

DOCUMENTARY SCREENPLAY
Waltz with Bashir, Written by Ari Folman, Sony Pictures Classics


AMERICAN CINEMA EDITORS (ACE) EDDIE AWARDS WINNERS

BEST EDITED FEATURE FILM - Slumdog Millionaire, Chris Dickens
BEST EDITED ANIMATED FEATURE - WALL-E, Stephen Schaffer
BEST EDITED DOCUMENTARY FEATURE - Man On Wire, Jinx Godfrey


AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CINEMATOGRAPHERS (ASC)
WINNER: Anthony Dod Mantle, Slumdog Millionaire
(Mantle previously worked with Lars von Trier in Dogville and Manderlay)

NOMINEES:
Roger Deakins, Revolutionary Road
Roger Deakins & Chris Menges, The Reader (Oscar nominee)
Claudio Miranda, Benjamin Button (Oscar nominee)
Wally Pfister, The Dark Knight (Oscar nominee)

Changeling's Tom Stern is in contention for the Oscar on Feb. 22, though he was snubbed by the ASC.

OSCAR NOMINATIONS: THE AFTERSHOCK

It's been three weeks since the 81st Academy Awards nominations were announced, and I'm reeling from the mostly unexpected-and ultimately boring-contenders (esp. Slumdog Millionaire - that's you!). Here are this year's highlights and low points:

HIGHLIGHTS
1. Trio of character actors and actress were justly rewarded (Richard Jenkins-pictured, right, Melissa Leo, Michael Shannon)
2. Deserved love (and 7 nods) for critical favorite (but box office underperformer) Milk (including Josh Brolin)
3. Departures, the only Asian film to be shortlisted in the Best Foreign Film category this year
4. Best Orig. Screenplay nominee Courtney Hunt, for her familiar story but nonetheless searing and well acted indie film Frozen River 5. Best Orig. Screenplay contender Martin McDonaugh, for his tragicomedy In Bruges

LOW POINTS
1. "Brangelina" fever (pictured, left) hits the red carpet (the couple enters the Oscar record for being nominated in the same year, though undeservedly so)
2. No Happy-Go-Lucky trip for Sally Hawkins to the podium... well, almost (Mike Leigh will surely not attend the ceremony despite receiving his fourth Best Orig. Screenplay nom)
3. Kate Winslet (for her heartfelt performance in Revolutionary Road)
4. No intriguing original song nominees, not even for past winner and this year's Golden Globe honoree Bruce Springsteen (The Wrestler)
5. Slumdog Millionaire (I just can't share the love for his overrated film...)