The Academy Awards, better known as 'The Oscars", are the ultimate recognition of brilliance in the film industry. With only a couple of days away from the night of announcement of nominations, the Motion Pictures fraternity must be having sleepless nights.
Oh!!Yes!! 2008 had no shortage of top-notch films. From the record-setting blockbuster -The Dark Knight, to the globalized masterpiece- Slumdog Millionaire...this year has seen a plethora of amazing movies. Not to mention some very brilliant performances... the spine-chilling madman in the Late Heath Ledger as "The Joker" to the grieving mother in Angelina Jolie as "Mrs Christine Collins".
There have been a few performances that should have won an Oscar, according to me, but did not-mainly Tom Hanks in Saving Private Ryan and Johnny Depp in Finding Neverland
Nonetheless, having watched a good lot of this year's movies, I have come up with my own list of possible Oscar nominations.
* indicates "My Predcited Winner"
Best Picture:
1. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is a film unlike any I've ever seen and probably ever will. A true epic that left me utterly speechless. It accomplished so much through such simplicity. Everything was top notch from the elegant directing to the subtly wonderful performances down to the magical score. You can only amaze at Benjamin's curious case: his problem of aging — he does it in reverse, a terrible fate that seems somehow a response to the carnage of World War I, or maybe just to the overall misery of life,or maybe just whatever director David Fincher's point might be, this will definitely get the Academy's nod for a nomination and perhaps has the best chance of winning the Grand Prize.
2. Slumdog Millionaire
"The feel good movie of the year" as many have dubbed it, Slumdog Millionaire has been critically acclaimed. The tale of Jamal Mallik becoming a millionaire has captured the hearts of many. Just about every aspect of this film deserves merit, and above all it belongs to Boyle, who managed to assemble such a massive achievement. The score by A.R. Rahman, perfectly accompanies the action on screen.With India as a backdrop, Boyle and his cinematographer have composed some remarkable images. The acting is roundly impressive, especially coming from the younger cast, almost all of which has never acted before. Riding on its 4 Golden Globes, it may emerge from within that envelope.
3. Frost/Nixon
Movies centered on politics are often interesting on an intellectual level, but never has a film of such an ilk been so thoroughly entertaining. It is a testament to Peter Morgan's humility and skill as a writer and Ron Howard's ability to create a compelling "what will happen" drama, out of a story with known outcomes, that Frost/Nixon succeeds as a film. A remarkable performance by Frank Langella as Richard Nixon and Michael Sheen as David Frost makes this film a gripping and unforgettable experience.
4. Milk
Gus Van Sant's "Milk" is an enormously moving film about Harvey Milk, California's first openly gay elected official. If you don't know who he was, you definitely will after watching this movie. Casting is brilliant. Penn inhabits Harvey Milk in a way that few actors I believe would be capable. His physicality and energy is very believable - and it's easy to forget what actor you're watching. Supporting cast is superb too.Instead of a dry portrait of an assasinated leader, Milk delivers a beautifully rendered flavor of the times, and an intimate vision of a man finding his place within a community and history.
5. The Dark Knight*
Perhaps, Christopher Nolan's best work till date...TDK is an imperishable, spectacular and chaotically-brilliant movie. The dark and sinister mood of the film really makes it a masterpiece.From the scale, to the acting, the atmosphere, the music, the action, it's all superb. The cinematography is possibly the most sublime scenes ever chosen. To accompany the atmosphere ,the tremendous music score by movie music maestros, James Newton Howard and Hans Zimmer,is unforgettable. It is tension-building at times, and throbbing and glorious yet dark during others. Christian Bale shines as the Caped Crusader. But,hands down, it is Heath Ledger who steals the show with "The Joker".
It is my personal favourite to win the Oscar, although it may end up not getting nominated.
Dark Horses:
1.Wall – E
WALL·E is undoubtedly the best picture from Pixar - colorful, vibrant, imaginative, exciting, involving, beautiful, and most importantly a film with interesting, involving characters. Sure, WALL·E is adorable, and as much credit as the animators get for that, this film would be nothing without Stanton's screenplay, which features very little dialogue but is still notably intelligent and surprisingly subtle, making a refreshing change from the 'go green' campaigns we're all so used to. An animated film has never been nominated in the Best Picture category, but Wall-E may well be writing record books.
2. Revolutionary Road
Watch out for Revolutionary Road. With Sam Mendes at the helm, you simply can't ignore this movie. There is no question about the acting talents involved. There are some compelling, memorable, emotionally gripping scenes between Leo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, which should interest acting students who wish to know what it means to be "in the moment". The Academy rewarded DiCaprio and Winslet in their previous saga 'Titanic'...and it may do so this year too.
Best Director:
1. David Fincher - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button*
2. Danny Boyle - Slumdog Millionaire
3. Gus Van Sant - Milk
4. Sam Mendes - Revolutionary Road
5. Christopher Nolan -The Dark Knight
Perhaps the most difficult category to judge. On one hand is Fincher's tryst with the unknown, and on the other is Boyle's answer to the globalization of cinema. Nolan's brilliance brought out the best in Heath Ledger giving us all a movie to remember. Gus Van Sant's drama stole our hearts while Sam Mendes showed he is still around the corner.
Dark Horses:
1. Ron Howard(Frost/Nixon)
2. Clint Eastwood(Changeling)
Ron Howard's political drama was exciting and he has got the Academy's nod earlier. But so has Clint Eastwood who has brought out the sentiments of a grieving mother so amazingly in the Changeling.
Best Actor:
1. Sean Penn-Milk*
2. Mickey Rourke-The Wrestler
3. Leonardo Di Caprio-Revolutionary Road
4. Frank Langella-Frost/Nixon
5. Richard Jenkins-The Visitor
It is arguably a face-off between Sean Penn and Mickey Rourke. Both performances are equally powerful, and it may go either way. But Sean Penn's earlier Oscar may tip the scales in his favour. However, The Academy has always sprung surprises and it could well go Richard Jenkins for playing the charming Prof. Walter. Leo is overdue but may have to wait a it longer. Frank Langella has delivered a stunning performance but an Oscar looks hard to get.
Dark Horses:
1. Brad Pitt- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
2. Clint Eastwood- Gran Torino
The Academy has always found Clint Eastwood's works difficult to ignore, and this being his last film as an actor, they may want to give him a fond send off. Brad Pitt has taken his acting skills to a new level and may end up with a nomination.
Best Actress:
1. Meryl Streep - Doubt
2. Sally Hawkins - Happy-Go-Lucky
3. Anne Hathaway - Rachel Getting Married
4. Kate Winslet - Revolutionary Road
5. Angelina Jolie - Changeling*
Angelina has delivered a breath-taking performance and definitely deserves an Oscar. Kate has 5 nominations to date and a 6th one without getting the Prize would not justify her as an actress. The Golden Globe would have definitely bouyed her confidence. Anne Hathaway's dream saga continues as she delivers a break-through performance in Rachel Getting Married. Sally Hawkins too bagged a Globe and emerges a strong contender for the Award. Then, there is the ever-solid Meryl Streep with what could easily be her 15th nomination.
Dark Horse:
1. Kristin Scott Thomas- I've Loved You So Long
Look out for Kristin Scott as her performance may well earn her a nomination in the elite group.
Best Supporting Actor:
1. Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight*
2. Josh Brolin - Milk
3. Philip Seymour Hoffman - Doubt
4. Michael Shannon - Revolutionary Road
5. Robert Downey Jr. - Tropic Thunder
This award was always meant for "The Joker"- the Late Heath Ledger. Even before his death, he was tipped to win this prize. His performance is not confined to a few words. He has taken acting to a new frontier and his performace is right up there with Anthony Hopkins' Hannibal Lecter. It is hard to believe that the Academy would pass on a chance to pay tribute to this talented actor.
Dark Horse:
1. John Malkovich - Changeling
Best Supporting Actress:
1. Penelope Cruz- Vicky Cristina Barcelona
2. Viola Davis- Doubt
3. Amy Adams- Doubt
4. Marissa Tomei- The Wrestler
5. Kate Winslet- The Reader*
This is a tussle between Penelope Cruz playing a beautiful part in a Woody Allen classic and the Golden Globe winner Kate Winslet. The two powerful performances of Doubt are right up there with the rest. Marissa Tomei performs at par with Rourke in The Wrestler and deserves to be nominated. Again it may be Kate who walks away with the trophy.
Best Original Screenplay:
1. Jenny Lummet- Rachel Getting Married
2. Dustin Lance Black - Milk
3. Andrew Stanton, Jim Reardon -Wall-E *
4. Robert D. Siegel - The Wrestler
5. J. Michael Straczynski-Changeling
Dark Horse:
1. Charlie Kaufman - Synechdoche - New York
Best Adapted Screenplay:
1. Simon Beaufoy - Slumdog Millionaire*
2. Eric Roth - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
3. Justin Haythe - Revolutionary Road
4. Peter Morgan - Frost/Nixon
5. David Hare - The Reader
Dark Horse:
1. John Patrick Shanley - Doubt
Best Animated Film:
1. Wall-E*
2. Kung Fu Panda
3. Bolt
Though Kung Fu Panda was an amazing movie with a superb comic angle to it...the Panda 'Po' was just lovable, so were 'Furious Five'... and I would love to see it win; it is almost certain that Wall-E will take home the Cup, simply because it has taken animation movies to the next level.
Dark horse:
1. Waltz With Bashir
Best Editing:
1. Gran Torino
2. The Dark Knight*
3. Slumdog Millionaire
4. Revolutionary Road
5. Frost/Nixon
Best Cinematography:
1. Tom Stern- Changeling
2. Wally Pfister - The Dark Knight*
3. Mandy Walker - Australia
4. Roger Deakins -Revolutionary Road
5. Claudio Miranda-The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Best Art Direction:
1. Milk
2. Revolutionary Road
3. Changeling*
4. Slumdog Millionaire
5. The Dark Knight
Best Costume Design:
1. Catherine Martin - Australia*
2. Danny Glicker- Milk
3. Jenny Beavan -Defiance
4. Deborrah Hopper - Changeling
5. Ann Roth- The Reader
Best Make-Up:
1. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
2. The Dark Knight*
3. The Wrestler
Best Original Score:
1. A.R. Rahman - Slumdog Millionaire
2. James Newton Howard,Hans Zimmer - The Dark Knight*
3. Thomas Newman - Wall·E
4. Carter Burwell - In Bruges
5. Alexandre Desplat - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
A.R. Rahman may well become the second Indian to receive an Academy Award. Though he will face stiff competition from Thomas Newman in Wall-E, and James Newton Howard, Hans Zimmer in The Dark Knight
Best Original Song:
1. Jon Brion, “Little Person” – Synecdoche, New York
2. Peter Gabriel, “Down to Earth” – Wall·E
3. Bruce Springsteen,"The Wrestler"- The Wrestler*
4. Miley Cyrus, “I Thought I Lost You” – Bolt
5. Jamie Cullum, “Gran Torino" – Gran Torino
It is definitely going to be either Bruce Springsteen with his inspiring "The Wrestler" or Peter Gabriel with his thoughtful "Down to Earth".
Best Sound:
1. Mamma Mia
2. Wall·E
3. The Dark Knight*
4. Slumdog Millionaire
5. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Best Sound Effects Editing:
1. Wall·E
2. The Dark Knight*
3. Quantum of Solace
4. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
5. Iron Man
The Dark Knight should comfortably win all sound effects awards thanks to some amazing work by Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard.
Best Visual Effects:
1. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
2. The Dark Knight*
3. Hellboy II: The Golden Army
Dark Horse:
1. Iron man
Though I am not that sure about the technical awards, I am pretty confident about the rest of the nominations. Anyways the wait will be over in only a couple of days......
