Belated Response to Oscar Nominations


Let's face it, I am a film failure this year. I have only seen 3 in the Best Picture (B Button, Milk & Slumdog) category, and I do not feel prepared for the Academy Awards. And shame on me; I have not seen any of the foreign film or documentary nominees either. But given my travel schedule in the next month, it is unlikely that I will see many more movies before the ceremony.

Overall, I am pleasantly surprised by most of the nominations; here are my initial thoughts about some of the major categories...


BEST PICTURE
  • The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
  • Frost/Nixon
  • Milk
  • The Reader
  • Slumdog Millionaire
They share little to nothing in common, but I love Milk and Slumdog equally. I predict that Milk takes the golden statue in an upset over Millionaire. To be quite frank, I found Benjamin Button to be overrated. There was a lack of emotional resonance; to me, that is the most important characteristic for best film of the year, and one which both Milk and Slumdog achieved with great ease.

BEST DIRECTOR
  • David Fincher, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
  • Ron Howard, Frost/Nixon
  • Gus Van Sant, Milk
  • Stephen Daldry, The Reader
  • Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
I really want to give this to Fincher, but more for an amazing career and body of work. My vote this year is for Boyle, however.


BEST ACTRESS
  • Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married
  • Angelina Jolie, Changeling
  • Melissa Leo, Frozen River
  • Meryl Streep, Doubt
  • Kate Winslet, The Reader
Sadly, I have only seen Changeling in this category. However, my love of and hope for Winslet is no secret.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
  • Amy Adams, Doubt
  • Penélope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
  • Viola Davis, Doubt
  • Taraji P. Henson, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
  • Marisa Tomei, The Wrestler
Tomei is the sentimental choice, given the years between this performance and her last Oscar for Best Supporting Actress (1992). However, she also roamed nude through Before the Devil Knows You're Dead in 2007, so I'm not sure what the fuss is about. I'm rooting for Davis, but have a feeling that Cruz will take it.


BEST ACTOR
  • Richard Jenkins, The Visitor
  • Frank Langella, Frost/Nixon
  • Sean Penn, Milk
  • Brad Pitt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
  • Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler
Penn, without a doubt. Rourke was playing his life story; Penn transformed entirely into Harvey Milk (the man, politician, the hero to so many). If you really want to see Frank Langella at his very best, rent Starting Out in the Evening.


BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
  • Josh Brolin, Milk
  • Robert Downey Jr., Tropic Thunder
  • Philip Seymour Hoffman, Doubt
  • Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
  • Michael Shannon, Revolutionary Road
Although I seriously doubt that Michelle Williams would attend on behalf of their daughter, last year I wrote exactly how Heath's victory should unfold next month. If it were any other year, I would root for Brolin.

ANIMATED FILM
  • Bolt
  • Kung Fu Panda
  • Wall E
Wall E, please. I've never been so touched by an animated film.

ART DIRECTION
  • Changeling
  • The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
  • The Dark Knight
  • The Duchess
  • Revolutionary Road
I will definitely give this one to Button.

CINEMATOGRAPHY
  • Changeling
  • The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
  • The Dark Knight
  • The Reader
  • Slumdog Millionaire
Slumdog, hands down. It was uniquely and beautifully filmed.

COSTUME DESIGN
  • Australia
  • The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
  • The Duchess
  • Milk
  • Revolutionary Road
Given the popularity of Mad Men, I believe Revolutionary Road will win.

FILM EDITING
  • The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
  • The Dark Knight
  • Frost/Nixon
  • Milk
  • Slumdog Millionaire
Another vote for Slumdog, although Milk is just as deserving.

MAKEUP
  • The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
  • The Dark Knight
  • Hellboy II: The Golden Army
I realize that Button is the obvious favorite, but I was actually distracted by the makeup that was used for the aging process of both Pitt and Blanchett. So The Dark Knight it is.

ORIGINAL SCORE
  • The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (Alexandre Desplat)
  • Defiance (James Newton Howard)
  • Milk (Danny Elfman)
  • Slumdog Millionaire (AR Rahman)
  • Wall E (Thomas Newman)
Yes, I am a broken record: Slumdog.

ORIGINAL SONG
  • Down to Earth (Wall E), Peter Gabriel
  • Jai Ho (Slumdog Millionaire), AR Rahman
  • O Saya (Slumdog Millionaire), AR Rahman
See above. LOVE this soundtrack.

VISUAL EFFECTS
  • The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
  • The Dark Knight
  • Iron Man
I'm on board for Iron Man over Benjamin Button.

---

Okay, bring it on! Strongly disagree or agree with me if you like. And someone, anyone...please tell me why you enjoyed Button. If your argument in favor of the film is strong enough, I promise to go see it again and give it a second shot.

Posted by JOpinionated at 1/25/2009 3:51 PM
Categories: Film
 

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  • 1/25/2009 9:20 PM David wrote:

    Jo, I pretty much agree with all your picks except for Best Picture. While it would be great to see "Milk" win, I just don't think anything can stop the Slumdog steamroller, especially after its SAG win tonight.
    Reply to this
  • 1/25/2009 10:51 PM PavementRunner wrote:

    If supporting actor does not go to Heath, it will be the biggest disappointment. Hands down one of the best portrayals of a villain.

    I'm seeing The Wrestler on Tuesday and I'm really looking forward to it. I'd love to see B. Button and MILK before Oscar makes his rounds... we'll see.

    And Kung Fu Panda was awesome... Iron Man should walk away with VE.

    BTW: 8 nods for Dark Knight, but no Picture or Director... I don't know about that.
    Reply to this
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