Watch all the movies nominated for Best Picture by the 2008 Academy Awards.

This is the only year I’ve actually made the effort to see all 5 nominated films. As well as many of the other films.

Yay, 43Things!

Here’s my misguided predictions for Who Will Win (and my own Who Should Win):

Best Picture: Will Win – No Country for Old Men. Should Win – No Country for Old Men. I have to say that the only picture I think here who has a chance for second is Atonement, and possibly There Will Be Blood. There have got to be some Oscar voters out there who love old movies and epic quality (Atonement), and others who love biopics about America (There Will Be Blood). But I think Old Country for Old Men is just astounding in its simple idea of good vs. evil. And, layered into that, an interesting idea of, no matter who you’re dealing with, they each have their own idea of integrity, things they will and will not do.

Best Actor: Will Win – Daniel Day-Lewis. Should Win – Daniel Day-Lewis. This one is so simple that I would bet no other actor is preparing a thank-you speech. DDL is on camera the entire time, and we see his character’s journey so clearly. This category is really in the superlative: each candidate gives an incredible performance.

Best Actress: Will Win – Julie Christie for Away from Her. Should Win – Marion Cotillard for La Vie en Rose. Julie is the odds-on favorite here, but the movie is a downer. Marion Cotillard was incredible in a role that took her from a 17-year-old girl to a used-up singer of 47. But I doubt if enough people, even academy voters, saw the film.

To see the rest of the article, visit our blog at:
http://thumbsupordown.blogspot.com/

Best Picture nominations this year include Atonement, Juno, Michael Clayton, No Country for Old Men, and There Will Be Blood. I would instantly take out Juno, a very pleasant picture but certainly not the year’s best. And There Will Be Blood, which, although it had an epic sense about it, is not the savior of 19th century America. I would rather include movies like Ratatouille. Yes, a movie about a rat. What really distinguishes this film above other animated films, and indeed other films, is that it appeals to all us, shows us we can learn something about human nature, especially with the very satisfying ending it presents. And for the 5th nomination, I would plug in Zodiac, a movie that deserved all the attention it got a year ago (an unfortunate marketing plan), mostly because it had no ending.

(For the entire article, see my (and adar’s) movie review blog at: http://www.thumbsupordown.blogspot.com/ )

A real epic film, and one not nearly as violent as No Country for Old Men. Still, if you don’t like Daniel Day-Lewis or his character, you’re in for a long night. He’s in every scene.

Best Picture; Best Actor – Daniel Day-Lewis; Best Director – Paul Thomas Anderson; Best Adapted Screenplay; Best Art Direction; Best Cinematography; Best Sound Editing; Best Film Editing

The very slow movie, not about Jesse James, but about Robert Ford, the man who betrayed him and killed him.

Best Supporting Actor – Casey Affleck; Best Cinematography

Disjointed movie about a missing child. A little tough to watch, but a big payoff at the end.

Supporting Actress – Amy Ryan

Brilliant film, even though the last 20 minutes were puzzling.

Takes care of:

Best Picture; Supporting Actor: Javier Bardem; Director: Joel & Ethan Coen; Best Adapted Screenplay; Cinematography; Sound Mixing; Sound Editing; Film Editing

A small film, lit up by the presence of Julie Christie in one of her best ever performances.

Best Actress – Julie Christie; Best Adapted Screenplay

This isn’t one of the big nominees, but it should’ve been. And, if not, where is Tom Hanks’ nomination?

It was a pleasure spending a little time in Charlie Wilson’s hot tub. Fun.

Takes care of this nom:
Best Supporting Actor – Philip Seymour Hoffman

I’d say that Hoffman’s performance would be hard to beat except that I just watched Tom Wilkinson’s performance in Michael Clayton. Wow.

I must admit, this kind of movie isn’t my favorite. Even with George Clooney’s winning personality, it’s a bit hard to get into….until the last 10 minutes, when everything came together. Wow.

Takes care of:
Best Picture, Best Actor – George Clooney, Best Supporting Actor – Tom Wilkinson, Best Supporting Actress – Tilda Swinton, Best Director – Tony Gilroy, Best Original Screenplay