The 2009 Oscars! Who should win what?

[Still Servant]

The Oscars have been a ratings dud in recent years.

One way to make sure there are more viewers this year will be to nominate actors from films that were big at the box office. This is one reason I think Downey will get nominated. I also think that's why Dark Knight will get nominated. Plus, it deserves it.

I've heard so much about Slumdog Millionaire, but I must admit the trailer does nothing for me. I officially have zero interest in that film. Maybe I'll see it when it comes to dvd and be pleasantly surprised.

I'm also sad to see Burn After Reading on the top ten films of the year list. It was easily one of the more disappointing films I've seen in a long time.

[turtlex]

I've heard nothing but good things about Slumdog as well.. but to be honest, it looks far too "feel good" to me.

[jayson]

I've heard nothing but good things about Slumdog as well.. but to be honest, it looks far too "feel good" to me.

That's pretty much why I have little interest in seeing it as well despite the good reviews I've read.

[turtlex]

Um, WALL-E over The Dark Knight... Hunh?

The Los Angeles Film Critics Association has gone populist on its picks for best movies of 2008, with the animated smash "WALL-E" at No. 1 and the Batman flick "The Dark Knight" as runnerup.

The group's honors Tuesday include Sean Penn as best actor for "Milk" and Sally Hawkins as best actress for "Happy-Go-Lucky."

The late Heath Ledger is the critics' supporting-actor winner for his role as the Joker in "The Dark Knight." Penelope Cruz is the group's supporting-actress choice for "Vicky Cristina Barcelona."

Danny Boyle has won the directing honor for "Slumdog Millionaire," while "Happy-Go-Lucky" also is the screenplay winner for Mike Leigh.

[fernandito]

Isn't it funny how The Dark Knight obliterated every other movie in the box office, yet the academy keeps brushing it off as just another comic book movie?

F'n idiots

[turtlex]

NY Film Critics Chime In - Dark Knight SHUTOUT !! Even Heath?!? HUNH?!?!

Sean Penn and "Milk," Gus Van Sant's biopic about gay rights leader Harvey Milk, continued to gain awards momentum Wednesday, winning best film from the New York Film Critics Circle.

Penn was chosen as best actor for his performance in the lauded film about Milk, the openly gay San Francisco politician who was assassinated in 1978. Josh Brolin won best supporting actor for his performance in the film.

On Tuesday, Penn was chosen as best actor by the Los Angeles Film Critics Association. "Milk" also leads the Broadcast Film Critics Association with eight nominations, tied for the most with "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button."

Like their West Coast brethren, the New York critics picked Sally Hawkins for best actress for her performance in Mike Leigh's "Happy-Go-Lucky." Best director went to Leigh.

[Still Servant]

It was nice to see Robert Downey Jr. get nominated for a Golden Globe for Tropic Thunder. I think that might be a good sign that he could get nominated for an Oscar. It was very surprising to see Tom Cruise get nominated as well. I'm sure both noms made all the Tropic Thunder haters scratch their heads.

I must say I'm a tad worried about The Dark Knight all of a sudden. No Golden Globe nom for best picture was surprising and is not a good omen for an Oscar nod.

Maybe it's just me, but I have no interest in a bunch of the films that are getting a lot of awards buzz, including Slumdog, The Reader and Revolutionary Road.

[turtlex]

No way is Dark Knight a gaurantee - except for Heath. I would be completely 100% shocked if he isn't nominated.

With regards to the Golden Globes though, keep in mind - the Globe Nominees and Awards are based on the ballots of, like, 85 people. TOTAL. 85.

Don't be too panic'd yet. However, don't bet the farm on any big hits for TDK either.

[obscurejude]

I go to the movies once or twice a week and I just got back from seeing Milk. I have to say that Sean Penn's performance is the most powerful one I've seen this year. I've heard a lot about Slumdog Millionaire, but still haven't seen it (maybe tomorrow).

[turtlex]

I plan on seeing Milk as soon as it comes to a theater anywhere near me. The money is on Penn for Best Actor.

[Django]

I plan on seeing Milk as soon as it comes to a theater anywhere near me. The money is on Penn for Best Actor.

I'll be rooting for Josh Brolin.

[turtlex]

I feel it will be a big contest between Josh Brolin and Heath Ledger... also, if Philip Seymour Hoffman gets nominated for Best Supporing for Doubt... those are three VERY strong performances. I'd initially heard some good thing about Emile Hirsh for Best Supporting as well, for Milk.

That looks to be the strongest category.

[jayson]

I'm hoping to get a chance to see Milk in the theatre. It's hard to get to the movies anymore with a baby, but I'd like to see that one without having to wait for the DVD.

[obscurejude]

I think I'd pick Ledger over Brolin. Ledger made the Dark Knight, but that isn't the case with Brolin and Milk. Brolin also had a lot less screen time in the movie.

I hope you guys get a chance to see it. I'm lucky, in this regard, that I live in a college town and have four indy theaters to go to.

[turtlex]

I'm hoping to get a chance to see Milk in the theatre. It's hard to get to the movies anymore with a baby, but I'd like to see that one without having to wait for the DVD.

Once the nominations are out - I think they'll roll Milk out with wider distribution. Right now, they're relying on word of mouth and mostly art-houses.

I think I'd pick Ledger over Brolin. Ledger made the Dark Knight, but that isn't the case with Brolin and Milk. Brolin also had a lot less screen time in the movie.

I hope you guys get a chance to see it. I'm lucky, in this regard, that I live in a college town and have four indy theaters to go to.

The thing to remember though, is that the category is supporting! Actually, the actual award is Best Actor In A Supporting Role.

I am looking forward to the awards this year, I think there will be a lot of good categories.

Best Actress is picking up as well.

[obscurejude]

yes, I know. Penn didn't need Brolin's support, Bale absolutely did. Milk would have still been a fine movie even if all we saw of Brolin's character was the inevitable ending. Honestly, I was really surprised that Brolin was nominated. Franco was much more peripherally engaging.

[jayson]

Once the nominations are out - I think they'll roll Milk out with wider distribution. Right now, they're relying on word of mouth and mostly art-houses.

It's not a matter of screenings available so much as it is an inability to go to the movies having a 6 month old baby. We haven't been to a movie since Ella was born. Of course, it's unlikely we'd have gone anyway as there hasn't been anything in that time we'd have wanted to see.

[turtlex]

Speaking as a tried and true babysitter ( who relied on nice folks like you to pay me and therefore support my youthful movie going ) .... gosh, man, hire a babysitter! Go out. Enjoy the evening with your lovely wife! It's Oscar season. Eventually, something will be out there that you want to see.

[Django]

I think I'd pick Ledger over Brolin. Ledger made the Dark Knight, but that isn't the case with Brolin and Milk. Brolin also had a lot less screen time in the movie.

Don't you think Ledger would be a nominee for the supporting role?

Everybody was raving about Bardem's performance in No Country for Old Men, but for me it was Brolin who did the best job in that film.

[fernandito]

Really? Brolin did a fine job, but Bardem just blew everybody out of the water.

[Brice]

I think I'd pick Ledger over Brolin. Ledger made the Dark Knight, but that isn't the case with Brolin and Milk. Brolin also had a lot less screen time in the movie.

Don't you think Ledger would be a nominee for the supporting role?

Everybody was raving about Bardem's performance in No Country for Old Men, but for me it was Brolin who did the best job in that film.

Hell no! He wasn't supporting actor. He was the lead. They just didn't want to upset whoever that dude was who played that Batman guy by telling him so.

[fernandito]

So did you finally watch the entire movie, Brice?

[turtlex]

I think I'd pick Ledger over Brolin. Ledger made the Dark Knight, but that isn't the case with Brolin and Milk. Brolin also had a lot less screen time in the movie.

Don't you think Ledger would be a nominee for the supporting role?

Everybody was raving about Bardem's performance in No Country for Old Men, but for me it was Brolin who did the best job in that film.

I think, without a doubt, that Heath will be nominated for Best Actor in A Supporting Role. Without a doubt! IMHO.

Really? Brolin did a fine job, but Bardem just blew everybody out of the water.

I'm going to have to agree with Django here. I thought Brolin was just outstanding in No Country. I thought be was better than Bardem, who I got bored with after a while. Caveat here, though, I wasn't completely thrilled with the whole movie either. I don't think it was the awesome film most made it out to be. Sorry, but Fargo kicked it butt as far as watchability.

[Django]

Hell no! He wasn't supporting actor. He was the lead. They just didn't want to upset whoever that dude was who played that Batman guy by telling him so.

If he does get a nomination, I'm sure it'll be for a supporting role. And if he does get nominated he will most certainly win it - who can compare to a young dead star. Not that he doesn't deserve it, though. He did a hell of a job there.

[Django]

I don't think it was the awesome film most made it out to be. Sorry, but Fargo kicked it butt as far as watchability.

Fargo never clicked for me. And their undisputed masterpiece (and presumably the best movie ever made) is no doubt The Big Lebowski.