Full List
Here.
First, things first... gotta pay my respects to
Heath Ledger. Sad, sad situation. He was very impressive in Brokeback Mountain and I've been anxiously anticipating his performance as The Joker in the new Batman movie. Always sad to lose someone so young. Now, I think he'll be remember in the iconic way that James Dean, or at very least, River Phoenix, is remembered. Rest in Peace, Heath.
Now on to my thoughts on the nominees....
Ok, I know I'll just sound like the Tim Burton fanboy I am for saying this, but Sweeney Todd got screwed for best picture, and Burton especially got screwed for director. When will the academy ever show the man some love? Sweeney was my second favorite movie this year, next to No Country for Old Men.
I've seen all best picture noms except Michael Clayton. No Country For Old Men was by far the best. I hope, hope, hope it wins, but fear Atonement will, which was by far the worst of those nominees (I should see Michael Clayton to confirm this, but suspect this is the case).
I will also go on record as saying Johnny Depp was better than Daniel Day Lewis, although DDL already has this wrapped up. DDL was good, but Depp was better. Won't break my heart to see DDL win, though. Depp will win an Oscar eventually. It's a done deal. Even if it's a Pacino-Scent-Of-A-Woman make up award in 20 years, Depp will win an Oscar.
Wouldn't a real best actor race be nice, some day, though? The last three winners were Forest Whitaker, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, and Jamie Foxx in extremely lopsided races, and I think DDL has close to that kind of edge this year.
Supporting Actor is just as lopsided. Everyone who's not named Javier Bardem... thanks for playing and go home.
In my annual "I should see more movies with women" moment, I have to cop to only having seen Ellen Page as Juno in the best Actress category. She was good, but won't win. This is between Julie Christie and Marion Cotillard.
Supporting Actress... Cate Blanchett seems to be a lock in the Bob Dylan movie no one has seen.
Art Direction will go to Atonement, Cinematography will go to No Country For Old Men.
Coen Brothers will win Best Director... If not, talk begins about how they're the new Scorcese.
No End in Sight upsets Sicko in the most liberal, I mean, best, documentary category.
Ratatouille will win best cartoon.
Atonement will win Best Score by a mile... why only 3 nominees?
The song from Once beats out all the songs from Enchanted.
Diving Bell and the Butterfly and Juno get the "They won't win anything else, so lets give 'em something" screenplay awards. Although, to be fair, Juno would win screenplay anyway.
