Oscar Predictions

I don't usually do this, but I thought I would play along. These are my Oscar Predictions (and reasons) in green. I am only guessing for the major categories. I will update the actual winners in red. Anything in dark blue are categories I guess correctly in. Unfortunatly I did not get to see all of this years nominated movies (some never even came here), so these are my best guesses of personal observation (when possible) and popular talk (for what its worth). If anyone else wants to play, jump in. Sorry for my late start.
Edit: 5/8, not bad!

I am a silly girl who loves fashion (believe it or not!) so I may talk about "What they wore" tomorrow ;) I love that Tim Gunn was doing the Red Carpet.

Performance by an actor in a leading role
* Richard Jenkins in "The Visitor"
* Frank Langella in "Frost/Nixon"
* Sean Penn in "Milk"
* Brad Pitt in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
* Mickey Rourke in "The Wrestler" (I did not see this one, but the buzz is huge. Not sure if it is because his performance is great or if Hollywood things it is just a triumphant return. I would not be surprised in Sean Penn wins also. Of course I woudl Love for Brad Pitt to win, but I am not sure if the performance was his best. Richard Jenkins is also a great actor! I had never heard of his movie till it got nominated. Edit: Glad Sean Penn won - I think he gave a great speech, but I think he is a jerk for not thanking his wife or family.)

Performance by an actor in a supporting role
* Josh Brolin in "Milk"
* Robert Downey Jr. in "Tropic Thunder"
* Philip Seymour Hoffman in "Doubt"
* Heath Ledger in "The Dark Knight"
* Michael Shannon in "Revolutionary Road"
(I think the buzz is to huge around Heath. I thought the movie was a little long and not as good as Batman Begins. When I saw Heath in the trailer before he died I thought it looked like he was great and I got chills. I thought he was good in the movie, but I think his death hung over it to much and everyone focused and expected to much out of the roll.)

Performance by an actress in a leading role
* Anne Hathaway in "Rachel Getting Married"
* Angelina Jolie in "Changeling"
* Melissa Leo in "Frozen River"
* Meryl Streep in "Doubt"
* Kate Winslet in "The Reader"
(Very frustrated that I did not see ANY of these movies. I love Meryl Streep and I almost want her to win since she has not in so long (and has been nominated so many times). She was also in my most favorite movie from this past year (Mamma Mia!). She deserves the Oscar for that! But I think Kate Winslet has really come into her own and is a brilliant actress. So I guess for her. Plus it is a holocaust movie (I am not trying to be controversial or political here, just an observation, which was even noted in this past months Rolling Stone), and Hollywood always seems to have a soft place for that, regardless of the performance. Sad - but true. Edit: I was shocked the Kate told Meryl to "suck it up" - I hope she took it correctly. I was happy Kate won.)

Performance by an actress in a supporting role
* Amy Adams in "Doubt"
* Penélope Cruz in "Vicky Cristina Barcelona"
* Viola Davis in "Doubt"
* Taraji P. Henson in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
* Marisa Tomei in "The Wrestler"
(I only saw Benjamin Button, so I am basing it on the clips I have seen of other movies, and that. I think Cruz or Tomei could stand a chance, but just because they are movie no one saw and, once again, Hollywood loves that stuff.)

Best animated feature film of the year
* "Bolt" (Walt Disney) Chris Williams and Byron Howard
* "Kung Fu Panda" (DreamWorks Animation, Distributed by Paramount) John Stevenson and Mark Osborne
* "WALL-E" (Walt Disney) Andrew Stanton
(No brainier. WALL-E was an EXCELLENT movie. I loved it. It had a great message and was beautiful to watch.)

Achievement in costume design
* "Australia" (20th Century Fox) Catherine Martin
* "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (Paramount and Warner Bros.) Jacqueline West
* "The Duchess" (Paramount Vantage, Pathé and BBC Films) Michael O'Connor
* "Milk" (Focus Features) Danny Glicker
* "Revolutionary Road" (DreamWorks, Distributed by Paramount Vantage) Albert Wolsky
(OK, I am doing this category because I actually care and Cinematography was crap this year. The costumes in Australia were beautiful. You could buy costumes for Milk at Goodwill. I would not be surprised if the Duchess won. Also beautiful costumes.)

Achievement in directing
* "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" David Fincher
* "Frost/Nixon" Ron Howard
* "Milk" Gus Van Sant
* "The Reader" Stephen Daldry
* "Slumdog Millionaire" Danny Boyle
(I love Ron Howard. I think he is great. I did not get to see his movie yet. Gus Van Sant is also pretty good. I am looking forward to seeing Milk. But Slumdog has all the buzz and sympathy. I am looking forward to seeing it.)

Best motion picture of the year
* "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (Paramount and Warner Bros.) A Kennedy/Marshall Production Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall and Ceán Chaffin, Producers
* "Frost/Nixon" (Universal) A Universal Pictures, Imagine Entertainment and Working Title Production Brian Grazer, Ron Howard and Eric Fellner, Producers
* "Milk" (Focus Features) A Groundswell and Jinks/Cohen Company Production Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen, Producers
* "The Reader" (The Weinstein Company) A Mirage Enterprises and Neunte Babelsberg Film GmbH Production Nominees to be determined
* "Slumdog Millionaire" (Fox Searchlight) A Celador Films Production Christian Colson, Producer
(Button was good, I enjoyed it. I am not sure if Frost/Nixon had enough buzz. Milk could win the political vote. The Reader could win the Hollywood/holocaust vote. But I think Slumdog win with the popular vote).