Oscar 2008: My Picks for the Best of the Best

Although the writers strike made the entertainment awards season almost non-existent this year but an end finally came. I think that many movie and TV watchers were all over the SAG ceremony because they was all that they thought that they would get. But just in the nick of time (like a great film drama), the controversy ended and the mother of all award shows is going on with all the pomp and circumstance that we have come to expect. OSCARS 2008 is here!

Now although some of my SAG picks were a bit off, I’m going to trying this thing again. In some ways as a member of SAG I thought, “did they really count all of the ballots”? That coupled with Beyonce’s snub at the Grammy Awards (Song of the Year to Amy Winehouse – PLEASE!) has decreased my faith in those great awarding bodies.

So here we go . . .

Best Animated Short Film
Madame Tutli-Putli – This Canadian Animated Short is a beautiful depiction of a beautiful lady on an amazing journey. It was a two year labor of love and a standout for this category.

Short Film Live Action
Le Mozart des Pickpockets (The Mozart of Pickpockets) – This great live action short film, tells the tale of a gang of pickpockets who eventually take in a deaf boy. Interesting!

Sound Mixing
TRANSFORMERS – Hands down! But I would not be mad at the Bourne Ultimatum.

Original Screenplay
Michael Clayton – What can I say, I wish I had written this movie myself. What a great story line and dynamic plot.

Adapted Screenplay
The Diving Bell and Butterfly – This book about a French Journalist who was stricken with a stroke and wrote an entire book by blinking his eyes was truly inspirational. I am not sure if I am feeling the adaptation for its inspiring nature or because it is great but you should both read and see The Diving Been and the Butterfly.

Sound Editing
Transformers – I had just bought my brand new surround sound system and the first movie that I played was Transformers. I felt that I was there with the characters. I could not believe that my childhood fantasy had come alive Optomus Prime was there talking with me! HA HA. But of all the films nominated Transformers makes the grade.

Visual Effects
The Golden Compass – For this not to be animated the visual effects were great. I was surprised that Enchanted was not nominated in this category.

Film Editing
There Will Be Blood – The edits were flawless. The story that was told was flowed with precision.

Makeup
Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End – Who can argue with the Make-up of the cast of characters in this film. From Jack Sparrow on down there was never a dull visual moment.

Art Direction
American Gangster – This really should have been put up for best Director or Best Picture – guess Denzel and Ridley Scott was just too much for the Academy. This film transported the audience back to yesteryear. Kudos on Art Direction which is far less than this film should receive.

Foreign Language Film
12 – This Eastern European remake of the film classic 12 Angry Men is the drama that unfolds in a jury room as jurors deliberate a trial of a Chechen teenager accused of killing his step father.

Original Song
That’s How You Know from the film Enchanted – A beautiful song from a magical film.

Original Score
Atonement - Out of the Oscar selections this films scoring added to the piqued intensity of the film.

Documentary Short
Freeheld – This documentary of a New Jersey police Lieutenant dyeing of cancer whose pension benefits were denied to her domestic partner simply because she was a lesbian. It chronicles her journey. Very touching

Documentary Feature
Sicko – Michael Moore strikes again with his rant against the United States health care industry.

Costume Design
Elizabeth: The Golden Age – They must have used a time machine to get someone from the Elizabethan Age to bring costumes in for this movie. They seemed to be right on point.

Cinematography
There Will Be Blood

Best Director
Jason Reitman for Juno – I had no idea I would like this movie as much as I did. The direction and timing made the film.

Animated Feature
Ratatouille – If you haven’t seen this movie you have to rent it. A rat that becomes the toast of French Cooking – what a treat!

Supporting Actress
Ruby Dee for American Gangster – Ruby Dee better win this award. In an amazing career, this was definitely not her best performance. The Academy made this nomination for her body of work and the work of her husband Ossie Davis. Truly this year (before its too late) this is her time!

Supporting Actor
Casey Affleck for The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford – Casey holds his own against Brad Pitt and shows that the can become a real leading man.

Best Actress
Cate Blanchett for Elizabeth: The Golden Age – Cate Blanchett is ELIZABETH. It’s almost as if Blanchett was born to play this role. Her supporting performance in I’m Not There was a great Dylan performance but I feel her as Elizabeth. Note: Marion Cotillard could be a stealer in La Vie en Rose.

Best Actor
George Clooney for Michael Clayton – I know that the Academy likes Daniel Day- Lewis for this award but its time for George Clooney and he gives an excellent thrilling performance as Michael Clayton.

Best Picture
Juno – This is a long shot but I really like the movie and its sensibility and the fact that its humor kept me laughing aloud similar to the Squid and the Whale.

So those are my picks for Oscar 2008. Tune in tonight on ABC to see just how well we do.