For instance Leonardo Di Caprio who has been nominated 3 times for ‘Actor in a leading role’, got no love this year, being snubbed for his role in the cerebral drama Revolutionery Road. According to co-star Kate Winslet, who too missed out on an nomination for this film (with Hollywood preferring who in The Reader), said hand’s down “it’s the best work Leo has ever done!” Plus her husband who put the whole production together got no recognition from the Academy this year, Sam Mendes who has won awards for previous works that include American Beauty and Road to Perdition. This brilliant film Revolutionery Road getting snubbed in all the major categories is just the tip of the iceberg.

 

Despite the delightful Sally Hawkins winning a Golden Globe for her performance in Happy-Go-Lucky, an English film with a modest budget, that deservedly has brought her career to the fore, got no luck with the Academy.

 

For the ‘Supporting Actor’ nomination the talent is palpable, picking a winner from the likes of Philip Seymour Hoffman, Robert Downey Jr., and of course the late Heath Ledger is going to be difficult. Another actor nominated, is the late blooming Josh Brolin who has been in a speight of impressive films in the last couple of years, No Country for Old Men, W., In the Valley of Ellah, and now Milk he can add to his recently broadening CV. Except enough about Brolin, what about all the other excellent up-and-coming actors in Milk, Emile Hirsch, Diego Luna, and James Franco, can all count themselves unfortunate for not being the one nominated from the steller supporting cast.

 

Then there were also films from the usual great actors and (directors) that were found wanting, as in other years could have still been nominated if it wasn’t for the able competition. Academy Award Winners, Benicio Del Torio in the lengthy bio-pic Che (Guevara) directed by the 20 year veteran Steven Soderburgh; the incredible Ben Kingsly in the indie-pic The Wackness; and of course Clint Eastwood who both directed and was (possibly for the last time) the main actor in Gran Torino.

 

Even though these were the performers and directors who wont be walking along the red carpet on the 23^rd of February, they can still feel appeased as they have all done a great job in the last season of film-making. And those film proffessionals who will be attending the event can feel even more satisfied, they made the grade in an extremely competitive year in film-making. Lets look at the nominees . . .

 

Who I think should win and who I think will win, differs, but no doubt it is the most difficult Oscars to choose from. I think Mickey Rourke (oscar pick) will take Best Actor, and his miracilous come-back mirrored by the character plays means he probably deserves it. But Sean Penn (my pick) was outstanding as Harvey Milk. Kate Winslet (oscar pick) is due for a Oscar having never won, after taking a Golden Globe and BAFTA this year. However Merryl Streep (my pick) is probably the best actress alive as she showed in Doubt. Heath Ledger (oscar pick) might get the senitment vote, and the out-of-this world peformance he gave as the Joker helped the blockbuster super-hero hit gain much critical claim. Yet (my pick) Josh Brolin’s performance in Milk preceded his ever-growing reputation. Amy Adams (oscar pick) has been gaining some real force as an actress with her second nomination at the Oscars for best supporting actress. I cant believe I would ever consider it (as I don’t rate her as an actress) but I feel another previously nominated actress should take it, Penelope Cruz (my pick) in Woody Allen’s bitter-sweet romance Vicky Christina Barcelona. While the nominations for ‘Best Picture’ correlate with ‘(Best) Director’, whereby I feel Gus Van Sant and Milk should take it, but being a romantic it will be great to see Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire take both categories! Thematically and filmically Slumdog Millionaire isn’t the best film on offer, but it’s the most miraculous story, something which characterizes (perfectly) probably the most surreal incredible place in the world, India. Though the political dramas Frost/Nixon and Milk have true stories that one could never dream up. Lastly I don’t think Curious Case of Benjamin Button should win any of the (major) categories (above), and I don’t think it will, but it will take home the most Oscars, amounting awards for the (minor) categories, such as, Best Special Effects, Best Make Up, Costume etc. Only the hysteria surrounding Slumdog Millionaire can compete for the highest total of awards.

 

In short, whoever takes an award for their category will certainly be at the top their professional field after considering all the superb nominees on show!