Sunday, Sunday

Since this is my last post before the Oscars - I will be taking next week off - I thought I'd discuss the few films I've seen so far and their Oscar races. This is not quite a prediction post, more of a thought post. You'll notice that I've only seen about three nominated films so it will also be a short post. I hope to see more films before February 22.

Actor in a Supporting Role - I've only seen The Dark Knight in this category so far. I doubt I'll have to see any more. First, Heath Ledger was awesome, just awesome. I am sad because we will never see the Joker played with quite the level of anarchy and chaos again. Second, the Academy will give this Oscar for Ledger's entire body of work since there will be no more.

Actor in a Lead - Everyone seems to be hyping Mickey Rourke. I have to say that I'll probably never see The Wrestler so I have no idea if he is deserving of the award or not. In fact, I have yet to see any of the films in this category - The Visitor is sitting in my television armoire - but I have to say that, like the Picture category, this one may end up being quite the surprise.

Actress in a Supporting Role - If Kate Winslet had been nominated here for The Reader, she would be a shoe-in. As it is, we have another interesting race. I've been reading a lot about Doubt and Viola Davis but she isn't in the film very long. (Not that length stopped the great Dame Judi Dench for winning in this category.) I think it would be interesting to see Marisa Tomei win her second Oscar in this category and I hear she's pretty darn good in The Wrestler.

Actress in a Lead - I've now see The Reader and Revolutionary Road (just got back from seeing it and despite the fact that Leo is in it, I found myself really enjoying the film). I am saddened that Kate Winslet was nominated for The Reader instead of Revolutionary Road. She would have won hands down for Road. While The Reader is very good, I just don't think it's good enough, especially with heavy-hitters like Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway.

Picture - I think this is going to be an interesting year for the Picture category. I don't think The Reader has a snowball's chance in that very hot place. Slumdog Millionaire is getting a lot of indie love, but is it good enough to get this coveted Oscar? Last year we talked about what a film had to do to win a Picture Oscar and we didn't come to any sort of consensus. To be honest, none of the nominees seem like a sure-thing here. I think this race could be a big surprise.

In the end, I think there are some very interesting races this year. I hope there will be a few upsets and surprises. Lately the Oscars have gotten just a tad bit too predictable.