I love the Oscar race and award shows in general I find them highly entertaining. Several Broadway alum’s are up for Oscars this year which is extremely exciting. Congratulations to Michael Shannon (from the Off-Broadway hit Bug) who gave an amazing, haunting and stirring performance in Revolutionary Road. Also a congratulations to Martin McDonagh (Broadway’s Lieutenant of Inishmore, nominated for In Bruges), Peter Morgan (Broadway’s Frost/Nixon, nominated for the film version), David Hare (Broadway’s Vertical Hour, nominated for The Reader) and John Patrick Shanley (Broadway’s Doubt, nominated for the film version). Now here are my predictions (and hopes) for the top Oscars:
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
Will Win: Heath Ledger Should Win: Michael Shannon Should have been nominated: Emile Hirsch
Michael Shannon has several amazing scenes in Revolutionary Road that send shivers down your back. It is believable and real. Don’t get me wrong though, Heath Ledger’s performance as the Joker still haunts me.
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”
Will Win: Viola Davis Should Win: Viola Davis Should have been Nominated: None
Viola Davis’ scene when she goes up against Meryl Streep. ’nuff said.
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
Will Win: Kate Winslet Should Win: Kate Winslet Should have been nominated: Cate Blanchett
Anne Hathaway, if she makes smart choices will eventually win an Oscar. Meryl Streep is amazing in everything she does but she did not originate her role. Kate Winslet is amazing and this is her 6th nomination and it is her year. She had two power house roles this year that were heartbreaking. It is finally her year
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
Will Win: Mickey Rourke Should Win: Sean Penn Should have been Nominated: Clint Eastwood
Sean Penn should win. He is amazing as Harvey Milk and as you Milk you believe that it is actually Harvey Milk on screen. He should take the prize but who doesn’t like a come back story like Mickey Rourke’s.
Best motion picture of the year
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
Milk
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire
Will Win: Slumdog Millionaire Should Win: Milk Should have been Nominated: Revolutionary road
Slumdog Millionaire could be this years surprise win but I think that this is actually a touch perdiction. If you go by who is freshest on Rotten Tomatoes, Slumdog inches ahead of Milk by 3%. I hope Milk wins.
And, I’m just sayin’, Chip Meyrelles and Laurie Connor were producers of Bug Off Broadway, and Chip, Laurie and Ken Greiner were producers of Lt. of Inishmore on Broadway. Ahem.