and the academy goes to...

This is just a clamor from the rafters to celebrate my own choice of excellence in films. What a better time to look ahead than the actual big event,here are some of my fearless predictions for the upcoming Academy Awards.

Best Picture

• The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
• Frost Nixon
• Milk
• The Reader
• Slumbook Millionaire*

As much as I like "Milk" to win it, Slumdog is a movie with so much energy, exciting story,emotional heart and soul that one cannot help but love.

Best Director

• Danny Boyle -Slumbook Millionaire
• Stephen Daldry - The Reader
• David Fincher - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button*
• Ron Howard - Frost Nixon
• Gus Van Sant - Milk

David Fincher is deserving to receive this award simply because of its rich visuals,innovative storyline and stylish feel that makes it one of the best film of the year.

Best Actor

• Richard Jenkins - The Visitor
• Frank Langella - Frost/Nixon
• Sean Penn - Milk*
• Brad Pitt - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
• Mickey Rourke - The Wrestler

Sean Penn and Mickey Rourke both deliver riveting performances as they truly became Harvey Milk and the Wrestler. Their performances are equal, but I'll give it to Penn as his character was a bit more of a stretch.

Best Actress

• Anne Hathaway - Rachel Getting Married
• Angelina Jolie - Changeling
• Melissa Leo - Frozen River
• Meryl Streep - Doubt
• Kate Winslet - The Reader *

Kate Winslet deserves an Oscar performance for her amazing performance. She has won nearly every single award for Best Supporting Actress with her performances in "The Reader".This is probably her year after several nominations in the past.

Best Supporting Actor

• Josh Brolin - Milk
• Robert Downey Jr - Tropic Thunder
• Phillip Seymour Hoffman - Doubt
• Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight*
• Michael Shannon - Revolutionary Road

One of the most captivating performance I've ever seen. Watching The Dark Knight, he did'nt fail in catching my attention every time he took the screen.

Best Supporting Actress

• Amy Adams - Doubt*
• Penelope Cruz - Vicky Cristina Barcelona
• Viola Davis - Doubt
• Taraji P. Henson - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
• Marisa Tomei - The Wrestler

I was blown out by Amy Adams depth, emotional twists and her mannerism in "Doubt".

Best Original Screenplay

• WALL-E
• Happy-Go-Lucky
• Frozen River
• In Bruges*
• Milk

An unsettling mix of light comedy and dark morality make it as my choice for Best Original Screenplay.

Best Adapted Screenplay

• The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
  
• Frost/ Nixon
• The Reader
• Slumdog Millionaire*
• Doubt

Deserving of all the attention it's getting and probably one of the most compelling movie to this day.

Best Animated Feature

• Bolt
• Kung Fu Panda
• WALL-E*