Paul Hopkins

After a very busy weekend at the cinema I have now seen most of the major Oscar contenders and am now in a position to give my thoughts on what the major winners will be. I’m only going to look at some of the major categories otherwise I’ll be here all day.

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”

I’ve seen all but ‘The Visitor’ and I have to say there are some good performance from that list and I believe it’s one of the strongest categories. I think they’ll give it to Mickey Rourke for his performance in ‘The Wrestler’ although I was impressed by his performance I don’t think it stood above an equally impressive performance by Frank Langella’s as Nixon. Both are great performance but Sean Penn’s performance as Harvey Milk was truly outstanding and has to be the pick of the five.

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”

Robert Downey Jr. for Tropic Thunder are you kidding me, for an Oscar! I’m not saying it was a bad performance as I unfortunately missed it but it just doesn’t strike me as an Oscar winning role. I thought Heath Ledger was great as the Joker and I wonder if they’ll honor him with the award but I’m not completely sure. My tip would have to go to Philip Seymour Hoffman, I thought he was excellent as Father Brendan Flynn in Doubt.

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”

Anne Hathaway blew me away as the rehab sister Kym, she was funny, yet vulnerable, she really showed a different side of herself in a dramatic role, personally she would be my winner. However, I think they’ll give it to Kate Winslet, although she was good in ‘The Reader’ I preferred her performance in ‘Revolutionary Road’ which didn’t even get a nomination.

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”

Penélope Cruz is apparently great in ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’ but unfortunately it’s not out over here yet. I don’t think Marisa Tomei character had a lot to it and Viola Davis had a very small part which I’m surprised even got a nomination. Of the four I’ve seen I would give it to Amy Adams for her performance as Sister James but I wouldn’t be surprised if Penélope Cruz got it .

Best motion picture of the year
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
Milk
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire

The big one, best picture, well I’ve now seen them all and the good news is I enjoyed all of them. I think Slumdog Millionaire should win it, Danny Boyle has produced a great original film with something for everyone. I also enjoyed both the political drama’s Frost/Nixon and Milk and these follow Slumdog very closely in my eyes and I wouldn’t be surprised if any of them get it.

Well that’s what I think, I’m certain the people at the Academy will have completely different ideas but we’ll just have to wait till 2nd February to find out.