FORETHOUGHTS
ON THE ACADEMY AWARDS 2008
by Charles Zio
ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
The battle seems to be between Sean Penn for “Milk,” and Mickey Rourke for “The Wrestler.” The others, Frank Langella for “Frost/Nixon.” Richard Jenkins for “The Visitor,” and Brad Pitt for “Benjamin Button” are equally worthy but don’t seem to have momentum. Penn won the SAG award and actors are the largest contingent of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS, the awarding organization) while Rourke has won several other awards, including the Golden Globe. Since Hollywood can never get enough of come back stories, and MICKEY ROURKE has a doozy, give him the edge.
ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
This has got to be one of the surest bets ever – HEATH LEDGER for “The Dark Knight.” Richly deserved, too. And count on a standing O.
ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Melissa Leo is unknown, Anne Hathaway has to prove she can do it again, Meryl Streep is over-the-top, and Angelina Jolie’s lipstick is too big a distraction, leaving KATE WINSLET as the winner. Nominated five times before, it should be Kate’s year.
ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
This is a hard category to figure. If it’s not VIOLA DAVIS for her sterling but brief appearance in “Doubt” look for Penelope Cruz as a surprise for “Vicky Cristina Barcelona.”
ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
No contest – WALL-E.
ART DIRECTION
“The Dark Knight” was the splashiest, “Revolutionary Road” and Changeling” were fine snapshots of an era, and “Benjamin Button” over a stretch of eras. On the other hand, the Academy is bewitched by the reproduction of older centuries – THE DUTCHESS.
CINEMATOGRAPHY
“Changeling,” “Benjamin Button,” “The Dark Knight,” and “The Reader” all are commendable, but SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE will be sweeping up.
COSTUME DESIGN
The Academy is crazy for the historical in this category. THE DUTCHESS gets the statue.
DIRECTING
Nice work by David Fincher on “Benjamin Button,” Ron Howard on “Frost/Niixon,” Gus Van Sant on “Milk,” Stephen Daldry on “The Reader,” but the kudos go to DANNY BOYLE for “Slumdog Millionaire.”
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
Do viewers care? MAN ON WIRE.
DOCUMENTARY SHORT
Viewers taking a break. SMILE PINKI.
FILM EDITING
An indicator of a movie on a roll – SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
Nominees from Germany, Japan, Austria, and Israel. Going with the odds for THE CLASS from France which can boast more nominations (35) and wins (9) than the others combined.
MAKEUP
Forget red-faced “Hellboy” and the smeared face paint of “The Dark Knight.” THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON will take it for its fantastic aging (old to young and vice versa).
MUSIC (SCORE)
None of the nominees has won before. Guessing that voters will want to give something to a movie they admire and the composer (Danny Elfman) is not an unfamiliar name, go for MILK.
MUSIC (SONG)
The two songs from “Slumdog Millionaire” will cancel each other out allowing a win by Peter Gabriel (another familiar name) and Thomas Newman (his 10th nomination) DOWN TO EARTH from WALL-E.
SHORT FILM (ANIMATED)
Who can resist a title like LAVATORY-LOVESTORY?
SHORT FILM (LIVE ACTION)
Sounding heartbreaking, the story of a German boy, in 1942, believing his Jewish neighbors are going to SPIELZEUGLAND (TOYLAND).
SOUND EDITING
Based on the premise that action movies have, if not the best sound, at least the loudest, and that the movie was enjoyable (with a sequel being promised) here’s a spot for IRON MAN.
SOUND MIXING
The march continues – SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE.
VISUAL EFFECTS
Two worthy efforts by “The Dark Knight” and “Iron Man,” but there’s no denying the triumph of THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON.
WRITING (ADAPTED SCREENPLAY)
Voting for the story they liked best – SIMON BEAUFOY for “Slumdog Millionaire.”
WRITING (ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY)
To DUSTIN LANCE BLACK for “Milk,” a work that resonates with the political, personal, and moral beliefs of Hollywood.
BEST PICTURE
“Benjamin Button” was touching especially at its end, “Frost/Nixon” more entertaining than would have been expected, “Milk” informative and enlightening, “The Reader” thoughtful and insightful. But the winner of Best Picture is the original, skillful, and indisputable feel good movie of the year – SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE.