2009 Academy Award Nominations with Unwanted Commentary

[dalmatianjaws]

Best Picture:
 "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
"Frost/Nixon"
"Milk"
"The Reader"
"Slumdog Millionaire."

Apparently the Academy wanted another go at lavishing praise on Forrest Gump. While I haven't yet seen The Reader, my instincts tell me that, while it may be good, it was nominated mainly for subject matter. Milk, on the other hand, deserves the nomination, but not a win. The close contenders are Frost/Nixon (a VERY surprising film in many ways) and Slumdog Millionaire ... and let's face it. Slumdog wins on sheer originality and filmmaking moxie.

Actor:
 Richard Jenkins, "The Visitor"
 Frank Langella, "Frost/Nixon"
 Sean Penn, "Milk"
 Brad Pitt, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
 Mickey Rourke, "The Wrestler"

All these boys did incredible work. Pitt and Jenkins in particular had the hard job of an intricate performance within a very subdued personality. Langella did inspired work as Nixon, but let's be real here. The award will go to Penn but deserves to go to Rourke.

Actress:
Anne Hathaway, "Rachel Getting Married"
Angelina Jolie, "Changeling"
Melissa Leo, "Frozen River"
Meryl Streep, "Doubt"
Kate Winslet, "The Reader"

I can't lie, I've only seen Doubt.

Supporting Actor:
Josh Brolin, "Milk"
Robert Downey Jr., "Tropic Thunder"
Philip Seymour Hoffman, "Doubt"
Heath Ledger, "The Dark Knight"
Michael Shannon, "Revolutionary Road"

Don't get me wrong, Brolin did fine work, but the fact that he's nominated over some other options out there means Milk is the Academy darling and will sweep the awards on its "controversial" clout ... regardless of the fact it's simply a well-made genera-biopic. Ledger deserves and will win this award. And it's a shame, cause the fact that Downey Jr. got his well deserved nomination for a ridiculous comedy is probably an Academy first.

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"

Are you curious because you haven't heard of Viola Davis and Taraji P. Henson? That's because there's no good reason for them to be on this list other than they're black women in otherwise bleach white films. Now, I'm all for equality here, but let's start by equal film roles. Taraji in particular turns in a generic "Mammy" stock black stereotype that would be offensive if you weren't so busy plugging your ears every time she spoke. Hands down, this should to Tomei. No question.

Director:
David Fincher, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
Ron Howard, "Frost/Nixon"
Gus Van Sant, "Milk"
Stephen Daldry, "The Reader"
Danny Boyle, "Slumdog Millionaire"

While Howard really wowed me this year, if I can't have Nolan then PLEASE give me Danny Boyle.

Adapted Screenplay:
Eric Roth and Robin Swicord, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
John Patrick Shanley, "Doubt"
Peter Morgan, "Frost/Nixon"
David Hare, "The Reader"
Simon Beaufoy, "Slumdog Millionaire"

I refuse to pick a favorite, because they refused to nominate The Dark Knight, easily the best screenplay in half a decade.

Original Screenplay:
Courtney Hunt, "Frozen River"
Mike Leigh, "Happy-Go-Lucky"
Martin McDonagh, "In Bruges"
Dustin Lance Black, "Milk"
Andrew Stanton, Jim Reardon and Pete Docter, "WALL-E"

I loved In Bruges, but come one. Wall*E might be screenplay perfection.

Animated Feature Film:
"Bolt"
"Kung Fu Panda"
"WALL-E"

Duh.

Film Editing:
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
"The Dark Knight"
"Frost/Nixon"
"Milk"
"Slumdog Millionaire"

Makeup:
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
"The Dark Knight"
"Hellboy II: The Golden Army"

Visual Effects:
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
"The Dark Knight"
"Iron Man"