Son of Double Feature’s 2009 Oscar Picks (Part 1 of 2)

Like most examples of consensus groupthink I am usually displeased by the results/nominees for the Oscars, and find them to bias period dramas and melodramas over things like, for example, comedy.

That being said, these are my picks/predictions for the 2009 Oscars. Unfortunately, this is real long, so I’ve split it in half to save some space. The other results will be posted on Friday.

“Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role”
Richard Jenkins, The Visitor
Frank Langella, Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn, Milk
Brad Pitt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler

And the Winner Is… Frank Langella
My Reasoning: Underdog Mickey Rourke and likely favorite Sean Pean will split the vote, allowing safer choice Langella to sweep away that naked gold man.

Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Josh Brolin, Milk
Robert Downey Jr., Tropic Thunder
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Doubt
Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
Michael Shannon, Revolutionary Road

And the Winner Is… Heath Ledger
My Reasoning: Well, because A) he really made the performance of a lifetime in that movie, the kind of jaw-dropping acting that only occurs once in a great while. B) he has additional sympathy due to his tragic death, but I really think, based on merit alone, he deserves this.

If anyone else wins, expect them to mention Heath in their acceptance speech.

Also, any other year, I would have given this to Downey. Go and watch Tropic Thunder, he’s the only consistent part in it.

Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Jolie, Changeling
Melissa Leo, Frozen River
Meryl Streep, Doubt
Kate Winslet, The Reader

And the Winner Is… Kate Winslet
My Reasoning: Jolie is, for sure, the underdog here. The three strongest contenders are Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, and Kate Winslet. I would not be surprised to see any of them walking away with the award. Meryl Streep won the SAG award, but Winslet won for this film in a supporting role, and the Golden Globe. Winslet has also created so much momentum and buzz around this performance it’ll probably push her over the edge.

Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Amy Adams, Doubt
Penélope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Viola Davis, Doubt
Taraji P. Henson, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Marissa Tomei, The Wrestler

And the Winner Is… Viola Davis
My Reasoning: Marisa Tomei and Amy Adams are also likely choices, but I think Viola Davis is probably going to take this one in the end.

Best Animated Feature Film of the Year
Bolt
Kung Fu Panda
Wall-E

And the Winner Is… Kung-Fu Panda
My Reasoning: Pixar can typically make off with this award no questions, but there’s some actual tough competition here. Kung-Fu Panda is probably the best Dreamworks animated film so far, barring, perhaps, the original Shrek. I liked Wall-E a lot, but I’m not sure if the Academy will go for it too. I’m expecting Kung-Fu Panda to be a bit of a spoiler here for those expecting a Wall-E victory. Bolt’s lackluster box-office is probably going to hurt it here.

Achievement in Art Direction
Changeling
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
The Duchess
Revolutionary Road

And the Winner Is… The Duchess
My Reasoning: Goddamn some boring nominees this year, although the Dark Knight had some interesting choices with design (particularly with the Joker,) I don’t think it was exceptional. The Duchess is a safe bet here.

Achievement in Cinematography
Changeling
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire

And the Winner Is… The Dark Knight
My Reasoning: …But I would not be surprised if Slumdog Millioniare surprised people here.

Achievement in Costume Design
Australia
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Duchess
Milk
Revolutionary Road

And the Winner Is… The Duchess
My Reasoning: This is exactly why I dislike period dramas.

Achievement in Directing
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
Milk
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire

And the Winner Is… Slumdog Millionaire
My Reasoning: A lot of great directors here who deserve some recognition. David Fincher is due for some recogntion, and Ron Howard is an academy favorite. Oh, and Gus Van Zant too (I’m sorry, I still hold a grudge for having to sit through Elephant and Last Days.) But I think Danny Boyle will take this one.