Awards

My Oscar Picks

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Oscar Picks The Oscar Nominees have been selected. From this list, here are my picks:

  • Best Picture:  "The Hurt Locker"

  • Actor:  Jeff Bridges, "Crazy Heart"

  • Actress:  Sandra Bullock, "The Blind Side"

  • Supporting Actor:  Christoph Waltz, "Inglourious Basterds"

  • Supporting Actress:  Mo'Nique, "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire"

  • Directing:  Kathryn Bigelow, "The Hurt Locker"

  • Cinematography:  "Avatar"

If I see all the films in Foreign Language and Documentary Feature categories, I'll update this page.

May you Be Well... Michael

My Oscar Selections

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Below are my Oscar selections and why for some of the major categories:

  • Picture: Slumdog Millionaire - because I was transported into this film. It showed a realistic view of poor India and I felt that the story and direction were unique. And I just loved the Bollywood dance scene during the credits. Milk and Frost/Nixon were a close second.

  • Director: Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire). Although I have to say Ron Howard (Frost/Nixon) and Gus Van Sant (Milk) are a close second here as well.

  • Actor: Micky Rourke (The Wrestler). Amazing performance. He was and is The Wrestler. Close second goes to Sean Penn (Milk) and Richard Jenkins (The Visitor).

  • Actress: Kate Winslet (The Reader). Very close second is Anne Hathaway (Rachel Getting Married). Note: If Kristin Scott Thomas (I've Loved Her So Long) would have been nominated she would have gotten my first place vote.

  • Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight). Close second would be Michael Shannon (Revolutionary Road) because his few short scenes were electrifying and to Josh Brolin (Milk) a subtle and meaningful performance.

  • Supporting Actress: Penelope Cruz (Vicky Cristina Varcelona). Very close second to Marisa Tomei (The Wrestler) and Amy Adams (Doubt).

  • Animated Feature: Wall-E - This was an amazing film.

  • Documentary Feature: Man on Wire - This man is amazing.

My Top Ten Films of 2008

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Although I didn’t see all the films that came out this year, I did see quite a few (133). There were films which may have made the list but because I didn't see them they cannot be considered ("Revolutionary Road" and "Doubt" to name two). Therefore My Top Ten Films of year, in no particular order, are:

  • Slumdog Millionaire – Thoroughly loved this film – saw it twice it was just as good the second time.

  • I’ve Loved You So Long – An incredible performance by Kristen Scott Thomas.

  • The Wrestler – Mickey Rourke and Marisa Tomei are phenomenal.

  • Milk – Sean Penn and Gus Van Sant delivered a powerful period piece.

  • Frost / Nixon – This film was simple but wonderful performances shined an amazing light on the man who abused the office of The Presidency.

  • Vicky Cristina Barcelona – One of the best Woody Allen films ever and he brought out the wonderful Penelope Cruz.

  • The Visitor – Richard Jenkins shows he’s capable of carrying a film and is not just a character actor – he’s great.

  • Wall-E – I loved how the first 45 minutes unfolded. Two words of dialog and it struck home.

  • The Boy in the Striped Pajamas – Although a very sad tale, the performances of both boys and the mother in this film are outstanding.

  • 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days – This low budget film was powerfully realistic and captured friendship and trauma of difficult decisions.

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