79th Academy Awards Predictions

[Tony Stark]

The Oscar Nominations are up. To see exactly what got nominated, look here.

I have not seen all the Oscar movies, Letters from Iwo Jima and the Last King of Scotland are high on my list of movies to see though. I try to see all the Oscar movies, but I have gotten a little lazy this year. And, I think it's a rather weak year for Motion Pictures of Oscar caliber. I am somewhat upset that Borat did not get nominated for anything apart from Adapted screenplay, which is an odd thing to get nominated for anyhow. But, I did not really expect it to, I suppose.

Anyway, here are my predictions:

Performance by an actor in a leading role
Forest Whitaker in "The Last King of Scotland" (Fox Searchlight)

Performance by an actor in a supporting role
Alan Arkin in "Little Miss Sunshine" (Fox Searchlight)

Performance by an actress in a leading role
Judi Dench in "Notes on a Scandal" (Fox Searchlight)

Performance by an actress in a supporting role
Jennifer Hudson in "Dreamgirls" (DreamWorks and Paramount)

Best animated feature film of the year
"Cars" (Buena Vista) John Lasseter

Achievement in art direction
"Pan's Labyrinth" (Picturehouse)
Art Direction: Eugenio Caballero
Set Decoration: Pilar Revuelta

Achievement in cinematography
"Pan's Labyrinth" (Picturehouse) Guillermo Navarro

Achievement in costume design
"The Devil Wears Prada" (20th Century Fox) Patricia Field

Achievement in directing
"Letters from Iwo Jima" (Warner Bros.) Clint Eastwood

Best documentary feature
"An Inconvenient Truth" (Paramount Classics and Participant Productions)
A Lawrence Bender/Laurie David Production
Davis Guggenheim

Achievement in film editing
"The Departed" (Warner Bros.)
Thelma Schoonmaker

Best foreign language film of the year
"Pan's Labyrinth" A Tequila Gang/Esperanto Filmoj/Estudios Picasso Production

Achievement in makeup
"Apocalypto" (Buena Vista) Aldo Signoretti and Vittorio Sodano

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score)
"Pan's Labyrinth" (Picturehouse) Javier Navarrete

Best motion picture of the year
"Letters from Iwo Jima" (Warner Bros.)
A DreamWorks Pictures/Warner Bros. Pictures Production
Clint Eastwood, Steven Spielberg and Robert Lorenz, Producers

Achievement in sound editing
"Letters from Iwo Jima" (Warner Bros.)
Alan Robert Murray

Achievement in visual effects
"Superman Returns" (Warner Bros.)
Mark Stetson, Neil Corbould, Richard R. Hoover and Jon Thum

Adapted screenplay
"Borat Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan" (20th Century Fox)
Screenplay by Sacha Baron Cohen & Anthony Hines & Peter Baynham & Dan Mazer
Story by Sacha Baron Cohen & Peter Baynham & Anthony Hines & Todd Phillips

Original screenplay
"Pan's Labyrinth" (Picturehouse)
Written by Guillermo del Toro
_________________

[Ujitsuna]

Okay, Saul, I'm not reading your predictions so mine will be completely unaffected by your influence. These are my predictions for the 79th Academy Awards.

Performance by an actor in a leading role
Will Smith in "The Pursuit of Happyness" (Sony Pictures Releasing)

Performance by an actor in a supporting role
Mark Wahlberg in "The Departed" (Warner Bros.)

Performance by an actress in a leading role
Helen Mirren in "The Queen" (Miramax, Pathé and Granada)

Performance by an actress in a supporting role
Cate Blanchett in "Notes on a Scandal" (Fox Searchlight)

Best animated feature film of the year
"Happy Feet" (Warner Bros.) George Miller

Achievement in art direction
"Dreamgirls" (DreamWorks and Paramount)
Art Direction: John Myhre
Set Decoration: Nancy Haigh

Achievement in cinematography
"Children of Men" (Universal) Emmanuel Lubezki

Achievement in costume design
"The Queen" (Miramax, Pathé and Granada) Consolata Boyle

Achievement in directing
"Letters from Iwo Jima" (Warner Bros.) Clint Eastwood

Best documentary feature
"Iraq in Fragments" (Typecast Releasing)
A Typecast Pictures/Daylight Factory Production
James Longley and John Sinno

Best documentary short subject
"The Blood of Yingzhou District"
A Thomas Lennon Films Production
Ruby Yang and Thomas Lennon

Achievement in film editing
"Children of Men" (Universal)
Alex Rodríguez and Alfonso Cuarón

Best foreign language film of the year
"Pan's Labyrinth" A Tequila Gang/Esperanto Filmoj/Estudios Picasso Production
Mexico

No idea about that one...

Achievement in makeup
"Apocalypto" (Buena Vista) Aldo Signoretti and Vittorio Sodano

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score)
"The Queen" (Miramax, Pathé and Granada) Alexandre Desplat

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song)
"Love You I Do" from "Dreamgirls"
(DreamWorks and Paramount)
Music by Henry Krieger
Lyric by Siedah Garrett

Best motion picture of the year
"The Departed" (Warner Bros.)
A Warner Bros. Pictures Production
Nominees to be determined

Best animated short film
"Maestro" (Szimplafilm)
A Kedd Production
Geza M. Toth

No idea about that one either...

Best live action short film
"West Bank Story"
An Ari Sandel, Pascal Vaguelsy, Amy Kim, Ravi Malhotra and Ashley Jordan Production
Ari Sandel

Achievement in sound editing
"Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" (Buena Vista)
Christopher Boyes and George Watters II

Achievement in sound mixing
"Dreamgirls" (DreamWorks and Paramount)
Michael Minkler, Bob Beemer and Willie Burton

Achievement in visual effects
"Superman Returns" (Warner Bros.)
Mark Stetson, Neil Corbould, Richard R. Hoover and Jon Thum

Adapted screenplay
"Borat Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan" (20th Century Fox)
Screenplay by Sacha Baron Cohen & Anthony Hines & Peter Baynham & Dan Mazer
Story by Sacha Baron Cohen & Peter Baynham & Anthony Hines & Todd Phillips

Original screenplay
"Little Miss Sunshine" (Fox Searchlight)
Written by Michael Arndt

I hope thats nothing like your list Saul...

[Blackjack]

If Judi Dench doesn't win for Notes on a Scandal, something is horribly, horribly wrong.
_________________
Can your science explain why it rains?

YES. YES IT CAN.


"Life is not a having and a getting, but a being and a becoming." -- Myrna Loy

[Tullaryx]

The omission of Alfonso Cuaron for best director for the work he did on Children of Men has made me one sad, sad panda. The fact that Clint Mansell wasn't nominated for best original score for his work on The Fountain is a travesty that was slightly tempered by Javier Navarette's inclusion in the category.

The top two films of the year should've been in the running for best picture. I am talking about Pan's Labyrinth and Children of Men. As much as its a joy to see the former nominated for best foreign film, it really should be in the best picture category.


Performance by an actor in a leading role
Forest Whitaker in The Last King of Scotland

Performance by an actor in a supporting role
Jackie Earle haley in Little Children

Performance by an actress in a leading role
Kate Winslet in Little Children

Performance by an actress in a supporting role
Jennifer Hudson in Dreamgirls

Best animated feature film of the year
Monster House

Achievement in art direction
Pan's Labyrinth
Art Direction: Eugenio Caballero
Set Decoration: Pilar Revuelta

Achievement in cinematography
Children of Men

Achievement in costume design
The Devil Wears Prada

Achievement in directing
Martin Scorcese for The Departed

Best documentary feature
Iraq in Fragments

Achievement in film editing
Children of Men

Best foreign language film of the year
Pan's Labyrinth

Achievement in makeup
Pan's Labyrinth

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score)
Pan's Labyrinth by Javier Navarrete

Best motion picture of the year
The Departed

Achievement in sound editing
Letters from Iwo Jima

Achievement in visual effects
Superman Returns

Adapted screenplay
Children of Men

Original screenplay
Pan's Labyrinth
_________________

[Gil-galad]

I'm with Tull. Pan's Labyrinth definitely should have been in Best Picture category. Crouch Tiger; Hidden Dragon was nominated there in 2000, and Pan's :abyrinth is much better then CTHD. At least this means it has a pretty sure shot at winning the award for best Foreign Picture, more so because Letter From Iwo Jima wasn't allowed to be nominated in that category (produced and directed by Americans, after all).

Anyways....

Performance by an actor in a leading role
Forest Whitaker in "The Last King of Scotland" (Fox Searchlight)

Performance by an actor in a supporting role
Mark Wahlberg in "The Departed" (Warner Bros.)

Performance by an actress in a leading role
Judi Dench in "Notes on a Scandal" (Fox Searchlight)

Performance by an actress in a supporting role
Jennifer Hudson in "Dreamgirls" (DreamWorks and Paramount)

Best animated feature film of the year
"Cars" (Pixar) John Lasseter

Achievement in art direction
"Pan's Labyrinth" (Picturehouse)
Art Direction: Eugenio Caballero
Set Decoration: Pilar Revuelta

Achievement in cinematography
"Pan's Labyrinth" (Picturehouse) Guillermo Navarro

Achievement in costume design
"Curse of the Golden Flower" (Sony Pictures Classics) Yee Chung Man

Achievement in directing
"The Departed" (Warner Bros.) Martin Scorsese
*Martin Scorsese doing what he does best*

Best documentary feature
"An Inconvenient Truth" (Paramount Classics and Participant Productions)
A Lawrence Bender/Laurie David Production
Davis Guggenheim

Achievement in film editing
"Children of Men" (Universal)
Alex Rodríguez and Alfonso Cuarón

Best foreign language film of the year
"Pan's Labyrinth" A Tequila Gang/Esperanto Filmoj/Estudios Picasso Production

Achievement in makeup
"Pan's Labyrinth" (Picturehouse) David Marti and Montse Ribe

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score)
"Pan's Labyrinth" (Picturehouse) Javier Navarrete

Best motion picture of the year
"The Departed" (Warner Bros.)
A Warner Bros. Pictures Production
Nominees to be determined

Achievement in sound mixing
"Flags of Our Fathers" (DreamWorks and Warner Bros., Distributed by Paramount)
John Reitz, Dave Campbell, Gregg Rudloff and Walt Martin

Achievement in visual effects
"Superman Returns" (Warner Bros.)
Mark Stetson, Neil Corbould, Richard R. Hoover and Jon Thum

Adapted screenplay
"Children of Men" (Universal)
Screenplay by Alfonso Cuarón & Timothy J. Sexton and David Arata and Mark Fergus & Hawk Ostby

Original screenplay
"Pan's Labyrinth" (Picturehouse)
Written by Guillermo del Toro

I left out the sections that I really hadn't seen anything of. Like The short films.
_________________

[Shrew]

Performance by an actor in a leading role
Forest Whitaker - THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND
Peter O'Toole has a decent chance of taking this from Whitaker, because he's old, and he can garner the pity vote. Dicaprio has no chance at all, Gosling's award is the nomination, and Will Smith... is Will Smith. Whitaker has a slight edge because of the hype, but I think this could go either way.

Performance by an actor in a supporting role
Eddie Murphy - DREAMGIRLS
This one's more open, and I think Wahlberg and Alan Arkin both have a decent chance of winning. But I think Murphy has the hype machine behind him.

Performance by an actress in a leading role
Helen Mirren - THE QUEEN
I thought this one was a given, but everyone else here likes Dench. I think it's just an Academy Award tradition to nominate Judi Dench and Kate Winslet every year, but they probably won't win the awards. Besides, Helen Mirren is playing a real person, and one who's actually still living, and that is a huge boost.

Performance by an actress in a supporting role
Jennifer Hudson - DREAMGIRLS
It's a lock. Not much else to be said.

Best animated feature film of the year
HAPPY FEET
Cars isn't Pixar's best, and Happy Feet was been widely well received.

Achievement in art direction
PAN'S LABYRINTH
I haven't seen Pan's, but from what I've heard, it's an art direction tour de force. Still, I could also see Dreamgirls picking this up, for some random reason, or even Pirates.

Achievement in cinematography
CHILDREN OF MEN
This one's a pretty strong category. I like Children of Men a great deal, and think the cinematography was amazing, but any one of these could take the prize, though I think the Illusionist is too... brown and small to win, and I think Nolan's editing never allows the cinematography of The Prestige to really set in.

Achievement in costume design
MARIE ANTOINETTE
I don't have much of a clue on this one, but I think they'll go for that 18th century look. Still, Dreamgirls might pick this up on a pointless sweep, and the Devil Wears Prada was about the damn clothes, so it's got a good chance. I don't really know.

Achievement in directing
THE DEPARTED
Martin Scorsese should have this in the bag. He's got the pity vote, plus he's actually made a good film this time, and not some bloated monster like the Aviator. Clint's already bested Scorsese once, and I doubt they'll do it again, and Frears and Greengrass are just nods. The Babel dude who's name I can never remember might have a chance, but I doubt he can conquer Scorsese's big chance.

Best documentary feature
AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH
It's the popular documentary that usually wins, and Inconvenient Truth is popular and also pretty good, though heavy on the Gore. But where's Scarlet to point out the sheer liberality and conservative hate that's in this category? We've got two movies on how America isn't exactly having the best of time in Iraq, two with a rather unfavorable view of religion, and one on Global Warming. Given that Global Warming is by far the safest and arguably most pressing of those topics, Inconvenient Truth is gold.

Best documentary short subject
THE BLOOD OF YINGZHOU DISTRICT
I won't pretend I know what's going on here, so good luck first film on the list!

Achievement in film editing
BABEL
Children of Men should win, but because it choose to use the more effective but subtle approach of long shots, it probably won't. Babel's got its nice intertwining stories, so that'll probably win it the award. The Departed also has a chance, but it lacks multiple storylines! oh my! which are obviously what editing is all about.

Best foreign language film of the year
PAN'S LABYRINTH
There shouldn't be much competition here, but you never know.

Achievement in makeup
APOCALYPTO
Click, yeah! I mean, what? I'm surprised Pirates didn't get a nod, since the first one did (thanks to Johnny Depp's mascara I expect), and this one had the rather impressive Bootstrap Bill. I have yet to see Pan's or Apocalypto, but I'll guess that creating an entire city of savage looking Mayans will win over Pan's fantasies.

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score)
PAN'S LABYRINTH
I have no clue, since I haven't heard any of this except for some of Babel, which I didn't like.

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song)
"Listen" - DREAMGIRLS
It'd be hilarious if Dreamgirls lost this category, but I doubt it will. The question is more which song will win. I don't have a clue myself, but it sounds like Listen is as good as any.

Best motion picture of the year
LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE
I think this one's really divided. Babel has a high shot, but I think that people may feel it's too similar to Crash, and that may damage its reputation. I think that while the Departed will secure Scorsese an Oscar, it's ultimately too violent and vulgar to win Best Picture. Letters to Iwo Jima might win, but I think its Japanese language may put it out, and The Queen has only a small chance, and I believe it's more a nod. Sooo... that leaves Little Miss Sunshine. It's a comedy with feeling, and everyone can probably get behind that, and if it wins, I hope that it will give more support to better films of similar nature (Wes Anderson, David O. Russell, P.T. Anderson, etc.). Still... this could go anywhere.

Best animated short film
THE DANISH POET
Everyone loves Danish Poets right?

Best live action short film
WEST BANK STORY
I'm going to change it up and go for the last film on the list. Woohoo!

Achievement in sound editing
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST
I'm terrible with sound. I can never tell what's good or what. Still, the CG blockbusters usually win this, since they have to create all the sound for what is indeed soundless.

Achievement in sound mixing
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST
For the same reasons as above.

Achievement in visual effects
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST
Pirates doesn't really have that much going against it this year, as far as big spectacle pictures go.

Adapted screenplay
BORAT CULTURAL LEARNINGS OF AMERICA FOR MAKE BENEFIT GLORIOUS NATION OF KAZAKHSTAN
Meh, I don't know. It's also possible The Departed might pick this up. In the end, when Crash beats The Squid and the Whale for screenplay, I think it's proof that like Editing, the people voting don't really what's what. It just goes to whatever they've heard of.

Original screenplay
BABEL
Because sticking a bunch of plots together has to be better than being able to weave a single compelling tale. Little Miss Sunshine may also have a chance, probably whichever one takes Best Picture will also win this.
_________________


Fear our Vagueness.

[Amyral]

Performance by an actor in a leading role-
Will Smith- In Pursuit of Happyness - Will Smith is one of the A+ actors in Hollywood, and the movie is the type that is geared towards Oscar performances. It's also the least stereotypical Will Smith has been, so I think he gets the nod.

If it's not him, I think it's Forest Whitaker for The Last King of Scotland.

Performance by an actor in a supporting role-
Eddie Murphy- Dreamgirls- I think this is the most straight forward one. Dreamgirls was another of those Oscar setup movies and if Murphy doesn't win this, I'll be surprised.

If it's not him, its Alan Arkin for Little Miss Sunshine

Performance by an actress in a leading role-
Helen Mirren- The Queen- It's just the type of movie that will win this over the other ones. I don't really have a lot of insight on this, I just think she's going to win it.

If it's not her, than it's Judi Dench for Notes on a Scandal

Performance by an actress in a supporting role-
As much as I would like to see Abigail Breslin win it, it's going to be Jennifer Hudson- Dreamgirls for the same reason as Eddie Murphy is going to win. Dreamgirls wasn't nominated for Best Picture, but it's still going to go away with the lion's share of the awards.

If it's not her, it will be Cate Blanchett for Notes on a Scandal.

Best animated feature film of the year-
Cars- Weak year for animated movies and all three received mixed reviews. Monster House had the worst, so it's out. Cars was a bit more popular than Happy Feet, so I'm giving it to that.

If it's not Cars, than it's Happy Feet.

Achievement in art direction-
Pan's Labyrinth- it's hard to choose anyone else, as Pan's Labyrinth is a major art house film, and none of the others really are.

If its not Pan's Labyrinth, it's Dreamgirls.

Achievement in cinematography-
Children of Men- Honestly, I'm just going with my gut here for the most part, but the fact that two of the movies on the list would have been forgotten already without the awards (Dahlia, Illusionist), and between the three remaining, I'm picking Children of Men.

If it's not Children of Men, it's The Prestige.

Achievement in costume design-
The Queen- I think who will win will be between The Queen and Marie Antoinette, and The Queen has more recognition right now.

However, even though I think it will be between those two, if The Queen doesn't win, Dreamgirls will.

Achievement in directing-
Clint Eastwood- Letters from Iwo Jima- Easy pick, Eastwood has the most critically acclaimed movie of the bunch, he should take it home easy.

If it's not Eastwood, it will be Martin Scorsese- The Departed, because they'll want to give him one.

Best documentary feature-
An Inconvenient Truth- I haven't seen it myself, but I'm betting I'm in the minority of the voters. It's the most well-known of them, and that usually equates to an award when a documentary actually gets mass recognition.

If it's not that, than it's Deliver us from Evil

Best documentary short subject-
Rehearsing a Dream- I haven't seen any of these, and haven't really heard of any of them, so I picked the one I think will win based on name alone, and that's Rehearsing a dream.

If it's not that than, well, uh, Recycled Life?

Achievement in film editing-
Alex Rodriguez and Alfonso Cuaron for Children of Men- It's the most critically acclaimed of the movies on the list as far as I'm aware, so I expect it to win this based on that.

If its not that, than it's Steven Rosenblum for Blood Diamond

Best foreign language film of the year-
Pan's Labyrinth- No Best Picture nomination, but it's going to win this one easy.

If it's not Pan's Labyrinth, it's Days of Glory

Achievement in makeup-
David Marti and Montse Ribe for Pan's Labyrinth- For the same reasons as before.

If it's not them, it's Aldo Signoretti and Vittorio Sodano for Apocalypto

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score)-
Alexandre Desplat for The Queen- Best Picture nomination = win in lesser awards.

If it's not him, it's Javier Navarrete for Pan's Labyrinth.

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song)-
Listen from Dreamgirls- Dreamgirls is going to win this category. That much is obvious, which song is the question.

If Listen doesn't win, Love you I do will.

Best motion picture of the year-
Letters from Iwo Jima will win this. Babel and departed being nominated makes me scratch my head, as neither really lived up to expectations. Between the remaining 3, I think Letters is the type of movie that will win most.

If Letters doesn't win, Little Miss Sunshine probably will.

Best animated short film-
The Little Matchgirl- basing this solely on the fact that I know the story, whereas I haven't heard of any others.

If it doesn't win, The Danish Poet, may, or maybe lifted. Perhaps Maestro or No Time for Nuts. It definitely won't be Matchgirl... wait...

Best live action short film-
Binta and the Great Idea- as this is the only movie I've heard some hype about.

If Binta doesn't win, The Saviour will.

Achievement in sound editing-
Alan Robert Murray and Bub Asman for Letters from Iwo Jima is going to win. I think the fact that it's probably going to win Best Picture means it will pick up some of the minor awards.

If it's not them, it's them, only for Flags of our Fathers.

Achievement in sound mixing-
Michael Minkler, Bob Beemer and Willie Burton for Dreamgirls- Because Iwo Jima isn't here, I think Dreamgirls will pick this one up.

If it's not them, it's John Reitz, Dave Campbell, Gregg Rudloff and Walt Martin for Flags of our Fathers.

Achievement in visual effects-
Mark Stetson, Neil Corbould, Richard R. Hoover and Jon Thum for Superman Returns- Visually, it was the most stunning movie this year. I think it will take the award.

If it's not Superman, it will be Boyd Shermis, Kim Libreri, Chas Jarrett and John Frazier for Posei... hah, wow, I almost finished typing that with a straight face. Pirates will win if Superman doesn't.

Adapted screenplay-
Alfonso Cuarón & Timothy J. Sexton and David Arata and Mark Fergus & Hawk Ostby for Children of Men- I don't think the academy is going to give Borat the time of day, so I think Children will take this award.

If it's not Children of Men, it will be William Monahan for The Departed.

Original screenplay-
Iris Yamashita for Letters from Iwo Jima- Best Picture = win for this category.

If it's not Iwo Jima, it will be Guillermo del Toro for Pan's Labyrinth.

[Tullaryx]

I still say with conviction that Little Miss Sunshine shouldn't even have made it into the Best of anything. It's just taking up space that Children of Men should've been rightfully given.
_________________

[Sophita]

Tullaryx, I think Little Miss Sunshine occupies that "quirky, lighthearted, heartworming, indie" junket of films that squeeze in.


Performance by an actor in a leading role
And the Winner Is: *drumroll* Forest Whitaker in “The Last King of Scotland” (Fox Searchlight)

It's the only film here thats getting hype based on its performance, and it's one of those movies that screams performance oscars. Say hello to the phrase "feating Oscar Winner Forest Whitacker", Forest Whitaker's Future Performances.

Performance by an actor in a supporting role
And the Winner Is: *drumroll* Eddie Murphy in “Dreamgirls” (DreamWorks and Paramount)

He's a distinguished actor who's been a bit of a has-been who's put in a critically acclaimed performance in a genre he's never been that noted for. This is pretty close to a lock; the only way I see him losing is if Alan Arkin wins. And I don't think Little Miss Sunshine will outshine Dreamgirls.

Performance by an actress in a leading role
And the Winner Is: *drumroll* Helen Mirren in “The Queen” (Miramax, Pathé and Granada)

It's really a battle of the dames this year, but I think Helen Mirren will take it over Judi Dench. Helen Mirren is playing a real person, and not only that, but a living real person. Thats the kind of thing the academy likes, so my guess is this is totally Helen Mirren's year.

Performance by an actress in a supporting role
And the Winner Is: *drumroll* Jennifer Hudson in “Dreamgirls” (DreamWorks and Paramount)

This is a lock. I don't even pay that much attention to oscar things andI know this is a lock. I think quite possibly there are groups in the amazon who have not have contact with other civilizations for milleniums who STILL know that Jennifer Hudson will win this.

Best animated feature film of the year
And the Winner Is: *drumroll* “Happy Feet” (Warner Bros.) George Miller

Cars wasn't Pixar's best picture, and Happy Feet is really well-recieved; I think this nod will go to Warner Brothers as a "good job, keep working this way" nod.

Achievement in art direction
And the Winner Is: *drumroll* “Dreamgirls” (DreamWorks and Paramount)
Art Direction: John Myhre
Set Decoration: Nancy Haigh

Really, I think there were other nominees who were better, but I call this geting surfed up in the Dreamgirls wake.

Achievement in cinematography
And the Winner Is: *drumroll* “Children of Men” (Universal) Emmanuel Lubezki

They really have to give this film something, and I've only seen the trailer but even I can tell it deserves it. Really, that this got nohing is a bit of a crime; I bet it would be a bigger contender if only it wasn't sci-fi.

Achievement in costume design
And the Winner Is: *drumroll* “Marie Antoinette” (Sony Pictures Releasing) Milena Canonero

Total clotheshorse movie, and Canonero took some experimenting that isn't often seen in period flicks (Pink Keds?). So for inventiveness alone, I bet it's hers.

Achievement in directing
And the Winner Is: *drumroll* “The Departed” (Warner Bros.) Martin Scorsese

DUDE. IT'S MARTIN SCORCESE. HE'S ONE OF THE FINEST AMERICAN FILMMAKERS AROUND. IT'S A DECENT FLICK. HE'S DUE. GIVE HIM THE OSCAR. I'l be especially disappointing if it goes to Clint Eastwood again. GO GO SCORCESE!

Best documentary feature
And the Winner Is: *drumroll* “An Inconvenient Truth” (Paramount Classics and Participant Productions)
A Lawrence Bender/Laurie David Production
Davis Guggenheim

The popular documentary usuually wins. It's also the least politicaly polarizing so I think that alone will help it out.So yeah, this one is totally Davis Guggenheim's.

Best documentary short subject
And the Winner Is: *drumroll* “Two Hands”
A Crazy Boat Pictures Production
Nathaniel Kahn and Susan Rose Behr

Have I seen this? Of course not. But I love the name of the production company, so it's my pick. Good luck, two hands!

Achievement in film editing
And the Winner Is: *drumroll* “United 93” (Universal and StudioCanal)
Clare Douglas, Christopher Rouse and Richard Pearson

It's a very tense movie, and tense is where editing matters most. Besides, they can't not give this movie anything, really.

Best foreign language film of the year
And the Winner Is: *drumroll* “Pan’s Labyrinth” A Tequila Gang/Esperanto Filmoj/Estudios Picasso Production
Mexico

The only one I've heard of. Very imiginative and fairy tale-like looking, so I think that distinctivness will be in it's favor.

Achievement in makeup
And the Winner Is: *drumroll* “Pan’s Labyrinth” (Picturehouse) David Marti and Montse Ribe

And again, the make-up in this is outstanding so I think that it's got the lock here. It shoud, at least.

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score)
And the Winner Is: *drumroll* “The Good German” (Warner Bros.) Thomas Newman

This is a complete guess, but it just seems like the composer and type of movie who could take this.


Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song)
And the Winner Is: *drumroll* “Love You I Do” from “Dreamgirls”
(DreamWorks and Paramount)
Music by Henry Krieger
Lyric by Siedah Garrett

This is definately Dreamgirl's category; the only question is which song from the muscal will win. I like the title of this one better, so I'm voting for it!

Best motion picture of the year
And the Winner Is: *drumroll* “Little Miss Sunshine” (Fox Searchlight)
A Big Beach/Bona Fide Production
David T. Friendly, Peter Saraf and Marc Turtletaub, Producers

Suprise? I think the heavier, more dramatic movies are going to split the vote, cleaving the way open for the cute, quirky quinestically road movie self-esteem boost and all around heart warming Little Miss Sunshine. (Allegedly; I've not seen this movie yet!)

Best animated short film
And the Winner Is: *drumroll* “The Little Matchgirl” (Buena Vista)
A Walt Disney Pictures Production
Roger Allers and Don Hahn

It's disney, and a classical plot that's pretty hard to mess up and seems well suited for the genre.

Best live action short film
And the Winner Is: *drumroll* “Binta and the Great Idea (Binta Y La Gran Idea)”
A Peliculas Pendelton and Tus Ojos Production
Javier Fesser and Luis Manso

I just liked the title of this one best.

Achievement in sound editing
And the Winner Is: *drumroll* “Letters from Iwo Jima” (Warner Bros.)
Alan Robert Murray and Bub Asman

Because it's nominated enough it has to win something.

Achievement in sound mixing
And the Winner Is: *drumroll* “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” (Buena Vista)
Paul Massey, Christopher Boyes and Lee Orloff

Big summer blockbuster = lesser awards, but a nod to it doing well. My guess is this will take this as a nod.

Achievement in visual effects
And the Winner Is: *drumroll* “Superman Returns” (Warner Bros.)
Mark Stetson, Neil Corbould, Richard R. Hoover and Jon Thum

Technically thishould probably be pirates too, but since when have they nominated the right one for this? They'll take this over Pirates, which IMO looked better.

Adapted screenplay
And the Winner Is: *drumroll* “Borat Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan” (20th Century Fox)
Screenplay by Sacha Baron Cohen & Anthony Hines & Peter Baynham & Dan Mazer
Story by Sacha Baron Cohen & Peter Baynham & Anthony Hines & Todd Phillips

The Academy wants to show it is hip and edgy. And it is picking up some hype, so I think it's totally going to Borat.

Original screenplay
And the Winner Is: *drumroll* “Little Miss Sunshine” (Fox Searchlight)
Written by Michael Arndt

If it won't take anything else, the quirky, heart warming show will take the screenplay award.
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SCII month continues! DueFiumi.com

John Layfield wrote:

But bubbles... children love bubbles! XD

[Gil-galad]

[Sophita]

Is anyone else watching tihis right now? There's nothing else on, and well, it's still full of Hollywood self-love bloat (interpretive dance?!) but there's a few surprises here.

I mean, Eddie Murphy lost! Congrats to Tony Stark for being the only one to actually predict that one and Shrew for being the only one to pick the Danish poet to win.

Oh dear, while I was typing this I think Germany just won best foreign film. What?!
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SCII month continues! DueFiumi.com

John Layfield wrote:

But bubbles... children love bubbles! XD

[Thor McOdin]

I'm actually enjoying the show this year...a lot. So much so that I am motivated to write! I've been pleasantly surprised so far and Ellen makes a great host.
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Not all ninja codes are brewed equally. Here at Shinobi, we use the choicest Bavarian hops that are ripened to perfection. One sip and we will have you saying...nothing.

[Amyral]

The best part of this this year has been the Snakes on a Plane shadow puppet sketch. That was totally awesome.

[Dew Dust]

I cannot believe Pan's Labyrinth did not get best foreign film award. :cry:
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[Amyral]

yeah, that's surprising. I thought that was the most certain lock of all of the nominations.

And wow, Dream Girls didn't win in the best song category. That's the biggest surprise of the year.