Current mood:	hopeful
Entry tags:	movies, oscars

If I picked the Oscars...
These are my preferences for who should win, not my predictions of who will win.

Best Motion Picture of the Year: Without hesitation, No Country for Old Men. Nothing even comes close to it. No Country for Old Men is an incredibly profound movie. It tackles big questions on the nature of evil, the existence of God, and the human experience. It has the most to say about the most topics, and it says them in novel and entertaining ways. Runner-up: Michael Clayton.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: It's probably a foregone conclusion that Daniel Day-Lewis will win, but I'm leaning toward George Clooney. Day-Lewis' performance is very impressive and well deserving and Shakespearean in range, but it's a little on the hammy side for my tastes and it's a little too close to his performance in The Gangs of New York. Clooney's performance is controlled and subtle, but no less impressive in my estimation. He's also extremely well liked by the Academy, so I wouldn't be terribly surprised if he were to upset Day-Lewis, but that seems unlikely.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: I didn't see The Savages or La Vie en Rose, so this is a difficult category for me to pick. Of the remaining performances, I'm torn between Julie Christie's haunting performance as an Alzheimer's patient and Ellen Page's captivating and entertaining performance in Juno. To paraphrase Roger Ebert, my heart says Ellen Page, but my mind says Julie Christie. Let's call it a tie.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role: I can't imagine Javier Bardem not winning for his riveting performance in No Country for Old Men. Runner-up: Casey Affleck. He was spectacular in two films last year: The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford and Gone Baby Gone. Definitely someone to watch in the future.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role: Unfortunately, I didn't see I'm Not There, so I can't comment on Cate Blanchett's performance in that film. For me this category comes down to the two performances by Tilda Swinton and Amy Ryan. Both are excellent. I've been a Tilda Swinton fan for years though, ever since I saw Orlando in 1993, and I'd love to see her get some well deserved recognition.

Best Achievement in Directing: The Coen brothers for No Country for Old Men. See Best Picture above. Runner-up: Julian Schnabel for The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.

Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen: Juno will likely win, and it's hard to argue with it's sparkling dialogue, but I'd give it to Michael Clayton.

Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published: Like there's any doubt? No Country for Old Men. Runner-up: The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.

Best Achievement in Cinematography: Unfortunately, Roger Deakins was nominated twice for two different films, both of which are deserving of winning. He deserves the Oscar. I don't care which film he wins it for. If I had to pick one, I'd probably go with The Assassination of Jesse James. Here's hoping he doesn't split the vote...

Best Achievement in Editing: I'd give it to The Bourne Ultimatum, a fantastic film that deserves some Oscar recognition. Runner-up: No Country with Old Men.

Best Achievement in Art Direction: Tough category. I guess Sweeney Todd, but I'd rather give it to a number of other films which weren't nominated.

Best Achievement in Costume Design: I know this won't be a popular choice, but I'm going with Elizabeth: The Golden Age. Atonement's green dress is a one-hit wonder, and Sweeney Todd's costumes are too drab for my tastes.

Best Animated Feature Film of the Year: I loved Ratatouille. Persepolis was good too, but I found it less engaging.

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score: I'd give it to Michael Clayton.

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song: I'm rooting for "Falling Slowly" from Once. After seeing the movie, I sang this song all the way home, and, as soon as I got home, I immediately went online and bought the soundtrack. I'm praying the Enchanted songs all split the vote and allow Once to pick up this well deserved Oscar. Once should have been nominated for Best Picture!

Best Achievement in Makeup: I'm not going to pick this category this year as I didn't see two out of three of the films. I predict La Vie en Rose will win, however.

Best Achievement in Sound: I think the minimalist sound design of No Country for Old Men is revolutionary.

Best Achievement in Sound Editing: Ditto. Runner-up: Either The Bourne Ultimatum or Ratatouille.

Best Achievement in Visual Effects: The movie I want to win this category never seems to win. I don't understand it. Anyway, I'll give it to Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End.

Best Foreign Language Film of the Year: The Academy dropped the ball this year. I'm giving it to 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days. It wasn't nominated, but it should have been.