2009 Academy Awards

Do the nominated movies match our times intentionally or coincidentally? Of course these films take years from concept to theater, so there is a large portion of chance thrown in, but movies like Slumdog Millionaire, The Reader and Frost/Nixon likely get much more attention in a time of disappointment and hopeful recovery.

I was fortunate enough to see 16 of the nominated films (accounting for 75% of the nominations). This buona fortuna came at the expense of my family (since I'm sitting alone in Denver) but it came in a good year for movies. These films were extraordinarily creative (In Bruges, Benjamin Buttons, Slumdog) and historically well-acted (Doubt, Milk). There was a nice blend of action films with conflicted (and also well-portrayed) characters (Dark Knight, Iron Man), traditional period dramas (The Dutchess, Changeling) and comeback themes (The Wrestler, The Visitor).

I ate too much popcorn, never learned the lesson that my body cannot do a 120+ minute movie and a large diet soda in the same evening, but did learn the lesson that movies nominated for Art Direction or Cinematography are not best seen on an iPod.

Here are my selections (keeping to categories where someone might possibly care what I think...even if I knew anything about Sound Editing, does it merit a debate?!?)
Special FX: Dark Knight. Loved Iron Man, but it was too explosion-centric. Benjamin Buttons was very cool, but it was as much a Directing and Editing triumph as it was effective ILM-type work.
Editing: Slumdog Millionaire. I'm not a large fan of rapid cuts and head-jerking scene changes as they are usually a distraction, but in this case, they added to the intensity of the movie.
Art Direction: Benjamin Buttons. Several good period pieces that had wonderful art direction (The Dutchess, Changeling), but BB got it best.
Supporting Actress: Penelope Cruz (Vicky Christina Barcelona). I believed everything about her--that she was a suicidal romantic, that she was sexually curious (I dream this about her in real life) and that she was a true artist. I wanted Marisa Tomei to win, not just because I'm unnaturally obsessed with her, but also because she played a NJ stripper and because she gives me hope that people in their 40s can still have good bodies (alright, so it's false hope...hope spring eternal).
Supporting Actor: Do I have to say his name?!? (Who am I, Springsteen introducing Clarence Clemons at a concer?) Heath Ledger. Even if he didn't die, he'd deserve this award. How many actors can top Jack Nicholson in the same role? Heath did it.
Actress: Meryl Streep. I was convinced Angelina Jolie would win it until I actually saw Doubt. There's no taking it away from her. I suspect Kate Winslet will win, but I was underwhelmed by The Reader (great story, poor directing).
Actor: Frank Langella (Nixon). I know he won't win -- it'll be Mickey Rourke for The Wrestler (and I LOVED him in this role and loved the movie), but truly I thought Langella captured one of the most well-known politicians of all-time. That's nearly impossible. I also want to send kudos to Richard Jenkins (you might know him as the dead father from Six Feet Under). A sublime performance.
Screenplay (Original/Adapted): In Bruges/Slumdog Millionaire. In Bruges was that most wonderful combination of original/funny/dark. If you haven't seen this one, go rent it. Slumdog was just a completely original, gripping and depressing story.
Director: Danny Boyle (Slumdog). I've been to Mumbai 8 times and this movie made me feel like I'd never been there. It also was packaged in a unique way. Expect to see more movies of this ilk in the next 5 years (and many of them will be poor copies).
Picture: Slumdog, not even close.

Now to watch the actual show (Hugh Jackman?!? Please. Isnt' Steve Martin still alive?)