The Academy Awards are less than a week away and this is our penultimate assessment of where the Big 6 prizes stand.
BEST MOTION PICTURE OF THE YEAR
Slumdog Millionaire
We’re still calling Slumdog, but it would not surprise us if The Reader pulled off an upset. Recall, Harvey Weinstein (whose Weinstein Company released The Reader) was the mastermind behind one of the biggest upsets in Oscar history: Shakespeare in Love winning Best Picture over Saving Private Ryan in 1998.
PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Kate Winslet, The Reader
This is Kate Winslet’s year. But either Streep or Hathaway could play the spoiler.
PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler
Yes, Sean Penn was amazing in Milk. But Mickey Rourke gave what is the best performance of his career thus far in The Wrestler. Plus, Penn already has an Oscar.
PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
Heath Ledger HAS to win. He gave the best performance on film of 2008.
PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Penelope Cruz, Vicky Christina Barcelona
We are sticking with Penelope Cruz for now. This is a difficult race to call, though, as Viola Davis or Amy Adams have come on strong in the last week.
DIRECTING
Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
This category, along with Supporting Actor, are the surest locks of all the six. Boyle will win.
