They're All Winners, Aren't They?

No, really, they are. I wonder if they believe that. Next Sunday evening the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will hand out the Oscars to the winners in many categories of achievement including acting, directing, writing, editing, makeup and animation. I will tune in to see if my favorites take home the statuette or if they are left sitting in their seats smiling and cheering on their colleagues, looking ever-so pleasant and well...pleasant. That's acting, right?

I admit that a large portion of my viewing pleasure comes from the fashion. I love the gowns and the glamour of Hollywood. I appreciate the up dos and the trains, the diamonds on loan from Harry Winston. I stayed at the Beverly Hilton hotel several years ago and I reveled in the knowledge that I was in the same place where the Governor's Ball for the Academy Awards was held each year. As I walked through the lobby, I imagined all the movie stars that had previously walked the same path. Ah, imagination. Then I went home to Kansas.

Here are my picks for this year's Oscar winners, and why I made my selections.

Performance by an actor in a leading role
*Sean Penn in "Milk"
Richard Jenkins in "The Visitor"
Frank Langella in "Frost/Nixon"
Brad Pitt in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
Mickey Rourke in "The Wrestler"

Penn is absolutely in character, we LOSE Penn while he plays the role of Harvey Milk.

Performance by an actor in a supporting role
*Heath Ledger in "The Dark Knight"
Josh Brolin in "Milk"
Robert Downey Jr. in "Tropic Thunder"
Philip Seymour Hoffman in "Doubt"
Michael Shannon in "Revolutionary Road"

They will likely give it to Ledger. Shannon deserves it for his role in Revolutionary Road. He played it with perfect clarity. I'd like to see him get it. He won't.

Performance by an actress in a leading role
*Meryl Streep in "Doubt"
Anne Hathaway in "Rachel Getting Married"
Angelina Jolie in "Changeling"
Melissa Leo in "Frozen River"
Meryl Streep in "Doubt"
Kate Winslet in "The Reader"

This was a tough call. Two great actresses (Streep and Winslet) looking like they don't have any makeup. They'll give it to Streep.

Performance by an actress in a supporting role
*Marisa Tomei in "The Wrestler"
Amy Adams in "Doubt"
Penélope Cruz in "Vicky Cristina Barcelona"
Viola Davis in "Doubt"
Taraji P. Henson in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"

Tomei played this well. She was raw, and I don't just mean naked. Best acting in this category.

Best animated feature film of the year
hahahahahahahahaha! Really? Did anyone who knows me expect me to even venture a guess?

Achievement in costume design
*"Australia" Catherine Martin
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" Jacqueline West
"The Duchess" Michael O'Connor
"Milk" Danny Glicker
"Revolutionary Road" Albert Wolsky

Australia was this year's "Gone With The Wind". The costume opportunities were many and taken full advantage of. It was a beautifully appointed film.

Achievement in directing
*"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" David Fincher
"Frost/Nixon" Ron Howard
"Milk" Gus Van Sant
"The Reader" Stephen Daldry
"Slumdog Millionaire" Danny Boyle

With all the technical challenge of Benjamin Button, I think it's a shoe in for directing.

Achievement in makeup
*"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" Greg Cannom
"The Dark Knight" John Caglione, Jr. and Conor O'Sullivan
"Hellboy II: The Golden Army" Mike Elizalde and Thom Floutz

Well, duh.

Best motion picture of the year
*"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
"Frost/Nixon"
"Milk"
"The Reader"
"Slumdog Millionaire"

I think it will go to Benjamin Button, although this category was kind of a weird one. The sum is not as good as its parts. Go figure.