Critics Awards: Best Picture Winners!

"Slumdog Millionaire", Danny Boyle's acclaimed motion picture is the film that has obtained the most best picture awards at the precursors.

"Milk", "WALL-E" and "The Dark Knight" are second having won three best picture awards at the precursors each. It seems "The Dark Knight" and "WALL-E"'s chances are the same.

Here are the Best Picture winners at the precursors, by far:

African American Film Critics Association — “The Dark Knight”
Alliance of Women Film Journalists — “Slumdog Millionaire”
Austin Film Critics Association — “The Dark Knight”
Boston Society of Film Critics (IC coverage) — “Slumdog Millionaire,” “WALL-E”
Broadcast Film Critics Association (IC coverage) — winners announced Jan. 8
Chicago Film Critics Association (nominees, winners) — “WALL-E”
Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association — “Slumdog Millionaire”
Detroit Film Critics Society (IC coverage: nominees, winners) — “Slumdog Millionaire”
Florida Film Critics Circle — “Slumdog Millionaire”
Houston Film Critics Society — “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
Hollywood Foreign Press Association (IC coverage) — winners announced Jan. 11
International Press Academy (IC coverage: nominees, winners) — “Slumdog Millionaire,” “Happy-Go-Lucky”
Las Vegas Film Critics Society — “Frost/Nixon”
London Film Critics Circle (IC coverage) — winners announced Feb. 4
Los Angeles Film Critics Association (IC coverage) — “WALL-E”
New York Film Critics Circle (IC coverage) — “Milk”
New York Film Critics Online — “Slumdog Millionaire”
Phoenix Film Critics Society — “Slumdog Millionaire”
San Diego Film Critics Society (IC coverage) — “Slumdog Millionaire”
San Francisco Film Critics Circle (IC coverage) — “Milk”
Southeastern Film Critics Association — “Milk”
St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association — “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
Toronto Film Critics Association (IC coverage) — “Wendy and Lucy”
Utah Film Critics Association — “The Dark Knight”
Washington, D.C. Area Film Critics Association — “Slumdog Millionaire”

Predictions Re-updated! Acting nominations after the SAGs.

Best Actor in a Leading Role

Clint Eastwood - "Gran Torino"
The Academy loves him, that is a fact.
I think they will be loving his badass performance in this film.
Not to mention, he got a Best Actor nomination in 2004. He wasn't nominated for the Golden Globe or the SAG that year.

Frank Langella - "Frost/Nixon"
Lock.

Sean Penn - "Milk"
Lock.

Brad Pitt - "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
His role is very complex. He has to play a man in a very unusual situation: He is born being old and lives life backwards.
The role has been embraced so far. He has recieved nominations at the Golden Globes and SAG.
He also has "Burn After Reading" this year.

Mickey Rourke - "The Wrestler"
Lock.

Best Actress in a Leading Role

Anne Hathaway - "Rachel Getting Married"
Lock.

Angelina Jolie - "Changeling"
She was snubbed last year for "A Mighty Heart".
This year, she has been nominated for the Golden Globe and SAG.
Don't forget Clint Eastwood is also behind the camera.

Melissa Leo - "Frozen River"
Melissa and Richard Jenkins in "The Visitor" have been the two embraced indie performances.
While I don't think Jenkins will be nominated, Leo will.
The film has won various precursors for Best First Film and obtained great reviews.
Her SAG nomination increases her chances.

Meryl Streep - "Doubt"
Lock.

Kate Winslet - "Revolutionary Road"
The film will not be nominated for Best Picture unless it scores DGA and PGA nods.
Kate Winslet seems to be the most acclaimed performer of the film having Golden Globe and SAG nominations.
She has a solid fan base, five previous nominations and "The Reader".

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

Josh Brolin - "Milk"
Lock.

Robert Downey Jr. - "Tropic Thunder"
Lock. (This is amazing and unexpected)

Philip Seymour Hoffman - "Doubt"
Lock.

Heath Ledger - "The Dark Knight"
Lock.

Dev Patel - "Slumdog Millionaire"
Michael Shannon and James Franco were unable to recieve SAG or Golden Globe nominations.
"Slumdog Millionaire" has been the most acclaimed film of the year by far and the Academy may want to give it an acting nomination.
Dev Patel's SAG nomination gives him a huge boost.

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

Penélope Cruz - "Vicky Cristina Barcelona"
Lock.

Viola Davis - "Doubt"
Lock.

Taraji P. Henson - "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
She was beginning to loose buzz a few days ago but her recent precursor win and the SAG nomination are reviving it.

Marisa Tomei - "The Wrestler"
I don't think the Academy will want to honor "Doubt" with two supporting actress nominations. That being said, Marisa Tomei may get nominated. She was snubbed last year for her performance in "Before the Devil Knows You're Dead".

Kate Winslet - "The Reader"
SAG and Golden Globe support.
This year's double nominee.

Favorite Oscar Moments.

Many Oscar films have become unforgettable classics. Thus, there are also Oscar moments that have been unforgettable, making you laugh, cry or cheer. I am pleased to put my favorite Oscar moments, the ones that either moved me or the ones that made me cheer for my favorite films winning awards. Here they are:

Charlie Chaplin Recieving An Honorary Oscar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3Pl-qvA1X8&feature=channel
Chaplin was a genius, an artist in many filmmaking arts. He was a director, screenwriter, actor, producer, composer and the "greatest ballet dancer". This watered my eyes.

Marlon Brando winning an Oscar for "The Godfather"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QUacU0I4yU&feature=channel
Now this was totally unexpected. Long live Indians.

Roberto Benigni winning an Oscar for "Life is Beautiful"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cTR6fk8frs
The most beautiful woman on earth giving the Oscar to Roberto Benigni. Roberto's reaction is simply unforgettable.

Halle Berry winning an Oscar for "Monster's Ball"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llgL7mGYVTI&feature=channel
This one's priceless. Probably the most overracting reaction ever. She was D-E-F-I-N-A-T-E-L-Y moved. This was my first Oscar ceremony as well.

Adrien Brody winning an Oscar for "The Pianist"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HgWANva9Xk&feature=channel
His performance is not only one of the best that I have ever seen but his kiss was simply unforgettable. Also, Halle Berry's face after getting kissed is hilarious.

Michael Moore winning an Oscar for "Bowling for Columbine"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7Is43K6lrg&feature=channel
Michael Moore is a polemist. Just see the audience reactions of his Bush bashing. Some were saying "boo" to him, others gave him an ovation.

John Williams directing the Movie Scores orchestra
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87FMax44QQA
Moving. I loved how "Cinema Paradiso"'s score was included! One of the all-time best! All scores shown are magic for my ears.

"The Return of the King" winning Best Picture
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoKFtf4A_mc
My all time favorite movie in 2003. I wanted it to win so much and it did. Seeing how it swept was magical! Today, it is not only my favorite film of the decade but also one of my favorites of all-time.

Martin Scorsese winning for "The Departed"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3ZHHYrxQF4
Marty finally wins an Oscar after so many years! Everyone was so happy for him. "Could you double check the enveloppe?" haha Marty.

Marion Cotillard winning for "La Vie en Rose"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWYyI5fUYEo
I screamed of joy when she won. I was nervous but I knew she would win. Among my 5 all-time favorite performances for sure.

Screen Actors Guild Nominations!

http://www.sagawards.org/nominations

Screen Actors Guild Awards - Nomination Predictions!

The Screen Actors Guild Awards is the most important acting precursor. The nominations and winners are voted by the actors themselves. This year's SAG award nominations will be announced tomorrow, Thursday, December 18th, 2008. Nominations will be announced Live on TNT at 6 AM PT. For more information visit: http://www.sagawards.org/

Predicting this year's SAG awards was a difficult task. Here are my predictions:

Best Acting by an Ensemble

"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"

"The Dark Knight"

"Doubt"

"Milk"

"Rachel Getting Married"

Best Actor in a Leading Role

Leonardo DiCaprio - "Revolutionary Road"

Frank Langella - "Frost/Nixon"

Sean Penn - "Milk"

Brad Pitt - "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"

Mickey Rourke - "The Wrestler

Best Actress in a Leading Role

Anne Hathaway - "Rachel Getting Married"

Sally Hawkins - "Happy-Go-Lucky"

Meryl Streep - "Doubt"

Kristin Scott Thomas - "I've Loved You So Long"

Kate Winslet - "Revolutionary Road"

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

Penélope Cruz - "Vicky Cristina Barcelona"

Viola Davis - "Doubt"

Rosemarie DeWitt - "Rachel Getting Married"

Taraji P. Henson - "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"

Marisa Tomei - "The Wrestler"

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

Josh Brolin - "Milk"

Robert Downey Jr. - "Tropic Thunder"

James Franco - "Milk"

Philip Seymour Hoffman - "Doubt"

Heath Ledger - "The Dark Knight"

Austin Film Critics Association Winners!

Batman's first Best Picture Award at the Precursors. Buzz revival.

Christopher Nolan's complex comic book film "The Dark Knight" finally wins a Best Picture award at the precursors. It seems that this film's buzz is slowly reviving after the major snubs at the Golden Globes. I wouldn't be surprised if this film gets nominated for the DGA and the PGA. As of now, I'm predicting a Best Picture nomination for this film at the Oscars.

The other winners aren't surprising with the exception of Taraji P. Henson winning a Best Supporting Actress award and the "Synecdoche, New York" love.

Best Picture: "The Dark Knight"

Best Actor: Sean Penn, "Milk"

Best Actress: Anne Hathaway, "Rachel Getting Married"

Best Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger, "The Dark Knight"

Best Supporting Actress: Taraji P. Henson, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"

Best Director: Christopher Nolan, "The Dark Knight"

Best Adapted Screenplay: "The Dark Knight"

Best Original Screenplay: "Synecdoche, New York"

Best Cinematography: "The Fall"

Best Breakthrough Performer: Danny McBride, "Tropic Thunder", "Pineapple Express" and "The Foot Fist Way"

Best Documentary: "Man on Wire"

Best Score: "The Dark Knight"

Best Animated Film: "WALL-E"

Top Ten Films:

"The Dark Knight"

"Slumdog Millionaire"

"Milk"

"Synecdoche, New York"

"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"

"The Wrestler"

"WALL-E"

"Frost/Nixon"

"Gran Torino"

"Let the Right One In"

Some More Precursors...! Best Picture Remix!

Satellite Award Winners:

http://www.pressacademy.com/satawards/awards2008.shtml

_______________

National Board of Review: "Slumdog Millionaire"
Washington D. C. Film Critics: "Slumdog Millionaire"
Los Angeles Film Critics: "WALL-E"
New York Film Critics Circle: "Milk"
NYCFO: "Slumdog Millionaire"
Boston Film Critics: "Slumdog Millionaire" and "WALL-E" (tie)
Golden Satellites: "Slumdog Millionaire" (Drama) and "Happy-Go-Lucky" (Comedy)
Southeastern Film Critics: "Milk"
All. of Women FJ: "Slumdog Millionaire"
Phoenix Film Critics: "Slumdog Millionaire"
San Diego Film Critics: "Slumdog Millionaire"
San Francisco Film Critics: "Milk"
St. Louis Film Critics: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"

"Slumdog Millionaire"'s buzz is huge.