PGA Quick Pick

Slumdog Millionaire wins. Duh...

Meditations...on the Oscar Nominees. Part II

Best Actor
- Richard Jenkins for The Visitor
- Frank Langella for Frost/Nixon
- Sean Penn for Milk
- Brad Pitt for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
- Mickey Rourke for The Wrestler

These nominees are not bad at all. In fact they are pretty decent, nearly great. Mickey Rourke and Sean Penn gave two of the top three performances of the year, with bith men giving career best performances in Milk and The Wrestler respectively. Either one of these two men should and will win the oscar. Brad Pitt was great in Button, giving the most internally complex performance of his career, and he deserved a nod. Frank Langella's Nixon was a shining example of wonderful mimicry mixed with actorly invention, and even though Michael Sheen was his equal performance wise, Langella provided Frost/Nixon with it's most poignant moment when he apologizes to the American People. Finally, Richard Jenkins. Jenkins wa absolutely wonderful and reserved in the Visitor. Giving his second best performnce ever, behind Nathaniel Fisher Sr. in Six Feet Under, Jenkins is overdue for a nomination.

Now for the negatives of this shortlist...

No Leo. In my oppinion, Leonardo DiCaprio gave the best male performance of the year and the best of his own career. He was raw, vulnerable and at times frighteningly explosive. His snub will be much more talked about in the coming years, as his performance was better than Jenkin's, Langella's and Pitt's. It's inexcusable that acting of this callibre can be so ridiculously ignored by an actors branch that loves actors movies above all else. I just don't get it.

Best Actress
- Anne Hathaway for Rachel Getting Married
- Angelina Jolie for Changeling
- Melissa Leo for Frozen River
- Meryl Streep for Doubt
- Kate Winslet for The Reader

This is a list that is definitely weaker than the Best Actor race. Anne Hathaway was great, boldly daring to strip away all remnants of her squeaky clean persona and playing an ex drug addictwith a complex emotional history. Pretty much a stretch for her, and despite this, she was wonderful. Meryl Streep's performance is one that crept up on me. As I was watching Doubt, it struck me as odd that the only performance that was weak was coming from Ms. Streep. The next day, I had eased up on her, thinking that maybe she wasnt bad at all. Three weeks later, I was positive that she gave the second best female performance of the year. Jolie was good, really good in changeling. Probably the best I've seen her do since Girl, Interupted.

The negative thoughts...
Melissa Leo over Sally Hawkins. The fact that Leo got in pissess me off when Sally Hawkins who gave the superior performance was snubbed. I knew it was going to be one or the other, I went with Sally, why shouldn't I have, she did great on the precursor circuit, got raves and she young and beautiful. Leo is none of these things.
Also, Kate Winslet was nominated for the wrong film. She was good in the Reader, but I agree with the supporting campaign, Michael was the main character not hannah. Winslet turns in the best performance of the year for Rev Road and she is snubbed for it. I just dont understand why the academy is so fucking stupid.

Part III: Monday

Meditations...On the Oscar Nominees, Part I

Well, after months of prognostication, wishes, and viewings, the Oscar finally announced their nominees yesterday morning. For the readers who know what happened, I am not extremely upset about the results. It could have been much worse, Mickey Rourke cold have been snubbed, Milk could have been completely shut out, Kate Winslet could have gone without any nominations. We should all be greatful that this year the Oscars are honoring films directed by Danny Boyle, David Fincher and Gus Van Sant, and whats more is that their films all received at least 8 nominations. Be greatful that actors like Richard Jenkins, Frank Langella and Mickey Rourke have finally recieved a nomination, and that Michael Shannon, Taraji P. Henson and Viola Davis are being honored. The Oscars may not have rewarded The Dark Knight, but they were brave enough to give movies like In Bruges, Happy-Go-Lucky and Frozen River nominations.
Yes, The Dark Knight was snubbed, yes Woody Allen and Jenny Lumet were robbed, yes, Leonardo Dicaprio wasn't nominated for the best male performance of the year.
The only snub that angered me was the Boss' not being recognized for his genius.
But in the end, at least the Oscars once again gave us something to talk about, at least we can all now bitch until the next January. That's half the fun of the Oscars anyways isnt it.
Either way, here are my thoughts on this year's nominees.

Best Picture
- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
- Frost/Nixon
- Milk
- The Reader
- Slumdog Millionaire

This is what we all expected isnt it. The entire year, bloggers battled over whether or not the Dark Knight was going to be nominated, and in the end it wasn't. Yes, I thought the Dark Knight was one of the superior films from 2008, but there is not one film on that shortlist that was completely undeserving. The Reader, was not a bad film. In fact, it was actually a pretty decent movie, one that was generally well liked by critics and awards bodies alike. Frost/Nixon & Milk were fantastic biopics, boasting great direction and performances. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button was one of the most fascinating film going experiences of the year, and Slumdog Millionaire was universally acclaimed despite a now rising backlash.
This is not a bad short list at all.

Best Director
- Danny Boyle for Slumdog Millionaire
- Stephen Daldry for The Reader
- David Fincher for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
- Ron Howard for Frost/Nixont
- Gus Van Sant for Milk
Once again, how can you complain when Danny Boyle, David Fincher and Gus Van Sant show up as nominees. They are three of the most beloved cult directors, and they all nailed their movies with phenominal direction. I feel ambivalent towards Ron Howard's nod, and while Stephen Daldry did his best directing yet in The Reader, I still think that Christopher Nolan was robbed. His direction was iconic, and any number of images in that movie can be remembered with staggering clarity.

Meditations...

I dont know what to say about this morning's nominations right now...
Once I can contain my thoughts and gather them up, you readers will be hearing a diatribe against the AMPAS.

On a side note, I did not miss more than two nominees from any of the individual categories.

But...The Dark Knight snub....

I will be back later today

bet on it.

Tyler j. Pratt

Meditations on...The Innauguration andMy Final Oscar Predictions.

Wow, what a day, what a day. First off, I am still freezing from the hours spent waiting for the innauguration which really only lasted about an hour and a half, maybe two hours plus. But, this morning was one for the history books. Despite my personal feeling that this man has yet to prove himself in any political arena, it was hard to not be caught up in the emotions, inthe history that was being made before the eyes of millions of americans.

Well, thats it for the political crap today, lets move on to my favorite topic...the Oscars !

My Final Predictions will be up 100 percent sometime tommorow, once i get home from D.C., I will try to get something done on the plane, but I doubt it.

Computer Problems..

will delay my final predicitons until tommorow morning, noon at the latest, at least until I can get a new charger for my lap top. On a happier note, I am in D.C. for the innauguration ! Luckily I had the forsight to make the trip here on wednsday, and to make super early reservations at the hotel.
Either way I hope you oscar watchers are ready for tommorow...with a new era in american history and my final predix coming, you would be forgiven for being crazy with excitement.

-T.J.P

FINAL Oscar Predictions to come on Monday

Even with the news that the nominations announcement will be on Thursday this year, I am going to follow the great Kris Tapley's example of posting them on Monday as I had planned.
You only live once, right ? So I'm going with my gut feelings for the rest of the year, and I hope to have fun doing it.

Meditations.... On the BAFTA Nominations and the BAFTAS in General

BAFTAs have never really held that much importance to me. Maybe because of how different the British culture and way of thinking is compared to here in the U.S., maybe it's because I dont have BBC and, thus, cannot view them ever. One thing I am sure of, however, is the fact that the Orange Film Awards, or whatever they call them, are frequently a pretty good prognosticator of what is to come on Oscar night. Last year, both Marion Cottilard and Tilda Swinton were first awarded at the baftas along with Daniel Day-Lewis and Javier Bardem. In case you werent counting thats a 4-4 matchup in the acting categories. They also awarded Forest Whitaker, Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Jamie Foxx in the three years before that, and in the Best Actress category, the Brits awarded both Helen Mirren and Reese Witherspoon matching with Oscar the last three years running. In the supporting categories the Baftas and Oscar both agreed over Alan Arkin and Javier Bardem the last two years, and the only time the two bodies disagreed on Supporting Actress since 2001 was in 2005 when Rachel Weisz recieved a lead actress nod instead of supporting.
Now, Best Director has been split up frequently between the Oscars and BAFTA, only matching up 3 times in the last decade, agreeing upon the Coen Bros. last year, Ang Lee in 2005 and Roman Polanski in 2002. So that is a category best left up to the DGA.

Finally, the Best Picture is...wait, Best Film ? Either way BAFTA can be confusing on this one. With three Best Film awards handed out each year, for Best Film, Best English Film and Best Film In A foreign Language, it can be very hard to find simmilarities with the Oscars, only agreeing 4 times since Shakespeare In Love won in '98. what does this mean ?

When it comes to Acting, BAFTA and OSCAR are best buds, but anywhere else, they always find a way to split up.

So..here are my thoughts on this year's BAFTA nominees. In the major categories only...for now.

Best Film

“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
“Frost/Nixon”

“Milk”

“The Reader”

“Slumdog Millionaire”

Basically, this year has been boring as shit for movies if the same 4 keep getting nominated. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Frost/Nixon, Milk and Slumdog Millionaire are getting nominations. I'd stake anything on that fact. Well...not anything, but I'm pretty sure about it.

The Reader's inclusion does not suprise me at all, as I predicted it yesterday, but even though I did predict a Dark Knight snub I didnt expect it. I still say it makes it on Tuesday morning though.

Slumdog Millionaire takes this with ease, with more than ease. I'd just give the movie it's award now, so as to not make viewers waste their time.

I'm calling for a Slumdog Sweep, right here and now, you heard it here first.

Best Director

Clint Eastwood, “Changeling”

Dvid Fincher, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”

Ron Howard, “Frost/Nixon”

Stephen Daldry, “The Reader”

Danny Boyle, “Slumdog Millionaire”

This category shocked me. I loved Changeling but I did not expect at all that Clint would get a nod for it, and Ron Howard's inclusion was one I should have forseen. Instead, I opted for Sam Mendes and Chris Nolan. Why ? Because they are two beloved British directors. Duh..

On a side note, is it just me or is The reader building momentum ? Watch out for it, it could be the dark horse.

Just give it to Danny Boyle already, we all know that we're going to see a Slumdog sweep.

Best Actor

Frank Langella, “Frost/Nixon”

Dev Patel, “Slumdog Millionaire”

Sean Penn, “Milk”

Brad Pitt, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”

Mickey Rourke, “The Wrestler”

I completely bombed these in my predix, only forseeing Langella and Penn making it in, along with Leo DiCaprio, Michael Sheen and Michael Fassbinder. When I saw the long lists, I cant believe that I didnt suspect that both TCCoBB and The Wrestler would score acting nods. And most suprising, pleasant but suprising, was Dev Patel making it in. This clearly means that Slumdog is this years Belle of the ball.

I'm gonna have a bit of fun and predict that Dev Patel steals this as part of that Slumdog sweep I was talking about. His performance wasnt he best in the group, but he benefits from being the lead in not only 2008's best picture front runner, but the lead in a british best picture front runner.

Best Actress

Angelina Jolie, “Changeling”

Kristin Scott Thomas, “I’ve Loved You So Long”

Meryl Streep, “Doubt”

Kate Winslet, “The Reader”

Kate Winslet, “Revolutionary Road”

Hmm. do you think they like Kate Winslet ? I did pretty well actually in this one, sensing that Kate would get in twice for her roles, and also picking out Meryl streep and Krisitn scott Thomas. The only gal I missed was Angie, thinking that "Of course Happy-Go-lucky will get a ton of BAFTA love, freakin' Mike Leigh directed it, how could it not." Well, needless to say, but Sally aint a Happy-Go-Lucky girl right now. The BAFTAs were supposed to be hers to lose, and I bet that seeing her film entirely pimp-slapped didnt help either.

Kate takes it, but for which film ? I liked her better in Rev Road, but I'm thinking she'll win for the movie also nominated for Picture and Director.

Best Supporting Actor

Robert Downey Jr, “Tropic Thunder”

Brendan Gleeson, “In Bruges”

Philip Seymour Hoffman, “Doubt”

Heath Ledger, “The Dark Knight”

Brad Pitt, “Burn After Reading”

Well, kudos to me for picking Ledger and Gleeson at least. Apologies go out to Eddie Marsan, Peter O'Toole and especially David Kross, who I was dying to see get a little attention this year for his great english speaking debut in The Reader. On the bright side, I love these nominees, their so fun arent they ? Downey was a riot, I loved Gleason, Ledger was iconic yet again, Hoffman was amzing as always, and Pitt.. I've never seen the guy have so much fun on celluloid, this even tops Fight Club and Oceans 11. However, I think some well deserving actors were left off due to Pitt and Gleeson's inclusion.

Ledger takes this more easily than Slumdog in any other category.

Best Supporting Actress

Amy Adams, “Doubt”

Penelope Cruz, “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”

Freida Pinto, “Slumdog Millionaire”

Tilda Swinton, “Burn After Reading”

Marisa Tomei, “The Wrestler”

Freida Pinto and Tilda Swinton aside, I like these nominees very much. I'm happy to see Amy Adams continue to get love for her excellent turn in Doubt, as well as Penelope Cruz and Marisa Tomei. Otherwise, I think the oscars will also recognize Viola Davis and Kate Winslet for The reader along with Adams, Cruz and Tomei.

I'm sticking with my Slumdog Sweep vision, and picking the unworthy Freida Pinto to win in an upset.

That's all for now folks, I'm out for the day.

Tyler j. Pratt

BAFTA Thoughts. . .

To come soon, probably by 5:00 EST

Thoughts on The Golden Globes

Best Picture/Director/Screenplay/Score: Slumdog Millionaire

I think that pretty much every prognosticator, myself included, knew that this was a foregon conclusion. I mean, if one awards body was going to award Slumdog Millionaire the globes would be that group.

Best Foreign Film: Waltz with Bashir Best Animated Film: Wall-e

Two phenominal films that deserved to win, I love that Ari Folman is coming out of knowwhere to deliver these amazingly deep and moving political statements that actually make sense and dont offend anybody. Heres to the babies.

Best Picture Comedy/Musical: Vicky Cristina Barcelona

I just wish that Woody would get over himself and show up at an awards ceremony. He's an intelligent man with a great wit who never fails to get a laugh at the few shows that he's been to.

His movie also truly deserved to win.

Best Original Song: The Wrestler

Bruce Springsteen accepts his golden globe by being the coolest guy in the room, as always.

Best Supporting Actress: A double shot of Winslet is fine by me, and when it's a suprise the taste of it is even sweeter. Kate was so sweet and honest up at that podium that I almost shed a little tear. She was a deserving winner in both categories. Heres hoping that Oscar repeats the Globes next month.

Best Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger
A sad but foregone conclusion by now, Heath gave what is without a doubt one of the most iconic screen performances of the decade. The fact that we will never see him accept an award in person makes it all the more tragic. Chris Nolan, once again. gave another eloquent tribute to a man who over all enjoyed his work and his life.

Best Actress Comedy/Musical: I missed the speech, but Sally Hawkins gave a great performance that was without a doubt the best in her category. She deserves it.

Best Actor In A Comedy/Musical: Colin was fantastic in "In Bruges" and gave the most worthy performance in his category. I wish I would have picked him over Franco last night, mostly because he was my personal favorite in the group. Extra points for giving a lyrical speech that was touchingly funny even with the cocaine jokes.

Best Actor In A Drama: Mickey Rourke

What can I say. Mickey has come a long way since his breakout role in Body Heat. He hit rock bottom and was able to scratch and claw his way back to the top, and for that we must all give him credit. Mickey's win for me was one of the biggest, most suprising nom-suprises of the night and his speech yielded two or three of the nights best moments.

The ovation met when his name was called must have hit him like a tidal wave because that was one emotional walk up to the podium. Mickey and Darren provided a great laugh with their exchange ending with a middle finger in the middle of the screen on live television, which is not common at all. Also, Mickey gave, the most touching speech closer of the night with his mini soliloquy that obviously came straight from the heart.

“Sometimes, when a man’s alone, that’s all you’ve got is your dogs.”