Oscar picks for 2009

February 20, 2009 | In Movies & TV | No Comments

Around this time last year discussions started about Heath Ledger’s performance as the Joker in “The Dark Knight.” The discussions generally centered around the fact that ledger had recently passed away. While I had expected great things from Ledger in the film based on short clips and photos, I was a little apprehensive about the way people were talking in light of his passing.

Months after Ledger died “The Dark Knight” was finally released and it turned out, the hype surrounding Ledger’s Joker wasn’t all hot air. He delivered an amazing performance that truly deserves recognition during this years Academy Awards. He is up for supporting actor and it seems he is a lock in for the win.

Ledger’s role in the latest Batman flick isn’t the only transformative performance to hit the silver screen this year. Mickey Rorke’s performance as “Randy ‘The Ram’ Robinson” in “The Wrestler” has become an obvious choice for best actor.

While I haven’t seen The Wrestler myself, nor the apparent shoe in for best picture “Slumdog Millionaire” but both films feel like true masterpiece work for the film makers.

Here are a few of my picks for various categories:

Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
Director: David Fincher – The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Actor: Mickey Rourke – The Wrestler
Actress: Meryl Streep – Doubt
Supporting actor: Heath Ledger – The Dark Knight
Supporting actress: Marisa Tomei – The Wrestler
Animated: Wall-E

Sure there are more categories, but that’s where I’m looking at this point.

I won’t be watching the Academy Awards live this year but my TiVo is set, with an additional hour for the obvious long speeches, so we’ll see what happens with this years show.