Predix Update, With a Twist

From now on, an individual post will acknowledge our individual predictions and the sidebar predix will be a combination of all of ours (NOTE: David, I deleted your post and added it here, and into the sidebar)

BRIAN

BEST PICTURE

1. The Road
2. Changeling
3. Revolutionary Road
4. The Wrestler
5. Synecdoche, New York

BEST DIRECTOR
1. John Hillcoat - The Road
2. Clint Eastwood - Changeling
3. Edward Zwick - Defiance
4. Sam Mendes - Revolutionary Road
5. Charlie Kaufman - Synecdoche, New York

BEST ACTOR
1. Viggo Mortensen - The Road
2. Frank Langella - Frost/Nixon
3. Philip Seymour Hoffman - Synecdoche, New York
4. Mickey Rourke - The Wrestler
5. Leonardo DiCaprio - Revolutionary Road

BEST ACTRESS
1. Kristin Scott Thomas - I've Loved You So Long
2. Kate Winslet - Revolutionary Road
3. Angelina Jolie - Changeling
4. Anne Hathaway - Rachel Getting Married
5. Meryl Streep - Doubt (I have to say, she underwhelmed me in the trailer)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
1. Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight
2. Liev Schreiber - Defiance
3. Kodi Smit-McPhee - The Road
4. Philip Seymour Hoffman - Doubt
5. Robert Downey, Jr. - The Soloist

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
1. Debra Winger - Rachel Getting Married
2. Viola Davis - Doubt
3. Amy Adams - Doubt
4. Vera Farmiga - Nothing But the Truth
5. Marisa Tomei - The Wrestler

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
1. Changeling
2. Synecdoche, New York
3. The Wrestler
4. Rachel Getting Married
5. WALL-E

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
1. The Road
2. Revolutionary Road
3. Doubt
4. The Dark Knight
5. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

DANIEL

Best Picture
1. Milk

2. Doubt

3. The Road

4. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

5. Frost/Nixon

Best Director
1. David Fincher, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

2. Gus Van Sant, Milk

3. Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire

4. John Hillcoat, The Road

5. Christopher Nolan, The Dark Knight

Best Actor

1. Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler

2. Viggo Mortensen, The Road

3. Sean Penn, Milk

4. Frank Langella, Frost/Nixon

5. Josh Brolin, W.

Best Actress

1. Angelina Jolie, Changeling

2. Kristin Scott Thomas, I've Loved You So Long

3. Kate Winslet, Revolutionary Road

4. Meryl Streep, Doubt

5. Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married

Best Supporting Actor

1. Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight

2. Philip Seymour Hoffman, Doubt

3. Kodi Smit-McPhee, The Road

4. James Franco, Milk

5. Richard Dreyfuss, W.

Best Supporting Actress

1. Marisa Tomei, The Wrestler

2. Viola Davis, Doubt

3. Taraji P. Henson, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

4. Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona

5. Elizabeth Banks, W.

Best Original Screenplay

1. Milk

2. Rachel Getting Married

3. The Wrestler

4. I've Loved You So Long

5. The Visitor

Best Adapted Screenplay

1. The Road

2. Slumdog Millionaire

3. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

4. Doubt

5. Frost/Nixon

DAVID


BEST PICTURE

1. The Road
2. Changeling
3. The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button
4. Doubt
5. Revolutionary Road

BEST DIRECTOR

1. John Hillcoat - The Road
2. Clint Eastwood - Changeling
3. David Fincher - The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button
4. Sam Mendes - Revolutionary Road
5. John Patrick Shanley - Doubt

BEST ACTOR

1. Viggo Mortensen - The Road
2. Josh Brolin - W.
3. Frank Langella - Frost/Nixon
4. Sean Penn - Milk
5. Brad Pitt - The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button

BEST ACTRESS

1. Angelina Jolie - Changeling
2. Cate Blanchett - The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button
3. Anne Hathaway - Rachel Getting Married
4. Meryl Streep - Doubt
5. Kate Winslet - Revolutionary Road

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

1. Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight
2. Robert Downer Jr. - The Soloist
3. Liev Schreiber - Defiance
4. Philip Seymour Hoffman - Doubt
5. Kodi Smit-McPhee - The Road

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

1. Taraji P. Henson - The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button
2. Amy Adams - Doubt
3. Viola Davis - Doubt
4. Vera Farmiga - Nothing But The Truth
5. Marisa Tomei - The Wrestler

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

1. Changeling
2. Burn After Reading
3. Milk
4. Synecdoche, New York
5. WALL-E

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

1. The Road
2. The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button
3. Doubt
4. Frost/Nixon
5. Revolutionary Road

A Couple of Short Clips from The Wrestler

Ignore the commentary going on in the beginning (just skip it if your computer loads the video quickly enough) and there are two very good clips from Aronofsky's The Wrestler. Mickey Rourke looks absolutely solid in these and if his acting is this strong and consistent throughout the film, I would not doubt that he ends up going home with Best Actor. If this can get a good trailer then the already rising buzz for this film could skyrocket. There is a strong possibility that this film is the Surprise Film at this year's London Film Festival, so if I can get my hands on some tickets for the event...I'm going to be keeping my fingers crossed that it is this film.

I've Loved You So Long: Trailer

I really liked this brief trailer. I didn't know too much about the film previous to watching this (mostly my fault for not taking the initiative) and now I am very excited for it. I thrive on films like this. Kristin Scott Thomas really does look exceptional here and I think she could easily pull off an Oscar nomination this year, in addition to Elsa Zylberstein in Supporting Actress. This film has already been released on this side of the pond so perhaps if I get the time I'll go see this during the weekend. Overall, I really think this could be great. Now if only we could get a trailer for The Road...

Revolutionary Road: Full Trailer

This has been available for awhile without the annoying ET voiceover, but we are just now getting around to posting it. It feels more like Little Children to me than it does American Beauty. Maybe Little Children meets Mad Men. I can really see this going either way. That cinematography though...wow. I'd say Deakins made the right choice by shooting this film rather than Burn After Reading. This could be the film to finally win him an Oscar.

W.: Second Trailer

The last video we had went out, so here's the new one (Thanks for the heads up, Anonymous). Josh Brolin might be in contention more than many previously thought. Kris Tapley is pretty sure that the script isn't up to par...but this could end up being pretty great. That being said, it could crash and burn if Stone's account is way too biased.

Seven Pounds Trailer

From this trailer it still seems unclear what this character embodies, but if this film will be released by Christmas as planned, look for Will Smith to push for another nomination... What do you think?

R.I.P Paul Newman

What a sad year...
In case you haven't heard, Paul Newman died late last night at the age of 83. He will always be remembered as a great actor and a great philanthropist. My condolences to his friends, family and Joanne Woodward. He will be sorely missed.

EDIT: Hey guys, Daniel here. I just wanted to add my two cents on here how truly sad I am about Paul Newman's passing. I've been dreading this day for a while now and now that it's come, it's almost too surreal. Newman has always been one of my very favorite actors of all time, especially for his role in Cool Hand Luke, one of the definitive Newman films, and films in general, of all time. Newman was an unbelievable man. His actions, both in film and philanthropic activities, like Brian said, were truly remarkable. Today we mourn the death of one of the greatest actors to ever appear on screen. However, it is reassuring to know that Newman never lost sight of who he was as a person or as an actor; he never became such a recluse that he abandoned what he believed in. What an extraordinary human being.

W. Trailer 2

Here's the newest trailer for Oliver Stone's W. and I really hope he will be able to promote Josh Brolin for a Best Actor nom... What do you think?

Ricky Gervais to Host Oscars?

From IMDb:

British comedian Ricky Gervais is hotly tipped to host next year's Academy Awards.

Gossips claim new Oscars bosses Laurence Mark and Bill Condon were impressed with The Office creator's laugh-raising stint at Sunday's Emmy Awards, and they want to audition him for the Oscars.

A source tells Ew.com, "The buzz around town is that Ricky should host the Oscars."

Previous Oscars hosts have included Whoopi Goldberg, Steve Martin, Jon Stewart and Billy Crystal.

I know that it's way too early to take these rumors seriously (remember Justin Timberlake?), but this truly excites me.

Synecdoche, New York: Trailer

I have a feeling this film will be awesome... Should score some points for Original Screenplay and maybe in the acting categories. What do you think?

Doubt: Trailer

I must apologize to my colleague but I prefered posting the video directly onto the blog. I too think this will score big points in the acting categories, especially Streep and Hoffman, and I believe in its chances to get a Best Picture nomination. What do you think?

The Doubt Trailer has Arrived!

http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/article/doubt_has_a_trailer_filled_with_oscar_potential/

Overall, I thought it was a pretty good trailer. Meryl looks great as always, but I think that Hoffman, Davis and Adams look even better. I think the film will be a success, however, the direction looks way too theatrical, rather than cinematic. But that's not surprising considering who the director is. All in all, I'll be seeing this for sure, and it'll be a big acting contender (or so it looks), but I'm not too sure about BP anymore.

The International: Trailer

I was looking forward to see this film this year but it was pushed back to February 2009. Still, it will be fun to watch Clive Owen in thriller mode. From Tom Tykwer (Run Lola Run, Perfume). What do you think?

Changeling: Trailer

One of the favorites in this year's race finally produces a trailer. Look for Angelina to compete for a nomination in this period drama from Clint, at the top of his game.

Dark Knight for Best Picture?

According to a report, Warner Bros. is planning to re-release The Dark Knight in theatres in January in a attempt to promote the film for Oscar voters notably for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Supporting Actor for Heath Ledger. The film which has already accumulated over 510 million dollars domestically and 950 million worldwide should be able to get over a billion with this re-release and with a DVD release predicted for December, it will be interesting if they get the push they're looking for. Of course, a genre picture will be difficult to enter the Best Picture race, but the last time a film made over 500 million dollars at the box office, it went home with 11 Oscars, so you never know.

Che: Distributor Found

According to a news report, IFC Films acquired the distribution rights for Steven Soderbergh's Che Guevara biopic starring Benicio Del Toro which earned him the Best Actor award at this year's Cannes film festival. It is still unclear at this point whether the film will be released as one 4 and a half hour film or separated in two parts but it's been confirmed that the film will be released in New York and Los Angeles in time to be eligible for the Oscars but may be released in other cities in 2009. We'll keep you updated on the status of the film's release.

The Soloist: Trailer

I'm Pathetic

In the year and a half(ish) I've been doing Oscar Obsession, I've never been more humiliated to post something, but here goes.

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I want to see "The Women."

Yes, I know that it has a 0% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Yes, I know that Meg Ryan has made her plastic surgeons millionaires.
Yes, I know that it will be a major Razzie contender.
And yes, I know that it's an entirely unnecessary remake.

Please be gentle when you're ripping me to shreds.

Milk: Trailer

First of all, excellently edited trailer. I loved the stylized aspect. About the actual film, I think it is safe to say that this will be one of the best films of the year. I thought the trailer was absolutely fantastic. Sean Penn looked incredible, and until the film receives awful to terrible reviews, I would bet a lot that Penn gets the nomination. Josh Brolin, I would say, also looks like a lock for the nomination after this trailer. Franco and Hirsch also looked great. I'll try not to get too invested in the film solely on the trailer though...

What are your thoughts?

R.I.P.: Don LaFontaine

You might not have recognized his face, or even his name, but you definitely recognized his voice. Voiceover king Don LaFontaine passed today after suffering from a collapsed lung. He will be sorely missed. Rest In Peace, and thoughts to his family.