last minute predictions

with barely 4 hours to go before the oscar awards are announced, i thought of testing my powers again. last year i got 3 out of 5 correct guesses(http://dantespeaks.blogspot.com/2008/02/results.html). this year, let me see if my score improves.

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and because i've seen just a couple of the oscar-nominated films, most of these predictions are again based on sentiments and what i feel the voting members of the academy thinks of the films and performances this year.

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here we go...

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Best Picture

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Frost/Nixon

Milk

The Reader

Slumdog Millionaire

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my guess : Slumdog Millionaire despite my fearless statements in my review that i didn't like the cinematic embellishments that killed a rather pure and wonderful story. but looking at the bunch, i don't think the other four nominees offer anything better. Benjamin Button's story line is far from epic while Frost/Nixon maybe a more serious material but I'm not sure if it can pull off any fight against the sentiment Slumdog has already created among the movie buffs.

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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)

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my guess : Mickey Rourke. although i don't like this guy. he may have landed a very good role and acted well on it but i still don't like his attitude. he's arrogant, fresh and seem to be stuck in his days of drinking and going down the drain. heck, he doesn't even care to look fresh or clean when receiving awards onstage! i do hope Sean Penn gets the trophy. but knowing the oscars, they love comeback kids like Mickey. suckers.

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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)

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my bet: Meryl Streep. i said bet instead of guess because i've watched how this superwoman breathed life into the role (like what she always does). pundits say Kate is gonna win but i hope they are wrong. if the statuette doesn't go to Meryl this year, they are doing the lady a great injustice. Anne and Angelina should just be thankful they got nominated. and Melissa? don't ask me, this is the first time i've heard of her!

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Best Supporting Actor

Josh Brolin (for Milk)

Robert Downey Jr (for Tropic Thunder)

Philip Seymour-Hoffman (for Doubt)

Heath Ledger (for The Dark Knight)

Michael Shannon (for Revolutionary Road)

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my guess : Heath Ledger. again, oscar-voting members have this tendency to be sentimental. for that, they will give Heath a posthumous honor. but at the risk of sounding irreverent to Heath's memory, i really feel Philip should win the award. sentiments should have nothing to do with it. it's an acting award afterall. ah well...

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Best Supporting Actress

Amy Adams (for Doubt)

Penelope Cruz (for Vicky Cristina Barcelona)

Viola Davis (for Doubt)

Taraji Henson (for Benjamin Button)

Marisa Tomei (for The Wrestler)

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my bet: Viola Davis. i would really love to see this lady being awarded for a work that is so heartfelt, intense and genuine. although rumors have it that Penelope has the edge. if she wins, then lobbying really plays a great deal of role in these awards.

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there you go. by early morning tomorrow, i will see how my guessing game turned out.