BEST PICTURE

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Frost/Nixon

Milk

The Reader

Slumdog Millionaire

Her View:

Who will win: Slumdog Millionaire

Who should win: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Slumdog has become the "darling" of the media, and both films have all of the elements necessary for an Oscar, but I think Benjamin Button is the better fantasy. However, at 2 1/2+ hours, most viewers don't have the patience, which is a shame.

His View:

Who will win: Slumdog Millionaire

Who should win: The Reader

Slumdog is on a roll, as far as publicity and earlier award shows. I think it's a good film, but just a bit over-rated. Personally, I liked Frost/Nixon and Milk better, but The Reader has that epic feel spanning the life of its two main characters.

BEST DIRECTOR

Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire

David Fincher, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Ron Howard, Frost/Nixon

Stephen Daldry, The Reader

Gus Van Sant, Milk

Her View:

Who will win: Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire

Who should win: Gus Van Sant, Milk.

The biggest problem with Boyle winning should be the controversy with Loveleen Tandan, the woman he himself named as co-director, but whom every award venue has ignored. Without Tandan this film would not have been what it turned out to be, and Van Sant did an outstanding job with Milk.

His View:

Who will win: Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire

Who should win: Gus Van Sant, Milk

If Slumdog wins for Best Picture, usually the director will follow. But Milk was a super ambitious biopic where direction was critical to its effectiveness.

BEST ACTOR

Richard Jenkins, The Visitor

Frank Langella, Frost/Nixon

Sean Penn, Milk

Brad Pitt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler

Her View:

Who will win: Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler

Who should win: Sean Penn, Milk

I realize this is a comeback film for Rourke and his performance is commendable ---- but is it really a stretch for him to play a guy down on his luck with a substance abuse problem? On the other hand, Penn is absolutely phenomenal as Harvey Milk, a soft-spoken gay activist ---- now that is a stretch.

His View:

Who will win: Sean Penn, Milk

Who should win: Sean Penn, Milk

Of course, Mickey Rourke has received the same type of hype as Slumdog Millionaire for his role in The Wrestler. Brad Pitt is appealing as Benjamin Button, and Frank Langellla is superb as Richard Nixon. Penn is certainly deserving for an inspired turn as Harvey Milk, but Richard Jenkins' quiet performance in The Visitor could be a dark horse in this category.

BEST ACTRESS

Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married

Angelina Jolie, Changeling

Melissa Leo, Frozen River

Meryl Streep, Doubt

Kate Winslet, The Reader

Her View:

Who will win: Kate Winslet, The Reader

Who should win: Kate Winslet, The Reader

Actually, I loved Winslet's performance in Revolutionary Road better, but with two spectacular outings, she deserves to win for something.

His View:

Who will win: Kate Winslet, The Reader

Who should win: Angelina Jolie, Changeling

Kate Winslet could have also been nominated for Revolutionary Road, but the Academy doesn't allow for that, so she is the likely winner for an extraordinary performance in The Reader. I personally thought Angelina Jolie's impassioned acting as the mother of a missing boy in Changeling was the year's best. Meryl Streep, as good as she is in Doubt, won't take home the Oscar, and Melissa Leo and Anne Hathaway starred in less-than-uplifting movies.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Josh Brolin, Milk

Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight

Robert Downey Jr., Tropic Thunder

Philip Seymour Hoffman, Doubt

Michael Shannon, Revolutionary Road

Her View:

Who will win: Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight

Who should win: Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight

This is a NO-BRAINER! If Ledger doesn't win posthumously, it would be the greatest travesty of all time!

His View:

Who will win: Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight

Who should win: Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight

You can bet your house and anything else on Heath Ledger. He MADE The Dark Knight and is a lock to be honored posthumously.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Amy Adams, Doubt

Penélope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Viola Davis, Doubt

Taraji P. Henson, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Marisa Tomei, The Wrestler

Her View:

Who will win: Marisa Tomei, The Wrestler

Who should win: Viola Davis, Doubt

Tomei is exceptional as the over-age stripper, but Davis blew me away as the mother in Doubt. Unfortunately, she and Adams will cancel each other out and Tomei will end up the winner.

His View:

Who will win: Penélope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Who should win: Amy Adams, Doubt

Any of the actresses in this tough category are worthy, but for me, Amy Adams subtle performance in Doubt was quietly stunning. She holds her own, and then some, with the likes of Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman.

Other Categories:

Best Original Screenplay:

Her Pick: Milk

His Pick: Milk

Best Adapted Screenplay:

Her Pick: Simon Beaufoy, Slumdog

His Pick: John Patrick Shanley, Doubt

Best Animated Film:

Her Pick: Wall-E

His Pick: Wall-E

Best Art Direction:

Her Pick: The Dark Knight

His Pick: Changeling

Best Cinematography:

Her Pick: Slumdog Millionaire

His Pick: The Dark Knight

Best Costume Design:

Her Pick: The Duchess

His Pick: Australia

Best Film Editing:

Her Pick: The Dark Knight

His Pick: The Dark Knight

Achievement in Makeup:

Her Pick: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

His Pick: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Best Original Score:

Her Pick: Slumdog Millionaire

His Pick: Defiance

Best Song:

Her Pick: O Saya, Slumdog Millionaire

His Pick: Down to Earth, Wall-E

Best Sound Editing:

Her Pick: The Dark Knight

His Pick: Iron Man

Best Sound Mixing:

Her Pick: Slumdog Millionaire

His Pick: Slumdog Millionaire

Best Visual Effects:

Her Pick: The Dark Knight

His Pick: Iron Man