February 20, 2009

For the fourth straight year, my co-anchor Demetria and I are matching our movie wits in our annual picking of the Oscar winners.

Last year Demetria finally managed to beat me, after being utterly humiliated by my rousing victories in the first two contests.
This year though, she's at a distinct advantage since -- for the first time I can remember in my whole adult life -- I haven't seen a single movie that's listed in any of these award categories..... not one.

So I'll have to depend on my razor sharp movie instincts to carry me to victory.
Here are our picks:

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Demetria says the winner will be Penelope Cruz for her performance in "Vicky Cristina Barcelona."
That's a too easy and predictable pick, and probably correct.
Even so, I say it will be Marisa Tomei in "The Wrestler."

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
There's only one choice. Every expert says the late Heath Ledger wins for his stunning performance in "The Dark Knight." So does Demetria, and so do I.

BEST DIRECTOR
Demetria picks Danny Boyle for "Slumdog Millionaire."
I pick Gus Van Sant for "Milk."

BEST ACTOR
Demetria really wanted to pick Richard Jenkins, simply because he attended her alma mater Illinois Wesleyan... but she didn't.... she picked the favored winner, Mickey Rourke for "The Wrestler."
I expect the surprise winner to be Sean Penn for "Milk."

BEST ACTRESS
Demetria is playing it safe by picking Kate Winslet for "The Reader", while I'm strongly tempted to pick Meryl Streep.
But I won't.... I'm predicting it will go to Anne Hatthaway for "Rachel Getting Married."

BEST PICTURE
This is the big one.
Demetria picks "Slumdog Millionaire."
I say the "Milk" will grab the Oscar.

I'll calculate the winners next week.

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