Hey there – I imagine Professor Dr. Gareth Higgins will be posting his own predictions – but here’s my first thoughts on the Academy’s nominations, (as we’ve mentioned before, being nominated by the Academy is, of course, no indication of filmic quality or lasting value):

BEST ACTOR

* Richard Jenkins in “The Visitor” (They should give it to him – finally a ‘That Guy’ gets recognition)
* Frank Langella in “Frost/Nixon” (Sandwich sir?  Yes, I’ll take the HAM)
* Sean Penn in “Milk” (Sean Penn’s got scary skills – but they’ll give it Boxing Boy this year)
* Brad Pitt in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Well he did hike all the way through the Uncanny Valley)
* Mickey Rourke in “The Wrestler” (This is who will win – the ‘Academy’ loves a comeback, and besides Rocky won Best Picture back in the day and The Wrestler is a remake of of Rocky 6 so there you go)

BEST ACTRESS

* Anne Hathaway in “Rachel Getting Married” (Toss up between her and Let Me Pose Nude for You Lady)
* Angelina Jolie in “Changeling” (Nope)
* Melissa Leo in “Frozen River” (Haven’t seen it – I thereby declare this the best performance of the year, other than Viola Davis)
* Meryl Streep in “Doubt” (Take a trip around the world with Meryl’s accents in this movie)
* Kate Winslet in “The Reader” (Oh, she’ll win)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

* Josh Brolin in “Milk” (He should get it – but will probably go to you know who)
* Robert Downey Jr. in “Tropic Thunder” (Like Licence to Kill, Robert Downey Jr. should be on a list – why not nominate him for Best Supporting Actor every year, even if he’s not actually in a movie – I mean, he’s Robert Downey Jr., plus his dad is pretty cool too)
* Philip Seymour Hoffman in “Doubt” (Philip Seymour Hoffman as a child molester?  What outrageous casting)
* Heath Ledger in “The Dark Knight” (Best Tom Waits impersonation ever)
* Michael Shannon in “Revolutionary Road” (Not this year, but he’ll get it eventually)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

* Amy Adams in “Doubt” (The Academy has gotta pad out the list somehow)
* Penélope Cruz in “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” (Ha Ha!)
* Viola Davis in “Doubt” (She should win – blew Streep off the SCREEN)
* Taraji P. Henson in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (See her in ‘Hustle and Flow’ instead – in that she plays a real person – not a cartoon mammy.)
* Marisa Tomei in “The Wrestler” (Stripper with a heart of gold – there’s an original role)

BEST PICTURE

* “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Are you **************** me?!?)
* “Frost/Nixon” (Very good made for TV movie)
* “Milk” (Worthy and well done – normally that’s enough for a win)
* “The Reader” (A ‘For Your Consideration’ movie if ever there was one)
* “Slumdog Millionaire” (This will win – at least it’s the best out this bunch)

(Photo by Jett)