Cineplex Picks: Oscars 2009, Part II

With the Oscars a mere three days away, we take a look at who stands a chance at taking home the hardware in part two of our Cineplex Picks: Oscars 2009.

Cineplex Picks: Darren Solomon- Executive director, Entertainment content

Best Picture
What SHOULD win – The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
What WILL win –Slumdog Millionaire

This is a toss-up to me; both were great movies. But really it comes down to this: M-O-M-E-N-T-U-M. Special shout-out to The Dark Knight, which should have been nominated.

Best Director
Who SHOULD win – Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
Who WILL win – Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire

If you really watch and listen to everything in this film then you’ll know why Danny will win. The filmmaking was extraordinary and you need to appreciate how much out-of-the-box thought, coordination and planning went into making it.

Best Actor
Who SHOULD win – Sean Penn, Milk
Who WILL win – Sean Penn, Milk

Despite all the buzz, let’s face it…Mickey Rourke’s role wasn’t that big a stretch for him. Whereas every time they’re on the screen, Sean Penn and Johnny Depp prove why they’re the greatest actors of our generation. Depp’s not here this year, so it goes to Penn.

Best Actress
Who SHOULD win – Kate Winslet, The Reader
Who WILL win – Kate Winslet, The Reader

Winslet is perhaps the best actor out there who hasn’t won on Oscar, and after 6 noms and no wins, the Academy knows it’s the right thing to do.

Best Supporting Actor
Who SHOULD win – Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
Who WILL win – Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight

When Tropic Thunder first came out, I surprised my friends by telling them Robert Downey Jr. deserved an Oscar nod. It was a tremendously under appreciated performance, so I’m glad he’s in the race. But Heath deserves to win for all the reasons you’ve read everywhere else.

Best Supporting Actress
Who SHOULD win – Marisa Tomei, The Wrestler
Who WILL win – Taraji P. Henson, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

The least exciting category of the bunch on paper means look out for the underdog. Benjamin Button can’t go without one major award – so this is its shot.

Cineplex Picks: Rob Cousins - Director, Film programming

Best Picture
What SHOULD win – Slumdog Millionaire
What WILL win –Slumdog Millionaire

The breakout hit of 2008 that makes us all remember why we go out to the movies in the first place.

Best Director
Who SHOULD win – Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
Who WILL win – Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire

Watch the film and you’ll know why. And remember, he had never been to Mumbai before making it.

Best Actor
Who SHOULD win – All
Who WILL win – Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler

Quite simply, there is not a nominated performance this year that does not deserve this award. I think Rourke will win because everyone loves a comeback… tiny dogs and all. And a special mention to Richard Jenkins, one of the best actors working today, for his wonderful performance in The Visitor.

Best Actress
Who SHOULD win – Meryl Streep, Doubt
Who WILL win – Kate Winslet, The Reader

What a year for Meryl Streep. From the free-wheeling musical Mamma Mia… to her carefully crafted performance in Doubt. Have we started to forget how great she is because she makes it seem so effortless? But I’m going to say that the current Susan Lucci of the Oscars, Kate Winslet, will win for her performance in a film that would have been nothing without her.

Best Supporting Actor
Who SHOULD win – Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
Who WILL win – Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight

Forget the circumstances… forget the tragedy… and just look at the performance. Could you take your eyes off him? Weren’t you waiting, hoping, he would show up in the next scene? It may have been called The Dark Knight but it was Ledger’s interpretation of The Joker who walked away with the film.

Best Supporting Actress
Who SHOULD win – Marisa Tomei, The Wrestler
Who WILL win – Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona

As many have noted, this will be the category that will ruin your Oscar pool for you. Marisa Tomei was great in The Wrestler, but I think Penelope Cruz will take home the prize. But then again… it’s the Oscars.

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Now it's your turn! Make your Oscar predictions with this printable ballot.