An Oscar Blog Post, One Last Addendum

Hahahahaha...

An Oscar Blog Post, Addendum

So I sucked it up on my Oscar picks below. I totally ripped off Nate Silver's picks for the major categories, which was not the best idea. He totally pegged the election with his fancy computer models this year on his amazing blog, fivethirtyeight.com, so I thought he would successfully mathmatecize his way through the Oscars.

Nope.

But I thought the Oscars were great this year. Hugh Jackman was wonderful. The set-up of the stage, with all the great actors crammed to the front semi-circling the main podium, somehow made the entire thing more intimate. I was impressed and hope they keep it up.

And lastly, I should note that contrary to my previous post, Kate Winslet was nominated (and won) for The Reader and not Revolutionary Road. Pardon me while I go wipe this mud off my face.

An Oscar Blog Post... Yeah Yeah, I Know

I used to make it a rule to see all of the Best Picture nominees before the Oscar telecast.  This year, I am 3 for 5 (sorry Frost/Nixon and The Reader).  So take my Oscar predictions below with the finest grain of salt...

Best Picture: Slumdog Millionaire

Best Actor: Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler

Best Actress: Kate Winslett, Revolutionary Road

Best Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger, Dark Knight

Best Supporting Actress: Taraji P. Henson, Benjamin Button

Best Director: Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire

Best Original Screenplay: Milk

Best Adapted Screenplay: Slumdog Millionaire

Best Cinematography: Slumdog Millionaire

Best Editing: Dark Knight

Best Art Direction: Benjamin Button

Best Costume Design: Duchess

Best Make-Up: Benjamin Button

Best Original Score: Wall-E

Best Song: "Jai Ho", Slumdog Millionaire

Best Sound: Wall-E

Best Sound Editing: Dark Knight

Best Visual Effects: Benjamin Button

Best Animated Film: Wall-E

Best Foreign Film: Waltz With Bashir

Best Documentary: Man On Wire

Best Documentary Short: The Witness from the Balcony of Room 306

Best Animated Short: Presto

Best Live Action Short: Spieleugland

I feel entirely unsure about 85% of my picks, but it is not like anyone really has any idea.  There will always be some sort of unexpected win (or at least I hope so -- Hugh Jackman can only make the show as un-boring as one man can do).  

Of course, there is a very easy way to make the Oscars un-boring.  Drinking game!  If you want to play along, here are possible rules: 

Every time music plays during an acceptance speech: 1 drink

If the winner keeps talking, and they cut to a super-wide shot so they can shoo the winner(s) off stage: 2 drinks

If the person tells the orchestra to stop playing over their speech: 3 drinks, cause that shit is just rude.  

If a winner thanks the Academy: 1 drink

If a winner thanks God: 2 drinks

If a winner thanks God, but not the Academy: 3 drinks, cause that shit is just rude, too.  

If someone mentions anything vaguely political: 1 drink

If someone mentions something vaguely political, and they cut to a reaction shot of an African-American, because somehow it's related (did you know we have a Black president now???): 2 drinks

If someone happens to mention something pro-gay marriage: toast them, and have 3 drinks.  

Of, if you just want to get totally blitzed, start drinking once a winner is announced, and do not stop until they reach the mic.  You will not make it through the awards for the short films without slipping into a coma.  Seriously, they may as well stick those people on the Mezzanine and just throw their Oscars up to them once they win.