Oscar Fever!!

It’s Oscar time again!! And no, I'm not talking about the green livin-in-a-trashcan monster from Sesame Street.

Last year, I hardly went to the movies. However, that isn’t gonna stop me from making some predictions on who I think is gonna go home with the Oscars.

Nominations for Best Actor
Don Cheadlen - Hotel Rwanda
Johnny Depp - Finding Neverland
Leonardo DiCaprio - The Aviator
Clint Eastwood - Million Dollar Baby
Jamie Foxx - Ray

I’ve seen the trailers for these movies. Lame, yes I know. My gut feeling tells me its going to be toss up between Clint Eastwood and Leo. From all the reviews I’ve read about The Aviator, Leo rocks in this one. Personally I think he was snubbed last time when he wasn’t even nominated for his role in Titanic. Clint, as always, is at his best in this movie. But I think the Oscar people would rather give him Best Director than Best Actor. Don Cheadle, Jamie Foxx and Johnny Depp all shine in their respective roles, but I think Leo is overdue for an Oscar. Winning Best Actor in a Drama during the Golden Globes also has raised the stakes in his favor.

Predicted winner: Leonardo DiCaprio

Nominations for Best Actress
Annette Bening - Being Julia
Catalina Sandino Moreno - Maria Full of Grace
Imelda Staunton - Vera Drake
Hilary Swank - Million Dollar Baby
Kate Winslet - Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

This is a tough one. I looove Hilary Swank, I think she’s a great actress. Both Hilary and Annette won Golden Globes, but I think this year is going to be Hilary’s...again. Personally I would love it if Catalina won; she’s received so many rave reviews for her performance In Maria Full of Grace. Now, that would be the upset of the year.

Predicted winner: Hilary Swank

Nominations for Best Supporting Actor
Alan Alda - The Aviator
Thomas Haden Church - Sideways
Jamie Foxx - Collateral
Morgan Freeman - Million Dollar Baby
Clive Owen - Closer

Can I begin by saying how cute Clive Owen is? Oh man, talk about eye candy. Rumor has it that’s the main reason why he won at the Golden Globes. Do I care? Not really. But for the Oscars, I wouldn’t want the same slip up. Mr. Freeman deserves to win. No ifs, buts or maybes about it. He’s wayyyy overdue for an Oscar. Give it to him.

Predicted winner: Morgan Freeman

Nominations for Best Supporting Actress
Cate Blanchett - The Aviator
Laura Linney - Kinsey
Virginia Madsen - Sideways
Sophie Okonedo - Hotel Rwanda
Natalie Portman - Closer

Again, this is one category the Oscars should not mess up. Do not give it to Natalie. Granted, she was good as a stripper in Closer but Ms Blanchett was FABULOUS in The Aviator. She was robbed of it when Ms. Whiny Palthrow won it last time. Make no mistake; Cate Blanchett deserves this award this year.

Predicted winner: Cate Blanchett

Nominations for Best Picture
The Aviator
Finding Neverland
Million Dollar Baby
Ray
Sideways

This is another toss-up between The Aviator and Million Dollar Baby. The Aviator won the Golden Globes so it’s pretty much the favorite to win at the Oscars too. However people have been putting on the buzz regarding Clint’s film, saying how it’s his best one yet. Pretty hard to predict, but I’ll go with The Aviator seeing how it’s been nominated for 11 awards, just like last years LOTR. LOTR won Best Picture, so maybe history will repeat itself again.

Predicted winner: The Aviator

Nominations for Best Director
Martin Scorsese – The Aviator
Clint Eastwood – Million Dollar Baby
Taylor Hackford – Ray
Alexander Payne – Sideways
Mike Leigh – Vera Drake

Personally I want Scorsese to win but my gut feeling tells me Clint Eastwood is going to get the Oscars to “make his day”.

Predicted winner: Clint Eastwood

So, there you have it...my predictions for the top 6 categories. Give me your predictions and we’ll see who gets it right.