Oscar Predictions

As appeared in yesterday's issue of the New School Free Press

With shows still in reruns (except for Lost, thank God) and relief not in sight, it's a good thing that the Oscars will be shown on February 24 on ABC. If not, the only thing else to watch would be repeats of the Puppy Bowl on Animal Planet…With that terrible (and fuzzy) thought in mind, here are my Oscar 2008 picks:

Best Director
Joel and Ethan Coen, No Country for Old Men

You'd think it'd be impossible to do better than Fargo or Barton Fink, but somehow the Coen Brothers outdid themselves with No Country for Old Men. Beautifully shot and expertly paced, it's nearly a perfect movie, and one that will give the brothers their first directing Oscar.

Best Actor
Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood

When Daniel Day-Lewis decides to do a movie, it's a treat, and while There Will Be Blood has some ridiculous scenes in it (meaning pretty much the final ten minutes of the movie), he is endlessly fascinating to watch and always the focus of attention.

Best Actress
Julie Christie, Away From Her

This category comes down to two people: Julie Christie and Ellen Page from Juno. And considering the Oscars like old people rather than younger ones, I’ll take Christie.

Best Supporting Actor
Javier Bardem, No County for Old Men

Javier Bardem brings a terrifying vacancy to his character, the awesomely-named Anton Chigurh. Never being able to tell exactly what his character is thinking, Bardem gives no reason for the murders he commits—and it's simply chilling. One of the finest performances of the year.

Best Supporting Actress
Cate Blanchett, I'm Not There

It's Cate and everyone else. Cate does such a fine job playing one of many Bob Dylan's in Todd Haynes' I'm Not There that at the end of the movie, you forget you're watching a 38-year-old Australian woman, not Bob, circa 1966.

Best Picture
No Country for Old Men

The finest movie of the year will (and should) win Best Picture, which is something that doesn't always happen with the Oscars. After all, Chicago and Crash have won in recent years…