From ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ to ‘Milk’: HollywoodChicago.com Picks the 2009 Oscar Winners

BEST DIRECTOR

Danny Boyle for Slumdog Millionaire
Photo credit: Fox Searchlight

Danny Boyle, “Slumdog Millionaire”
-1st nomination; won BAFTA, Chicago Critics, DGA, Golden Globe, and LA Critics Award

Stephen Daldry, “The Reader”
-3rd nomination (no wins)

David Fincher, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
-1st nomination; won National Board of Review

Ron Howard, “Frost/Nixon”
-2nd nomination (one win)

Gus Van Sant, “Milk”
-2nd nomination; won Boston Critics Award

Danny Boyle has been clearing shelf space for months to make room for every new trophy and we’re sure he’s got a prominent spot saved for the nearly inevitable Best Director prize that everyone HollywoodChicago.com agrees he will and should win for the brightest, best-looking and most “feel-good” directorial effort.
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Like a lot of people, Brian and Dustin wish that Christopher Nolan would have been recognized for his 8-time nominated “The Dark Knight”. Look at where the Batman Franchise was 10 years ago. Look at how far-fetched and complicated a shooting script the Dark Knight had. Look at the final product. Chris Nolan is an amazing artist and craftsman.

Patrick spends time on that limb again and suggests that Neil LaBute was snubbed for his work on “Lakeview Terrace”.

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

Slumdog Millionaire
Photo credit: Fox Searchlight

“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” by Eric Roth

“Doubt” by John Patrick Shanley

“Frost/Nixon” by Peter Morgan

“The Reader” by David Hare

“Slumdog Millionaire” by Simon Beaufoy

Both Dustin and Patrick think that the lauded playwright John Patrick Shanley should win for “Doubt” while Brian thinks there was a bit too much blatant talk of changing winds and burned-out bulbs to merit even a nomination for the weakest element of that film. He thinks the Academy will get it right and give Simon Beaufoy the prize for taking an anecdotal novel and weaving it into the most beloved film of the year. Patrick agrees.

Perhaps more surprisingly than any pick, Dustin is going with a huge shocker in this category and telling you to put your money on Peter Morgan for “Frost/Nixon,” despite the film’s lack of critical or precursor awards. If “Frost” has any real chance, it’s probably here, but it’s also likely that the box office bust will go home empty-handed.

Brian and Dustin wish the Academy would have recognized “Let the Right One In” even if it wasn’t eligible for Best Foreign Language Film while Patrick goes back to a clear favorite of his - “Snow Angels” by the great David Gordon Green.

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

Milk
Photo credit: Focus

“Frozen River” by Courtney Hunt

“Happy-Go-Lucky” by Mike Leigh

“In Bruges” by Martin McDonagh

“Milk” by Dustin Lance Black

“WALL-E” by Andrew Stanton

Once again, there is harmony and agreement in the HollywoodChicago.com office as we all agree Dustin Lance Black better polish his “thank yous” for an acceptance speech on Sunday night.

Brian and Patrick agree that “Milk” gets honored here, and the screenplay did the man right, but Dustin would like to see a not-impossible “WALL-E” win. The idea that someone wrote “WALL-E,” such an amazing movie targeted heavily for kids that had such little dialogue but such a beautiful story, makes us all feel warm inside.

Finally, Brian and Dustin are shocked that Woody Allen didn’t land his 15th nomination for “Vicky Cristina Barcelona,” a film much more widely acclaimed than many of his previous nods and Patrick makes it an “out on a limb trifecta” and suggests “Lakeview Terrace” for Best Original Screenplay.

What did we get right? What did we get wrong? Tell us what you think will win, should win, and should have been nominated in the space below.

By BRIAN TALLERICO Content Director HollywoodChicago.com brian@hollywoodchicago.com

By DUSTIN LEVELL Senior Staff Writer HollywoodChicago.com dustin@hollywoodchicago.com

By PATRICK MCDONALD Staff Writer HollywoodChicago.com pat@hollywoodchicago.com