To call myself a failure would be an exaggeration but there have just been so many film critic associations announcing their choices for 2008's best films and performances, I have not been able to keep up. And so I find myself here today lopping them all into one giant post! So pack your bag because today we go New York, L.A., Chicago, Toronto, Boston, Las Vegas, Florida, Dallas, Phoenix and San Diego.Just the other day, a friend of mine asked me whether I am ever able to enjoy anything at this point in my critical career. Of course, I can. Just because a critic points out areas of weakness or stumbling, does not mean they cannot enjoy the whole. Besides, I give out the love just as often as I tear things down. Awards season is the one time when critics all over get to focus solely on the love though and they certainly spread it across several worthy titles. Let's break it down in the major categories and then I'll proceed to tear them down.
BEST PICTURE
Boston (TIE)
WALL-E
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
Chicago
WALL-E
Dallas
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
Florida
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
Las Vegas
FROST/NIXON
Los Angeles
WALL-E
New York
MILK
Phoenix
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
San Diego
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
Toronto
WENDY & LUCY
Add 'em up, people! That's five separate critic associations going with SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE as Best Picture of the year. This critic will likely not even include it in his Top 10 but I am clearly alone on this one. I think it's fair to say at this point that Danny Boyle's indie hit will be Best Picture nominee at this year's Oscars. WALL-E scoring the top prize in three of the ten certainly improves its chances of sneaking into the fold but I am skeptical that the Academy will follow suit. MILK & FROST/NIXON are already solid contenders but Toronto's decision to go with WENDY & LUCY is certainly the most offbeat choice. This is especially odd when you consider that SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE earned its first accolade as the people's choice favorite at this year's Toronto International Film Festival.
BEST DIRECTOR
Boston
Gus Van Sant, MILK
Chicago
Danny Boyle, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
Dallas
Danny Boyle, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
Florida
Danny Boyle, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
Las Vegas
Ron Howard, FROST/NIXON
Los Angeles
Danny Boyle, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
New York
Mike Leigh, HAPPY-GO-LUCKY
Phoenix
Danny Boyle, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
San Diego
Danny Boyle, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
Toronto
Jonathan Demme, RACHEL GETTING MARRIED
Six out of ten went with Danny Boyle for director. That's one more than went with SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE as Best Picture. I'm glad to see Jonathan Demme getting some love here as I find his RACHEL GETTING MARRIED to be a much stronger contender than just for acting. Ron Howard, given the weight behind his name, may find himself nominated for a potential second Oscar win but Mike Leigh and Demme will likely see their films honoured in the screenplay category before director.
BEST ACTOR
Boston
Sean Penn, MILK
Chicago
Mickey Rourke, THE WRESTLER
Dallas
Sean Penn, MILK
Florida
Mickey Rourke, THE WRESTLER
Las Vegas
Frank Langella, FROST/NIXON
Los Angeles
Sean Penn, MILK
New York
Sean Penn, MILK
Phoenix
Sean Penn, MILK
San Diego
Mickey Rourke, THE WRESTLER
Toronto
Mickey Rourke, THE WRESTLER
Ten associations and only three names mentioned. I believe it is safe to say that all three of these actors are sure bets for an Oscar nomination. Then, I'm sorry to say Mr. Langella, but it will come down to only two, Sean Penn & Mickey Rourke. Penn is heartbreaking as Harvey Milk but Rourke is the sentimental favorite. This one will be impossible to call right up until they open the envelope.
BEST ACTRESS
Boston
Sally Hawkins, HAPPY-GO-LUCKY
Chicago
Anne Hathaway, RACHEL GETTING MARRIED
Dallas
Anne Hathaway, RACHEL GETTING MARRIED
Florida
Melissa Leo, FROZEN RIVER
Las Vegas
Kate Winslet, REVOLUTIONARY ROAD & THE READER
Los Angeles
Sally Hawkins, HAPPY-GO-LUCKY
New York
Sally Hawkins, HAPPY-GO-LUCKY
Phoenix
Meryl Streep, DOUBT
San Diego
Kate Winslet, THE READER
Toronto
Michelle Williams, WENDY & LUCY
Count 'em ... five different names. Could this be the final five? It's difficult to say. I would say that there is no question that Anne Hathaway will earn her first Oscar nod. I believe it is also fairly safe to say that Meryl Streep will earn her15th nomination. Sally Hawkins has certainly solidified herself as a serious contender. Meanwhile, Melissa Leo looks to be FROZEN RIVER's best chance outside of the screenplay category. Kate Winslet is the only unsure thing here. REVOLUTIONARY ROAD has not received overwhelming praise and her people are pushing her role in THE READER as a supporting bid. She may end up with two nominations but she will certainly end up with at least one.
As for the rest of the major categories, there is one thing for certain, Heath Ledger will be nominated post-humously for his supporting role in THE DARK KNIGHT. Nine out of ten voted him the best, with Josh Brolin grabbing that last bid for his turn in MILK. The supporting actress category is a little more split, with Marisa Tomei scoring four wins for her role in THE WRESTLER and Penelope Cruz taking three wins for her feisty turn in VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA. Finally, in the screenplay category, the results are also fairly split and not so easy to assess, as not every critic association splits the screenplays into original and adapted categories. Still, Simon Beaufoy's adapted screenplay for SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE brought in four wins, while Dustin Lance Black's original screenplay for MILK pulled in two wins.
Now, you'll have to excuse me, I still have a lot of movies to watch before this year ends. Ugh.