And the Oscar goes to...

As the winner of last year's Oscar pool (a whopping 50 bucks), my picks may not be that far off.  Here's who I'm rooting for...and hopefully the jackpot will be mine again.

Best Supporting Actor
Heath Ledger -The Dark Knight
Why?  This one needs no explanation.

Best Supporting Actress
Penélope Cruz -Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Why?  Cruz is under-rated in Hollywood...granted, she hasn't been able to show-off her skills the way she's done in Pedro Almodóvar's indie flicks.  I think Woody Allen gave her more visibility with this role and she was amazing playing a crazy woman.  I believed her!  I know she's not the favorite, but I will be holding my breath for her.

Best Actor
Sean Penn –Milk
Why? I was a little bit torn on this one because of all the hype around Mickey Rourke.  In a character driven movie like The Wrestler, Rourke was excellent.  And then…there’s the back story…of how this movie about a washed up wrestler mirrors the washed up actor that has already made a great comeback.   It’s all very fairytale-like…but I have to go with my gut instinct on this one.  When I walked out of Milk, I said to myself… “This is Sean Penn’s year” (and this was way before the nominations were announced).  He was great!  I think he had a bigger challenge in playing a real character…he had to be true to Mr. Milk…and I think he accomplished that.  Go Sean!

Best Actress
Kate Winslet –The Reader
Why?  Hands down…Kate Winslet deserves this Oscar for all the phenomenal work she’s done this year (Revolutionary Road included) and in years past.  When I think of her…I see an actress that will follow Meryl Streep’s footsteps (a super talented lady who will transport you to places you never thought you’d go).  I’m also rooting for her because she genuinely seems humble and surprised after earning all the accolades.

Best Picture
Slumdog Millionaire
Why? The grand prize will go to the little movie that could…it’s my favorite…and I’m not alone.  You’ll see.  Also, in these gloomy times...I feel like it's the only movie that gives you some sort of hope.  There's light at the end of the tunnel.

UPDATE: I won the Oscar pool again!  I now have bragging rights... and I'm 150 bucks richer.

Comments

[B. Margarita Ramirez]

I can atest as the Oscar Pool Host that the pot last year was over $100. As for the Oscar picks..I agreed with them. Sean is an actor who loses himself in his characters. I have walked out of the movies many times thinking I did not see Sean Penn the actor but Sam a mentally challeged man fighting for his little girl, a man on death row in "Dead Mam Walking", a man looking for answers and grieving for his daughter in "Mystic River, a gay politician fighting for his rights and the rights of others in "Milk". I can go on and on about Sean.
I feel happy and sad about Heath but at least his daughter will know how famous her daddy got to be and the accomplishments he made in the time he was here.
As far as Kate Winslet...I read in a comment of a film critic (which I agreed fully with) she received the award for the wrong movie. She was sooo much better in "Revolutionary Road". Her performance in it was amazing.
And lastly but not in anyway least is my girl Penelope Cruz. I have followed her ever since her role in one of my favorite films "All About My Mother". What great pride she is for Spain. My favorite moment was when she included in her speech some spanish words for her people back in Spain. I teared up a little. Overall the Oscar's rocked. I'm always excited to see them!

[Gloria]

I cried too when I heard Penélope's speech.

[Bharat]

Congratulations on the Oscar pool win! I heard Susan came a close second. I was hoping Suz will take me out to dinner... but thanks for ruining it for me :). J/k. Nice recent posts on the blog.

[Gloria]

Hi Bharat,

Thanks for checking out the blog.

Yeap...I'm still celebrating my Oscar pool win. I have bragging rights for a whole year! Sorry you're not getting a dinner out of it...but I'll have a glass of red wine in your name. How's that?

Have a good one!

Best,
Gloria