Oscar Predictions Semi - Final Other Categories

Best Director
1. Danny Boyle - Slumdog Millionaire
The Good
He's a helmer of the most critically acclaimed and the oscar front runner for best pic. Most often the two go hand in hand
The Bad
Going up against other more heavy weight and overdue directors hurts and also there seems to be a bit of Slumdog backlash just like there was Juno and No Country for old men backlash last year.

2. Christopher Nolan - The Dark Knight
The Good
- He directed a very visually appealing film and created some great and very ambitous shots. Will the Dark Knight prevail?
The Bad
- Its a superhero movie.... Action flicks and blockbusters don't usually get into this mix although they are sometimes most deserving.

3. David Fincher - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Good
- A very ambitous technical film. Will he finally get a shot at oscar after so many snubs? Button is pretty hard to ignore at this point.
The Bad
- Other tougher competition, he's been snubbed before will he again this time?

4. Gus Van Sant - Milk
The Good
- He's created some great films, and some say robbed for good will hunting. If milk gets the nod for best pic he's pretty much in
The Bad
- Some say his direction is odd and some conservative members may not like Milk.... (the film i mean :P)

5. Ron Howard - Frost/Nixon
The Good
- almost secure for a best pic nod will her mirror with a direction nod too?
The Bad
- Its really a performance showcase for Frank Langella and Michael Sheen will they notice the direction?

Other Possibilities...
Woody Allen - Vicky Christina Barcelona
Darren Aronofsky - The Wrestler
Stephen Daldry - The Reader (this will have to be nommed for best pic for this to happen)

Best Original Screenplay
1. Andrew Stanton - Wall - e
Is it time for an animated film to win best original screenplay?

2. Woody Allen - Vicky Christina Barcelona
Wonderfully witty and funny some say his best in years. Will they reward him accordingly?

3. Jenny Lumet - Rachel Getting Married
Definatley one of the most buzzworthy... Alot of people were talking about her script.

4. Dustin Lance Black - Milk
A very week but crowded race Milk might have to sweep.

5. Thomas Macarthy - The Visitor
He will get in especially if Richard Jenkins does.

Other Possibilites...
Synedoche, New York
Burn After Reading
Happy Go Lucky
The Wrestler

Best Adapted Screenplay
1. Simon Beaufoy - Slumdog Millionaire
Slumdogs on fire and he's won tons of precursors.... but will someone upet?

2. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Eric Roth
A huge threat especially if they love Button.

3. David Hare - The Reader
The Reader is a puzzle.... For sure Kates getting in but other categories... Im not sure yet...

4. John Patric Shanley - Doubt
Adapted from his own play - he is a sure fire contender

5. TIE Peter Morgan - Frost/Nixon, Justin Hythe - Revolutionary Road
Which is getting in? Will both get in and bumb Hare or Shanley? hm.....

Art Direction
1. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
An artistically and technically ambitous film sure to get at least one or two tech awards.

2. Revolutionary Road
Great shots by champ Roger Deakins (hes a perenial fave in this category)

3. The Dark Knight
If not picture or director at least some tech awards AT LEAST!

4. Changeling AND/OR The Duchess
They usually throw in a period piece...

5. Slumdog Millionaire
Gotta love Slumdog! The slum scenes are especially surprisingly colorful and beautiful!

Cinematography
1. Slumdog Millionaire
for the same reasons as above

2. The Dark Knight

3. Australia
Another technically beautiful film sure to get some tech category nods

4. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button/

5. Revolutionary Road

Costume Design
1. The Duchess
Again with the period pieces this year

2. Revolutionary Road
Great 50's outfits

3. Changeling
Another period piece

4. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
And another....

5. Australia
And another!

Film Editing
1. The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button

2. Slumdog Millionaire

3. The Dark Knight

4. Frost/Nixon

5. Milk

Makeup
1. The Reader
Aging always a fave for makeup category last years champ La Vie En Rose.....

2. Helboy II The Golden Army
Awesome hellboy makeup of course among many other character standouts.

3.The Curious Case Case of Benjamin Button
Again aging but alot with cgi effects too...

Also Possible
The Dark Knight or Tropic Thunder for obvious Reasons (Robert Downey Jr. And the Joker!)

Original Score
1. Slumdog Millionaire - AR Rahman
He did win the globe!

2. James Newton Howard and Hanz Zimmer - The Dark Knight
Tailing close behind...

3. Danny Elfman - Milk

4. Thomas Newman - Wall - e

5. Alexandre Desplat - Benjamin Button

Original Song
1. The Wrestler From The Wrestler
Bruce Springsteen! Hello!

2. Down To Earth From Wall - e

3. I Thought I Lost You From Bolt

4. Gran Torino From Gran Torino
Clints singing is funny but good writing...

5. Jaiho - Slumdog Millionaire
Interesting ethnic song!

Sound Mixing Just taking guesses here don't know much about the next 2 categories..
1. Wall - E
2. The Dark Knight
3. Iron Man
4. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
5. Slumdog Millionaire

Sound Editing
1. The Dark Knight
2. Wall - e
3. Iron Man
4. The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button
5. Quantum of Solace

Visual Effects
1. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
2. Iron Man
3. The Dark Knight
Also Possibly...
The Mummy, Hellboy OR Journey to the center of the earth.. I can't decide

Foreign Language Film
1. Waltz With Bashir
2. The Class
3. Revanche
4. The Baadar Meinhoff Complex
5. Everlasting Moments

Documentary Film
1. Man On Wire
2. IOUSA
3. Standard Operating Procedure
4. Trouble The Water
5. Made In America

Animated Feature
1. Wall - E
2. Kung Fu Panda
3. Bolt

Documentary Short
1. Room 306
2. Downstream
3. Viva La Causa
4. Smile Pink!
5. David McCollugh: Painting With Words

Animated Short
NO FREAKING CLUE? The one at the beginning of Wall - e? You know the pixar one? will post as I find out more same with Live action short... No idea...

Thanks for reading hope you enjoy my predics!