THE THREE OSCAR-PICKERS
By Dan Miller
February 21, 2008
It's Oscar picking time again.... and this year there's a new picker on our panel.
In fact, Channel 4 entertainment reporter Jimmy Carter is, arguably, the only expert in our little trio. Reviewing movies is part of what he does.
Of course my co-anchor, Demetria Kalodimos, is an occasional producer of documentary movies, so she has legitimate credentials.
I, on the other hand, occasionally go to the movies.... or watch them on cable.
But, keep in mind.... for two years running, I've topped Demetria with correct Oscar picks.
Anyhow, I'm happy to have Jimmy Carter join our gang this year.
Here are the picks from Jimmy, Demetria and me.
We're choosing from seven categories.
BEST PICTURE:
This one is unanimous... no contest... we all pick NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN... a movie that has stirred considerable conversation, analysis and debate.
BEST ACTOR:
Jimmy and Demetria both pick DANIEL DAY-LEWIS
I say it will be TOMMY LEE JONES
BEST ACTRESS:
Jimmy picks JULIE CHRISTIE
Demetria picks MARION COTILLARD
I say those two will split the same supporters, and LAURA LINNEY will win
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR:
Jimmy and Demetria both go with the safe, obvious choice -- JAVIER BARDEM -- for his chilling performance in "No Country For Old Men"
I'll go out on a limb and predict a win for CASEY AFFLECK
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS:
Jimmy picks RUBY DEE
Demetria feels certain it will be AMY RYAN
I say they're wrong... TILDA SWINTON will win
BEST DIRECTOR:
Jimmy and Demetria take the - probably correct - choice, THE COEN BROTHERS
I'm taking the gutsy long shot with JASON REITMAN for "Juno"
BEST MUSICAL SCORE:
This is sort of a tie-breaker for us.
Jimmy picks ATONEMENT
Demetria picks KITE RUNNER
I say RATATOUILLE will be honored for its music
A couple of footnotes.
Jimmy says look for the movie SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET to win lots of Oscars, even though it's not nominated for best movie.
He says it will win Oscars for things like costume and art, etc.
He also says the Oscars this year will be low rated, since few people are familiar with all the films.
Demetria says she may be the only person in America who found the movie "Juno" irritatingly 'cartoonish' in both character and dialogue.
Still, she thinks it will probably win for 'screenplay.'
I think that, even though Daniel Day-Lewis was strong in "There Will Be Blood", the academy will honor Tommy Lee Jones for "In The Valley Of Elah", primarily because they think he should have been nominated for his performance in "No Country For Old Men."
I'll tally the results next week.
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