BOBBY'S OSCAR BALLOT

BEST ACTOR: This race is clearly between 3 of the 5 actors. As I mentioned on my Benjamin Button review, I don't think Brad Pitt is astounding, although he's one of the favorites. From the other ones I reviewed, Langella, Rourke and Penn are the relevant contenders. Richard Jenkins is also very good in The Visitor (Rent it), but I don't think his movie is relevant enough.

So speaking about relevance: Langella's role is very relevant, considering the actual times of political turmoil and wrong-doings, and he really had me thinking for a moment there, that I was watching Nixon himself. He has also won a Tony for this same role in Broadway, so he has that going for him.

Sean Penn's Harvey Milk is very relevant today as we've come off a successful proposition 8, taking away rights from Gays and Lesbians. This is supposed to be a country of vanguard thinking and tolerance. This gives a lot of relevance to Penn's role, and he has always been both, an Academy favorite and an audience favorite.

Mickey Rourke is very powerful and real in The Wrestler, but I somehow get the feeling that he's playing himself. Although he beat the other two on this nomination, getting the Golden Globe, (Maybe he was aiming for the Golden Glove, considering his boxing background).

Honorable Mention: Frank Langella
Bobby's Money: SEAN PENN

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: This one is a quite tight race. Taraji Henson, I think is one of the favorites, considering, as Brad Pitt, she's in one of the favorite movies. Amy Adams and Viola Davis help carry Doubt to a higher level, and being structured as sort of a play, I think acting is very strong in this movie overall. Penelope Cruz acts like crazy and has won the Golden Globe, and Marisa Tomei is simply delightful to watch. mmmh, I'm very confused on where to vote here, the only one I would outright discard would be Amy Adams, as for Penelope Cruz, I think one award is enough, Marisa Tomei has already won an Oscar, so she's clearly one of the favorites. Viola Davis, is perhaps my favorite one, although her role is very short.

Honorable Mention: Viola Davis
Bobby's Money: MARISA TOMEI

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: I think this one is pretty much nailed down, there's been so much hype about Heath Ledger's death and his subsequent Oscar Nomination, that I think for sentimental reasons he will be given the recognition. I think it is also a recognition past due to his also daring role in Brokeback Mountain. Notable mentions here for Michael Shannon in Revolutionary Road and Philip Seymour Hoffman in Doubt.

Honorable Mention: Philip S Hoffman
Bobby's Money: HEATH LEDGER

BEST ACTRESS: Meryl Streep is always good and always one of the favorites, don't discard her. Angelina Jolie has some recognition coming to her, Changeling is a powerful movie and it is also part of recognizing her career as a versatile actress, playing both action heroes, and torn mothers with missing children (A Mighty Heart, rent it). Anne Hathaway is sooo good in her role, the only thing I don't think she's got going for her is that Rachel Getting Married is not really a very relevant movie, Melissa Leo, a good role as a mother in distress and Kate Winslet, an Academy Favorite with some credit pending.

Honorable Mention: Anne Hathaway
Bobby's Money: KATE WINSLET

Last year, it was the year of the foreign thespian. (Day-Lewis, Bardem, Cotillard, Swinton)
A few years back it was the year of the African-American (Washington, Berry)
This year, I see a common thread with Sexuality: Sean Penn - gay rights, Ledger- past due recognition for Brokeback mountain, Marisa Tomei - The Stripper, Kate Winslet - Older woman vs. young boy.