My "I Haven't Seen Any Of These Movies" Oscar Predictions

I used to be a movie fiend. A buff, if you will. I used to go every week to watch the blockbusters and the tiny indy flicks. But over the last 18 months or so, I find myself rarely going to the theaters. That said, I really feel left out looking at the Academy Award nominees this year. I've seen about three of the movies. Then again, I've heard the movies this year weren't all that impressive.

So without further notice, here are my uneducated Oscar picks:

Best Picture: "The Departed"
I'm only picking it because a) it's the only one I've seen and b) I really, really liked it. I think "Little Miss Sunshine" will pull off the upset (would that be an upset?) though. I see "Letters from Iwo Jima" is nominated. I know Clint Eastwood directed it and was WWII epic like his "Flags of our Fathers" but told from the Japanese viewpoint. When "Flags" came out, everyone was touting it as Best Pic worthy. Was "Letters" that much better and what happened to all the buzz that was surrounding "Flags"?

Best Director: Martin Scorsese
Martin is the man and "The Departed" was everything I love in a movie. If he doesn't win, Eastwood ("Letters") is always deserving. I also would love to see Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu ("Babel") win. His "21 Grams" is one of my favorite movies ever and "Amores Perros" was very, very good as well. What a talent!

Best Actor: Forest Whitaker
I guess he's supposed to run away with it. I've always liked Forest and his crazy lazy eye. Wouldn't mind seeing Will Smith or Leo win it too.

Best Actress: Helen Mirren
She took home the hardware (twice) in the Golden Globes and everyone says she did a great job. Is it just me or does Judi Dench and Meryl Streep get nominated every year?

Best Original Screenplay: "Little Miss Sunshine"
Haven't seen it. I should have. The trailers made it look like a movie right up my alley. I hope the writer is rewarded.

Who do you like?