And the nominees are (Oscars 2009)...

[TacoTaru]

What exactly did you find about The Dark Knight that was so good that it deserves best picture nomination other than Ledgers performance? (This is a serious question because other than his performance I thought it was nothing more than a good super hero movie)

[Elesirdur]

I'm glad to see quite a few people rooting for In Burges for Best Original Screenplay. I loved that movie, especially for it's script and pacing. With pretty much every single movie up for major awards (including films Best... actor/actress noms) is an adapted screenplay, it's refreshing to have excellent original work make it to screens.

Given the Academy's bias for hard drama and actors playing disadvantaged characters, I'm betting on Milk and Frost/Nixon picking up some awards for the film and the nominated actors just because of the subject matter. I would absolutely love it if Slumdog Millionare won Best Picture, and I really hope the Academy recognizes them for that film's exceptional achievements in Cinematography and Film Editing. While I really enjoyed Slumdog, I though the story was a little flat and didn't rely enough on depicted character development (the Atika character could be anyone really, her defining feature seems to be that she's beautiful and not that she has a notable personality or character) the editing and cinematography was perfect and really intensified the film.

I was also very impressed by the acting in Doubt, the script not so much. I am keeping my fingers crossed for Meryl Streep and Phillip Seymour Hoffman in their roles, as well as Amy Adams for Best Supporting Actress. While I think Heath Ledger did an amazing job in TDK, I really felt that Seymour Hoffman's performance better embodied the "excellence in acting" criterion over The Joker. Ledger's performance was a powerhouse for sure, and he took a very dark and psychological look at a twisted character, but somehow I feel that his performance was somewhat lesser than Seymour Hoffman's in Doubt. However, if either of those actors pick up an award I'll be very pleased.

[Mrcloudz]

What exactly did you find about The Dark Knight that was so good that it deserves best picture nomination other than Ledgers performance? (This is a serious question because other than his performance I thought it was nothing more than a good super hero movie)

You could list a few things really.

First, all the things that the movie IS nominated for. The cinematography, editing, makeup, audio/visual effects are all top notch, and it goes without saying that Heath's Joker made it unforgettable (for that matter, all the other actors were in top form too). There's also the writing; Nolan's adaptation of Batman is by far the best in cinematic history because of the considerably darker tone taken and the complexity of the script. IMO, shit like the Joker's multiple stories for how he got his scars, the whole "two bombs on two different boats" idea, and the dialogue between Batman and the Joker were brilliant, and arguably Best-Screenplay-worthy.

The Dark Knight is my 2nd favorite movie of 2008, but that doesn't mean I think it deserves to be nominated for Best Picture, so I do agree with you to some extent. I have NO problem at all with it not getting a BP nomination, and it's funny because I know people who are so pissed off by this "major snub" that they say things like "WE SHOULD BOYCOTT THE OSCARS!!!", which I think is fucking retarded lol.

[Mrcloudz]

Also, I downloaded Frost/Nixon recently and thus have FINALLY seen all the Best Actor, Actress, Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress, and Picture nominees, and I still more or less stand by everything I said in my post on the first page.

The deserving winners, IMO, are:
Mickey Rourke for Actor ("2nd place": Sean Penn), Kate Winslet for Actress ("2nd place": Meryl Streep), Heath Ledger for Supporting Actor ("2nd place": Michael Shannon), Penélope Cruz for Supporting Actress ("2nd place": Viola Davis), and Slumdog Millionaire for Best Director and Picture.

As far as who I think will really win, I have this horrible feeling in my gut that even though Mickey deserves it and won the Golden Globe, they'll give it to Penn. And if I know the Academy at all, they'll pick Benjamin Button over Slumdog for Best Picture (but I don't think they'll give Fincher Director over Boyle). Other than that, I feel pretty confident about everything else.

[Mrcloudz]

Bump because this is going on right now :O
Woot!

[Maxxthepenguin]

How is this better than film clips?

[Akiyama]

That Tina Fey/Steve Martin bit was pretty funny.

[Bregor]

I was thinking the same thing, lol. Loved the knock on Scientology.

[Blarg]

Thank you berry much.

[Maxxthepenguin]

I'm just glad Sarah Jessica Parker is off the stage

EDIT: SPOKE TOO SOON GDI

[Akiyama]

I can't stand SJP. She's so damn.. I don't know. Annoying to look at.

Give her a wand, and spritz up her hair.. she'd look like Glenda the Good Witch from Wizard of Oz.

[Blarg]

Ben stiller as Joaquin phoenix was pretty good.

[Null]

Natalie Portman was so fucking beautiful that I am going to sleep early tonight just so I can have sweet dreams. Of course Amber will be pissed at me, but fuck her, I'll just tape a picture on the back of her head.

[Tyche]

Slumdog is batting 1.000, unless I missed some of the non-televised awards they have given out and not shown =/.

[Maxxthepenguin]

Slumdog is batting 1.000, unless I missed some of the non-televised awards they have given out and not shown =/.

Well it was a really really good movie

[Elvis]

I'm just glad Sarah Jessica Parker is off the stage

EDIT: SPOKE TOO SOON GDI

who would you do? Daniel Craig or Sarah Jessica Parker?

[Maxxthepenguin]

who would you do? Daniel Craig or Sarah Jessica Parker?

Fuck it I'd go gay

btw this is the best production that Cuba Gooding Jr has been in since Jerry Maguire

[Mrcloudz]

Oh boy oh boy oh boy supporting actor!
Come onnnnnn Heath (second choice: Michael Shannon)

[Bregor]

I'm just glad Sarah Jessica Parker is off the stage

EDIT: SPOKE TOO SOON GDI

http://www.theonion.com/content/file...rchive_56a.jpg

[Rhinox]

Best supporting actor is.....heath ledger