It’s Oscar time again. The nominations for the 81st Academy Awards were released today. I’ve decided to give my predictions for most categories. Keep in mind, these are my predictions and not what I would personally choose. My favorite film of 2008 was Milk, and although I deeply believe Sean Penn deserves Best Actor, I’m afaird he will get the shaft. I notably have changed my prediction of Heath Ledger’s win. It is not truly deserved and I would hope the Academy has the couarge to defy public opinion (oh wait…they do that all the time). One final note……Hugh Jackman?

Best motion picture of the year
“Milk” (Focus Features)

Performance by an actor in a leading role
Mickey Rourke in “The Wrestler” (Fox Searchlight)

Performance by an actor in a supporting role
Josh Brolin in “Milk” (Focus Features)

Performance by an actress in a leading role
Meryl Streep in “Doubt” (Miramax)

Performance by an actress in a supporting role
Taraji P. Henson in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.)

Best animated feature film of the year
“WALL-E” (Walt Disney)

Achievement in art direction
“Revolutionary Road” (DreamWorks, Distributed by Paramount Vantage)

Achievement in cinematography
“Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight)

Achievement in costume design
“The Duchess” (Paramount Vantage, Pathé and BBC Films)

Achievement in directing
“Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight)

Best documentary feature
“Encounters at the End of the World” (THINKFilm and Image Entertainment)

Achievement in film editing
“Frost/Nixon” (Universal)

Achievement in makeup
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.)

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score)
“Milk” (Focus Features)

Achievement in sound editing
“The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.)

Achievement in sound mixing
“The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.)

Achievement in visual effects
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.)

Adapted screenplay
“Doubt” (Miramax)

Original screenplay
“In Bruges” (Focus Features)

Hopefully I will get to see the nominated short films, both animated and live action, before the awards. I guess we’ll see how this all plays out on February 22nd.