Road to the Oscars

With Tim Mulherin's Picks and Predictions

By: Celine Todd
Published February 18, 2008

The Oscars are just around the corner, on Sunday, February 24th! Many of us look forward to this star-studded night to see which of our red-carpet favorites will take home the coveted golden statue. If you have not had the chance to see all of this year’s “must-see” movies, below are brief summaries of those that have been nominated in some of the main Oscar categories. Our resident movie reviewer, Tim Mulherin of Trilogy Central Coast, offers his predictions for who will win in each category, along with his personal picks for who is truly the most deserving of the Academy Award.

Actor in a Leading Role

• George Clooney, Michael Clayton: George Clooney portrays Michael Clayton, a “fixer” at a powerful law firm, who finds himself in danger when he investigates his colleagues' actions in a controversial lawsuit.
• Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood: Daniel Day-Lewis plays Daniel Plainview, a ruthless, unstable California oilman whose pioneering spirit is rivaled only by his murderous ambition.
• Johnny Depp, Sweeney Todd: Johnny Depp plays Sweeney Todd, a barber in Victorian London who goes on a murderous rampage while seeking revenge against the corrupt judge who ruined his life.
• Tommy Lee Jones, In the Valley of Elah: Tommy Lee Jones plays Hank Deerfield, a Vietnam veteran searching for his son, who has gone missing from his army unit shortly after returning from Iraq.
• Viggo Mortensen, Eastern Promises: Viggo Mortensen plays Nikolai, the ambitious driver and henchman of a Russian mobster, who seems certain to rise within the Russian mafia’s ranks.

Tim’s Prediction: Daniel Day Lewis
Tim’s Pick: Tommy Lee Jones’ performance in In the Valley of Elah is heart wrenching. He’s a great actor who plays his role so well that you can really feel this father’s pain. Viggo is a long shot, with a great performance, but I think this is one of those “It was an honor just to be nominated” spots. If you give the award based on career then Johnny Depp is a shoe-in. My choice would go to Tommy Lee Jones.


Actor in a Supporting Role

• Casey Affleck, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford: Casey Affleck plays Robert Ford, a young outlaw and the brother of a member of Jesse James’ Gang. Ford’s idolatry of James soon takes a deadly turn.
• Javier Bardem, No Country for Old Men: Javier Bardem portrays Anton Chigurh, a murderous sociopath and hired killer on the trail of a young man who has stolen a bag of drug money.
• Philip Seymour Hoffman, Charlie Wilson’s War: Philip Seymour Hoffman portrays Gust Avrakotos, a CIA agent who assists politician Charlie Wilson in his efforts to increase the United States’ covert support for Afghanistan’s rebel forces.
• Hal Holbrook, Into the Wild: Hal Holbrook portrays Ron Franz, a lonely retired soldier who forms a grandfatherly bond with a young man who dropped out of society to lead a nomadic existence.
• Tom Wilkinson, Michael Clayton: Tom Wilkinson plays Arthur Edens, one of the star attorneys of a powerful law firm, whose public mental breakdown threatens his firm's reputation on the eve of an important merger.

Tim’s Prediction: Javier Bardem (although I am not sure why)
Tim’s Pick: Of those nominated, I would give the Oscar to Casey Affleck for his role in The Assassination of Jesse James. This Affleck really seems to be able to act. The other nominated actors are nothing special in these roles, as far as I am concerned.


Actress in a Leading Role

• Cate Blanchett, Elizabeth: The Golden Age: Cate Blanchett portrays Queen Elizabeth I at the height of her power, as she faces challenges to her reign from King Philip II of Spain and Catholic plotters who hope to place her cousin, Mary Stuart, on the throne.
• Julie Christie, Away From Her: Julie Christie plays Fiona, a woman suffering from Alzheimer's disease who slips farther and farther away from the husband who loves her.
• Marion Cotillard, La Vie En Rose: Marion Cotillard portrays Edith Piaf, the French singer who rose to international fame from her beginnings on the streets of Paris, in a life marked by personal tragedy and artistic triumph.
• Laura Linney, The Savages: Laura Linney plays Wendy Savage, a struggling playwright whose already tentative relationship with her brother erupts into anger when dealing with the stresses of caring for their elderly father.
• Ellen Page, Juno: Ellen Page plays Juno MacGuff, a smart, outspoken sixteen-year-old who decides to proceed with her unplanned pregnancy and give the baby up for adoption.

Tim’s Prediction: Julie Christie (according to all the buzz)
Tim’s Pick: Ellen Page is a long shot. Her performance was wonderful, though I am not sure if it was Oscar worthy. But of this crowd - and I am not sure how they came up with this list - I would give the golden man to Miss Page.