Best Actor Predictions

Brad Pitt - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button


Frank Langella - Frost/Nixon


Sean Pean - Milk


Leonardo DiCaprio - Revolutionary Road


Viggo Mortenson - The Road

Who Will Win: Viggo
Who Should Win: Brad

Rachel Getting Married: Hathaway Getting Oscar

“Rachel Getting Married” is an ensemble family drama for the ages. Following in the footsteps of classics like “Ordinary People” and “The Big Chill”, this latest addition is redefining the genre for a new generation.
The titular Rachel (an unknown though superb Rosemarie DeWitt) is shown in the days preceding her wedding. For the first time in a long time, the divorced parents (Bill Irwin and Debra Winger, respectively), the fiancé’s Hawaiian family and Rachel’s sister Kym (Anne Hathaway) come together -- drama ensues. Rachel’s family is the definition of “dysfunctional”, all filled with tragedy, regret, secrets and shame, all revealed and confronted throughout the film. Though she maybe the title character, Rachel is certainly not the main character; no, that would be Kym.
Anne Hathaway is devastating, disturbing and deliciously dramatic as Kym, Rachel’s sister who comes straight out of rehab to the wedding. She arrives still full of problems -- subtly harassing her sister, manipulating her dad all while she thinks, needs and makes (whether consciously or not) the world revolve around her. She’s constantly competing with her sister for the parents’ attention and approval (though mom and dad have the same reservations and opinions about their daughters from beginning to end).
First time writer Jenny Lumet perfectly captures the mess of the confrontation in a really beautiful and brutally honest way. Director Jonathan Demme works scripts’ realism by using handheld cameras to make “Rachel Getting Married” appear to be documentary-like, adding to the realism of the movie. Lumet also makes subtle yet brilliant comparisons between the twelve steps (Kym attends AA) and the wedding preparation. She also established every scene with tone-setting, acoustic music, usually coming from the wedding band rehearsing outside of the house. Their playing gets to be so tedious that at one point Kym yells, “Are they going to play all weekend?!”, leading to the whole family to tell them to shut up.
Demme works like a composer, stringing all the elements together for an incredible film, the beauty of which comes out of how natural it feels. You get so absorbed into their drama, life and world that you might as well be a guest at the wedding. Maybe beyond everything else spectacular about “Rachel Getting Married” are the oscar-worthy performances by Debra Winger, Bill Irwin, Rosemarie DeWitt and, of course, Anne Hathaway. Hathaway has come a long way from her “Princess Diaries” days and honed her skills as a credible actress, as she just so stunningly brilliant and radically different that she is almost unrecognizable. Not in a million years would I consider that she is acting, because it is so unbelievably authentic that Hathaway is not just playing Kym; she is Kym. Don’t be to surprised to see her on stage in a few months, thanking Demme for casting her in this tour de force that will surely be a considered a classic in years to come.

Rachel Getting Married is 113 minutes and Rated R for language and brief sexuality.

Oscar Predictions: October

Oscar Season is comming up and we're going to bring you a monthly catagory prediction. We're starting off with "BEST PICTURE" catagory:


Doubt is based on the award-winning Broadway play. With an all star cast, filmmakers and some serious buzz going around, Doubt is almost a sure nominee.


Rachel Getting Married is one of the best reviewed films of the year, and likely nomintions for almost everyone in the cast.


The duo re-unites with oscar-winning director Sam Mendes for an adaptating of the critically aclaimed novel, Revolutionary Road. The reviews will make or break it.


The Curious Case of Benjamn Button is a possibilty, but mostly a serious hopeful.


Cormac MacCarthy, author of No Countryn for Old Men, wrote The Road, now a film with Viggo Mortensen and Charlize Theron. Lets just say things are looking pretty good.

WHO WILL WIN: The Road
WHO SHOULD WIN: Rachel Getting Married