My enthusiasm for this year’s Oscar extravaganza is at an all-time low, as I am disappointed in many of Oscar’s choices. Still, I can’t help but make my usual Oscar predictions. I like my odds this year of being right, but feel free to check back on Monday and jeer if I completely miss the mark.
Best Actor
This will be the ceremony’s closest call. Will the “geezer” factor mean Richard Jenkins (“The Visitor”) and Frank Langella (“Frost/Nixon”) will cancel each other out? How much does Oscar love the comeback kid, Mickey Rourke (“The Wrestler”)? I think this category could honestly go to anyone but Brad Pitt (“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”).
Who Will Win: Frank Langella–though part of me has a sick feeling that Sean Penn (“Milk”) might be the upset.
Who Should Win: Frank Langella should win for a challenging, memorable performance and for a lifetime of great work.
Best Actress
The debate here is whether Oscar feels like it is time to give Kate Winslet (“The Reader”) her due after a bunch of nominations and losses or whether the Academy will honor Meryl Streep (“Doubt”) once again.
Who Will Win: Kate Winslet
Who Should Win: I think Kate is great , but really “Doubt” contained another quintessential Streep performance and Meryl should take home Oscar.

Best Supporting Actress
It’s another interesting category. Usually this one goes to a young newcomer, which would give Amy Adams (“Doubt”) or Viola Davis (“Doubt”) the edge. On the other hand, maybe it’s Marisa Tomei’s (“The Wrestler”) turn to win another statue, though Oscar may want to award hottie Penelope Cruz (“Vicky Cristina Barcelona”).
Who Will Win: Amy Adams, because her star is on the rise and she didn’t win a couple years back for “Junebug.”
Who Should Win: Viola Davis, who had less screen time but was riveting as the mom of the boy at the center of the conflict in “Doubt.”
Best Supporting Actor
It’s the only category that is a slam dunk. I mean, I suppose Josh Brolin could pull an upset for “Milk,” but I doubt it. Get out the Kleenex, because it’s time to pay a tribute to Heath Ledger (“The Dark Knight”).
Who Will Win: Heath Ledger
Who Should Win: Heath Ledger
Best Picture
This is an odd category because there is a strange mix of historical drama, modern melodrama, and fantasy. Only one of them was a huge commercial success and none of them really has the feel of a truly “important” film, but “Slumdog Millionaire” is close.
Who Will Win: “Slumdog Millionaire” will win by default because the other movies haven’t had enough marketing steam, and in Hollywood terms the film qualifies as an inspiring choice.
Who Should Win: Really, I wouldn’t pick any of these movies, but if I have to, I would chose “Frost/Nixon” in a nose over “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.”