Oscar Predictions Best Actor/Actress

SHOULD WIN: Sean Penn/Micky Rourke

WILL WIN: Sean Penn

BOTTOM LINE: Richard Jenkins was marvelous in The Visitor, capturing the emotion of his character with subtle beauty, but the movie is very little compared to the competition. Brad Pitt was good in The Curious Case Benjamin Button, but you don't really get his true acting until half way through the movie. Frank Langella would be the dark horse for his portrayal as Richard Nixon. However, I'm hoping the Academy gives us a tie this year between Penn and Rourke. The performances were the roles of their careers and you can't help but love them equally. Ok, if only one gets to walk up on stage I pick Penn, for his realistic portrayal of a gay man.



SHOULD WIN: Melissa Leo

WILL WIN: Kate Winslet

BOTTOM LINE: Back in the fall Anne Hathaway had all the Oscar buzz, now unfortunately she is toward the bottom of the Oscar totem pole along with fellow nominee Angelina Jolie. Melissa Leo has my vote for the best of the best this past year. Her performance as a mother struggling to keep her double wide and children sane was the most emotionally connected performance this year, but Frozen River has barely been seen by audiences let alone voters. Meryl Streep and Kate Winslet are both long time Oscar nominees. This is Streep's 15th and Winslet's 6th. Only difference is Streep's won twice before, Winslet hasn't. With a touching performance in The Reader and showstopping performance in Revolutionary Road this past year, Kate's name is what the presenters will be reading.