Issue date: 2/20/09 Section: Features

Media Credit: Courtesy Photo Right: Heath Ledger is nominated posthumously for Best Supporting Actor for his role in "The Dark Knight." [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Courtesy Photo "Slumdog Millionaire" will vie for Best Picture against "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "Frost/Nixon," "Milk" and "The Reader. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Courtesy Photo Mickey Rourke is up for Best Actor for his role in "The Wrestler." [Click to enlarge]

It may not be watched by as many people as the Super Bowl, but the Academy Awards are arguably the most important and most watched awards show on television. Encompassing multiple cinematic categories, the Oscars are the final word on who did what on the silver screen. Aside from having Hugh Jackman as a host this year, the 81st Academy Awards are going to feature some hotly contested nominations. In the spirit of preparing for this year's red carpet party, I have compiled a list of the "big ones" and who I think will walk away with the coveted award.

Best Actor
Richard Jenkins, "The Visitor"
Frank Langella, "Frost/Nixon"
Sean Penn, "Milk"
Brad Pitt, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
Mickey Rourke, "The Wrestler"
As with several categories this year, best actor is a very close race. All the nominees turned in some of the best of their careers. In this case, however, it's likely that Sean Penn will walk away with the award. Part of the reason for this is his superlative acting abilities. The film has also been given precedence this year over some others, which has led to much controversy over other films being "snubbed." As such, it's fairly safe to say the award will go to Penn.

Best Supporting Actor
Josh Brolin, "Milk"
Robert Downey Jr., "Tropic Thunder"
Philip Seymour Hoffman, "Doubt"
Heath Ledger, "The Dark Knight"
Michael Shannon, "Revolutionary Road"
There has been much talk and activity over best supporting actor because of the untimely death of Heath Ledger. The bottom line is that he should get the Oscar. He not only inhabited an exceedingly unique part, he also recreated a cultural icon in a way that has not been equaled in the past decade, at least. So though Robert Downey, Jr. certainly deserves an honorable mention for his innovative and wildly entertaining character, Ledger should posthumously receive the Oscar for the last and best performance of his life.

Best Actress
Anne Hathaway, "Rachel Getting Married"
Angelina Jolie, "Changeling"
Melissa Leo, "Frozen River"
Meryl Streep, "Doubt"
Kate Winslet, "The Reader"
In this category, we find an almost unwavering adherence to drama films. As such, all the actresses not only turned in exemplary performances, but performances in a similar fashion. Though this makes it all the harder to pick one specifically, Kate Winslet will most likely receive the award. While her performance in "The Reader" was exceptional, the Academy has been accused of snubbing her for her role in "Revolutionary Road," making it very likely she will receive the award on both grounds.

Best Supporting Actress
Amy Adams, "Doubt"
Penelope Cruz, "Vicky Christina Barcelona"
Viola Davis, "Doubt"
Taraji P. Henson, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
Marisa Tomei, "The Wrestler"
Despite claims to the contrary, overall popularity has a little something to do with winning Oscars. Consequently, Amy Adams' past successes and budding career may help her snag this award Beyond that, her performance stood toe-to-toe with such Hollywood heavyweights as Philip Seymour Hoffman and Meryl Streep.

Best director
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
"Frost/Nixon"
"Milk"
"The Reader"
"Slumdog Millionaire"
Much like actor Daniel Day-Lewis, Ron Howard has a knack for winning the Best Director award about as many times as he has been nominated. Though the nominees this year are strong, odds are Howard will be able to secure his fourth Oscar for Best Director.

Adapted Screenplay
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
"Doubt"
"Frost/Nixon"
"The Reader"
"Slumdog Millionaire"
This category is a complete toss-up as each film has its own "claim to fame." "The Curious Case…" was adapted from a short story; "Doubt" and "Frost/Nixon" were adapted from plays; "The Reader" and "Slumdog Millionaire" were adapted from novels. As hard as it is to name a prediction, Stephen Daldry's darkly meticulous "The Reader" will likely walk away with this year's award.

Original Screenplay
"Frozen River"
"Happy-Go-Lucky"
"In Bruges"
"Milk"
"Wall-E"
Martin McDonagh won a British Academy Film Award for "In Bruges," which could mean he could strike gold again at the Oscars or be passed over because it's someone else's turn. Despite some pretty heavy competition from "Wall-E," it's likely Dustin Lance Black will win his first Oscar for "Milk.

Visual effects
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
"The Dark Knight"
"Iron Man"
Though the difference between visual effects and special effects may have bearing on who wins, it is going to be a close contest between DC Comics' and Marvel Comics' favorite sons. Though "The Dark Knight" features some impressive live-action special effects, the extensive combination of computer-generated images and live-action elements may give "Iron Man" the upper hand.

Animated feature
"Wall-E"
"Bolt"
"Kung Fu Panda"
Though both "Bolt" and "Kung Fu Panda" had charm and entertainment value to spare, "Wall-E" rivals both of these pieces in technical achievement, if nothing else. Though they both deserved an Oscar nod of some kind, "Wall-E" will take the Award for sure.

Best picture
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
"Frost/Nixon"
"Milk"
"The Reader"
"Slumdog Millionaire"
Choosing Best Picture is always a challenge as it's widely regarded as the most important award given out. This year, "Slumdog Millionaire" will hopefully walk away with the award. The film exemplifies many elements of what makes a good movie, including technical prowess and emotional force. Beyond that, the movie is simply a joy to experience.

The Oscars
Hugh Jackman will host the 81st Academy Awards at 7 p.m. Sunday on ABC. This will be Jackman's first time center stage at the Oscar show, although he has previously been a presenter. Jackman stars in the release "Australia," directed by Baz Luhrmann. He will next be seen in "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," having portrayed the title character in the previous three "X-Men" movies. His other film credits include "The Prestige," "Flushed Away," "The Fountain," "Happy Feet," "Van Helsing," "Kate & Leopold" and "Swordfish." A native of Australia, Jackman won the 2004 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance in "The Boy from Oz." He has served as host of the Tony Awards ceremony and won a 2005 Emmy for that assignment. Jackman's other stage credits include "Carousel," "Oklahoma!," "Sunset Boulevard" and "Beauty and the Beast."

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