Rich–It: The Oscar Predictions (Sunday, Feb. 22nd at 5pm/PST on ABC)

Rich–It: The Oscar Predictions (Sunday, Feb. 22nd at 5pm/PST on ABC)

I’ll only predict the categories that matter to me. I have seen most of these films but I’ve been working on watching everything to give my best prediction. Again these are the choices I’ve made for who I want to win not who will win because we all know how unpredictable that can be. Comment away…

Performance by an actor in a leading role
Richard Jenkins in “The Visitor” (Overture Films)
Frank Langella in “Frost/Nixon” (Universal)
Sean Penn in “Milk” (Focus Features)
Brad Pitt in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.)
Mickey Rourke in “The Wrestler” (Fox Searchlight)

* I chose Mickey because his performance goes beyond what an actor does for a role. It was a toss up between Sean Penn and Mickey. Ultimately, Rourke’s character work here deserves this award.


Performance by an actor in a supporting role
Josh Brolin in “Milk” (Focus Features)
Robert Downey Jr. in “Tropic Thunder” (DreamWorks, Distributed by DreamWorks/Paramount)
Philip Seymour Hoffman in “Doubt” (Miramax)
Heath Ledger in “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.)
Michael Shannon in “Revolutionary Road” (DreamWorks, Distributed by Paramount Vantage)

* This was a no-brainer for me. Heath turned something comical and odd to downright savage and unsettling. You will be missed.


Performance by an actress in a leading role
Anne Hathaway in “Rachel Getting Married” (Sony Pictures Classics)
Angelina Jolie in “Changeling” (Universal)
Melissa Leo in “Frozen River” (Sony Pictures Classics)
Meryl Streep in “Doubt” (Miramax)
Kate Winslet in “The Reader” (The Weinstein Company)

* This one was tough for me but I went with Kate. She deserves more than anyone. Her career and her work on this film shows her quality. Meryl was great as was Anne but it belongs to Kate this year.


Performance by an actress in a supporting role
Amy Adams in “Doubt” (Miramax)
Penélope Cruz in “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” (The Weinstein Company)
Viola Davis in “Doubt” (Miramax)
Taraji P. Henson in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.)
Marisa Tomei in “The Wrestler” (Fox Searchlight)

*There were 4 greats in this category. Marisa was great and Penelope turned in something genuine and Viola was tough to watch without feeling as helpless as her character. But Amy’s character was so natural and when she is pushed in the film Doubt. You can see her heart and morals cracking.. truly deserving.


Best animated feature film of the year
“Bolt” (Walt Disney), Chris Williams and Byron Howard
“Kung Fu Panda” (DreamWorks Animation, Distributed by Paramount), John Stevenson and Mark Osborne
“WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Andrew Stanton

* There are many levels at work in Wall-e. It trancsends what animation was made for. Full of heart, imagination, purpose and social awareness..it is the defining animated film of the year.


Achievement in directing
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), David Fincher
“Frost/Nixon” (Universal), Ron Howard
“Milk” (Focus Features), Gus Van Sant
“The Reader” (The Weinstein Company), Stephen Daldry
“Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Danny Boyle


Best motion picture of the year
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
“Frost/Nixon”
“Milk”
“The Reader”
“Slumdog Millionaire”

*I'm pretty sure this will be the upset of the night but Slumdog is in a prime position to win. Frost/Nixon is a mirror to the last eight years of president running the country for his own interests not those of the people.

Thanks For Reading Comment Away

Into the Wild - DVD

How many times have you felt like leaving society behind? Most of us fear leaving the confines of the everyday world. Our routine is what keeps us safe and taking chances are few and far between. Some might say that people who live without a care in the world are foolish and lazy. How can you go through life not caring about money, shelter, food, or human connection?

Into The Wild is the true story (written by Jon Krakauer) of Christopher Mccandless (Emile Hirsch), a college graduate who decides to leave the world he’s known for a life in the Alaskan wilderness. This is a gripping story that quickly blooms in to something else entirely. Emile reminds me of a young Leonardo DiCaprio. His defiant charm and confidence really opens your eyes to a world we never see. There are several layers at work here, which I don’t want to dissect but unfold nicely. Along the way he encounters some very interesting and beautiful characters. Catherine Keener is the middle aged hippie chick that longs for her son. Kristen Stewart is that young, wide-eyed soul looking for love. Hal Holbrook is the widowed elderly man longing for a final chance at a family. What Chris does along the journey is touch others. He opens their eyes to something special and in turn, they want him to abandon his quest and stay. Unfortunately, Chris is too focused to find his life in the Alaskan wild. Chris’ parents, played by William Hurt and Marcia Gay Harden (amazing actress), have given their boy a life that may seem ordinary to some. But sadly his family is full of secrets, inconsistencies and a lack of genuine love (or so one would think)

This is fantastic story with great performances from Emile and the supporting cast. The soundtrack with songs from Eddie Veder, fit so well into the story and really bring this voyage to life. I do have some issues with the movie though. At 2.5 hours, the film is a little long. Into the Wild is directed by Sean Penn and for the most part he sticks to telling the story. Although at times, he gets a little pretentious with some shots and scenes. I feel that I would need to read the book to do this story justice but this film is quite good. Rent This: B+

Forgetting Sarah Marshall - DVD

I'm so sorry I missed this movie in theaters. I literally laughed out loud throughout. Forgetting Sarah Marshall is a different kind of romantic comedy. One that leads with comedy first and fulfills in the romance category with ease.

Jason Segel is a new favorite (His next film is I Love You, Man). He plays Peter, a tv composer for show called Crime Scene (A really great spoof of CSI) who is dating the shows leading lady, Sarah Marshall played by Kristen Bell. Sarah feels its time to move on from Peter and in turn crushes this poor guy. His downward spiral is so funny but very sad. His step-brother Brian, Bill Hader, convinces Peter to go on vacation to get him out of his depression. So Peter jets off to Hawaii only to find that his ex Sarah and new boyfriend Aldous, Russell Brand, are vacationing at the same resort. Peter feels he should leave but Front Desk Manager Rachel, Mila Kunis, gives him a reason to stay.

Mila Kunis stood out for me here. She impressed me beyond belief. Her acting was great. We'd only seen her in 'That 70's Show' and heard her in Family Guy as Meg but she is a stand out in the movie. Funny and sweet with a lot of charisma. There are a lot of great characters that make up this hilarious movie. Jonah Hill, Paul Rudd, Jack McBrayer and Kristen Wiig all have great moments in the movie. Its not your typical gross out comedy. It rises to a level that I hope more films will try to achieve. Oh and you have to love the 'Dracula puppet musical' Fantastic stuff. Rent This: A

Confessions of Shopaholic

I'm not sure I understand the compulsion to shop. When I walk in to a store, I head straight for what I need. I rarely browse or buy over and above what I was looking for. Yet as I watched Confessions of a Shopaholic I began to see a bit of myself in Isla Fisher's 'Rebecca Bloomwood'. (Note: I've never read the books) I am addicted to Amazon.com. I buy everything and anything I want from that site. I peruse it everyday just to see if there is anything I might need. A new DVD, some more music, a new gadget for my blackberry. So in a way I am shopaholic. "My name is Rich and I am a shopaholic". lol . I like getting new things that make me feel better about myself.

That is one aspect that the film gets right. Rebecca is a clumsy, funny, good natured girl with a serious compulsion that has lead her into debt. The apt she shares with her roommate ( a character I felt the film forced on us) is packed with stuff. Clothes, shoes and accessories are everywhere. Her credit cards are maxed out and she is drowning in credit card bills. Although you'd think that paying her bills would be her first priority, its landing a job at Allet fashion magazine that takes precedent. Without giving too much more away, she meets a dreamy young professional and son of a socialite named Luke Brandon played by Hugh Dancy (Claire Danes real life Fiance). Hugh was very good in the film. He worked with what they gave him and was able to pull of a charming performance. Other notable supporting characters are Rebecca's parents played by Joan Cusack and John Goodman. I loved these two. They added a much needed warmth and mild humor to the film. John Goodman has been a favorite of mine for years. His heart shows through every line he delivers and doesn't disappoint here. I almost wish there were more scenes with them but this story is about Rebecca's life in the city and her addiction.

Although I found the film to be enjoyable and entertaining, it does have its share of problems. The pop music soundtrack is extremely overused. I mean every time we see a chick walking in heels its this hip hop laced pop song blasting out of the speakers. It's like we get it, chicks walking in heels equals booty thump. I will say there is one acoustic cover version of Cyndi Laupers 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun' that was very well done and came in at the right time. Then there was the CGI. You may ask what kind of effects would they have in this kind of film? Well its unexpected and I'll be honest kind of cool. However it is very distracting and not all together necessary. Also the story is far fetched. The villain in the movie or the 'Debt Collector' scenario is just not believable but it offers a good bit of balance. Finally, I hate to compare actress' but Isla is no Amy Adams. By that I mean I don't think Isla pulls off the funny, quirky girl to serious, dramatic moments as well as Amy Adams. I know its not a fair comparison but I just had to say it. Overall a lighthearted film that I think is made for teens or young twenty somethings? I am not entirely sure since it has blatant alcohol use and stories of bad debt and irresponsibility. Rich's Grade: C+