Oscar Picks 2006

As many of my friends know, I love to go to the movies. This year I made it a goal to see as many of the movies as I could that I felt would be nominated for an Oscar and then I tried to fill in the blanks after the nominee list came out. I have seen all of the best pics nominated, and many of the movies in the actor categories This goal was to make me as prepared as possible to make my picks for the Oscar winners this year. Here are my picks:

• Best Picture: CRASH I am torn on this choice. The only movie that I feel doesn't belong here is Munich. Why did that make it in over Walk the Line? Spielberg? My choice for winner is between Crash or Capote, and I think in reality it's between Crash and Brokeback (it was good but I liked the other two more). Forced to choose, Crash is my winner.
• Actor: Phillip Seymore Hoffman I really thought he did an exceptional job in this movie and I was captivated throughout the entire film. Heath stands a chance for his portrayal of the emotionally torn Ennis Del Mar and I wouldn't be surpised if he wins. I don't think the academy will award Joaquin because of Jamie Foxx's win as Ray last year.
• Actress: Felicity Huffman Another tough one. I almost want to choose Reese, but Felicity played such a different role that I think the Academy will recognize her. Also, in comparing Reese's portrayal of June to Joaquin's portrayal of Johnny, I feel that Joaquin did a much better job.
• Supporting Actor: Paul Giamatti Not sure about this one. I thought Clooney was good in Syriana as well as Dillon in Crash, but I think Giamatti will get a nod from the Academy since he didn't win last year for Sideways. I didn't really care for Jake's acting in Brokeback (Heath made that movie), and I didn't see History of Violence, so I don't know about William Hurt.
• Supporting Actress: Rachel Weisz My choice here was between 3 great performances. Amy Adams was very good and seemed very real in Junebug, and Michelle Williams in Brokeback, but I think Ms. Wiesz was powerful in Constant Gardner, and the academy loves a good dramatic serious movie. This one is truly up for grabs and I'd be happy with any of those three winning.
• Director: Ang Lee I chose Ang Lee here because I chose Crash for best picture. I think the Academy will honor both Crash and Brokeback Mountain and they will do so by giving director to one film and best picture to the other.

The next pics I am going to just list my choice with no explanation because they aren't in the "big categories."

• Foreign Film: Tsotsi
• Adapted Screenplay: Brokeback Mountain
• Original Screenplay: Crash
• Animated Feature: Wallace & Gromit
• Art Direction: Good Night, And Good Luck (could be Pride & Prejudice)
• Cinematography: Brokeback Mountain
• Sound Mixing: Memoirs of a Geisha
• Sound Editing: King Kong
• Original Score: Memoirs of a Geisha
• Orignal Song: Hard out there for a Pimp (wouldn't be suprised if Travelin' Thru wins because of Dolly Parton)
• Costume: Pride & Prejudice
• Documentary: Murderball
• Documentary (short): God Sleeps in Rwanda (I haven't seen any of these, so I'm guessing)
• Film Editing: Crash
• Makeup: Star Wars
• Animated Short: One Man Band (I haven't seen any of these, so I'm guessing)
• Live Action Short: The Last Farm (I haven't seen any of these, so I'm guessing)
• Visual Effects: King Kong

Have thoughts of your own on any of my picks? Just let me know through the comments section. Enjoy the Oscars!