The following are my predictions on who will win the Oscars for 2009. Though the nominated movies are the types of films that the Academy normally would select, this does not mean that they are of less quality. Some directors that are nominated or have nominated movies began their work in independent films, and it is good to see their talent recognized.

BEST PICTURE: The Reader

BEST DIRECTOR: Gus Van Sant, “Milk”

BEST ACTOR: Mickey Rourke, “The Wrestler”

BEST ACTRESS: Kate Winslet, “The Reader”

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Heath Ledger “The Dark Knight”

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Amy Adams, “Doubt”

BEST FOREIGN FILM: Baader Meinhof Complex

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: Frozen River

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: Frost/Nixon

BEST SONG: O Saya, “Slumdog Millionare”

BEST MUSIC: The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button

BEST DOCUMENTARY: Man On Wire

BEST ANIMATED FILM: Wall-E

BEST SPECIAL EFFECTS: The Dark Knight

BEST COSTUME DESIGN: The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button

BEST SOUND: Wanted

BEST SOUND EDITING: Wanted

BEST FILM EDITING: Milk

BEST ART DIRECTION: The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button

BEST MAKEUP: Hellboy II: The Golden Army

BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT: The Witness – From The Balcony Of Room 306

BEST SHORT FILM: The Pig