JUNKFILM

Ah, the new year.  Crisp air.  Snow laced trees.  And a theater full of films that make Block Buster Audiences go nuts because they have one of two choices: see Marley & Me or journey into uncharted territory of the artistic film… Ooooooooo.  Thank god they have shit to consume their retched little minds with.  After all, they just can’t wait for Hancock 2 or the remake of the Karate Kid to smear themselves all over summer screens.

In short, the beginning of the new year is the film elitist’s favorite time of the year.  Some of the very best of cinema made the previous year are packing theaters in hopes of getting the last minute attention and staying power in the mindset of the Academy.  And this year, is by far NO exception.

There have been some amazing films in 2008, granted there has been some travesties as well. To weed them all out and claim that only one is the greatest is a tough, tough choice, and for once, this year alone, I do not envy the board members and their jobs.

With a happy heart, I am putting my voice in and saying the following 5 titles will be the nominees for best films of the year. Of all the films I have been pleased to watch this year, these are the 5 I whole-heartedly believe will be up for Best Picture.

Dark Knight, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Wrestler, Milk, and Slumdog Millionaire.

As for best actor/actress, I usually (and when I say “usually” I refer to every year besides 2002 (2003 awards) where Daniel Day Lewis got fucking robbed), I don’t give two shits about the acting. I always cared more for the technical side of the art form: the cinematographer, the editor, the sound design, direction and so forth. But this year, I’m going to be awaiting on bated breath for the actor category. With such amazing performances by Brad Pitt, Sean Penn, Micky Rourke, and Heath Ledger, it’s hard to look past the invisible art of acting. And with these stellar performances, my previous claims that Heath Ledger should get the win, I believe he will get a nod and an honorary award but he has some seriously stiff competition with these other 3.

When the roster for the Academy Awards is finally posted I will be holding a competition with prizes. And yes, these prizes will be worth it. And it’ll be free for you to enter. Why not compete? I don’t know. You should do it.