Initial Thoughts some of the Academy Award Nominations
Ill give my full reaction to the awards after Ive seen all the movies right before the award ceremony.

I have yet to watch Frost/Nixon or The Reader but Slumdog is far superior to Benjamin Button and Milk.
Best Picture
*The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
*Frost/Nixon
*Milk
*The Reader
*Slumdog Millionaire

Best Director
*David Fincher (Benjamin Button)
*Ron Howard (Frost/Nixon)
*Gus Van Sant (Milk)
*Stephen Daldry (The Reader)
*Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire)
If you go by who deserves it for the movie then it should probably be Danny Boyle. A lot of times these are actually lifetime achievement awards and if you look at it that way then Fincher deserves it. Along with Wook Park he's still probably the best director on the planet. I still dont understand how he didnt get nominated for Fight Club or Zodiac which are both far superior movies?

Best Actor
*Richard Jenkins(The Visitor)
*Frank Langella(Frost/Nixon)
*Sean Penn(Milk)
*Brad Pitt(Benjamin Button)
*Mickey Rourke(The Wrestler)
Penn did an awesome job but Mickey Rourke was phenomenal. Pitt shouldnt even have been nominated.

Best Visual Effects
*Iron Man
*The Dark Knight
*The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Wow what a tough category. They all have their own different strengths. First gut reaction I would probably root for Benjamin Button. I couldnt argue with no matter who won.