The Academy Awards are Nearing, Part II

Here are a few thoughts from '08 MFA Acting Alum Michael Woods about the Oscar nominees. Read on!

Best Supporting Actor? "Heath Ledger. They will never be able to give him another award, and (that aside) his performace was the most specific, layered, and captivating showing from a supporting actor. And with few nominations for The Dark Knight already, Heath Ledger is as much as a sure thing as we can get."

Best Supporting Actress? "Penelope Cruz was completely unihibited in her role in Vickie Cristina Barcelona. She didn't hold anything back and we saw a dangerous and hilarious performance. Viola Davis is the only other one I would cross my fingers for. It is a rare thing to shine out among established stars, and shine with very little screen time. But Davis knocked it out of the park. Cruz or Davis. . . It's a toss up."

Best Actor? "My heart yearns for Mickey Rourke to walk away with the Oscar for his devestatingly beautiful performance in The Wrestler. However, Sean Penn is equally strong in Milk and living in a post-Prop 8 world may lean some votes in that direction. It's a toss up."

Best Actress? "Come on, Kate Winslet! When people hear that she has never won an Oscar, they cannot believe it. Meryl Streep deserves an Oscar for her performance...but she has been nominated more than any other actor and she has two statues on her mantle already. Will that be enough to sway votes? Again, it's a toss up."

Best Picture and Director? "Everyone predicts Slumdog Millionaire, and I must agree. The film explores new territory in a somewhat cliche story. Performances are powerful, the cinematography is captivating and the location of Mumbai is absolutely breathtaking. Danny Boyle is a fantastic director and he has a brilliant ability to direct children, capture beautiful camera shots, and to keep a story moving--a rare trait in many directors."

Do you agree with Michael's predictions? Comment and let your opinion be known!