I've seen all five films nominated for best picture. And although, I would love the Academy to give the big award to Juno or Atonement- my gut tells me that No Country for Old Men will walk away with the gold statue. Juno and Atonement will win in other categories such as best actor and supporting roles. After the strike this year, I am looking forward to the long winded, scripted awards show.

wow - i really need to catch up on my movies and see no country for old men. thanks for posting those trailers! i'll be back with a better opinion soon.

Juno. Juno. Juno. "That ain't no etch-a-sketch. This is one doodle that can't be un-did, homeskillet."

I think you're right. It's No Country all the way. Was it the best movie of 07? No, but none of the nominated were. If we play that game, we'll just get pissed off and depressed about the Academy. I thought the best fiction movie of 07 was hands down "Diving Bell and the Butterfly." Here's the trailer: Diving Bell and the Butterfly Trailer

Ha! Hilarious. I think for sure its going to go to No Country but Michael Clayton was one of my favorite narratives for 2008. Loved No Country.... up until that magical shift in the 3rd act. Don't care what anybody says. It was disruptive and really took away from what would have been a perfect film. Juno was... good, but not Oscar worthy. There Will Be Blood... meh. Atonement... not all its hyped up to be.

I'm more interested in what will win Best Doc & Best Foreign Language film. The 5 that end up in those categories are almost ALWAYS better than the top 5 that make it to Best Pic. Just my two cents.

All of these films are wonderful. But No Country is the best. The best actor is Daniel Day-Lewis. Best actress-Julie Christie. Best supporting actor Hal Holbrook. Best supporting actress undecided.

jayanti, you recommended diving Bell and butterfly . I didn't see wha t all the excitement was about with this movie. It was interesting the story of the man who wrote the book was moving and powerful as an achievement but the movie itself was a little boring.

I'm hoping for a better round next year. I'm glad that There Will Be Blood bubbled to the top. I felt like there was a lot of actors that have gone unnoticed this year and deserve more accolades, but its a rough year for Hollywood. Next year will be better. Does Jaman have any movies that were nominated for Oscars in the past?

Right off the top of my head. Paheli was India's Oscar entry in 2006

Paheli

And, we are certainly in the process of getting more. Have any favorites from past years?

you will have to give it to someone - it's always all about prizes and more with oscars. compromises with great skills and vested interests. but who blames, i?- i live in a country where noble academy lives too. peace prizes are given very peacefully and smoothly. now let me compromise: wild western+ decadence+ stereotype+ (brother+ brother) & never-the less x fargo- no thanks!. rather there will be some blood - may be!! liksom en söt tonårings önska och kompromis (like a sweet teenager's wish and compromise) , if you please; like paheli enters as bloody bolywood (how does it spell?) always used to do- without knocking.

Sadly, I didn't see any of them. I've got a lot of catching up to do.

Ever since "Shakespeare in Love" won Best Picture in 1998 over the likes of "Saving Private Ryan" and "Life Is Beautiful", I've been a bit cynical about the selections and winners for the Best Picture IMO.

This year, from what I'm told, the candidates for Best Picture are pretty darn good.

Life is Beautful! One of my all time favorites. Perhaps it didn't win for best picture because the Academy gave it the award for best foreign language film that year instead? Did you know it was the first film since 1969 to be nominated for both a Best Picture and Best Foreign Language film.

I (finally) watched Michael Clayton a few days ago, so now I can comment! I, too, feel like No Country For Old Men will most likely win based on the fact that it's won pretty much every award given up until this point. BUT, having said that, I felt like No Country, There Will Be Blood, and Atonement all had problematic elements in their third acts (be it the magical shift-totally agree, it was distracting; the mismatch of talent/performance between Dano and Day-Lewis; or the "oh wait, that didn't really happen, just kidding, everybody died" twist). Don't get me wrong, there was a lot to like in each of the best picture nominees this year (and yes, Atonement did make me cry...not going to pretend), but Michael Clayton and Juno both felt a bit more 'complete' from start to finish. I think there might be some big surprises tonight!

PS Javier is A-mazing, but I really loved Casey Affleck's performance. Here's hoping.

Hi Geentanjali,

I was greedy... I was secretly hoping that "Life Is Beautiful" would win BOTH Foreign Film and Best Picture! To be honest, I really thought "Saving Private Ryan" would earn Best Picture because IMO, it was the Best Picture of 1998.

1998 was the year they picked love over war!

Woo Hoo! Thanks Heaterisa. Glad you agreed. There really was something about those 3 films that just turned me off to each picture. And frankly, I'm just sick of people and Hollywood having to 'settle' for that. There have been Great Great pictures in the past and there will be again. These just weren't that. And, of those nominated, Michael Clayton came closest. Hands down. Great show though. Here's to a year of discovery even more great films in 2008. Personally I'm hoping for another Once. And I'll say it ahead of time, "Flow" and "Up the Yangtze" should already be in the running for Best Doc....