My Oscar predictions

Best Picture - Slumdog Millionaire.
Best Director - between Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire) and David Fincher (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) I give Danny Boyle a slight advantage (but either win is justified).
Best Actor - Sean Penn (Milk). The win is well earned and not awarded because of the gay mafia (yes it exists and Elton John is the Godfather). Mickey Rourke (Wrestler) played himself. Brad Pit (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) was good but not Oscar worthy.
Best Actress - Kate Winslet (The Reader).
Best Supporting Actor - Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight) will win because he died (there you go, I said it), otherwise Philip Seymour Hoffman (Doubt) should win.
Best Supporting Actress - Penelope Cruz (Vicky Cristina Barcelona). But it should be Marisa Tomei (The Wrestler) or even Taraji Henson (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button).
Best Foreign Language Film - Waltz With Bashir.
If I get a moment before 8:30PM I will predict other categories (WALL-E will win a few).

The International (2009)

The International
Grade: B (Watch it)
Review: Nicely done thriller. In the light of the banking system collapse we can see that the movie is indeed fiction - bankers cannot control their institutions financial risks let alone control the world affairs. Another reality red flag is that in the movie the regulators and law enforcement actually pursue the white-collar criminals (criminals are not allowed to stay in their penthouse - bizarre reality). I would like for Clive Owen justice for some CEO.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Grade: C+ (Rent it)
Review: This was an original idea and interesting premise. However movie is way overrated. Acting is decent (good for actors) but the movie is too long and too boring for viewers.

Edukators (2005)

Edukators
Grade: C- (Rent it)
Review: This German drama is a cute look into anti hyper-consumerism sentiment among some young people around the world (these are the people who don't have to have the latest iPod). Very good cast with natural acting. In the light of Madoff's $50 billion Ponzi scheme, movie asks (but doesn't answer) the question why do some people have the drive to make more money than they can spend in their lifetime.

Waltz with Bashir (2008)

Waltz with Bashir
Grade: B (Watch it)
Review: Educational war documentary. Might not be for everybody since it is Foreign (subtitled) Animated Documentary (little slow).

Notorious (2009)

Notorious
Grade: D+ (Skip it)
Review: A poorly executed biopic of Notorious B.I.G. Other than some superficial information that was already available from tabloids, the movie doesn't provide any insight into the personal, criminal or music life of Christopher Wallace. The story is not cohesive and viewers don't connect with characters (especially viewers who are not familiar with Hip-Hop East vs West 90s feuds). The lack of insight is especially disappointing since Sean 'Diddy' Combs is the Executive Producer who had first hand knowledge of events surrounding Biggie Smalls life.

Gran Torino (2008)

Gran Torino
Grade: B- (Watch it)
Review: Clint Eastwood did it again. Good story. Great acting by Clint Eastwood. Supporting actors are not the greatest but movie is enjoyable. In multiple occasions you expect Walt Kowalski (Eastwood) to break into Dirty Harry character with famous quote:

I know what you're thinking. "Did he fire six shots or only five?" Well, to tell you the truth, in all this excitement I kind of lost track myself. But being as this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean off, you've got to ask yourself one question: Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?

Taken (2009)

Taken
Grade: D- (Skip it)
Review: A very bleak imitation of Bourne Identity. Less action, less story, less acting. Very disappointed.

RocknRolla (2008)

RocknRolla
Grade: C- (Rent it)
Review: Despite the lively name this movie actually never rocks. It is a bore fest for an action movie. No wonder Madonna left Guy Ritchie. The only reason why I was generous with my grade is because it had few funny moments.

Towelhead (2008)

Towelhead
Grade: B (Watch it)
Review: Towelhead is a movie about teen sexuality, racism and bigotry. A very graphical view into what happens when kids don't have any sexual education. The movie at times was creepy (to the point that I cringed), at times humorous, but at no point boring.
Funny quote to illustrate the dark humor:

Daughter (Jasira): Daddy can I bring a friend for a sleepover? She is a girl and she is white?
Dad (Rifat): If she is a girl it doesn't matter if she is black or white. Don't make me sound like a racist.