2008 Oscar Predictions -- Handicapping the Oscar Race

The 2008 Academy Award Nominations were announced today, and while the winners won't be announced until February 24, 2008, we already know one of the losers, ABC. With a slate of nominees that is jam packed with little seen art films, it is a safe bet that, strike or no strike, viewers won't be watching in record numbers.

The following is a list of nominees for the major Academy Award categories and my thoughts on the reasons a nominee may or may not win.

Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role

George Clooney in "Michael Clayton"

Argument For:

George is well liked by his peers, with the exception of human romance cover, Fabio, and gives a great performance in a well received movie.

Argument Against:

Isn't George lucky enough with one Oscar and.... well, the fact that he's George Clooney?

Daniel Day-Lewis in "There Will Be Blood"

Argument For:

Daniel gives yet another amazing performance as an oil baron in the critically acclaimed movie.

Argument Against:

Perception that Daniel takes himself too seriously, plus he's already won an Oscar.

Johnny Depp in "Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber of Fleet Street"

Argument For:

He sings, he acts, he can do comedy and drama. He's a super nice guy, and he's been nominated twice before without a win.

Argument Against:

A violent musical doesn't necessarily carry the weight that a dramatic performance might carry.

Tommy Lee Jones in "In the Valley of Elah"

Argument For:

Reportedly one of Tommy Lee's best performances in a timely film about Iraq.

Argument Against:

Movie doesn't carry the buzz of other movies. Tommy Lee Jones already has one Oscar.

Viggo Mortensen in "Eastern Promises"

Argument For:

Viggo's fearless performance as a Russian Gangster received high critical acclaim for its daring. A well respected actor who has yet to truly receive his due.

Argument Against:

The least known of the actors here, Viggo also starred in a movie that many may deem to unpleasant.

PREDICTION: Johnny Depp wins his first Oscar

Performance by an actor in a supporting role

Casey Affleck in "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford"

Argument For: