2009 Oscar Predictions: Will Mickey Rourke, Kate Winslet and Slumdog Millionaire Hit Gold?

There are some big films with big stars and big directors waiting to strike gold at this year's Oscars. Come Sunday, the stars will dazzle us once again. This is probably the most competitive year I recall in recent Oscar history. As always we have the front runners and the dark horses.

The front runners are:

Best Motion Picture: The fresh and low budget Slumdog Millionaire has been capturing the audiences world wide. It swept the Golden globes and the Critics Choice Awards and all the other awards that followed. Thanks to this movies critical appeal and global success, the Oscars should follow the trend. Milk being a close second in this category.

Best Actor: Everybody loves a comeback and what a magnificent one it's been for Mickey Rourke. How sweet would it be if former heartthrob (and Golden Globe winner) Mickey Rourke picked up his first Oscar at age 56 for playing an over-the-hill wrestling star?

During his eloquent acceptance speech at the Golden Globes awards, he remembered to thank his past and present dogs for having had his back in his good and his bad times. Rourke, lost his 16 year-old Chihuahua terrier mix, Loki a few days ago. Loki was famously his date on the red carpet in Venice. "My dog is very old, she is 16 and she is not going to be around for long so I want to spend every moment with her," he told Reuters.

Rourke has veteran actor Sean Penn nipping at his heels for his spectacular role as Harvey Milk in Milk.

Best Actress: The year 2009, is shaping up to be a great one for Kate Winslet. She's already pocketed two golden globes and the supporting-actress trophy at the Critics Choice Awards. Winslet is now the favorite for best actress. She is due to break the 5 nominations and no Oscar curse. The sixth time should be a winner for her.

Kate Winslet may have "blown her chances" of an Oscar by forgetting Angelina Jolie's name at the Golden Globes, according to veteran film critic Barry Norman. "I'm so sorry Anne, Meryl, Kristin - oh god, who's the other one... Angelina!" she gasped while accepting her best actress award for Revolutionary Road. Norman is BBC's film critic for 26 years.

If so, Meryl Streep's stellar performance in Doubt might just take the gold.

The other two categories that seem cemented would be the posthumous Best Supporting actor Oscar for Heath Ledger and Best Director award for Danny Boyle.

Source: http://zappingonline.blogspot.com/2009/01/oscar-nominations-2009-kate-winslet-may.html