Johnny Depp and Atonement Will Be Storylines of the 2008 Oscars

The 2008 Oscars figures to be different than in past years because of the lack of blockbuster films that have been produced. In this past year, there have hardly been any blockbuster films that were unique and original or deserving of best picture and the actors were surely not worthy of best actor or actress status. However, there have been several foreign films that the majority of Americans have not seen which have truly been spectacular films like Sweeney Todd with actor Johnny Depp, There will Be Blood with Daniel Day Lew, 3:10 to Yuma with Christian Bale and Russell Crowe, Atonement, Juno, Kite Runner, and Angelina Jolie in A Mighty Heart. So without further ado here are my predictions for Best Picture of the Year, Best Actor and Best Actress.

Best Picture: Atonement. Atonement was not my favorite film of the year; let me start by saying that. However, the film was beautifully directed by Joe Wright who also directed the award winning movie "Pride and Prejudice." I fully expect Joe Wright to win the Oscar for best directing. Atonement was a spectacular film that touched many people, including myself to some degree. Atonement won 2 Golden Globe awards, including for best drama motion picture. Atonement is about the life of Briony who is a young girl and witnesses the love develop between her sister Cecilia and the gardener Robbie. When Briony accuses Robbie of a crime he didn't commit, the lives of all the characters are touched forever.

My favorite movies of the year were Juno starring Ellen Page in which a 16 year old girl named Juno finds herself pregnant and decided to go through with the pregnancy instead of aborting it. The story also follows her relationship with a family who Juno will be donating her baby to since she knows she cannot take care of it. The story is witty at times and has a great storyline. Anther great movie I saw was Kite Runner which is about an Afghan family who live with the cultural traditions of sects of their society being born into slave class and certain sects of people being of higher status than others. The film title Kite Runner follows a boy who loves flying kites with his friend until a fight between the boys occurs and their friendship ends, as one family moves to America for a better live. Kite Runner also shows the life of the Afghan people under the Taliban. Kite Runner is an amazing film with a great storyline that will tough every viewer.

And the award for best actor goes to.... Johnny Depp. Johnny Depp proves once again in his film, Sweeney Todd that he is one of the best actors in the movie industry. In Sweeney Todd he plays the role of a murderer and the drama is riveting in the film. Johnny Depp's character is that of a barber who has lost his wife and child. His acting makes the viewer feel compassion for his character that goes on to become a murder.

Other considerations for best actor go to Daniel Day Lewis in "There Will be Blood." The film is about a greedy oil salesman. Lewis' acting is great and he deserves consideration for the award. So too does Russel Crowe and Christian Bale in "3:10 to Yuma" which is a good old fashioned western movie that is full of action and drama. The storyline is great and the acting by these two men is even better.

Best actress: I have seen a lot of great acting performances but the award I would give for Best Actress should definitely go to Angelina Jolie in "A Mighty Heart." The film is about the Daniel Pearl story retold in motion picture as Angelina Jolie plays the role of journalist Daniel Pearl's wife as she goes to Pakistan to work with people to try and find her kidnapped husband. The film is riveting, despite the fact that most viewers know the plot. Jolie's acting is phenomenal and she is by far the best person to play the part. She is a sympathetic character and yet emotionally strong when needed. This was a great acting performance, possibly in the entire career of Angelina Jolie.