And the Oscar goes to...

Best Picture

Slumdog

Millionaire

Is this really even a fair prediction? Everyone has got to be thinking that Boyle's Bollywood homage is a shoo-in to win, right? All signs indicate that this fantastic film is going to be the big winner. "Slumdog" has taken home so many honors at the Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild Awards and many other ceremonies that the Academy would be foolish to ignore the magic of this film. Best Picture goes to the film that hits all the right notes and leaves nothing out. The Best Picture is ideally supposed to be most flawless film of the year. "Slumdog" has an excellent cast that pours its heart out on screen, led by the young, but surprisingly mature, Dev Patel. It works as both an entertaining love story, Cinderella story and a social commentary revealing some of the ugliest and the most beautiful truths hidden in the slums of India. The film also has a great musical score, mixing classic Bollywood sounds with more contemporary hits that compliment the excellent cinematography as well. Convinced yet? If not, check out this movie, because you will not be disappointed. Sorry Brad Pitt but it looks like "Slumdog" just might steal your thunder.

-Paresh Jha

Best Director

Frost/Nixon

"Frost/Nixon" has proven to be the most well-presented and entertaining action-less film known to man. This movie is a prime example of what an expert director can do with what is, quite simply, a conversation. Ron Howard paces each scene effortlessly, luring the viewer in somewhat deceptively. We barely even realize we are being pulled into such a rousing experience until we are already knee-deep in dramatic entertainment. While Danny Boyle and his "Slumdog Millionaire" could make a case for this category, Ron Howard's veteran expertise should make for a more solid case. "Slumdog" was about many different things coming into line (even though Mr. Boyle's directing was superb) while "Frost/Nixon" was simply defined by the way Ron Howard constructed the film (and the two lead actors.). Howard essentially made a 10th-grade history lesson entertaining. We all know that our teachers tried to teach us about Watergate and Nixon and all the nonsense he did, but they really could not catch our attention the way "Frost/Nixon" was able to. UConn should enlist Howard as a new history professor.

-Jha

Best Actor

Mickey Rourke

The Wrestler

Rourke plays Randy "The Ram" Robinson, a lonely, washed-up wrestler who once was on top of the world, but now struggles to get by as he lives in a trailer and wrestles locally on the weekends. He resolves to change his life following a heart attack that sidelines him from the only thing he loves, but also opens his eyes to what he feels matters most. Rourke's performance is a tour de force - a convincing performance as a man with nothing left, trying to find something to live for.

It's as honest a performance as I have ever seen, and considering the tumultuous career Rourke himself has had (downward spiral of drugs and alcohol, no work), it just seems so right. Sure, Sean Penn and Frank Langella provided fantastic performances in "Milk" and "Frost/Nixon" respectively, but no one had the same heart as Rourke.

-Stephen Ortiz

Best Actress

Kate Winslet

The Reader

Rolling Stone's Peter Travers thinks Meryl Streep will win this year's Best Actress statue, but I wholeheartedly disagree. Streep is usually the strongest performance of any five nominees and a sure win whenever she is nominated. She may have had a powerhouse performance as Sister Aloysius Beauvier in "Doubt", but it is Winslet who will take home this year's Oscar. At the young age of 33, Winslet has already had five nominations and deserves to finally win. There is no doubt that her brilliance in "Revolutionary Road" was overlooked, but her performance as former Nazi Hanna Schmitz will secure her the coveted golden man. Schmitz has already won Winslet a BAFTA, a SAG Award and a Golden Globe - the other nominees, aside from Streep, don't stand a chance. Anne Hathaway ("Rachel Getting Married") ruined her chances by embarrassing herself with "Bride Wars." Too few people remember Angelina Jolie in "Changeling." No one saw Melissa Leo in "Frozen River." Besides, Winslet is old and ugly by the time "The Reader" ends, and the Academy loves when beautiful actresses get old and ugly - Charlize Theron in "Monster", anyone?

-Caitlin Mazzola

Best Supporting Actor

Heath Ledger

The Dark Knight

Josh Brolin was good in "Milk," but not tremendous. Robert Downey, Jr. was a delight in "Tropic Thunder," but does anyone really think he has a shot? Philip Seymour Hoffman is always on top of his game, but "Doubt" isn't at the top of the awards lists. Michael Shannon? Too much of a stretch for his role in "Revolutionary Road." No, this year the award belongs, without a doubt, to the late Heath Ledger for his epic portrayal of Batman's nemesis, the Joker, in "The Dark Knight."

It is rare to find an actor who is willing to go the distance to not only act their role, but also embody and transform him or herself into a monster on the big screen. Ledger did just that for "The Dark Knight" and every moment he was on screen was observed with bated breath and sheer anticipation of what he would do next. There is no one more deserving.

-Ortiz

Best Supporting Actress

Penelope Cruz

Vicky Cristina Barcelona

The rule of thumb is that if there are two nominees from the same film nominated, the vote is split. This means nothing for the "Doubt" nominees. In "Vicky Cristina Barcelona," Penelope Cruz injected some much-needed sizzle and seduction that elevated the movie to among Woody Allen's best. Without Cruz, the movie would have been nothing, and that is just what is needed to win this category. Sympathy votes may go to Marisa Tomei to accompany Rourke's Oscar or to Taraji P. Henson for the human life she put into "Button's" digital wizardry, but Cruz gave the best performance through and through.

-Fernando Dutra

Best Animated Film

Wall-E

Although it may have deserved a Best Picture nomination, the Academy voters will certainly reward "Wall-E" with a Best Animated Feature award. "Wall-E" has continued the Disney-Pixar storytelling tradition that touches the funny bone and the heart in unusual ways. In this case, a film that is mostly without dialogue and features a dirty robot with a pet cockroach has become a modern day masterpiece, with a very human story about finding love and trying to make a difference personified through a robot with personality and a love for the musical "Hello Dolly!" This transformation elevates "WALL-E" so far above the competition that there can be no doubt as to who will take home the statue.

-Natalie Abreu

Best Original Screenplay

Milk

Though "Frozen River" and "Happy-Go-Lucky" were snubbed this award season, it's very likely that "Milk" will pick up this award since it is facing an uphill battle between "Slumdog Millionaire" and "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button." This is the one category where it won't have to deal with them entirely, though "Wall-E" may be the upset. Then again, there isn't any dialogue for the first half hour, so maybe not. Consider this "Milk's" consolation prize.

-Dutra