The Oscars show this year may have lacked a slick (and expensive) pre-recorded intro segment but it was not without its charm.  First, let me come clean about my predictions and we'll see how they turned out.  I promise to be honest. You can trust me, really, Want to buy a car from me? How about a real growth company called General Motors? I can get it for you, dirt cheap.

I know it's a little strange to post my "predictions" after the winners have been announced but I wrote these up and even submitted these picks to a friend on Facebook over eight hours before the telecast.  Plus I won our annual Oscar Pool with 94 points out of a possible 96 (and I'm laughing all the way to the bank with my $48.75). 

By far the most interesting showdown for 2008 is in the Best Actor category. It contains two usually unbeatable scenarios but there will be only one winner. Sean Penn stars as an openly gay man vs. Mickey Rourke as the man overcoming his demons in real life to step back onto the main stage to, well, overcome his demons. I went with Penn but this is a real toss-up. It would be a whole lot easier if one of the stories was Holocaust-related.

(Note to self: Write a gay Holocaust movie).  

Dave's Predictions

Supporting Actress – Penelope Cruz – Woody gets yet another lady an Oscar. His record in that department is unmatched, ironic, considering the attitude of many women towards the Woodman.

Original Screenplay – This will go a long way to telling us what kind of night to expect from Milk. A loss here practically clinches best pic for Slumdog. Milk takes it so it is still alive for the grand prize.

Adapted Screenplay – The beginning of a Slumdog run? A loss derails the express and would be a crime because this is the best written film of the year by far. Slumdog Millionaire is off to the races. All aboard.

Animated Feature – A Wall-E loss would be as big an upset as Ledger losing. It won and form is still holding at this year's ceremony.

Animated Short Film – La Maison En Petits Cubes. Told ya so. You should all try and see it. It is great art.

Art Direction – If Benjamin Button doesn't win this, it could possibly get shut out, despite an absolutely absurd 13 nominations. No worry, a victory for Benji Button. At least they will not go home empty-handed, although I see no major awards for them.

Costume Design – I voted for The Duchess here as it's a grand period piece, even though I didn't even see it so I really don't have a clue here. Looks like my inane logic pays yet another dividend as The Duchess waltzes away with the trophy. I wonder if this means that Waltz With Bashir will also win, for Best Foreign Film.

Cinematography – Slumdog again? Yes. The rout is officially on. It can no longer be stopped.

Live Action Short – The Pig should have won but it goes to Toyland. One should never go against anything Holocaust-related. Oh well. I never learn.

Supporting Actor – Guess who won?  Hint: It was Heath Ledger for The Dark Knight, and there wasn't a dry eye in the house as his mum, dad and sister accepted the award on behalf of his "beautiful Mathilda" (his three-year-old daughter with actress Michelle Williams).

Documentary – Man on Wire takes it. Waltz With Bashir was a far better documentary but it has been forced into the Foreign Film category because it is animated. Boo. Hiss. Can you tell that I'm a fan of Waltz With Bashir?

Sound Editing – The Dark Knight. Ho-hum. Another victory. This is easy stuff, eh?

Film Editing – Give me another Slumdog, please. Yup. It is starting to look like a clean sweep for the Bollywood Express. Apu must be jumping up and down in the Kwik-E-Mart.

Jerry Lewis wins an honorary award for his lifelong humanitarian efforts and to say he didn't look all that well is quite the understatement. I must upgrade him in another game I enjoy participating in.

Original Score – Is it getting monotonous yet. Slumdog Millionaire! AR Rahman's score was absolutely exceptional so it is well-deserved.

Song – That sound you hear is the train whistle of the Bollywood Express pulling in to pick up another statuette. Jai Ho is your winner (from, you guessed it Slumdog Millionaire).  This tune was also written by the film's composer A R Rahman.

Foreign Film - Don't disappoint me. It better be Bashir. Departures????????!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am unhappy. I claim conspiracy! Now I must figure out who is behind this conspiracy. I will not rest until I have solved this.  Maybe I'll make my own documentary about it.

Director – I've caught my breath and am ready for more Slumdog. Take your Oscar, Mr. Danny Boyle.

Actress – Not even the smallest of titanic upsets finds Ms. Winslet in the winner's circle for her role in The Reader.  But hey, that was quite a fine German accent

Actor – Penn or Rourke? It's Sean Penn for Milk! Happy to see it because he does a magnificent job in what is otherwise not much more than an average film.

Picture – Yup. Slumdog Millionaire mows the competition down in one of the most one-sided years Oscar has ever witnessed.

Two side notes: Host Hugh Jackman added almost nothing of any lasting value but at least he didn't get in the way. And it was a very nice touch having previous winners present the nominations one on one to each of the nominees for Best Actor, Acress and Supporting Actor/Actress.

Drive home safe and see you again next year!