Oscars2008 - Best Picture Predictions - Oscars2008 |
 | Charlie Wilson's War - A true story of how playboy Texan congressman Charlie Wilson (Tom Hanks) and rogue CIA operative Gust Avrakotos (Phillip Seymour Hoffman) manipulated congress, the CIA and numerous foreign governments to successfully arm and assist the Mujahedeen rebels in Afghanistan in their war against the Soviet Union. Spurred on by his wealthy, beautiful and communist hating lover Joanne (Julia Roberts) Charlie’s covert dealings are so successful that as well as contributing to the fall of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War, they have more far reaching consequences in the rise of the Taliban. Charlie Wilson's War is directed by Mike Nichols and is based on George Crile’s best-selling book of the same name. http://www.charliewilsonswar.net | |
 | Atonement - When a jealous 13 year old Briony (Saoirse Ronan) get’s her sister Cecilia (Keira Knightley) love Robbie (James McAvoy) arrested for a crime he didn’t commit it will alter the course of all of their lives. Seeking forgiveness for her indiscretion Briony’s guilt sets her on the path to find Atonement, and to a discovery of the power of enduring love, you can only imagine the truth. Atonement is an adaptation of Ian McEwan’s novel and is directed by Joe Wright (Pride & Prejudice). Official Website: http://www.atonementthemovie.co.uk/site/site.html | |
 | No Country for Old Men - When ordinary man Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin) stumbles across a ring of corpses, a truck full of heroin and $2 million in cash he decides to keep the cash. Soon killer Anton (Javier Bardem) comes after Moss and the money, whilst local sheriff Bell (Tommy Lee Jones) is hot on the heels of both. The Coen brothers No Country for Old Men is an entertaining suspense filled tale of murder, money and morality. But look beyond the blood and guts No Country for Old Men explores deeper themes of death and principles, as it delves into the mind and souls of its characters: the good (Jones), the bad (Bardam)& the ordinary (Brolin). Adapted from the Cormac McCarthy novel No Country for Old Men also stars Woody Harrelson, Garret Dillahunt and Kelly MacDonald. Official Website: http://www.nocountryforoldmen-themovie.com/ | |
 | The Kite Runner - In a divided country on the verge of war, two childhood friends, Amir and Hassan, are about to be torn apart forever. From the fall of Afghanistan’s monarchy to the modern day atrocities of the Taliban, The Kite Runner tells how one boy’s fearful act of betrayal would scar their lives forever. After 20 years living in the US, Amir returns to an Afghanistan under Taliban control to face up to the secrets of his nightmares and make a daring final bid for redemption. Starring Shaun Toub, Khalid Abdalla, Nasser Merarzia, Said Taghmaoui and Atossa Leoni The Kite Runner is an unforgettable story of redemption. Official Website: http://www.kiterunnermovie.com | |
 | There Will Be Blood- Inspired by Upton Sinclair’s novel ‘Oil’, There Will Be Blood is an epic turn of the 20th century period drama about greed, corruption, religion and family life in the pursuit of the American dream. Daniel Day-Lewis as Daniel Plainview the prospector who strikes it rich lays down the ‘best- actor’ gauntlet, and is ably supported by Paul Dano as the captivating young preacher in the small town turned boomtown. Also starring Mary Elizabeth Barrett, Russell Harvard, Ciaran Hinds and Kevin J. O’Connor, There Will Be Blood is screenwritten, produced and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson | |
 | American
Gangster - Outcast detective Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe)
suspects that a new crime boss is making a power play to control Manhattans
heroin trade. Nobody used to notice Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington), but when
his boss suddenly dies, Frank through initiative, corruption and business
acumen seek to fulfil his own American Dream as the American Gangster.
Despite being on opposite sides of the law, both Lucas and Roberts have similar
ethics that’s sets them out as loners, in the final confrontation only one of
them will emerge victorious. American Gangster is directed by Ridley
Scott and also stars Cuba Gooding Junior, Josh Brolin, Armand Assante, John
Hawkes & Ted Levine. Official Website: http://www.americangangster.net/ | |
 | Reservation Road - A fatal accident entwines the lives of two families in this tale of anger, revenge and ultimately courage. When Ethan Learner (Joaquin Phoenix) and his wife Grace (Jennifer Connelly) have their son taken away from them in Reservation Road, a panicked Dwight Arno (Mark Ruffalo) flees the scene. Both families are haunted by the tragedy and Reservation Road explores the reaction and interaction between both sides, the confrontation and hard choices that both fathers must make. Reservation Road is directed by Terry George, is based on the book of the same name by John Burnham Schwartz, and also stars Mira Sorvino and Elle Fanning. | |
 | Into
the Wild - Director and screenwriter Sean Penn successful
adaptation of Into the Wild the bestselling book by Jon Krakauer. Into the Wild
is the true story about the life of Christopher McCandless (Emile Hirsch) who after graduating donates his
entire savings to Oxfam, abandons his family, home comforts and possessions,
and heads for a life of self sufficiency and survival in the wilderness of
Alaska. Also starring Brian Dierker,
Marcia Gay Harden, Hal Holbrook, William Hurt, Catherine Keener, Jena Malone,
Kirsten Stewart & Vince Vaughn Into
the Wild tells the story of Christopher’s journey to Alaska and the life shaping characters he meets along the way.
Official Website: http://www.intothewild.com/ | |
 | Eastern Promises - Produced and filmed in London, Eastern Promises stars Viggo Mortensen as the brutal yet mysterious Nikolai a driver for notorious Russian crime organisation the Vory. When Nikolai crosses paths with Anna (Naomi Watts) a midwife whose innocent attempts to trace the family of a baby whose teenage mother dies in childbirth uncovers damaging evidence against the Vory, a disturbing chain of murder, deceit, and reprisal is unleashed. Directed by David Cronenberg, Eastern Promises also stars Vincent Cassel, Sinead Cusack, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Jerzy Skolimowski and Donald Sumpter. Official Website: http://www.focusfeatures.com/easternpromises/ | |
 | In The Valley of Elah - Sometimes finding the truth is easier than facing it. In The Valley of Elah war veteran Hank Deerfield (Tommy Lee Jones) and his wife (Susan Sarandon) with the help of local police detective (Charlize Theron) seek to find the truth behind their son's disappearance following his return from the war in Iraq. Director Paul Haggis (CRASH) infuses the desolate scenes of small town despair with the vibrant detail and emotional performances of the harassed Theron and the anguish filled Jones and Sarandon. In The Valley of Elah also stars Frances Fisher, James Franco and Jason Patric. Official Website: http://wip.warnerbros.com/inthevalleyofelah/ |