11:53: Slumdog fulfills its destiny by capturing the biggest prize of them all, best picture. The film goes home with eight trophies tonight. What an improbable journey for a small movie. It is also the first Best Picture win for small studio Fox Searchlight. Congratulations!

It was a very entertaining show overall. Hugh Jackman certainly surpassed expectations. There also were not a lot of big surprises. All in all a fun night. Thanks tuning in.

And, if you’re curious, Oscar Frenzy finished 19 out of 24.

11:43: Sean Penn wins for Milk. That’s somewhat unexpected. Sean Penn did completely immerse himself into the…
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The late Heath Ledger picked up another best supporting actor award last night for his performance in The Dark Knight at the Screen Actors Guild Awards. Oscar Frenzy correctly predicted three out of the five winners, missing out on Meryl Streep for Doubt and Slumdog Millionaire for best cast.

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role

SEAN PENN / Harvey Milk – MILK

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role

MERYL STREEP / Sister Aloysius Beauvier – DOUBT

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role

HEATH LEDGER / Joker – THE DARK KNIGHT…
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The Curious Case of Benjamin Button leads all nominees with 13 nominations. Slumdog Millionaire is next with an impressive 10 nominations.

The Reader is a surprise best picture nominee,earning a nomination over the more popular Dark Knight. Clint Eastwood was a curious omission from the best actor nominees and Kate Winslet (The Reader) was able to edge out Kate Winslet (Revolutionary Road) for a best actress nomination.

Award Counts

• The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: 13
• Slumdog Millionaire: 10
• The Dark Knight: 8
• Milk: 8
• The Reader: 5
• Frost/Nixon: 5
• Doubt: 5
• Revolutionary Road: 3

2009 Oscar Nominations

Best motion…
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Slumdog Millionaire was the big winner at today’s National Board of Review awards. In addition to winning best film, the picture took home the prize for breakthrough performance, actor (Dev Patel) and tied for best screenplay with The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Oscar Frenzy correctly predicted Slumdog as well as Josh Brolin for Best Supporting Actor.

Film: Slumdog Millionaire

Director: David Fincher, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Actor: Clint Eastwood, Gran Torino

Actress: Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married

Supporting actor: Josh Brolin, Milk

Supporting actress: Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Foreign-language