Best Director
Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire

Nathaniel's Choice Jonathan Demme, Rachel Getting Married.
From the Oscar nominees Gus Van Sant for sure. Lots of feelings, guiding a really terrific ensemble performance, avoidance of biopic pitfalls and bonus points for Paranoid Park. I'm all about Gus Van Sant winning. Even if he doesn't have a chance.

Final Nomination Predictions I scored 4/5. I missed Stephen Daldry who I had in 7th place behind Darren Aronofsky and Chris Nolan. Aronofsky I hadn't predicted and the 7th place ranking suggests I didn't think Daldry was out of the question but I am VERY surprised it was at the expense of Chris Nolan. Even before I began to consider The Dark Knight a Best Picture contender I felt he was a likely nominee, someone who probably just missed for Memento and who has been building a very solid reputation this decade. He has yet to make a dud, really.