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I saw Benjamin Button, Milk, The Wrestler, Revolutionary Road, Slumdog and Doubt over the past few weeks/months (what can I say? My vacation at home included catching up with movies).

Doubt's great acting-wise but like others mentioned, it felt like a play more than a movie. It left a strong impression thematically but as a movie, it didn't really amount to anything special. Revolutionary Road was better as a book and honestly, while I love Kate Winslet, I thought Leo was better in the movie but he's not getting much of the recognition for it.

The Wrestler was awesome - acting, directing, etc. but I don't know if it will get the support to be nominated for best picture. Mickey Rourke was amazing - I'm okay with him wrecking his beautiful face all those years ago because he's done amazing work since then using his new features (I know this makes me sound shallow and sadly, I am). Milk was also excellent, though I preferred the documentary at times. I mostly went to see it for James Franco, as I've loved him since Freaks and Geeks. Sean Penn was actually likeable in this.

Benjamin Button is total Oscar bait but I liked it. I didn't cry like others did, and I was more moved by Brad Pitt/Taraji scenes than anything involving Cate Blanchett. But I can see this sweeping nominations because it has that epic feel people love. The problem is I can easily see myself in the future wondering why it won Best Picture (which it probably will). Effects, makeup, acting, all of it is good but I wasn't blown away.

Slumdog was a lot of good fun, and maybe my favorite of all the ones I saw. Excellent integration of many ideas (Bollywood, whimsical aspects, music, flashbacks/playng with time, romance, poverty, hope, crime, etc.). I was raised on Bollywood movies; the show host in the movie is one of my favorite Indian actors ever so I was super excited to see this. I wasn't disappointed by it (for the most part) and especially loved the direction - Boyle's treatment of Mumbai reminded me of Mereilles' treatment of Brazil in City of God. But it's another one where if it wins BP, I will wonder why. I just want to see it nominated so more people watch it.

I think BP will include Button and Slumdog but I'm not sure about anything else. It would be cool if the Dark Knight was nominated because despite its problems, it was one of the better, more entertaining movies this year.