2008 Academy Award Predictions

We can always turn to the Producer's Guild to get an idea of what the 6,500-member Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will nominate as 2007's best pictures. The PGA (that's Producers Guild of America, not the Professional Golfer's Association), has an amazing track record for being practically spot on when it comes to the Academy's Best Picture nominees. Last year's PGA nominees were:

Babel
The Departed
Dreamgirls
Little Miss Sunshine
The Queen

All but one (Dreamgirls was traded for Letters from Iwo Jima) were identical to The Academy's nominations for Best Picture (also, in 2006 PGA had 4/5 again). So, after looking over their selections, I've compiled my own guesses. After the Golden Globes I have a feeling that I'm just going to be flat-out wrong...it's scary. But I'll keep on truckin' and presume to know The Academy like a good friend.

Before the Devil Knows You're Dead
Juno
Michael Clayton
No Country for Old Men
There Will Be Blood

I feel like Before the Devil Knows You're Dead is a long shot (it's the only one on this list that isn't nominated for a PGA, I left out The Diving Bell and the Butterfly because I think The Academy wants to recognize Sidney Lumet's return to making excellent movies), and Michael Clayton might be pushing it, but No Country for Old Men and There Will Be Blood are locked. In my opinion, Juno has an excellent chance of getting nominated. It's this year's Little Miss Sunshine and it's audience keeps growing at theatres. The Academy likes to nominate movies that people can root for, thus bringing in more viewers on the special night.

And that's all she wrote.