Actor in a Leading Role

Jeff Bridges in “Crazy Heart”

Actor in a Supporting Role

Christoph Waltz in “Inglourious Basterds”

Actress in a Leading Role

Sandra Bullock in “The Blind Side”

Actress in a Supporting Role

Mo’Nique in “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire”

Animated Feature Film

“Up” Pete Docter

Art Direction

“Avatar” Art Direction: Rick Carter and Robert Stromberg; Set Decoration: Kim Sinclair

Cinematography

“Avatar” Mauro Fiore

Costume Design

“The Young Victoria” Sandy Powell

Directing

“The Hurt Locker” Kathryn Bigelow

Documentary (Feature)

“The Cove” Louie Psihoyos and Fisher Stevens

Documentary (Short Subject)

“Music by Prudence” Roger Ross Williams and Elinor Burkett

Film Editing

“The Hurt Locker” Bob Murawski and Chris Innis

Foreign Language Film

“The Secret in Their Eyes (El Secreto de Sus Ojos)” Argentina

Makeup

“Star Trek” Barney Burman, Mindy Hall and Joel Harlow

Music (Original Score)

“Up” Michael Giacchino

Music (Original Song)

“The Weary Kind (Theme from Crazy Heart)” from “Crazy Heart” Music and Lyric by Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett

Best Picture

“The Hurt Locker” Kathryn Bigelow, Mark Boal, Nicolas Chartier and Greg Shapiro, Producers

Short Film (Animated)

“Logorama” Nicolas Schmerkin

Short Film (Live Action)

“The New Tenants” Joachim Back and Tivi Magnusson

Sound Editing

“The Hurt Locker” Paul N.J. Ottosson

Sound Mixing

“The Hurt Locker” Paul N.J. Ottosson and Ray Beckett

Visual Effects

“Avatar” Joe Letteri, Stephen Rosenbaum, Richard Baneham and Andrew R. Jones

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

“Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” Screenplay by Geoffrey Fletcher

Writing (Original Screenplay)

“The Hurt Locker” Written by Mark Boal

Source: http://www.oscars.org

Slumdog Millionaire was set and filmed in India, which tells the story of a young man from the slums of Mumbai who appears on “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” that brought amazement to people and suspicions to the game show crew and law enforcement officials. It was based on a novel Q&A (2005) by an Indian Author and diplomat Vikas Swarup. An International film that was nominated for ten Academy Awards in 2009 and won eight, including Best Director and Best Picture.

This is one of the most-talked about movies in town. I remember my roommate mentioned about her enthusiasm to watch this one especially because she is working in an Indian-based call center company. It has a unique type of story that depicts the contrasts between depression and hopefulness with a mix of the classic long-lost-and-fought-for-love story. The love story part is the icing of the cake. It had served as an inspiration for the slumdog to conquer the 20 million rupee win. As what the character entails, the young man from the slums never thought of money as the reason for him to join the game show, but only to reveal his whereabouts to a missing girl he truly loved.

Life in the slums may seem so oppressive and dark with all the riots, brutal murders and gangster wars. But this movie appeared to have made slums look more fun. Its apparent how the filmmakers managed to fill the screen with brilliant colorful pictures behind every torture or murder scene. It teaches us more about positive thinking. No matter how shitty life gets, just catch up and rise from the rock bottom with a smile on your face and you’ll surely win your prize, or perhaps the girl of your dreams.