The Oscar goes to ...

Will it be the year of the Slumdog or will Button sew it up when Hollywood rolls out the red carpet for its biggest night Sunday? Metro’s movie experts — Richard Crouse, Steve Gow and Chris Alexander — choose their favourites for what appears to be a tight race for Oscar glory:

BEST PICTURE

Crouse: All signs seem to be pointing to Slumdog Millionaire taking home the award. It’s the little movie that could; a film that almost went straight to DVD, that has gone on to prove the old Hollywood maxim that nobody can predict what is going to become a hit.

Gow: If Slumdog doesn’t lose its momentum, it’s a no-brainer to take top prize.  However, you can’t discount Benjamin Button — Hollywood loves Pitt, David Fincher and these kinds of heart-tugging epics.

Alexander: I think, outside of The Wrestler, my favorite film of the year, I have to say that I enjoyed Frost/Nixon the most. So if a movie is to measured by how much an individual is entertained by it, I say ... give it to Frost/Nixon.

BEST DIRECTOR

Crouse: I’d be surprised if Danny Boyle doesn’t win. Most of the other directors are multiple nominees but this seems to be Slumdog’s year.

Gow: It would be great to see Boyle take this.  After all, not only did he make this gorgeous movie in the slums of India, but used an unknown cast as well.

Alexander: Go, David Fincher, go ... you’ve finally made a movie whose heart and soul matches your technical expertise. Keep it up.

BEST ACTOR

Crouse: Everybody loves a comeback, so Mickey Rourke’s raw performance in The Wrestler will likely take this category, although for my money the best performance of the year was Frank Langella as Nixon in Frost / Nixon.

Gow: This is a tough category — Rourke, Langella and Sean Penn are all worthy opponents but as much as this has been the year of the comeback, I’m going with Sean Penn.

Alexander: I have been a staunch supporter of Mickey Rourke since I first saw him take that elevator ride to Hell back in 1987’s Angel Heart, so it’s a personal vindication to see Hollywood fall at his freakish feet.

BEST ACTRESS

Crouse: Kate Winslet — or Kate Wins-a-lot as I like to call her — has pretty much ruled this category so far this year, but I think the award should go to Meryl Streep in Doubt.

Alexander: Give me Angelina or give me death. I simply adored her in Changeling.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Crouse: This is Heath Ledger’s year and not because he died tragically, but because he deserves it. His take on The Joker in The Dark Knight was exciting, fun and the best thing in the movie.

Gow: Um, you were considering somebody else (other than Ledger)?

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Crouse: This should go to Viola Davis. With just five minutes of screen time in Doubt she created an unforgettable character that elevated the entire picture.

Gow: As much as I would love to see Marisa Tomei win this category, I am fairly certain Penelope Cruz will win voters’ hearts.

Metro staff Oscar picks
We did a little Oscar voting of our own around the office. Here are the results:

BEST PICTURE: Slumdog Millionaire

BEST?DIRECTOR: David Fincher

BEST ACTOR: Mickey Rourke

BEST ACTRESS: Kate Winslet

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Heath Ledger

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Taraji P. Henson

Click here for a complete list of the Academy Awards nominees.