I’ve spent the last month reviewing the best movies of 2008. I have seen almost every major movie from the last year, and I’m here to quell your movie reviewing needs. So, without further ado, I give you my Academy Awards.

Best Comedy Picture
And the winner is…
Tropic Thunder

This award needs little explanation. This was one the largest blockbuster films of the year and included the best overall cast of any film, regardless of genre. This film provided excellent humor, surprisingly fantastic acting, a script that rivaled any comedy I’ve ever seen, and quality cinematography that is extremely rare for a comedy. This movie could be in the running for best picture, but I felt that comedies are so different from drama’s that it earned its own category. Thanks Golden Globes for the idea.

Honorable Mentions: Pineapple Express, Role Models, and Zack and Miri Make a Porno.

Best Cinematography
And the winner is….
Australia

My honest opinion of this movie is pretty brutal actually. I did not enjoy the film’s script, acting, or length. The story was mediocre at best. The only thing that allowed me to sit through this entire film was the cinematography. Nicole Kidman’s annoying quirks were overshadowed by beautiful the scenery of Australia. Epic sweeping shots brought a little character to the film and saved the film from being the largest waste of money in 2008 feature films.

Honorable Mentions: The Dark Knight, Slumdog Millionaire

Best Supporting Actor
And the winner is…
Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight)

This is another award that doesn’t need reasoning. Ledger’s role was nearly perfect. He brought a debiacle character to life and made every viewer to wonder if his cynical role was the reasoning for his shocking death. Ledger’s Joker was by far the most interesting character of the year, regardless of importance or size. Ledger’s passion for the role came out immediately and only made his death even sadder.

Honorable Mentions: Robert Downey Jr. (Tropic Thunder) and Josh Brolin (Milk)

Best Supporting Actress
And the winner is…
Marisa Tomei (The Wrestler)

Marisa seriously revitalized her career with this role. Playing a stripping single mother is a gutsy role to take on, especially when you know you have the weight of Mickey Rourke’s second chance at an acting career on your shoulders. Marisa is a great character to watch in this film, and you are hoping for the best for her during the entire film. She is a great balance for the abrasive character of Mickey’s and does an excellent job balancing out the film, which also boosts it into my running for best picture.

Honorable Mentions: Taraji P. Henson (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) and Cate Blanchett (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button)

Best Actor in a Leading Role
And the winner is…
Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler)

Mickey wins my vote for best actor, best shit-show turned into an actor, best shit-show turned into an actor turned into a shit-show turned into an actor again. I can’t believe how he screwed up his career so badly when his acting skills are actually phenomenal. His character in The Wrestler is heart wrenching but also inspirational. Nobody could have played this role better than Rourke, and I’m glad. Talent such as his should not have been wasted on so many years of drugs and sin. Good job Mickey.

Honorable Mentions: Brad Pitt (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button), Clint Eastwood (Gran Torino) and Sean Penn (Milk)

Best Picture
And the winner is…
The Wrestler

This was by far the hardest award to choose. The Wrestler had stiff competition this year with Slumdog Millionaire and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. I think the deciding factor was Mickey Rourke’s resurgence. Also, not to slight Milk in any way, but I didn’t feel that the movie as a whole could compete with the Wrestler or Slumdog. Sean Penn’s performance was great, but the movie lacked a certain emotionality that the Wrestler and Slumdog had. This pick also makes me wonder if my judgment is off because the Academy didn’t even nominate the Wrestler for best picture, and I’m giving it the gold. Oh well, I guess that’s why I’m not in the Academy. Congratulations to The Wrestler, the movie was incredibly put together, included tremendous acting from all characters, and allowed for Marisa Tomei and Mickey Rourke to bring their careers back to life.

Honorable Mentions: Slumdog Millionaire, Milk, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Dark Knight, Gran Torino

Well, that’s the end. It was a great year for film in my opinion. It was a drama heavy year, but they were all done very well. See you all next year.

This Sunday’s Oscars were the best ever, and it wasn’t because of Hugh Jackman’s chiseled jaw line (or the fact that Anne Hathaway didn’t win shit). These Oscars were great because of this.

I am fully aware what a sour taste these speeches left in some people’s mouths. Some hate the idea of using the Oscars as a political soap box, and I can appreciate that point of view. I am also aware how many disapprove of how Sean Penn continues to act like the moral compass of Hollywood, as if the political opinion of famous actor is somehow more relevant than that of a lay person. “I do know how hard I make it to appreciate me. Often.” You’re right about that, Sean. You frequently do make it that way, and I’m someone who usually agrees with you (and loves your acting, for that matter).

But, what Dustin Lance Black and Sean Penn said last night needed to be said.

Oscars or not.

America has been seriously embroiled in the gay marriage debate for about a decade now (many gay Americans would say even longer, I’ll bet), and we are reaching a watershed moment. Judges tell us gay marriage should be legal, voters tell us (in decreasing margins) that it shouldn’t be. It’s a matter that divides churches, divides political parties, and sadly, it divides families. In fact, I learned from a friend of mine that one his friends from his hometown decided to come out to his parents after watching the speech. How they took it, I don’t know.

As much as it might offend some, I have to agree with Sean Penn: Our grandchildren will be ashamed of us if we continue down the path we have been taking. We will be remembered as a generation that, despite electing the first black man to the presidency, continued to segregate and oppress and deny people basic human liberty because they are different from the norm. We will be seen in the same light as the segregationists and xenophobes of another age. You may think I am wrong. You may think that what I have just said is offensive and vitriolic. You may hate being lumped together with the KKK and all the images that accompany a different period of segregation. You may think that gay marriage is just plain wrong. And frankly, I would like nothing more than to have this debate with you (though I wish it didn’t have to be through the comments section). But, in 50 years, we will have to explain to your grandchildren why we thought it was right to stop those who love each other from expressing that love, whether in the ceremony of marriage, or the sharing of property, or the decision to end their partner’s life with dignity. We will have to explain why we thought it was better to let thousands of children grow up in group homes and with abusive foster parents rather than in an environment of support and love, just because their would be two fathers or two mothers in that loving, supportive household. We will be praised for what we have accomplished, but we will also be shamed for the injustice we let continue.

In 50 years (and I hope it only takes that long) those who despised Sean Penn’s speech last night will be the minority, and Harvey Milk will no longer only be a hero to the gay community, but to the human community.

I invite everyone to take some time to think about what you believe, why you believe it, and how you will answer future generations when they ask you what and why this generation believed.