*Winner is highlighted in red.

Ty Burr says ...
Danny Boyle will continue his victory march, and that’s fine, but remember that “Slumdog Millionaire” depends for much of its impact on the crafts of cinematography, editing, and music. (And what about “codirector” Loveleen Tandan? Where was she packed off to?) “Milk,” by contrast, is a standard Great Man biopic revitalized by a gifted filmmaker at the top of his game.
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Will win
Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire -
Should win
Gus Van Sant, Milk
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Shouldn't be here
Stephen Daldry, The Reader -
Was robbed
Christopher Nolan, The Dark Knight

Wesley Morris says ...
Snooze. Predictably, all five of these guys have been nominated for some of their most ostensibly accessible work. “Benjamin Button” is nothing if not a feat of craftsmanship but it lacks David Fincher’s vision. Gus Van Sant, while having made a movie biography, applies enough avant-garde and real human energy to qualify as inventive. But Danny Boyle’s bulldozing insistence on the triumph of good cheer over everything else wins.
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Will win
Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire -
Should win
Gus Van Sant, Milk
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Shouldn't be here
Ron Howard, Frost/Nixon -
Was robbed
Christopher Nolan, The Dark Knight

Danny Boyle

Slumdog Millionaire



Stephen Daldry

The Reader



David Fincher

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button



Gus Van Sant

Milk

