My Peterio Awards (Part Forty-Seven: Best Ensemble Performance In a Film)

Never letting go the connection of a complicated family dynamic with more baggage than most, the cast of Rachel Getting Married maintained the tricky balance of self-assurance and reliance on one another without ever overshadowing the delicate, beautiful story.

Other Notable Nominees: Burn After Reading, Frost/Nixon, Milk & Revolutionary Road

My Peterio Awards (Part Forty-Six: Best Film Actor in a Leading Role)

“You’re an empty, empty, hallow, shallow of a woman. What the hell are you doing in my house if you hate me so much?”

Much like his counterpoint in Revolutionary Road, Leonardo DiCaprio bares his soul in his best performance yet. The amount of sympathy garnered from his dominant character under attack is simply grand and unmatched.

Other Notable Nominees: Richard Jenkins (The Visitor), Philip Seymour Hoffmann (Doubt), Sean Penn (Milk) & Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler)

My Peterio Awards (Part Forty-Five: Best Film Actress In a Leading Role)

“But I don’t. I hate you. You were just some boy who made me laugh at a party once and now I loathe the sight of you.”

The greatest performance of her already accomplished career, Kate Winslet became the ultimate desperate housewife who wants something less ordinary by bringing complexity of her character’s search for unbeknown joy and happiness in Revolutionary Road.  

Other Notable Nominees: Anne Hathaway (Rachel Getting Married), Sally Hawkins (Happy-Go-Lucky), Melissa Leo (Frozen River) & Meryl Streep (Doubt)

My Peterio Awards (Part Forty-Four: Best Film Actor in a Supporting Role)

“You want order in Gotham? Batman must take off his mask and turn himself in.... or everyday he doesn’t, people will die.”

It is hard to imagine a more iconic screen role this year than the one created by Heath Ledger. The commitment of insanity and intelligence inserted into a character known for 50 years is something the world has never seen and might never see again.

Other Notable Nominees: Colin Farrell (Cassandra's Dream), Bill Irwin (Rachel Getting Married), David Kross (The Reader) & Dev Patel (Slumdog Millionaire)

My Peterio Awards (Part Forty-Three: Best Film Actress In A Supporting Role)

“Thank you, but we do not fly off to make love with whoever invites us to charming little Spanish towns.”

Deadpanning Woody Allen’s humor while bringing tremendous soul to a comedy of love, life and what could’ve been, the underutilized Rebecca Hall flexes her acting muscles in this poignant role.

Other Notable Nominees: Penelope Cruz (Vicky Cristina Barcelona), Rosemarie DeWitt (Rachel Getting Married), Marisa Tomei (The Wrestler) & Misty Upham (Frozen River)

My Peterio Awards (Part Forty-Two: Best Film Direction)

Navigating through a timeline of an underdog with ease while getting great performances from actors whose characters can easily be done one-noted, Danny Boyle surged ahead of the pact with his heartfelt imagery to this rags-to-riches tale that had me feeling I won that 20 million rupees myself.

Other Notable Nominees: Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight), James Marsh (Man On Wire), Woody Allen (Vicky Cristina Barcelona) & Andrew Stanton (Wall-E)

My Peterio Awards (Part Forty-One: Best Original Screenplay)

INT. FROZEN RIVER- NIGHT

Ray speeds up. Faint tire tracks appear in the distance.

LILA (CONT'D)

Slow down, I don’t want to run over it. 

Suspense and drama of two character’s quest for survival never backs down in this integral plot of people out of luck with decisions to make in Courtney Hunt's Frozen River.

Other Notable Nominees: Cassandra's Dream, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, The Visitor & Wall-E

My Peterio Awards (Part Forty: Best Adapted Screenplay)

INT. STUDIO

Jamal contemplates on what his host told him earlier. He is determined.

HOST

What do you think? Decision time.

Adapting what is a basically a game show novel is hard enough, but adding elements as rich as ones presented and losing any spark is just pure screenwriting genius from Slumdog Millionaire scribe Simon Beaufoy.

Other Notable Nominees: Doubt, Frost/Nixon, The Reader & Revolutionary Road