6^th Annual Predict The Oscars! Contest

As usual, it's late but it was a good show and everything seemed to go off smoothly.  I guess we got an idea of what we would have seen if the strike hadn't ended but I'm sure we're all are glad it did.  Even though No Country For Old Men came in with the most awards (four), it didn't clean up the way many of our contestants seemed to think it would.  La Vie En Rose and The Bourne Ultimatum did better then I expected, winning everything whey were nominated for except Best Costume Design (La Vie En Rose) whereas Michael Clayton and Atonement each won just one Oscar out of the seven nominations they each received.

Anyway, things must have gone pretty much as expected, at least for some of you, because the scores this year are in line with previous contests.  With that said {drum roll, please}...

Our 2008 Predict The Oscars! Winners

I'd also like to give mention to Brian Buchana who also scored 76 points and to Ron Parres who was in first place until the last award but took a chance on Juno for Best Picture.

Finally, since it seems the thing to do tonight, I would like to thank everyone who participated in our contest this year; The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for putting the Awards together during difficult times, The Writers Guild of America, motion picture studios and television networks for coming to an agreement to end the three month strike; all the industry professionals who work tirelessly on and off the screen to bring us these fine motion pictures; and my wife Kathy, who supports me during the many hours required to host this site.

Bob Stanza, Editor - Predict The Oscars!

And The Show Goes On!

Well we may never know what the contingency plans for this year's Oscars were because everyone finally seems to have come to their senses or became more flexible or maybe just were running out of money, and the writers have agreed to a contract.  Last I heard about 90% of the celebrities and presenters were lined up so I guess it will be business as usual for the show.  I'm sure all our visitors and contest players share my feeling of happiness that the strike is finally over and Hollywood can get back to making shows!

I am a bit concerned though that, given the length of the strike, this year's television season is probably going to run into the summer and that may reduce the number of people going to summer films.  I also worry about what will actually be released in theatres late this year and early next and if the quality of the movies will suffer.  While the TV viewer saw the immediate impact of the WGA strike, the affect on feature films will not be known for sure until much later.

All the more reason to get out to the theatres now and see any of the fine films nominated for Oscars this year that you have missed.  As usual, most of those with nominations in multiple categories are still in current release.  Enjoy!

Predict The Oscars! Accounts

The option to set-up user accounts was added in a limited way last season so you could modify your ballot selections.  These have now been fully integrated into the site including options to review, print and modify your contest ballot, set-up private games for you and your friends and maintain your own Movie Log page.

What we're doing is making available to everyone the features we want for ourselves.  Simple as that.  There is no charge and of course we promise never to provide any membership information to others.

Help!

Since we now have a number of features that require your interaction we have started adding Help pages in case you aren't sure how to use them.  These aren't yet complete but many are available.  If you don't find what you're looking for you can still contact us using feedback for more information.

User Forum - Authorization Code

Even though I'm in the IT industry I sometimes find it amazing what can actually be accomplished.  The spam bots are getting more sophisticated every day.  So, I'm starting over with registrations.  If you are a real person and registered but didn't post anything I may have deleted your account.  Please understand that this was done in an attempt to keep the site appropriate for everyone.

To register you will now be required to enter an authorization code.  It is: 80th Oscars

Site Mission

The primary purpose of the Predict The Oscars! site is to increase appreciation of the motion picture arts.  As such it will focus on films, the film industry and the professional lives of those who make them.  It is not a fan page for a particular movie and will not report on the personal lives of actors.

As the title suggests, this site resulted from an annual contest to predict Academy Award winners.  Again this year you will be able to submit your predictions on-line and set up an account where you can review your predictions and submit movie reviews.