no doubt it will be Slumdog(adapted)…but in Original category the fight will be between the 3-Wall-E vs Milk vs In Bruges…

You are right on track, Brad.

Milk: right on, it is the only one nominated by the WGA.

Slumdog? Eh, probably. But I wouldn't mind Doubt or Frost/Nixon either.

Milk is definately going to to take original, and Slumdog is going to take adapted. Milk is going to take original beause a) it's a great movie, b) it's very political, and fits in well with the fight with prop.8, and c) nobody has seen In Bruges, so it's not going to win, and the academy isn't going to give a major category to an animated movie like WALL-E.

@Dan Tralder-I know u would not mind even if Hot Chicks have got nominated and won the award…man!!!!grow up…

ugh i really want in bruges to win original. And slumdog will inevitably win the latter

I will not be surprised if Wall-E wins it. The Kate Winslet theory (that she'll win Best Actress not only for her great perf. in the reader, but also to honor her great body of work thus far) might apply here as well. Toy Story, Nemo, Incredibles, Ratatouille, and now Wall-E, all garnered screenplay nominations. How long can the Academy possibly wait to award those guys at Pixar with a win outside the animation and technical categories? Obviously many of them don't have the stomach (yet) to nominate one of their films for Best Picture, so this may be the next best thing. That might play a role here. I will have no problem if Wall-E or In Bruges pulls it off. I think along with Milk, they are pretty much neck and neck.

You guys don't know anything about the category. Milk has a 95% shot at winning. WALL-E doesn't stand a chance.

Milk is not a foregone conclusion for Orig. Screenplay. Remember, Brokeback Mtn. lost when many thought it was a foregone conclusion for best picture. Orig. Screenplay is probably the only exciting category left wherein it's pretty much a toss up. Milk, Wall-E, and In Bruges are all worthy of it.

I think you all just want WALL-E or In Bruges to win because they are mainstream, and are kidding yourselves into thinking WALL-E or In Bruges could actually win. Milk has been sweeping the screenplay awards so far. Grow up, everyone!

Milk's screenplay was good, but was not "that good". Even if does win-which I think will happen-it doesn't necessarily mean it's the best of the group, what it will say is voters just stuck to convention and what's "academy material" as proven in past years. I will not begrudge a win by In Bruges or Wall-E-as a matter of fact, I'll applaud it-and it will not be a stunning upset in my eyes like Crash winning over Brokeback Mtn. Those 2 films are getting plenty of support for their respective screenplays not because they are "mainstream" but because both are exemplary works period.

I'm sure Adapted will go to Slumdog because it's just going to dominate the Oscars no matter what. Which is unfortunate because it's extremely overrated. I think Doubt was a much better Adapted Screenplay. But I think that WALL-E will take Original Screenplay, and if not that then Milk. I think Milk is a bit more deserving, though.

Oh, and another point? When was the last time a movie not nominated for best picture won original screenplay, hmm? This is Milk's for the taking.

@Bustray: 2004: "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind".

@Bustray: Ratatouille last year.

@Bustray: Although I do agree that Milk will take it in the end; but I honestly wouldn't be surprised if Wall*E or In Bruges won neither.

@William: Well, Ratatouille was nominated for best orig. screenplay, but didn't win (Diablo Cody's, Juno, took that award).

I thought Milk was a great movie, but it didn't scream for a domination over this award category in my opinion. Of course it is doing well so far "sweeping the awards," but I'm pulling for In Bruges. I also really admired the Happy-Go-Lucky screenplay (maybe because I, too, am someone who needs to "grow up" Bustray), although from what I've read Mike Leigh's philosophy on developing the screenplay could be called a collaborative effot , and the movie itself didn't get much attention from the Academy.

I suppose we'll see! My fingers are crossed for In Bruges or Happy-Go-Lucky.

This category is really one of the only few categories with some suspense left. While Milk's screenplay was solid indeed, I kinda lean towards that of Wall-E and In Bruges.

@Bustray:

2004: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless mind
2000: Almost Famous
1995: The Usual Suspects.

None of them were nominated for Best Picture but won original screenplay. The Usual Suspects actually beat the eventual Best Picture winner (Braveheart), while Almost Famous also beat the eventual best picture winner (Gladiator) as well as another fellow Best Picture nominee (Erin Brockovich)

don't forget in 2003, TALK TO HER won original screenplay over best picture nominee GANGS OF NEW YORK.

Alright, you win… but it does improve Milk's chances. It shows it has lots of support from the academy. Sorry if I'm sounding offensive to any of you guys. I'm just pretty sure Milk is going to win here.

Historically, when there's only one Best Picture nominee in a writing category it automatically wins regardless of the competition (Ghost anyone?), but in recent years the Academy has shown itself to be a little more flexible (kind of like how half of the number of times Oscar and DGA didn't match have been in the last 10 years). Slumdog has adapted wrapped up. Milk, in theory, should also win because it's the only WGA nominee in the category and it just won that award. The dark horse here is WALL-E. Having to rely more on action than dialogue to tell your story is always an impressive feat; however, I'm going with Milk for the win.

For some reason I think Wall-E will win best orignal screenplay. In bruges is close second but seeing it as it's ONLY nominee ahhh I dnt think so.

Slumdog for adapted. No doubt

MY HOPES:

Milk-for best orginal. It was an incredible screenplay and great movie.

Ben Button for best adapted- Turned a short story to an EPIC. uhhhh yea….
OR
Doubt-it's one liners were great

Now I loved Benjamin Button and believe that the screenplay was amazing, and sure there were some similarities to Forrest Gump, but its still an amazing piece of art. But from the hype I've been hearing about Slumdog Millionaire, you have to be crazy to not pick it.

For Original Screenplay, In Bruges was great. It was tragic, hilarious, and just incredible. It will win for sure.

ADAPTED SCRENPLAY: Slumdog Millionaire

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: Wall·e or Milk

Doubt is an amazing screenplay. It's layered and nuanced and allows the themes of the film to play through the audience. One liners? I'd say multiple lines stacked neck deep. Show me a scene in Slumdog Millionaire that can possibly stack up to the emotional cartwheel of the scene between Streep and Davis. That was just one dialogue among many in the film.

Seriously, I wouldn't be surprised if Simon Beaufoy wins the prize, but if people are paying attention, Shanley should be in the hunt.

I'd love to see Stanton/Reardon pull off the writing prize. Wall-e works on multiple levels and does everything effortlessly. Having your main character's goals dictate the action and parallel greater themes is no easy task. In my mind, it is far more original and complex than inserting words into the life of a real person and story (Milk).

A similar argument could be made for In Bruges (McDonagh). The film is a simple story, but one told with great originality, memorable characters, and emotions that are all over the map.

Historically, the Original Screenplay award often goes to a film that resonates with a wider, somewhat different sensibility than that of the Best Picture category.

One interesting note: Milk is the only screenplay of the 5 that was also nominated for the WGA award. Make of that what you will. I tend to believe that the Oscar voting is an entirely different ball game.