My Dream Supporting Lineups for 2009

I gave up on Oscar predicting this year because a) there are a multitude of sites out there who do it better and more in depth than myself and b) I was quickly growing bored with it. It gets exhausting predicting the same 8 names all year, you guys! So, while I don't do that anymore, I thought about a couple of weeks or so ago that it would be fun just to make up random lineups that I would kill to see from this year's crop of Oscar contenders. The lead categories seem too cut and dry at this point with only a few legitimate contenders (we'll have to wait until Toronto ends for the true buzz to begin) so I wanted to dig through the supporting categories since they offer a wider array of actors in different films. I only had two rules when picking my linueps: one, the film actually has to have a legitimate chance (as of right now) at the Oscars (goodbye Sunshine Cleaning, Brothers Bloom and Funny People) and two, the performance doesn't necessarily matter--it's pretty much all about how I feel about the actor and the role. Whether it's because they're one of my favorite working actors, an underrated up-and-comer or just plain sexy, these are who I think would make the ideal supporting lineups this year at the Academy Awards

Best Supporting Actress

Mariah Carey, Precious
Wouldn't this be a great "fuck you" to all the assholes who burned her when Glitter came out? Plus, I hear she's legitimately good in this movie! It also doesn't hurt that I've loved Mariah for most of my life (seriously).

Penélope Cruz, Nine
The sexiest working actress today singing and dancing in sexy outfits. Yes please.
Dame Judi Dench, Nine
She is Dame Judi fucking Dench for Christ's sake. Do you even have to ask with me?
Anna Kendrick, Up in the Air
I have been talking about this young actress for ages now and it seems like she will finally get her due in the loudly buzzing Up in the Air. Maybe the stars will actually align for her and she will sneak in this category.
Mo'Nique, Precious
The star of Beauty Shop and Phat Girlz with an Oscar nomination (and possible win)? Only in America, my friend.

Best Supporting Actor

Daniel Brühl, Inglourious Basterds
He's so pretty. All pretty people should get Oscar noms (especially when they're young and pretty).
Nicholas Hoult, A Single Man
He's also very pretty and, along with Kendrick, I feel like I've been talking about him for awhile. (And, on a side note, I love how everyone "discovered" A Single Man this past week after its Venice win when myself and A Blog Next Door have been talking about it since February and December of last year, respectively)
James McAvoy, The Last Station
Pretty. And he's been great in so many things without getting any due acclaim.
Joel McHale, The Informant!
The hilarious host of E!'s clip show The Soup with an Oscar nomination? Be still my beating heart.
Christoph Waltz, Inglourious Basterds
He's just so goddamned good, that's why.