Cinema Lounge, a film discussion group, takes place at 7:00 PM at Barnes and Noble, 555 12th St., NW in Washington, DC (near the Metro Center Metro stop). The group meets informally on the second floor in the open dining area, seated at round dining tables. You do not need to be a member of the Washington DC Film Society to attend.

Cinema Lounge is moderated by Daniel R. Vovak.

Oscar Nominations--The Top Five

On January 12, 2009, we discussed our predictions for the Oscars.

Best Picture: The Dark Knight, Frost/Nixon, Milk, Slumdog Millionaire, The Strange Case of Benjamin Button. (With a protest against this one being included).

Best Director: Danny Boyle Slumdog Millionaire, David Fincher The Strange Case of Benjamin Button, Ron Howard Frost/Nixon, Christopher Nolan The Dark Knight, Gus Van Sant Milk. (With protest votes for Darren Aronofsky (The Wrestler) and Oliver Stone (W).

Best Actor: Clint Eastwood, Gran Torino, Frank Langella Frost/Nixon, Sean Penn Milk, Brad Pitt The Strange Case of Benjamin Button, Mickey Rourke The Wrestler. (With a protest vote for Richard Jenkins (The Visitor).

Best Actress: Anne Hathaway Rachel Getting Married, Angelina Jolie Changeling, Kristin Scott Thomas I've Loved You So Long, Meryl Streep Doubt, Kate Winslet Revolutionary Road. With a protest vote for Sally Hawkins (Happy-Go-Lucky).

Best Supporting Actor: Josh Brolin Milk, Robert Downey Jr. Tropic Thunder, Phillip Seymour Hoffman Doubt, Heath Ledger The Dark Knight, Dev Patel Slumdog Millionaire.

Best Supporting Actress: Amy Adams Doubt, Viola Davis Doubt, Taraji P. Henson The Strange Case of Benjamin Button, Marisa Tomei The Wrestler, Kate Winslet The Reader.

Most Embarrassing Media Moment: Sarah Palin "I can see Russia from my house"; Blago/Spitzer; Bush "Awesome Speech" to the Pope; SAG threatening to strike; Joaquin Phoenix retiring from acting to pursue music career.