Oscars Best Picture is Slumdog Millionaire (VIDEO)

Slumdog Millionaire wins the best picture at the Academy Awards 2009. See the video trailer below and take the time to catch up with the other Best Picture nominees this year!The Academy Awards are fast approaching, so take a few minutes to get to know the five great films nominated for Best Picture.

Slumdog Millionaire, which is nominated for Oscars in 10 different categories, seems to be the clear favorite based on all the pre-Oscars award shows. The British flick is about a boy who grew up in the slums of Mumbai, India and gets the chance of a lifetime as a contestant on “Who Wants to be a Millionaire.” He is one question away from the big payout when the show must break for the evening. Officials are suspicious of how a nobody could have made it so far on the show, and they suspect him of cheating. The movie takes you on a tour of the boy’s life as he defends himself against the accusations.

Frost/Nixon, up for five Oscars, is, obviously, about American President Richard Nixon. The dialogue-heavy film, directed by Ron Howard, covers a series of interviews between Nixon and a British television presenter. The interviews take place several years after Nixon became the first President to resign from office. Critics say the film is both well-acted and well-written, and it has received a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Frank Langella scored himself a Best Actor nod for his role in the movie.

The Reader, also up for five Oscars, stars Kate Winslet. The film is about a secret love affair been a 15 year old boy and a much older woman that takes place in post WWII Germany. The odd couple met when the older woman assisted the young boy in recovering from scarlet fever. When he seeks her out to thank her for her kindness, a relationship blossoms, sparked by her love of him reading to her from various classics (hence the title). The woman mysteriously disappears after their affair, but turns up in the young boys life eight years later.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, up for a staggering 13 Oscars, stars Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett. Another period piece, this takes place as WWI is ending in New Orleans, Louisiana. Brad Pitt’s character is a bit of an oddity, as he ages backwards throughout his life. Brad earned a Best Actor nod for the film, and Taraji P. Henson is up for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Benjamin’s caretaker. Cate Blanchett plays Daisy, Benjamin’s love interest, who recounts the story of his life to her daughter through Benjamin’s diary.

Milk, nominated for eight Oscars, chronicles the life of Harvey Milk (Sean Penn), and his attempt to become the first openly gay elected official. Very relevant to today’s political climate, the film picks up with Milk’s 40th birthday and follows him until his untimely death. He leaves the closet and New York for San Francisco, and helps the growing gay community fight for their rights. His activism eventually turned to political aspirations as he runs for office. Whether in office or not, Milk became a voice for the gay community as he fought for rights against national anti-gay crusades. Penn scored himself a Best Actor nod for his portrayal of Milk.

Slumdog Millionaire Video