i agree with all of mr. sarris' choices except the acting, directing, and writing ones. 'juno' may well win precisely because of Elan Durham's point: it does not handle its dramatic situation in any way other than to use it as a device for all manner of hijinx. it has funny moments, but isn't as good as its ancestors, 'rushmore', 'election', and 'napoleon dynamite'. but it is now familiar and not new or interesting, so people find it comfortable and likable, and not something that actually confronts any reality on earth. you've gotta love a movie about a 16-year old carrying a baby full term with absolutely no downside other than frankie avalon going to the prom with shelly fabares instead of annette. olivia thirlby gives the finest performer in the movie, and of course she is not nominated. the notion that this is the best movie -- or movie-going experience -- of the year is regrettable. if you want a fun time at the movies (which, y'know, me too), then 'death proof' is the best movie of the year. if you want a great movie that people will watch years from now, like they do 'rear window' or '3 days of the condor', then the best film is 'michael clayton'. if you miss the 'phoebe has triplets' storyline on 'friends', then 'juno' is your movie (btw, i like lot of the writing on 'friends', just not that storyline).

film: michael clayton
actor: clooney
actress: christie
director: anderson
supp actor: hoffman
supp actress: swinton (there is acting and there is mimicry; swinton acts)
orig screenplay: ratatouille
adapted screenplay: atonement, which i didn't like much, but which will not be shut out