It is my belief that this is one of the me weakest categories of this year's Oscars. Hanks, Harris, Rush and Crowe were all very very solid in their respective films, but only Javier Bardem was remarkable. Meanwhile the notable absence of both Michael Douglas (WONDER BOYS) and Jamie Bell (BILLY ELLIOT). The Academy rarely awards the best performance in this category, so Bardem is unlucky this year. Hanks has won too often, but the weight loss thing is something Academy Voters tend to always appreciate and note. Ed Harris would be a major outside chance. Crowe would only win if there is GLADIATOR fever on this night. Geoffrey Rush could possibly run off with this. But frankly this category is so weak that it is very very difficult to decide. But just cause I must, I say RUSH will win.

It'll be a race between Dafoe and Benicio. And given that Benicio got a SAG nomination for BEST ACTOR for this part, that show the level of support for him amongst the actors, add to that the fact that he had multiple roles this year that were all exceptional and that he is quickly becoming an Actor's Actor... It is my belief that he will win and actually deserves it. However, my giddy joyful heart side dearly want Willem Dafoe to win. Joaquin Phoenix's nomination has continually vexed me. Finney has had far superior work. And Jeff Bridges' THE CONTENDER could be one of those 'Kevin Kline-Fish Called Wanda' moments, but I hope not. Go Benicio!

Julia Roberts will win. The reason? She was very very good in ERIN BROCKOVICH, but mostly because the Academy voters would love to see her acceptence speech. They want to watch her cry and smile and be beside herself. Nevermind the FACT that Ellen Burstyn turned in one of the single greatest performances in the history of cinema and hands down deserves to win in the worst possible way. If Binoche wins, then Harvey has surely perfected the art of phoning in oscars. Joan Allen was strong in CONTENDER but no where near where that film needed to take her to win. And Laura Linney was exceptional in YOU CAN COUNT ON ME, but her campaign is harder to sell. You Oscar Voters... Vote for Burstyn!

Kate and Frances cut each other out by dividing the Academy vote. Of the remaining candidates, Judi Dench will have the strongest Academy campaign complements of Harvey and Miramax. However, the Best Supporting Actress category has a noted history of going weird and odd and against all the rules. I could see Julie Walters picking up the 'Billy Elliot' award, Marcia would be a surprise... But given I never ever get this category right as it is always the last person in the world I would pick in a logical way. I'm just going to say that Kate Hudson will win because she is an angel worthy of such adoration. Though I would cheer if Julie Walters won.

It is my belief that the simple elegance of CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON will pull this category and win.

In my opinion, the award should go hands dow to O BROTHER and Roger Deakins should win this award. The lush use of color and the beautiful intoxicating glory of the images in this film should garner the win. Unless the sheer epic size and scope of CROUCHING TIGER sweeps everyone away (as it should) and it wins. Prediction? CROUCHING TIGER

This goes to HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS. The fantastical and beautiful use of colors and fabrics to create a surrealists dream clothing will triumph.

The Dual Soderbergh nominations will cancel one another out. Daldry's lack of a Best Picture nom kills him. And in a race between Riley Scott and Ang Lee.... Ang Lee is going to win this one. And frankly, Ang deserves to win. This category would have been impossible to predict had Cameron Crowe been rightfully nominated in Soderbergh's BROCKOVICH's place. Dead Heat. Really hot contest, but alas... this is an easy category like this.

INTO THE ARMS OF STRANGERS will win hands down. You'll see. Though I greatly prefer SOUND AND FURY, and of course as is usual, the best documentary of the year, DARK DAYS, is not even nominated. At least they are consistent!

TRAFFIC will win this award. Trust me.

The downfall of CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON's best picture nom is here. It will win this category about 2000 to one. But because it was nominated here... it loses the big prize.

What the hell? THE CELL can now be called an Academy Award Nominated film.... UGH! Hanks' make up in Castaway was far better. But this is Rick Baker's award and next year when his Apes level off against the Mason Verger make up.... that's a race.

Crouching Tiger wins this award. Those strings resonate in the soul... the music is so hauntingly a part of the film that it must win.

Will Dylan beat Bjork again? I think Bjork is going to win this one. (actually El Cosmico made me say that!)

Alright... this is the category that we will be screaming about for years to come. Traffic and Brockovich will again cancel one another out. Crouching Tiger is crippled by the FOREIGN FILM nomination. Leaving GLADIATOR and CHOCOLAT to level off with one another. Now... in head to head match-ups DREAMWORKS and MIRAMAX have had a brutal fighting history. I hold that a certain amount of the GLADIATOR audience will be swooned to CROUCHING TIGER.... and the Miramax contingent will be left with an open run into the bank vault. Against everything I want to happen I predict that Harvey pulls off the greatest hat trick ever and runs off with BEST PICTURE. Though if God exists ALMOST FAMOUS and CROUCHING TIGER will be tied in an amazing Write-In voting flurry. I'm rooting for CTHD... In a fight between CHOCOLAT and GLADIATOR, I hope GLADIATOR wins... My heart weeps for Soderbergh... VOTE FOR CTHD... it is the best picture... and language should not be a part of this.

PERFECT STORM wins this. I've just got a feeling.

The Weakest category ever. I abstain.

PERFECT STORM will win.

Chocolat stole VIRGIN SUICIDES' nom... bastards... But TRAFFIC will win the prize here.

And Cameron Crowe will win this one. You'll see.