The Oscars- Who's Going To Win?

It's that time of year again when all of Hollywood's finest and most glamorous descend on the Shrine Auditorium for the world-famous Academy Awards ceremony, otherwise known as the Oscars.

Generally there is always a hot favourite, which all the critics tip to sweep the board. However this year is probably the most exciting 'Oscars' in a long time, as there is no clear favourite, which means a more unpredictable and surprising night. So without further ado, here are the nominations for the 73rd Annual Academy Awards with my predictions of who's going to win and my personal choice, as they always get it wrong.

Best Film

Nominees:
Chocolat
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Erin Brockovich
Gladiator
Traffic

Predicted Winner: Gladiator
My Choice: Traffic...why do we have the mediocre Chocolat in here when Almost Famous, The Wonder Boys and Requiem for a Dream are all superior and not nominated?

Best Actor in a Leading Role

Nominees:
Javier Bardem - Before Night Falls
Russell Crowe- Gladiator
Tom Hanks - Cast Away
Ed Harris - Pollock
Geoffrey Rush - Quills

Predicted Winner: probably Tom Hanks, although he doesn't deserve it
My Choice: Russell Crowe...and why wasn't Michael Douglas nominated?

Best Actress in a Leading Role

Nominees:
Joan Allen - The Contender
Juliette Binoche - Chocolat
Ellen Burstyn - Requiem for a Dream
Laura Linney - You Can Count On Me
Julia Roberts - Erin Brockovich

Predicted Winner: Julia Roberts...this is a dead cert
My Choice: Ellen Burstyn

Best Director:

Nominees:
Stephen Daldry - Billy Elliot
Ang Lee - Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Ridley Scott - Gladiator
Steven Soderbergh - Erin Brockovich
Steven Soderbergh - Traffic

Predicted Winner: Ang Lee - Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon...This would be really cool
My Choice: Steven Soderbergh - Traffic... I love Crouching Tiger but I think that Soderbergh deserves it but won't get it as having two nominated films splits the vote.

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

Nominees:
Jeff Bridges - The Contender
Willem Dafoe - Shadow of a Vampire
Benicio Del Toro - Traffic
Albert Finney - Erin Brockovich
Joaquin Phoenix - Gladiator

Predicted Winner: Benico Del Toro...another dead cert
My Choice: Benicio Del Toro...they've actually got it right for this one

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

Nominees:
Judi Dench - Chocolat
Marcia Gay Harden - Pollock
Kate Hudson - Almost Famous
Frances McDormand - Almost Famous
Julie Walters - Billy Elliot

Predicted Winner: Judi Dench or Julie Walters
My Choice: Kate Hudson...everybody's fave but will the Academy agree?

So that's the main categories how about a few of the others:

Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen: 
Nominees:
Almost Famous - Predicted Winner and My Choice, Billy Elliot, Erin Brockovich, Gladiator, You Can Count On Me

Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published:
Nominees:
Chocolat, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, O Brother, Where Art Thou?, Traffic - Predicted Winner, Wonder Boys - My Choice

Best Cinematography:
Nominees:
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Gladiator - predicted winner, Malena, O Brother, Where Art Thou? - My Choice, The Patriot,

So there we have it, all will be decided on Sunday 25th March. Tune in to see 'the' Celebrity Awards Show of the Year but we warned it's long over-emotional, over-long and over the top and, oh yeah, if you live in the UK you'll have to stay up to 5' in the morning.

Oscars Links:

Official Site

Play the prediction game and win prizes

Really cool info on the IMDB

IMDB Oscar Profiles

by ChrisM