The nominees are pretty much what everybody said they were going to be.

With regard to Best Actor, can the fucking Academy possibly look to some new talent to bestow nominations upon instead of Jack Nicholson and Michael Caine? Good grief. Yes, they are both fine actors, but it's almost like sports where teams just keep recycling the same old coaches when there is a host of other talent out there.

One good choice was Adrien Brody. I have seen him in some other less known films including 'Liberty Heights' and 'Restaurant' and was very impressed with his acting.

Diane Lane was given a well deserved nomination for her role in 'Unfaithful', but she won't win. Nicole Kidman will. I guarantee it.

I haven't seen 'Chicago', but if it is anything like 'Moulin Rouge' then I hope it does not win. 'Moulin Rouge' received such glorious praise and I am going to be very blunt about that movie: IT SUCKED ASS. Now I don't like musicals to begin with, but I can, at the very least appreciate some of the older ones like 'The Sound of Music' or 'My Fair Lady.' 'Moulin Rouge' was just plain awful.

Chances are, Martin Scorsese will finally get his due, even though he is going to win for a movie that many have told me is not all that good. But the Academy is famous for "It's your turn" awards, and I suspect that they will reward him this time around, especially in light of the snub they gave him in 1980 when the overrated 'Ordinary People' won over the brilliant 'Raging Bull.'

Here are my predictions for who will win:

Best Picture: Gangs of New York

Best Director: Martin Scorsese

Best Actor: Adrien Brody (mostly because the other nominees have all won. Dark horse is Michael Caine who has two Oscars for Supporting Actor in 'Hannah and Her Sisters' and 'The Cider House Rules', but no wins for Best Actor)

Best Actress: Nicole Kidman (aka 'Let's give it to her and get it over with like we did with Julia Roberts')

Best Supporting Actor: Ed Harris (It's his turn to win something)

Best Supporting Actress: Meryl Streep (aka 'She's won before but we need to recognize her again' - see Jack Nicholson's win for 'As Good As It Gets)

Best Screenplay: Adaptation