Surprise, Surprise, Surprise. The Oscar's got quite a bit right this year.

Best Picture:

I'm very pleased with the eleven nominations for "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" my pick to win). Thrilled that "Lost in Translation" was nominated for Best Picture, and that "Mystic River" is also in that category. I have no desire to see "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World". I'm not a huge Russell Crowe fan in epics; I loved him in "The Insider" and "Beautiful Mind". "Seabiscut" just bored me to tears.

Animated Feature Film:

"Finding Nemo" is all I have to say. If this category didn't exist, it would be up for Best Picture.

Director:

I haven't seen "City of God" (Fernando Meirelles) yet or "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World" (Peter Weir), so I can't comment on those. Props to Sofia Coppola for being the third female to be nominated for Best Director. Clint Eastwood deserved the nomination - if only for getting amazing performances out of the entire cast. Peter Jackson obviously deserves this award.

Actor:

Completely solid category. It's going to be a toss up between Bill Murray and Sean Penn. Neither are that well liked by the Hollywood masses, but the gave the best performances of the year. Johnny Depp was too off the wall. Ben Kingsley has proven once again what a fantastic actor he is. He delivered a great performance in "House of Sand and Fog", but the film itself got mixed reviews. Jude Law gave a solid performance, but it's not his time.

Actress:

I just rented "Whale Rider", and Keisha Castle-Hughes is what makes this film so touching. I haven't seen "In America (Samantha Morton), so can't comment on her. Diane Keaton for "Something's Gotta Give". I love her, and she was funny/touching. She's Charlize's only competition. Naomi Watts proved that "Mullholland Drive" wasn't a fluke. Ms. Theron was fucking brilliant in "Monster". That's all I have to say.

Supporting Actor:

I've only seen "21 Grams" and "Mystic River", so I can't comment on Alec Baldwin ("The Cooler"), Djimon Hounsou ("In America"), and Ken Wantabe ("The Last Samuri"). Benicio was bizarre/brilliant in "21 Grams". His performance actually kind of freaked me out. Tim Robbins was gave another tremendous performance in "Mystic River". I'll give Tim Robbins the edge in this category.

Supporting Actress:

I haven't seen Patricia Clarkson's film "Pieces of April", but she always delivers and exceptional performance (so I'm sure she was good). Shohreh Aghdashloo was heartbreaking in "House of Sand and Fog". Marcia Gay Harden gave an outstanding performance in "Mystic River". Her transformation from timid to outright fearful is amazing. Holly Hunter gives another great Holly Hunter performance, but not many people saw "Thirteen". Renee Zellweger gave an overwrought performance in "Cold Mountain". She's the only one I think doesn't deserve to win, but has the greatest chance of winning. Sad. My hopes rest on Marcia Gay Harden and Shohreh Aghdashloo.

On the must see list before the Oscar ceremony: In America, City of God, Pieces of April.

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