Best Actress: Hillary Swank is the only one who has any buzz, but I would welcome any other selection even though the only other performance I saw was by Kate Winslet. Actually, all five performances should receive an award in comparison to Julia Roberts who got one just for showing up in Erin Brockovich and revealing some cleavage. A stain on the Oscar that will never be washed away when they overlooked Ellen Burstyn's brilliant performance in Requiem From A Dream.

Best Supporting Actor: Thomas Haden Church has been winning a lot of awards, but I would put money on Morgan Freeman. However, if Jamie Foxx wins for Collateral, Clint is a shoe-in for Best Actor. That will be the time for some mid-show wagering if you can find any takers looking for action.

Best Supporting Actress: There are still some people in the Academy who worked with Hepburn, so I'm giving this to Blanchett for her wonderful interpretation that captures Hepburn's character without crossing over into a Martin Short, head-shaking parody.

Best Director: The Academy will get it wrong yet again and make the mistake of honoring Scorsese for one of his lesser efforts. This won't make up for the fact that they blew it when Redford and Costner beat Marty out. Was there anyone clamoring for the release of Ordinary People on DVD to hear the commentary track? Marty should reject it if he wins. I would much rather be in the group of directors like Hitchcock, Kubrick and Hawks who have never won.

Best Original Screenplay: The writers almost always get it right and what could be more original than Eternal Sunshine?

Best Adapted Screenplay: Sideways will get a bone thrown its way with this award.

The rest that nobody cares about except industry folk and their families: The Aviator will win a majority of the technical awards.

Lastly, here's my lock of the night to help with your office pool. Documentary Short Subject: Sister Rose's Passion. A film about Sister Rose Thering whose determination to fight anti-Semitism led her to take an active part in Vatican II and to denounce Church doctrine blaming the Jews for Jesus's death. Those who pay attention to Oscar history know this subject matter always plays well.

Before the night is over I'm sure I'll be disappointed by many of the choices made, yet I'll be glued to my television set like I am every year. The saving grace is that I'm throwing a movie-themed potluck and I anticipate many people bringing Sideways Pinot Noirs, which, aside from Chris Rock's monologue should temper my mood. For the truly curious, I'm serving Silence of the Lamb Kebobs.

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