Best Achievement in Visual Effects

Who Will Win: John Knoll, Hal T. Hickel, Charles Gibson, Allen Hall (Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest)
Who Should Win: John Knoll, Hal T. Hickel, Charles Gibson, Allen Hall (Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest)

Who can resist the awe-inspiring effects that bombarded us in this year's top grossing film? It raked in over $1 billion dollars at the worldwide box office. Anyone want to take a guess at why? An insanely entertaining Johnny Depp, pulse pounding action and — you guessed it, some wicked cool special effects. If Superman Returns would have had more action, this one would have been close, but its not.

Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published

Who Will Win: William Monohan (The Departed)
Who Should Win: Sacha Baron Cohen, Anthony Hines, Peter Baynham, Dan Mazer, Todd Phillips (Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan)

Just like the editing award, this one will see Marty Scorsese's film garnering more gold. Monohan's adaptation of Infernal Affairs was exceptional. He captured the tension, got us involved in the lives of the characters and wrote some killer dialogue for ol' Jack Nicholson. But isn't it time that an award goes to a movie where two hairy, disgustingly naked men run ramped through a hotel lobby? I don't think the Academy will share that sentiment.

Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen

Who Will Win: Michael Arndt (Little Miss Sunshine)
Who Should Win: Michael Arndt (Little Miss Sunshine)

Maybe I am feeling a bit too agreeable, or maybe the Academy will get it right this year. The story of Little Miss Sunshine, illuminated by an outstanding cast, was what truly made this one of the best films of the year. First time screenwriter Michael Arndt deserves all the credit in the world for creating this charming and mostly dysfunctional portrait of the American family. Grandpa did coke, Olive shook her booty and the writer should damn-well get some praise.

Round One complete as we roll on toward the big night, Sunday February 25 at 6 PM (Eastern). That is this Sunday for those keeping score at home. Later I will examine the off-beat film categories, including Best Animated Feature, Best Documentary, and Best Foreign Language Film, so don't click too far away.