Once again, it’s that time of year. At 8 p.m. Sunday at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles, the 78th Annual Academy Awards will give the world its much needed glamour and glitz fix.
Expect very little in the way of surprises as the big surprise is most of the nominees were seen by a fairly small portion of America. Here are my picks, with an overview of each category.
Best Picture
The Nominees
"Brokeback Mountain"
"Crash"
"Good Night, and Good Luck"
"Capote"
"Munich"
If any category is a done deal it’s this one. "Brokeback Mountain" has won just about every award, but "Crash" could break through, although it’s not likely. The rest are just happy to be here, although "Munich" could pull off a win, though, again, it’s not too likely.
Who will win: "Brokeback Mountain"
Most likely upset: "Crash"
Stranger things have happened: "Munich"
Best Actor
The Nominees
Philip Seymour Hoffman, "Capote"
Heath Ledger, "Brokeback Mountain"
Terrence Howard, "Hustle & Flow"
Joaquin Phoenix, "Walk the Line"
David Strathairn, "Good Night, and Good Luck"
Don’t be deceived by the groundswell for "Brokeback Mountain." This category belongs to Hoffman, the longtime stage actor who has distinguished himself in numerous character turns on film. He has snagged almost every award he’s been up for, but Howard is surprisingly handicapped in Vegas behind Hoffman and Ledger.
Who will win: Hoffman
Most likely upset: Ledger
Stranger things have happened: Howard
Best Actress
The Nominees
Reese Witherspoon, "Walk the Line"
Felicity Huffman, "Transamerica"
Keira Knightley, "Pride & Prejudice"
Judi Dench, "Mrs. Henderson Presents"
Charlize Theron, "North Country"
With the exception of Best Supporting Actress, this is probably the closest race. Witherspoon and Huffman have been taking turns winning the big awards all season. Dench and Theron are long shots, but Knightley could benefit from split votes.
Who will win: Witherspoon
Most likely upset: Huffman
Stranger things have happened: Knightley
Best Supporting Actor
The Nominees
Paul Giamatti, "Cinderella Man"
George Clooney, "Syriana"
Matt Dillon, "Crash"
Jake Gyllenhaal, "Brokeback Mountain"
William Hurt, "A History of Violence"
This is between Giamatti, who finally gets a supporting actor nod after being overlooked twice for Best Actor, and Clooney. All the others are worthy, but it’s probably not their year.
Who will win: Giamatti
Most likely upset: Clooney
Stranger things have happened: Hurt
Best Supporting Actress
The Nominees
Rachel Weisz, "The Constant Gardener"
Michelle Williams, "Brokeback Mountain"
Amy Adams, "Junebug"
Catherine Keener, "Capote"
Frances McDormand, "North Country"
Out of all the categories, this is shaping up to be the most exciting. Although, at first, Weisz seemed the frontrunner, Williams could get swept up in the "Brokeback Mountain" coattails and Adams is getting a lot of buzz right now.
Who will win: Weisz
Most likely upset: Williams
Stranger things have happened: Adams
Best Director
The Nominees
Ang Lee, "Brokeback Mountain"
Paul Haggis, "Crash"
George Clooney, "Good Night, and Good Luck"
Bennett Miller, "Capote"
Steven Spielberg, "Munich"
Lee is the overwhelming favorite, but could get some competition from Haggis.
Who will win: Lee
Most likely upset: Haggis
Stranger things have happened: Spielberg
