My Oscar Predictions

Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
The nominees are: Judi Dench (Mrs. Henderson Presents), Felicity Huffman (Transamerica), Keira Knightley (Pride & Prejudice), Charlize Theron (North Country) and Reese Witherspoon (Walk the Line)

Prediction: My heart goes with Reese Witherspoon (Walk the Line) but it would be damn nice to see Judi Dench beat the 'kids' again.

Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
The nominees are: Amy Adams (Junebug), Catherine Keener (Capote), Francis McDormand (North Country), Rachel Weisz (The Constant Gardener) and Michelle Williams (Brokeback Mountain)

Prediction:This is one tough category to prediction, every nomination is a contender but I have to go with Catherine Keener (Capote) after making The 40 Year Old Virgin and Death to Smoochy she should be rewarded for perseverence.

Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
The nominees are: Philip Seymour Hoffman (Capote), Terrence Howard (Hustle & Flow), Heath Ledger (Brokeback Mountain), Joaquin Phoenix (Walk the Line) and David Strathairn (Good Night, and Good Luck)

This looks to be the year for Brokeback Mountain, but I'm putting my money on the underdog Philip Seymour Hoffman (Capote).

Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
The nominees are: George Clooney (Syriana), Matt Dillon (Crash), Paul Giamatti (Cinderella Man), Jake Gyllenhaal (Brokeback Mountain) and William Hurt (A History of Violence)

My Pick:Paul Giamatti deserves the win after two consecutive snubs for American Splendor and Sideways.

Achievement in Directing
The nominees are: Ang Lee (Brokeback Mountain), Bennett Miller (Capote), Paul Haggis (Crash), George Clooney (Good Night, and Good Luck) and Steven Spielberg (Munich)

Prediction:Ang Lee should take this one but Clooney could be the dark horse. How does Lee go from directing crap like Incredible Hulk to this gem?

Best Motion Picture of the Year
The nominees are: Brokeback Mountain, Capote, Crash, Good Night, and Good Luck and Munich.

Prediction:I'm a sucker for a good historical biopic so I love this years crop of films. Again money is on Brokeback Mountain but I'm going to go with Munich, Steven Spielberg shows why he is the best director today Geoffrey Rush is incredible.

Best Foreign Language Film of the Year
The nominees are: Don’t Tell, Joyeux Noël, Paradise Now, Sophie Scholl — The Final Days and Tsotsi.

Prediction:I haven't seen any of these films so I have to go with the story that has the strongest impact on me and Paradise Now's portrayal of the Israel-Palestine conflict does that.

Best Documentary Feature
The nominees are: Darwin’s Nightmare, Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room, March of the Penguins, Murderball and Street Fight.

Prediction:After reading each of the plot outlines for each film, Murderball's portrayal of quadriplegics who play full-contact rugby in Mad Max-style wheelchairs,overcoming unimaginable obstacles to compete in the Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece, seems the most intriguing. But, the envirourment is still a hot issue so both Darwin's Nightmare, dealing with the complete anilation of Tanzania's fishing industry by preditory fish introduced by European vessels and Enron both have strong chances.