Oscars Predictions...

[GT]

Ok, so the Academy awards are only a couple hours away...so here goes my predictions...let's see if I pass this year!

for full nominations list...go to http://www.imdb.com/features/rto/2004/oscars

BEST PICTURE: The Lord of the Rings
-since it's been snubbed for two years already, I think the academy is ready to recognize the whole series once and for all, though ROTK was probably the most flawed of the three.

BEST DIRECTOR: Peter Jackson for LOTR
-same as the reason above, Jackson's been snubbed for two years too.

BEST ACTOR: Bill Murray for Lost in Translation
-this was a two men race from the get-go between Murray and Sean Penn, and since Penn was never a fan of the Academy, it will probably go to Murray in this tight race.

BEST ACTRESS: Charlize Theron for Monster
-when beautiful celebrity make themselves ugly in order to play a character, the Academy watches. I am not saying that Theron doesn't deserve this, but maybe, just maybe, by changing her looks it made this an easier pick then it should be.

BEST Supporting ACTOR: Tim Robbins for Mystic River
-always the toughest category to predict since it's always loaded with seasoned veterans, but the Academy tend to like these broken soul characters, and Robbins did play it to a T.

BEST Supporting ACTRESS: Renee Zellweger for Cold Mountain
-if there was a lock for any of the awards, this was the one. Zellweger had this all packed up from months ago, anyone else winning this would be a huge surprise.

BEST Original SCREENPLAY: Lost in Translation
-it's won pretty much all the critics choice awards for screenplay, so this should be another easy prediction.

BEST Adapted SCREENPLAY: LOTR
-see other LOTR comments from above.

my other 'guesses'...
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: Master and Commander
BEST EDITING: LOTR
BEST ART DIRECTION: LOTR
BEST COSTUME DESIGN: LOTR
BEST MAKEUP: LOTR
BEST SCORE: Cold Mountain
BEST SONG: Cold Mountain
BEST SOUND: Master and Command
BEST SOUND EDITING: Master and Commander
BEST VISUAL: LOTR
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE: Finding Nemo
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM: The Barbarian Invasions (Canada!!! YEA!)

...ok let's leave the documentaries, short anime categories alone...