I have somehow lost respect for the Oscars over the last few years (because of the many make-up-for not-getting-it-last-year-awards) but I watch it every year nonetheless!
When I heard the nominations I thought "wow, they're so predictable this year!", but after reading this thread I am not so sure anymore.
Anyway, my guesses are Philip Seymour Hoffman for Best Actor, BBM for both picture and direction (unless they decide to "split" it like they tend to do lately) and Felicity Huffmann for best actress (I am a big fan of Reese Witherspoon but I don'think she'll get it). And the sup. actors will probably be Rachel Weisz and...the other one I don't know, I would like to say G.Clooney but I guess it depends on what he gets in the other categories, so it's probably Giamatti (see, that's exactly whay I hate the Oscars! it's always so calculated and like "
Hey, Russel, you dind't get it last year for the Insider, where you really deserved it, have it this year for The Gladiator where you had some pretty ridiculous lines".
Sorry for the long post, but I really agree with some of the above posters about it being a weak year for women. I mean , what's with Judi Dench almost every year?? And Charlize Theron?? I mean, come on! I was already disappointed with her superficial win for the Monster (I know I may be eaten up for this, but I really could not stand her- it was so "look, I am acting so well! I gained 60 pounds! That must have turned me into a good actress!").I am totally against the Academy's fascination about actors getting ugly. IMO, really good acting implies that you don't really have to do anything of the kind. Tom Hanks hardly ever changes his looks and yet he's convincing in every single role.
I liked Kiera Knightley in P&P though, even though I am not a fan of hers. But Laura Linney is constantly robbed.
Sorry for writing so much, I hope I didn't offend anyone with my views..
