Here are my picks. Can't wait to see how they shape up.

Best Picture

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Lost in Translation
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Mystic River
Seabiscuit

Commentary: I haven't seen "Mystic River" or "Master and Commander." But regardless, I think that "Lord of the Rings" is going to win it all. The only model that really holds up is comparing 1977 when a movie like "Annie Hall" beat the original "Star Wars." I think "LOTR" has it locked up though.


Best Director

City of God
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Lost in Translation
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Mystic River

Commentary: Peter Jackson deserves this award without a doubt. The fact that he made THREE movies that have well received by critics and audiences, at the same time is reason enough to give him the award.

Best Actress

Keisha Castle-Hughes, Whale Rider
Diane Keaton, Something’s Gotta Give
Samantha Morton, In America
Charlize Theron, Monster
Naomi Watts, 21 Grams

Commentary: No surprises here. Charlize Theron has it locked up.

Best Actor

Johnny Depp, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Ben Kingsley, House of Sand and Fog
Jude Law, Cold Mountain
Bill Murray, Lost in Translation
Sean Penn, Mystic River

Commentary: I'm going out on a limb, but I think Johnny Depp is going to win the award. This is my one wild card (what the heck) pick. It's very possible that Bill Murray and Sean Penn may cancel each other out.

Best Supporting Actor

Alec Baldwin, The Cooler
Benicio Del Toro, 21 Grams
Djimon Hounsou, In America
Tim Robbins, Mystic River
Ken Watanabe, The Last Samurai

Commentary: I haven't seen any of the movies above. I think Tim Robbins is going to take it though. From what I've read, it's his to lose.

Best Supporting Actress

Shohreh Aghdashloo, House of Sand and Fog
Patricia Clarkson, Pieces of April
Marcia Gay Harden, Mystic River
Holly Hunter, Thirteen
Renée Zellweger, Cold Mountain

Commentary: Again, I haven't seen any of the movies above. But I think that the third time's the charm for Renee Zellweger.

Best Original Screenplay

The Barbarian Invasions
Dirty Pretty Things
Finding Nemo
In America
Lost in Translation

Commentary: Going out on a limb again, but I think that "Lost in Translation" is going to win. Because she won't win either directing or best picture, I think that this award is Sofia Coppola's.

Best Adapted Screenplay

American Splendor
City of God
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Mystic River
Seabiscuit

Commentary: Going out on a limb, but I think "American Splendor" is going to take it. It's my second "what the heck" pick of the day.

Best Cinematography

City of God
Cold Mountain
Girl with a Pearl Earring
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Seabiscuit

Commentary: N/A

Best Editing

City of God
Cold Mountain
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Seabiscuit

Commentary: I'd say "Lord of the Rings" but it's real hard to know with this award.

Best Original Song

“Into the West,” The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
“A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow,” A Mighty Wind
“Scarlet Tide,” Cold Mountain
“The Triplets of Belleville,” The Triplets of Belleville
“You Will Be My Ain True Love,” Cold Mountain

Commentary: Blah. "LOTR"???? Who cares?

Best Original Score

Big Fish
Cold Mountain
Finding Nemo
House of Sand and Fog
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Commentary: "Lord of the Rings" desserves it and should win.