Oracle Online

Although I predict that The Aviator will win, I also believe the film should win. Scorcese brings to life the conflicted soul of a man, while still infusing action, suspense, panache and a plot into the film.

For Best Actor, Don Cheadle, Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, Clint Eastwood, and Jamie Foxx have all been nominated.

I predict that this man will win: Jamie Foxx. He’s won everything from the Golden Globe to the Heisman
Trophy, and there’s no reason to think his streak will halt at the Oscars.

I think that this man should win: Leonardo DiCaprio. Yes, Foxx does an uncanny impression of the late, great Ray Charles, but DiCaprio is the one who brings his film to life. In his performance of Howard Hughes, we see a man driven to succeed but brought to destruction by his hidden demons.

For Best Actress, Annette Bening, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Imelda Staunton, Hilary Swank, and Kate Winslet have all been nominated.

I think that this woman will win: Hilary Swank. With a Globe and a SAG Award in hand, Swank is a front-runner to win her second Oscar (she won five years ago for Boys Don’t Cry). Her poor waitress-turned-boxer has charmed Hollywood, despite her character having little depth.

Even though Swank is talented, I think that this woman should win: Annette Bening. Though I’d be happy seeing Staunton or Winslet win here, Bening’s Julia is a comic delight, stealing scenes and embracing her diva role without ever going over the top.

For Best Director, Martin Scorsese, Clint Eastwood, Taylor Hackford, Alexander Payne, and Mike Leigh have the honor of being nominated.

Out of all those talented directors, I think that the winner will be: Clint Eastwood. He already has an Oscar and has even picked up nearly every precursor, and he is a legend in Hollywood.

In addition to all that, actors turned directors often win. It is a clear choice to predict that he will take the Oscar home with him.

We know he is talented, but I still think that this man should win: Martin Scorcese. Not only is he the finest director of his generation, but he gives us a movie of epic proportions that never loses focus č the sign of a great filmmaker.

For Best Supporting Actor, Alan Alda, Thomas Haden Church, Jamie Foxx, Morgan Freeman, and Clive Owen are in the running.

I think that this guy will win: Morgan Freeman. This rich-voiced actor has never won, despite four nominations to his name. His wise janitor performance is the narration that glues Million Dollar Baby together.

We loved Freeman, but I think that this man should win: Clive Owen. He is domineering and mesmerizing, he steals scenes from Julia Roberts and Jude Law (grand theft), and he risks alienating the audience by being unlikable.

For Best Supporting Actress, we have Cate Blanchett, Laura Linney, Virginia Madsen, Sophie Okonedo, and Natalie Portman eagerly awaiting the award.

I think that she will win: Cate Blanchett. She nails her performance as Oscar’s favorite leading lady (Katharine Hepburn) and gives The Aviator a shot of stamina.

I think that she should win as well: Cate Blanchett. I love Natalie Portman, but it’s Blanchett that holds my heart for her forceful yet tender Hepburn, embodying the grace and guts of the starlet.