Best Picture

"The Aviator"

Though no one aspect of "The Aviator" really stands out, the whole thing (acting, directing, script, cinematography) works as a package, and that's what being a Best Picture is all about. All of the elements come together—everything clicks—and you get a great story told by great storytellers.

Actor: Leading

Jamie Foxx:

This was a tough call between two great actors, coincidentally both playing biographical roles. While DiCaprio was incredible in "The Aviator" (one of the best performances I've ever seen from him), Foxx simply blew me away in "Ray." He may not win, but he deserves to.

Actor: Supporting

Alan Alda

This category was hard; so much of it hinges on who wins leading actor. The Academy would never in a million years give Jamie Foxx both acting awards, and Morgan Freeman, while an amazing actor, was just his same old self in "Million Dollar Baby." Alan Alda was conniving and sickly sweet and, well, a damn good senator. I'm not sure he deserves the award, but oh well.

Actress: Leading

Hillary Swank

I guess I have a soft spot for underdogs. But in "Million Dollar Baby" Swank was more than just another Rudy—just another long shot with a heart as big as all outdoors. No, she created a complex character seeped in humanity and paradox. Even lying flat on her back she knocked out the competition.

Actress: Supporting

Cate Blanchett

I don't think this was Blanchett's best performance, but it was good. More importantly it was in "The Aviator," and I think the Academy is going to give as many awards as it can to Scorcese's homage to Hughes.

P.S. Natalie Portman isn't all that smelly…

Animated Feature

"The Incredibles"

"Shark Tale" and "Shrek 2" weren't even good movies let alone the best-animated feature of the year. This category is so stupid, a movie is a movie, and thanks to CG animation running rampant through Hollywood every movie is (at least a little bit) animated. But like it or not, "The Incredibles" will be forced to accept best Animated Feature.

Cinematography

"The Aviator"

The camera in "The Aviator" was able to capture the grand sweeping flamboyance of Hollywood and yet also reveal the inner workings of Howard Hughes' short-circuited mind. Not ever cinematographer can accomplish both.

Directing

Martin Scorcese

Remember how I said no one part of "The Aviator" stood out, but rather it all worked together to create an incredible movie? It's the director's job to make that happen. He has to orchestrate everything, make it work as one. He's the only person in the film that truly knows the big picture. "The Aviator" is such an amazing film because of Scorcese.

Documentary Feature

"Super Size Me"

Morgan Spurlock changed the world! At least that's what the Academy is going to give him credit for. A lot of people have seen this documentary; a lot of people own it on DVD. That alone is an amazing feat for any documentary, especially in a society that shuns anything that even smacks of "education." Technically it may not be the best. Thematically it may not be the most heart-rending or important. But this young filmmaker is going to walk away with an Oscar.

Film Editing

"The Aviator"

What? You mean you didn't notice the incredible editing in this film? That's the point. Any time you walk away from a movie thinking, "Wow, that movie's editing was spectacular!" the film's editing failed. But think about it, "The Aviator" had to jump not only through time but also in and out of the fractured mind of a human being, using the careful pairing of images to create coherent sentences.

Screenplay: Original

"Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind"

Film is a powerful medium, capable of creating experiences, quite frankly, unattainable through any other art form. Charlie Kaufman is a smart, daring writer who understands film so well that he writes exclusively in the unique language of it. "Eternal Sunshine" could never be a novel; it could never be a play. It's a screenplay; one of the best ever written.

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