Interesting line-ups of thespians in equally attractive roles. And I couldn’t help but shouting “Hallelujah!” for strong roles in women fields, both leading and supporting categories. Quite a reminiscence of 2002’s leading actress category, when Salma Hayek, Nicole Kidman, Diane Lane, Julianne Moore and Renee Zellwegger competed. (Darn the prosthetic nose!)

Nominees for BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE are:
– Leonardo DiCaprio in Blood Diamond
– Ryan Gosling in Half Nelson
– Peter O’Toole in Venus
– Will Smith in The Pursuit of Happyness
– Forest Whitaker in The Last King of Scotland.

A lock, eh?! Unless AMPAS members were busy watching “Lawrence of Arabia”, “My Favorite Year”, “Becket”, “The Lion in Winter”, and many others for the past few weeks, while regretting their past mistakes. In another note, where’s the old Leo who gripped us to a shocking effect in “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?”, “The Basketball Diaries” and “Marvin’s Room”?

Will win: Forest Whitaker in The Last King of Scotland.
Should win: Forest Whitaker in The Last King of Scotland.

Nominees for BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE are:
– Penelope Cruz in Volver
– Judi Dench in Notes on a Scandal
– Helen Mirren in The Queen
– Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada
– Kate Winslet in Little Children.

Wow. A total of 29 Oscar acting nominations among them. What a company! Again, who can defy Her Majesty?

Will win: Helen Mirren in The Queen.
Should win: Helen Mirren in The Queen.

Nominees for BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE are:
– Alan Arkin in Little Miss Sunshine
– Jackie Earle Haley in Little Children
– Djimon Hounsou in Blood Diamond
– Eddie Murphy in Dreamgirls
– Mark Wahlberg in The Departed.

In a highly subjective way, I can’t shake off the ruggedly gorgeous look of Mark Wahlberg ever since I finished my write-up on him here.
But again, looking at the nominees, I seem to rely more on Alan Arkin, for his brief-yet-nuanced performance in Little Miss Sunshine. If Academy wants to play sentimental vote, this is the perfect category to do so, since he is the most veteran actor here.
The only obstacle? The recent award-showering to Eddie Murphy.

Will win: Eddie Murphy in Dreamgirls.
Should win: Alan Arkin in Little Miss Sunshine.

Nominees for BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE are:
– Adriana Barraza in Babel
– Cate Blanchett in Notes on a Scandal
– Abigail Breslin in Little Miss Sunshine
– Jennifer Hudson in Dreamgirls
– Rinko Kikuchi in Babel.

As much as I try not to follow what others have said, Jennifer Hudson’s soulful belt in “And I am Telling You I’m Not Going” is proved to be unstoppable.

Will win: Jennifer Hudson in Dreamgirls.
Should win/should have been nominated: Maribel Verdu in “Pan’s Labyrinth”.