That could certainly happen. And I see the actor race being Langella vs. DiCaprio.

And I think Doubt could be a contender outside Streep. Also don't sleep on Joe Wright's next film, The Soloist, which has Oscar-nominated cast and crew with a baity plot about a schizophrenic, homeless musician.

Kris Tapley gives his complete predictions. Pretty good rundown of the current contenders, considering we're still a year out:

http://www.incontention.com/predictions ... _main.html

http://www.incontention.com/predictions ... _tech.html

Also, Visual Effects is weak as fuck this year. Is Narnia really the frontrunner?

When does State of Play with Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams, Helen Mirren, Jason Bateman, Robin Wright Penn, etc. come out?

Speaking of McAdams: she has the lead in The Time Traveler's Wife, which will come out this year. If the movie is praised as much as the book, she could have a shot.

According to IMDb, 2009.

State of Play was in a somewhat better shape with Pitt and Norton in it, I'd say.

Oh and I really forgot The Soloist. It has Oscar written all over it.

As I said in the other thread, Argentine/Guerrilla is giving me a Flags/Iwo Jima vibe. Which could mean one of them will be crappy and the other one will get a nomination.

Whats the bet that atleast three of the Best Pic nominees wont even be mention in the first half dozen pages of this thread as they are still below our radar??

^ Very likely

Minor prediction, but I think Jennifer Hudson will continue the trend of Oscar winners following it up with a shite movie, with The Secret Life of Bees.

I think Michael Clayton and Juno were "under the radar" at this time last year, I mean we weren't really considering them, especially the last one. Year before that, LMS, The Queen were, Iwo Jima maybe wasn't because of Eastwood.

Depends how you define it really.

The best actor race will be tough this year.

Right now, I see the following nominees (provided Public Enemies won't make it this year):

Leonardo DiCaprio
Jamie Foxx
Benicio del Toro
Sean Penn
Frank Langella or Will Smith

With this line-up and provided they all deliver equally great turns, it should be DiCaprio's. Though Foxx' role is reeeaaallly baity and same goes for del Toro.

Foxx will not be a two time Oscar winner. That would be the worst thing ever. I really can't see them falling for that stuff.

Swank is a two-time winner and she never did anything great apart from those two roles, so... At least Foxx has two noms already.

And Smith?

Heh

All, in all, as you see, I tend to agree with you here.

What are your thoughts n Actress? Certainly is looking like Winslet's year at last, though Kidman might figure again as well.

As likely a lineup as it gets at this early point. Adding Julianne Moore and Keira Knightley, the category is packed. If Cheri gets made in time, Michelle Pfeiffer will be in play too.

I wonder if Charlie Kuaffman's screenwriting talents will translate into directing as Synecdoche, New York comes out this year too.

I'm going to be bold and predict shutouts for both men. But then again, it's March, so any "prediction" is really just a half-assed guess.

The Film Experience's comprehensive preview.

With Mamma Mia, Doubt and maybe Julie & Julia coming up this year, Meryl Streep is sooooo getting an Oscar nom!

I also think Streep will pick up another nod. I'd bet on Doubt right now. Even if the movie somehow falters as a big contender, I could still see her getting in, a la Clive Owen or Natalie Portman in Closer (also an adaptation of a widely acclaimed play).

I don't think Streep, Winslet, Blanchet and Kidman will all get nods. That is too much of a snoozefest even for the Oscars.

I'd look for at least one under the radar performance to pick up a nod (ala Marion Cottilard).

Probably more than just one. Can't remember the last time we had such a star-laden line-up, so I doubt that'll happen.

Winslet is looking most loikely at the moment, folowed by Streep. Kidman was snubbed for Cold Mountain, so she can easily be snubbed again for Australia.

The earliest word on Streep in Doubt (courtesy of Awards Daily) is absolutely phenomenal. Is a third Oscar on the horizon?

I said last year it'd be Christie vs Cotillard. I maintain this year it will be Winslet vs. Streep.

Best Picture
1. Doubt
2. Revolutionary Road
3. The Reader
4. Australia
5. Milk

6. The Argentine/Guerilla
7. Body of Lies
8. Frost/Nixon.
9. Happy Go Lucky
10. Defiance

11. The Visitor

Best Actress
1. Meryl Streep- Doubt
2. Kate Winslet- Revolutionary Road or The Reader
3. Sally Hawkins- Happy Go Lucky
4. Sophie Okenedo- Skin
5. Julianne Moore- Blindness

6. Nicole Kidman- Australia
7. Angelina Jolie- The Changeling
8. Drew Barrymore- Grey Gardens
9. Kiera Knightley- The Edge of Love
10. Penelope Cruz

11. Sissy Spacek

Best Actor
1. Sean Penn- "Milk"
2. Benicio del Toro- The Argentine/Guerilla
3. Frank Langhella- Frost/Nixon
4. Daniel Craig- Defiance
5. Hugh Jackman- Australia

6. Leonardo DiCario- Revolutionary Road
7. Richard Jenkins- The Visitor
8. Brad Pitt- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
9. Ralph Fiennes- The Reader
10. Mark Ruffalo- Blindness

11. Ed harris