Put simply, the best thing about the Academy Awards this year is Jon Stewart. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences have, in past years, solicited Billy Crystal and Whoopi Goldberg to host its self-indulgent féte of American film. The social commentator and comic of Comedy Central's "The Daily Show," though, is quite another character altogether. A character, thankfully, with enough acerbity to make stars squirm.

The Academy's 5,798-member voting cadre has recently exhibited a strong proclivity for political correctness. The 2002 wins for Halle Berry, in what was a poor role for "Monster's Ball," and Denzel Washington-"Training Day" isn't his best-made for positive press, but little in the way of merit. "Brokeback Mountain," (eight nominations) appears to have found the theme in vogue this year. Even then, Ang Lee's leading men look likely to miss out on their first Oscars.

The Hollywood story of 2005 stars, instead, Philip Seymour Hoffman. One of those unforgettably striking character actors ("The Talented Mr Ripley," "Cold Mountain," "Red Dragon," "The Big Lebowski"), Hoffman has finally arrived after close to two decades of unheralded talent in film, television and stage. He owns the Best Actor statuette in a bear-like vice.

"Capote" crept up unnoticed at the slew of other awards shows preceding the Academy Awards; together with George Clooney's indie "Good Night, and Good Luck," it represents the only serious claimant to "Brokeback"'s Best Picture crown. For all its advertised pomp and luster, the Academy Awards 2006 will be remembered for little more than unconvincing diplomacy.

Selected Nominees for

the Academy Awards, 2006

Best Motion Picture

Brokeback Mountain

Capote

Crash

Good Night, and Good Luck

Munich

Achievement in Directing

Ang Lee - Brokeback Mountain

Bennet Miller - Capote

Paul Haggis - Crash

George Clooney - Good Night, and Good Luck

Steven Spielberg - Munich

Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role

Judi Dench - Mrs. Henderson Presents

Felicity Huffman - Ttransamerica

Keira Knightley - Pride & Prejudice

Charlize Theron - North Country

Reese Witherspoon - Walk the Line

Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role

Philip Seymour Hoffman - Capote

Terrence Howard - Hustle & Flow

Heath Ledger - Brokeback Mountain

Joaquin Phoenix - Walk the Line

David Strathairn - Good Night, and Good Luck

Performance by an

Actress in a Supporting Role

Amy Adams - Junebug

Catherine Keener - Capote

Frances McDormand - North Country

Rachel Weisz - The Constant Gardener

Michelle Williams - Brokeback Mountain

Performance by an

Actor in a Supporting Role

George Clooney - Syriana

Matt Dillon - Crash

Paul Giamatti - Cinderella Man

Jake Gyllenhaal - Brokeback Mountain

William Hurt - A History of Violence