The Best Picture category is perhaps the most diverse in recent years with surprising nominations for the World War II drama "Letters From Iwo Jima" and the dark family comedy "Little Miss Sunshine." However, voters of the Academy will likely follow their conventional taste for movies with heavy emotional appeal and serious social messages, crowning either "Babel" or "The Queen" with the honor.
Helen Mirren has won both the Golden Globe and the SAG awards for her memorable leading role as the stately Elizabeth II. Mirren's dominance is certain to continue. Likewise, Forest Whitaker will prevail with a win for his outstanding portrayal of the charismatic but notoriously brutal Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in "The Last King of Scotland."
Adriana Barraza, Cate Blanchett and newcomer Rinko Kikuchi are all deserving contenders for Best Supporting Actress. But the award will likely go to Jennifer Hudson, primarily due to the hype over "Dreamgirls" and Hudson's rise from "American Idol" contestant to award-winning actress. Sadly, the same aura of puffery will overshadow Eddie Murphy's chances for Best Supporting Actor. Mark Wahlberg may lose out on acting honors for "The Departed," but the movie's veteran director Martin Scorsese (an eight-time Oscar nominee) is more than likely to walk away with the award for Best Director.