Torch

Issue date: 2/20/08Section: Entertainment

Last week, we took a look into who got snubbed for an Oscar nomination. This week, we're looking to who got nominated and who has the best shot at winning come February 24. And the picks are…

BEST MOTION PICTURE

"Atonement," "No Country for Old Men," "Michael Clayton," "Juno," "There Will Be Blood"

While it's a great film, "Michael Clayton" has the least going for it. "Juno" is riding high on the Diablo Cody love train, but it will most likely suffer the same fate as "Little Miss Sunshine." "Atonement" has snagged Best Film awards elsewhere, but the real fight is going to be between "No Country For Old Men" and "There Will Be Blood." "Blood" is being touted like no other, largely thanks to Daniel Day-Lewis' stunning performance. But the entire "No Country" cast was solid. And the Oscar goes to: "No Country for Old Men." Dark horse: "Atonement," simply because of its success elsewhere.

BEST ACTOR

George Clooney, Johnny Depp, Daniel Day-Lewis, Tommy Lee Jones, Viggo Mortensen

If Daniel Day-Lewis had portrayed some sort of great gentleman, this would be a much closer race. Unfortunately for Clooney, Depp, Jones and Mortensen, Day-Lewis played a villain. What is so special about that? Day-Lewis plays the perfect villain. And the Oscar goes to: Daniel Day-Lewis. Dark horse: Viggo Mortensen.

BEST ACTRESS

Cate Blanchett, Julie Christie, Marion Cotillard, Laura Linney, Ellen Page

The Academy has an obsession for Blanchett and Page is on that aforementioned Cody love train. Blanchett already has another nomination for "I'm Not There," so that might hurt her in this category. Page was great, but it wasn't anything to go down in the history books. Christie and Linney are underappreciated, but won't get it. And the Oscar goes to: Marion Cotillard. She's racking up others, so she might have the most going for her. Dark horse: Ellen Page.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Javier Bardem, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Hal Holbrook, Tom Wilkinson, Casey Affleck

An Affleck for acting?! Yes, because Casey is that much stronger than Ben, although Ben has had some solid performances in the past. But all of these men are going against Javier Bardem. No contest here. And the Oscar goes to: Javier Bardem and his haircut in "No Country." Dark horse: Holbrook or Hoffman, both of whom would be killed by Bardem's character Anton Chigurh.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Ruby Dee, Cate Blanchett, Tilda Swinton, Saoirse Ronan, Amy Ryan

Continued...

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