Oscar Predictions

Best Picture
-Babel- Needs support from the supporting categories to be a for sure nod (4/4)
-The Departed-Pretty much a lock for a nomination (4/4)
-Dreamgirls-A lock for a nomination, also the supposed frontrunner (not seen yet)
-Little Miss Sunshine- Breakthrough of the year, (3.5/4)
-The Queen-This is Capote of last year, will garner a best directing nod, and will win best actress(3.5/4)
Darkhorses-Children of Men, Blood Diamond, Little Children, Flags of our Fathers, the Good Shepherd

Best Director
-Martin Scorsese(The Departed)-A lock for a nom., has missed out on the gold his previous 4 noms.
-Clint Eastwood(Flags of our Fathers)-Looks to be a nom, although his film could miss out on best pic nomination
-Stephen Frears(The Queen)-Will get a nomination
-Alejandro Gonzalez Inarittu(Babel)-This will be close, academy voters like voting for foreign directors, and how could you not with how good this film is
-Bill Condon(Dreamgirls)-Lock for a nomination

Best Actor
-Ryan Gosling(Half-Nelson) Breakthrough performance, small indie with a lot of heart
-Will Smith(Pursuit of Happyness) This will probably be the film's only nomination
-Peter O Toole(Venus) Due for an Oscar
-Forest Whitaker(The Last King of Scotland) Voters have placed him in this category, it's probably his race to lose
-Leonardo Dicaprio(The Departed or Blood Diamond) Strong acting in both films will give Leo a nod.

Best Actress
-Helen Mirren(The Queen) Lock for a nom, probably lock for a win
-Kate Winslet(Little Children) New Line better start pushing this film hard, it's getting raves, but no one has seen it
-Judi Dench(Notes on a Scandal) Seems fair
-Meryl Streep(The Devil Wears Prada) Weak year, and good performance
-Penelope Cruz (Volver) Voters love those foreign performances with heart
Darkhorses-Beyonce Knowles(Dreamgirls)

Best Supporting Actor
-Jack Nicholson(The Departed) Jack is a lock for a nod.
-Jackie Earle Haley(Little Children) Said to be one of the best performances this year, again not many have seen this movie, will need a wider release to expose this performance, and the film itself.
-Michael Sheen(The Queen) A safe bet
-Eddie Murphy(Dreamgirls) Said to have been his best performance ever, will he attract voters?
-Adam Beach(Flags of our Fathers)Not sure here, but could get a nod.
Darkhorses-Ben Affleck(Hollywoodland) Alan Arkin(Little Miss Sunshine) Brad Pitt(Babel)

Best Supporting Actress
-Abigail Breslin(Little Miss Sunshine)-Youngster could get a nod.
-Jennifer Hudson(Dreamgirls) Frontrunner
-Rinko Kikuchi(Babel) Praying she get's noticed for this heartbreaking performance
-Cate Blanchett (Notes on a Scandal)Seems like a safe bet
-Adrianna Barazza(Babel) Yes, 2 Babel stars could get nods.
Darkhorses-Demi Moore, Sharon Stone(Bobby) Sandra Bullock(Infamous)