Last year I ran an Oscar contest, but I just didn’t have time to get it sorted this spring. Maybe in 2006. In the meantime, here are my picks for who will win and who should win the Oscars in eleven categories.
I got the text for the first six categories and some insight into the favourites from these odds. Generally, I’m predicting a near-sweep for The Aviator. My picks are after the jump.
Best Picture
The Aviator – Will win, should win
Million Dollar Baby
Ray
Sideways
Finding Neverland
Best Director
Clint Eastwood (Million Dollar Baby)
Martin Scorsese (The Aviator) – Will win, should win
Taylor Hackford (Ray)
Alexander Payne (Sideways)
Mike Leigh (Vera Drake)
Best Actor
Jamie Foxx (Ray) – Will win
Leonardo DiCaprio (The Aviator)
Clint Eastwood (Million Dollar Baby)
Don Cheadle (Hotel Rwanda) – Should win (not to mention Paul Giamatti, who was
shafted)
Johnny Depp (Finding Neverland)
Best Actress
Hilary Swank (Million Dollar Baby) – Will win, should win
Annette Bening (Being Julia)
Imelda Staunton (Vera Drake)
Kate Winslet (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind)
Catalina Sandino Moerno (Maria Full of Grace)
Best Supporting Actor
Morgan Freeman (Million Dollar Baby) – Will win
Thomas Haden Church (Sideways)
Clive Owen (Closer) – Should win
Alan Alda (The Aviator)
Jamie Foxx (Collateral)
Best Supporting Actress
Cate Blanchett (The Aviator) – Will win
Virginia Madsen (Sideways) – Should win
Natalie Portman (Closer)
Sophie Okonedo (Hotel Rwanda) – Should probably win too
Laura Linney (Kinsey)
Best Art Direction
The Aviator – Will win
Finding Neverland
A Very Long Engagement – Should win
Lemony Snicket’s
The Phantom of the Opera
Cinematography
The Aviator – Will win, should win
The Phantom of the Opera
A Very Long Engagement
House of Flying Daggers
Passion of the Christ
Film Editing
The Aviator – Will win, should win
Collateral
Finding Neverland
Million Dollar Baby
Ray
Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
Before Sunset
Finding Neverland
Million Dollar Baby
The Motorcycle Diaries
Sideways – Will win, should win
Best Writing (Original Screenplay)
The Aviator – Will win
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind – Should win
Hotel Rwanda
The Incredibles
Vera Drake
DarrenBarefoot.com 
I’ve made my predictions too, and they’re identical in all but two categories. I think cinematography will go to Million Dollar Baby, and Clint Eastwood will win best director; though I think Scorsese should.
I have no problems with your Oscar predictions, except I haven’t seen Million Dollar Baby yet.
I was looking forward to your Oscar contest.
Perhaps next year.
You spelled “Original” wrong.