Billy Crystal will be back Sunday night to host the 76th Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, Calif., and he will preside over the most diverse, unpredictable night in recent Oscar history.
So much is uncertain this year because so much is apparently certain. Charlize Theron and Rene Zellweger seem like shoo-ins for their lead and supporting roles in "Monster" and "Cold Mountain," respectively, and the final part of "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy seems destined to take best picture by default.
But surprises are never a surprise. The man of the moment is Johnny Depp, who took the Screen Actors Guild award for best actor on Sunday, beating the two men who were viewed as front-runners in the category: Bill Murray and Sean Penn.
If Depp wins on Sunday, he will win for the most out-and-out comic performance since Kevin Kline won for "A Fish Called Wanda" in 1989. Diane Keaton is also a serious comic contender, and her performance in "Something's Gotta Give" is the only cloud on Theron's horizon.
Then there is the battle between crowd favorite "Finding Nemo" and dark-horse contender "The Triplets of Belleville" for best animated feature, and the tight races in the technical categories between "The Return of the King," "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World" and "Seabiscuit."
And will "Lost in Translation," the quietest picture of the best picture bunch, slip silently to victory? Only two lucky accountants from Price-waterhouseCoopers know right now, but the world will slowly get the results starting at 8:30 on ABC Sunday night.
But why wait until the ceremony to say who will win? In order to make the awards even more interesting, three Eagle editors predict the results of the ceremony and offer their opinions of who they think should win.
Dan Zak
Best Picture4>
Will win: "The Return of the King" Should win: "Mystic River"
If I had to choose between the loud drama of "King" and the quiet drama of "Mystic River," I'd rather save my eardrums and eyes. "Mystic River" is epic without fanfare, but fanfare always takes the gold.
Best Director4>
Will win: Peter Jackson, "The Return of the King" Should win: Fernando Meirelles, "City of God"
Both Jackson and Meirelles have conducted operatic pictures to great success, but only one's opus packs a punch. Meirelles deserves it for virtuosity, but Jackson will win for volume.
Best Actor4>
Will win: Sean Penn, "Mystic River" Should win: Ben Kingsley, "House of Sand and Fog"
Kingsley's turn as a proud ex-colonel of the Iranian army is one of the greatest performances ever, showing that he has a range even greater than Penn, who will win because of his three previous nominations and the industry's opinion that he's one of the best actors of his generation.
Best Actress4>
Will win: Charlize Theron, "Monster" Should win: Charlize Theron, "Monster"
The film itself is as great as Theron's performance, and this fact only solidifies her as a lock.
Best Supporting Actor4>
Will win: Tim Robbins, "Mystic River" Should win: Tim Robbins, "Mystic River"
There are no duds in this category, but Robbins resounds most; his character is the emotional core of the film but he acts entirely on its periphery, overwhelming us with his understatement.
Best Supporting Actress4>
Will win: Rene Zellweger, "Cold Mountain" Should win: Shohreh Aghdashloo, "House of Sand and Fog"
Zellweger is the real deal, but her performance doesn't gel with the movie the way hers did with "Chicago." Watch Aghdashloo both disappear into and reinforce the one she's in. But this is Zellweger's third nomination in a row ...
Emily Zemler
Best Picture
Will win: "The Return of the King" Should win: "Lost in Translation"
After two years of being snubbed by the Academy, "Lord of the Rings" has it coming, although despite the quality of Peter Jackson's epic trilogy, "Lost in Translation" is a far better film.
Best Director
Will win: Peter Jackson, "The Return of the King" Should win: Sofia Coppola, "Lost in Translation"
All the nominees in this category deserve the Oscar, but Coppola's aesthetically breathtaking film boasts incredible direction. Unfortunately, Jackson will take home the award for the same reason "The Return of the King" will take home the best picture Oscar: the Academy feels it owes him.
Best Actor
Will win: Bill Murray, "Lost in Translation" Should win: Johnny Depp, "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl"
For some reason Murray's bland performance in "Lost in Translation" has received a lot of attention, and he will win the Oscar even though he doesn't deserve it. Depp, however, should be the one walking out with the award for his energetic portrayal of Captain Jack Sparrow.
Best Actress
Will win: Charlize Theron, "Monster" Should win: Naomi Watts, "21 Grams"
Watts' portrayal of a grieving mother is far and away the best performance by an actress I have ever had the privilege of viewing, but the dramatic transformation of Theron from beauty to beast gives Theron the upper hand.
Best Supporting Actor
Will win: Tim Robbins, "Mystic River" Should win: Benicio Del Toro, "21 Grams"
Robbins has been getting a lot of attention at this year's awards ceremonies and I see no reason why he won't continue to do so, which is unfortunate since Del Toro's performance as a born-again Christian convict more than merits the Oscar.
Best Supporting Actress
Will win: Rene Zellweger, "Cold Mountain" Should win: Rene Zellweger, "Cold Mountain"
I never thought I would say this because I dislike Zellweger immensely, but her performance as Ruby was the only good thing about that movie. It made my $9 well spent, and it is certain that the Academy will agree, especially in light of Zellweger's previous nominations.
Dan Longino
Best Picture
Will win: "The Return of the King" Should win: "The Return of the King"
This year the Academy will award the Oscar to the truly best film of the year. Peter Jackson's brilliant epic deserves every bit of the attention it's getting.
Best Director
Will win: Peter Jackson, "The Return of the King" Should win: Peter Jackson, "The Return of the King"
Jackson has it coming, but Eastwood is old, and the Academy loves old people. Then there's Coppola, daughter of Francis Ford Coppola. To the Aademy, it's "our" Sofia. She's the first American woman to be nominated and she has a good chance, but this award is Jackson's.
Best Actor
Will win: Johnny Depp, "Pirates of the Caribbean" Should win: Bill Murray, "Lost in Translation"
Remember last year, when Jack Nicholson and Daniel Day-Lewis split the vote resulting in an unlikely best actor win for Adrien Brody? History could repeat itself Sunday night. The Academy won't forget ... he's Captain Jack Sparrow.
Best Actress
Will win: Charlize Theron, "Monster" Should win: Naomi Watts, "21 Grams"
One thing the Academy has made very clear is that makeup is an excellent way to get an Oscar - remember Nicole Kidman and her prosthetic nose for "The Hours"? Theron's impressive makeup puts her ahead of the competition.
Best Supporting Actor
Will win: Robbins, "Mystic River" Should win: Tim Robbins, "Mystic River"
After winning the Screen Actors Guild award, Robbins remains the clear favorite for this one. It's in the bag.
Best Supporting Actress
Will win: Patricia Clarkson, "Pieces of April" Should win: Patricia Clarkson, "Pieces of April"
Despite the fact that favorite Rene Zellweger won at the SAG awards, she might not be so lucky Sunday. Patricia Clarkson was excellent in not only "Pieces of April," but also in "The Station Agent" as well. She has a great chance of upsetting Zellweger.
