on Best Actor
HITS' OSCAR PROGNOSTICATORS
ARE ALL THUMBS
Of These Dimwits Are Legally Dead
Best Movie
Trakin: It has to be "Gladiator," because the Academy likes to see young male, bare-chested warriors in sheet metal short-shorts. Also, it has the most nominations and the 'Ben Hur' factor going for it.
Beer: Not so fast, Jujubee-breath. I see "Traffic" gaining the momentum in the backstretch. Plus, Michael Douglas has all the Tinseltown clout. By the way, do you know where I can score some blow?
Best Actor
Trakin: Even though I'm rooting for Tom Hanks so that I can once again update my book on him, I feel this is the year for Russell Crowe.
Beer: I pick Crowe, too, but clearly Javier Bardem gave the best performance in "Before Night Falls." And, of course, I have a thing for gay Cuban poets.
Best Actress
Trakin: No question this is Julia Roberts' for the taking. I think she finally got the right role in "Erin Brockovich." All that's left is the coronation and getting past Joan Rivers on the red carpet.
Beer: Roberts is the lock of the night.
Supporting Actor
Trakin: Albert Finney was so good in "Erin Brockovich," but the momentum seems to be all Benicio Del Toro after his SAG award.
Beer: All his peers think Benicio Del Toro's performance was just awesome.
Supporting Actress
Trakin: Kate Hudson feels like the winner. I mean, the business loves Goldie Hawn, and she won this award, like, 30 years ago, so it makes a lotta sense.
Beer: Hudson. She gave a completely charming performance, has the right Hollywood pedigree, and this is the category in which young actresses get anointed.
Best Director:
Trakin: Gotta be Ang Lee, though it's a shame Steven Soderbergh can't get one for both movies.
Beer: Ang Lee all the way. Never mind the Soderbergh factor, Lee deserves it.
Best Song
Trakin: Looks like Bob Dylan. Can't wait for his acceptance speech.
Beer: Dylan. This is like when he won the Grammy for "Time Out Of Mind." His time is now.
Best Score
Trakin: Hans Zimmer's music for "Gladiator" is in the classic Hollywood-epic mode.
Beer: I think Zimmer will win, too, but "Crouching Tiger" had the better use of music with Yo-Yo Ma.
Cinematography
Trakin: I think "Gladiator" will win a majority of the technical awards, including this one.
Beer: I agree with that. The spectacular look of "Gladiator" was its chief selling point. That and all the half-naked guys running around.
Documentary Feature
Trakin: Is anything by Errol Morris nominated?
Beer: Always bet on the holocaust in this category. And that's "Into the Arms of Strangers: Stories Of The Kinder Transport."
Original Screenplay
Trakin: Cameron Crowe's dialogue in "Almost Famous" managed to create some memorable characters, even in the smaller roles.
Beer: Crowe for "Almost Famous." In a close race, he gets the honor for being overlooked in the other main categories.
Adapted Screenplay
Trakin: The interweaving of the narratives in "Traffic" was pretty darn good.
Beer: A compelling story, told in a compelling manner. Now, will you please pass that Slushie over here, Trakin? Because the balcony is closed.
