Thanks to IMdB and Entertainment Weekly, I know that this one has the touches of Kenneth Branagh as narrator, and is adapted from a story by Daniel Defoe, the writer of Robinson Crusoe.  Haven't heard of the others, so I can't fairly judge them

No idea why I chose this one, just sounds like a good title to me.

Always go with Holocaust stories, since Oscar voters seem to take a liking to them, this documentary, narrated by nominee Dame Judi Dench, should have no problem.  Watch out for Sound and Fury though, a tale of a deaf family dealing with a child who has the chance to hear.  It could touch the hearts of voters enough to be rewarded.

Hollywood loves to vote for its own, and this documentary about famed art director Robert Boyle (In Cold Blood) should take home honors over the story of Pele.

The first of many battles between medievel China and ancient Rome should go to Dragon's masterful sets and recreation of the houses, fields and environment which capture and create part of the film's magic.

Chalk up another, as Dragon's rookie cinematographer triumphs over his experienced counterparts.  Dragon's look and sound are what carried and generated the spirit needed to recreate a bit of Chinese folklore brought to life.  Gladiator, with its sweeping camera shots, and O Brother, with his explosion of color will come in closely behind, if they kept score like that. 

Togas and armor will prevail over the tribal robes, who-suits and 1700's France.  I would love to see Quills win, because the costumes were amazing and fitting and contributed to the overall power of this film and its message.  But this one will get swallowed up in the epic battle. 

This is where the visual magic of Gladiator gets rewarded over Dragon.  It's the only way I can tell to decide in editing, since if you can see the editing, its not very good (save Requiem) but I'd say the Gladiator march continues with this one.

For the second year in a row, this category  is a no-brainer.  The only win more assured than this one, is probably Julia's.

It's such a crime that this is the only visual nomination that The Cell gets.  It was by far the most amazing looking movie of the year.  But you can't bet against Rick Baker, who created the only thing worth watching in The Grinch.

In the ongoing battle, the tones of the love story and battles in China, win over the background music for the love story and battles of Gladiator.

Luckily, there was no song in Gladiator, so this one won't get swept up in it all.  Wonder Boys was stiffed for awards this year, and this will probably be the award where it gets recognized.  Throw in a standing ovation at the Globes, and the chance to reward Dylan's lifetime of musical mastery, and we can only pray that we can understand his acceptance speech.

The only things worth watching in this film are the things which will be rewarded.  The near perfect recreation of the island sounds during Hanks fight for survival and discovery of himself will win out over the sword clashings, cannon booms, submarine depth charges, and whatever the heck Perfect Storm had (nothing worth seeing or listening to there).  If Gladiator gets on a role though, it could take this one in it's wake.  

Only two nominees here? Not really sure why, but the subs outduel the rockets in this one, since the confines and reality of the underwater experience contributed to the enjoyment of this film.

In another case of curious and wrongful omission, The Cell was clearly the year's winner of this category, followed closely by Requiem.  Without those two, Gladiator wins although the effects of Hollow Man were stunning, and the only thing to see in that one.  Why Perfect Storm, with it's recreations seemingly done with a wind machine and a wavepool, is even here is beyond me. 

The acerbic and frantic, yet patient dialogue of Boys should give it a win over Dragon, whose subtitles and oddly curious 30 minute interlude drag it down slightly.  Traffic is too preachy, although it is a critical darling and may get rewarded here.  O Brother's loose adaptation of Homer's Odyssey is too much of a stretch.

In their oversight, the Academy attempts to rectify themselves by giving this one to Crowe's powerful retelling of his life story.  I've heard the Count may take this one, but haven't seen it, so cannot fairly say.

Now the fun begins.  This is a category full of deserving winners, 3 veterans, and 2 newcomers, all of whom should win, will win, or have already won awards.  Bridges role borders on Lead status, while Finney's anti-Hollywood attitude may prevent him, as it did with Bacall.  In the end, it's the battle of the newbies, and Phoenix, whose best role was in Return to Paradise, will have other chances and remain vexed as Del Toro strolls away with the win.

The youth shall prevail here, as Hudson's stand-out performance as groupie Penny Lane will bring her the deserved award.  The other challenges come from previous winners, and the Academy may want to show that they want to infuse new blood into things. McDormand's nom for the same film could steal away votes, and Dench, who has considerably more screen time than she did when she won could always sneak in.  In the midst of that, Walters was wonderful as the music teacher and could sneak by in this completely unpredictible category. Nothing will surprise me here.  

In this year where nearly every category has some kind of competition, this is the closest thing to a lock that there is.  It's Julia's year, and in a performance that won me over as well, there's no denying Hollywood's sweetheart from her first lil gold man.  Personally, I would give it to Burstyn, because her performance was amazing, daring, edgy, intense and downright breathtaking, like the film.  Alas, she has the misfortune of being the bridesmaid in Julia's crowning evening.

This will be the closest race of the night.  My pick is Rush, for yet again capturing the madness that can exist, and the misinterpreation of its expulsion.  But he has an award, and will be overshadowed by a 3-way battle for the gold.  Having not seen Pollock, I can't fairly judge, but I've heard he captures the tortured artist to near perfection.  He's been deserving for awhile, and twice-nominated (Apollo 13 and Truman Show), and could win as a career reward.  Many (present company included) feel that Crowe was robbed last year for The Insider, but he hasn't made any friends with his scandalous year, and aversion to the press.  Between he, and everyone's darling Hanks, who would set a record for his third, this one's a toss up, with the edge going to the only other thing that made Cast Away worth watching.

Two years ago, the Academy was thrown on its ear when Shakespeare topped Steven to win the Best Picture and go against the trend of director and picture walking hand in hand to the winners circle.  Look for it to happen again.  Soderbergh cancels himself out, even though Brockovich is his more deserving of the two pictures.  Elliot has Almost Famous's spot, so it won't even stand a chance.  Then it comes back to the battle which will rage all night, with Lee's masterful and honorable retelling winning over Scott, who should lose points for making Hannibal.  

In the culmination of the night's events, look for the Academy to go back to it's love of the epics, and reward Gladiator, helping it trump the Dragon in their final battle of the evening.  Personally, Chocolat was my favorite of this group, but I was still shocked at it's nomination, Miramax once again cast their spell on Hollywood.  From a deserving standpoint, Brockovich, though earlier in the year, had little competition and could sneak in, if Dragon and Gladiator wear themselves thin on the night's battles.