the big show.

Here are my predictions for the nominees and winners of this year's Academy Awards ceremony, if it does indeed happen, and it seems it will because show producers are vehemently saying that it will take place whether the writers support it or not. (The Oscars have continually brought in millions, perhaps billions, of dollars into the Los Angeles and California economy, so it not happening would be not only distressing for Hollywood, but also the many businesses who count on the Oscars for profit and sustenance.) I'm crossing my fingers for the negotiations and I hope they occur sooner than later (with or without mediation by A-listers, guild heads, etc.) so that dues can be paid to those who have contributed most last year to the art of films, which is as important as making films.

There are some glaring omissions when it comes to categories, but I'm working on it.

Best Original Score
Atonement -- Will Win / Should Win
There Will Be Blood -- Could Win
Into the Wild
Beowulf
Ratatouille

Best Cinematography
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly -- Will Win
There Will Be Blood -- Should Win
No Country for Old Men
Atonement
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford -- Could Win

Best Editing
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street -- Will Win
Michael Clayton -- Could Win
Atonement -- Should Win
Into the Wild
No Country for Old Men

Best Original Screenplay
Juno -- Will Win / Should Win
Michael Clayton -- Could Win
Ratatouille
The Savages
Lars and the Real Girl

Best Adaptated Screenplay
No Country for Old Men -- Will Win / Should Win
There Will Be Blood -- Could Win
Atonement
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Best Art Direction
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street -- Will Win / Should Win
Atonement
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
300 -- Could Win
Across the Universe

Best Supporting Actress
Cate Blanchett :: I'm Not There -- Will Win / Should Win
Tilda Swinton :: Michael Clayton -- Could Win
Amy Ryan :: Gone Baby Gone -- Could Win
Saoirse Rohan :: Atonement
Catherine Keener :: Into the Wild

Best Supporting Actor
Javier Bardem :: No Country for Old Men -- Will Win / Should Win
Casey Affleck :: The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford -- Could Win
Philip Seymour Hoffman :: Charlie Wilson's War
Tom Wilkinson :: Michael Clayton
Hal Holbrook :: Into the Wild

Best Actor
Daniel Day-Lewis :: There Will Be Blood -- Will Win / Should Win
George Clooney :: Michael Clayton -- Could Win
Johnny Depp :: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Viggo Mortenson :: Eastern Promises
Ryan Gosling :: Lars and the Real Girl

Best Actress
Julie Christie :: Away From Her -- Will Win / Should Win
Ellen Page :: Juno -- Could Win
Marion Cotillard :: La Vie en Rose -- Could Win
Angelina Jolie :: A Mighty Heart
Amy Adams :: Enchanted

Best Director
The Coen Brothers :: No Country for Old Men -- Will Win / Should Win
Paul Thomas Anderson :: There Will Be Blood -- Could Win
Sean Penn :: Into the Wild -- Could Win
Tim Burton :: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Julian Schnabel :: The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

Best Picture
No Country for Old Men -- Will Win
There Will Be Blood -- Should Win
Atonement -- Could Win
Juno
Michael Clayton