TheCinemaSource Presents:
Our 2007 Oscar Predictions

It's nearing the end of February, and you know what that means...THE OSCARS, BABY!

Coming off the most eclectic sets of nominations in recent years, the Oscars are coming this Sunday, February 25th, and its time we figured out what the winners are. Many of the major awards have frontrunners, but nothing is ever a sure thing -- especially in the big one, the Best Picture category itself, which is still wide open. But never fear; some of our regular writers are here to assist you on your contests, office pools, and sheer curiosity.

We do have to come clean about one thing, though: we have no idea who's supposed to win for Best Short-Subject Documentary. Or Animated Short, for that matter. So with that in mind, we'll focus on the top ten most recognizable categories. And with that in mind, away we go...

Michael Dance's Predictions
MichaelDance@TheCinemaSource.com

BEST PICTURE
The Departed

DIRECTOR
Martin Scorsese, The Departed

ACTOR
Forest Whitaker, The Last King of Scotland

ACTRESS
Helen Mirren, The Queen

SUPPORTING ACTOR
Eddie Murphy, Dreamgirls

SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Jennifer Hudson, Dreamgirls

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Peter Morgan, The Queen

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
William Monahan, The Departed

FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
Pan's Labyrinth

ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
Cars

Rationale:

It seems to me that the four acting nominations are wrapped up: the Dreamgirls team for the supporting awards, and Forest Whitaker and Helen Mirren have won nearly every single precursor award for their performances. The weakest link, I suppose, is Eddie Murphy, who, if he wins, will accept the award while Norbit is still in theaters, which just seems wrong.

It seems like Martin Scorsese's year for directing as no other nominee looks strong enough to topple the giant. Still, many view The Departed as a violent popcorn flick that's not Important enough to win in the majors. So why am I predicting it for Best Picture over ensemble drama Babel and crowd- pleaser Little Miss Sunshine? My theory is all about the "package." Babel beat The Departed at the Globes, but if it wins here, what other awards does it have backing it up? Possibly Best Editing and an outside shot at Original Screenplay. The Departed, meanwhile, has strong shots at both Director and Adapted Screenplay; it therefore has the best package for a Best Picture winner.

Potential Shortcomings:

I constantly fear that I continue to underestimate Little Miss Sunshine. If anything, it's the fan favorite for Best Picture, and I have it shut out of everything -- even Original Screenplay, where I predict it is upset by The Queen. The latter just seems like a better choice for the upscale, stodgy Academy, plus it won the Golden Globe. Then again, the Academy can't be that stodgy if they handed an Oscar to Three