The Academy Awards will be presented March 5, but you don't have to wait until then to know the ultimate truths about this year's Oscars: Our staff can tell you everything you need to know. For each category, the films, actors and directors listed are in the following order: what will win, what should win and what could have been a contender.
Joe Lynch, Arts Editor
Picture: 'Brokeback Mountain,' 'Brokeback Mountain,' 'The Squid and the Whale'
'Brokeback' seems set to become one of the silver screen's most enduring romances. Ever better: the fact that this film's very ordinary plot has become so controversial only highlights the fact that America still hasn't come to terms with reality.
Director: Lee, Lee, David Cronenberg, 'A History of Violence'
Ang Lee is an established director behind a celebrated film with no Academy wins to his name'his time has come.
Actor: Hoffman, Howard, Eric Bana, 'Munich'
Hoffman's effusive, quirky performance is exactly what the Academy likes to reward, but Howard's portrayal of a confused, desperate pimp sticks with you longer.
Actress: Witherspoon, Witherspoon, Laura Linney, 'The Squid and the Whale'
Hollywood doesn't usually produce three-dimensional female characters, so it's no surprise the best female lead this year is Witherspoon as June Carter Cash, a woman as classy as she was feisty.
Supporting Actor: Clooney, Dillon, Owen Kline, 'The Squid and the Whale'
The Academy will likely reward Clooney for his take-no-prisoners filmmaking attitude this year, even though his performance in 'Syriana' is inferior to most of the other nominees' in this category.
Supporting Actress: Weisz, Keener, Taryn Manning, 'Hustle and Flow'
Keener's portrayal of Harper Lee is too low-key to win an Oscar, but she deserves the award for taking what could have been a sidekick role and giving Hoffman a run for his money instead.
Kevin Nelson, ex-Arts Editor
Picture: 'Brokeback Mountain,' 'Brokeback Mountain,' 'Batman Begins'
In what will prove indie film's big night at the Oscars, 'Brokeback Mountain' is the biggest of them all. Its plot, direction and acting will secure it the night's big gold.
Director: Lee, Lee, Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller, 'Sin City'
Ang Lee staked his reputation on 'Brokeback Mountain,' which could easily have exploded in his face. In Lee's deft hands, the film turned out magnificently. Rodriguez could do by-the-book action movies, but he took the previously unadaptable 'Sin City' and along with Frank Miller and Quentin Tarantino's help created one of the best films of 2005.
Actor: Hoffman, Hoffman, Johnny Depp, 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'
Hoffman has commonly knocked his supporting actor roles out of the park, and probably deserved some Academy recognition for those roles. The Academy will atone for its sins by justifiably rewarding Hoffman for his star-affirming role as Truman Capote.
Actress: Witherspoon, Huffman, Ziyi Zhang, 'Memoirs of a Geisha'
There's no question that Huffman gave the best performance of last year, but the unglamorous role will lose out to Witherspoon's tour-de-force in 'Walk the Line,' which proved she was not just 'Legally Blonde.'
Supporting Actor: Clooney, Dillon, Benecio Del Toro, 'Sin City'
Yes, 'Crash' was a grand movie, and in a terrific ensemble cast, Matt Dillon stood out as the best. However, the Academy will feel sorry for Ang Lee drubbing Clooney's 'Good Night, and Good Luck,' so they'll give him the conciliatory prize of Best Supporting Actor. On top of that, Clooney also gave a damn fine performance.
Supporting Actress: Weisz, Adams, Scarlett Johansson, 'Match Point'
The one thing people said when walking out of 'Junebug' is that it was Amy Adams' star-making role. Unfortunately, few saw the film, so it will not translate to Oscar gold. In a weak field of supporting actresses, this will allow Rachel Weisz to sweep in and claim it for 'The Constant Gardener.'
Joe Pudas, Film Columnist
Picture: 'Brokeback Mountain,' 'Munich,' 'Match Point'
It's a close call between the knockout political tales 'Good Night and Good Luck' and 'Munich,' but Spielberg's unflinching, terrific thriller is the most deserving of these nominees.
Director: Lee, Clooney, Woody Allen, 'Match Point'
Usually whenever a film wins Best Picture, its director wins Best Director. This will be the case again. After 'Good Night and Good Luck,' I want to see Clooney directing more movies, and a Best Director Oscar would be appropriate encouragement.
Actor: Hoffman, Howard, Steve Carrell, 'The 40-Year Old Virgin'
Howard took a morally reprehensible character and had us unconditionally rooting for him to fulfill his hopes and dreams. Carell is one of the funniest people alive, and his genial, hysterical performance made his film an instant classic.
Actress: Witherspoon, Witherspoon, Naomi Watts, 'King Kong'
Witherspoon's return to actual acting has swept the other critical circuits and will earn America's sweetheart her first little golden guy. Watts is, hands down, one of our most talented actresses, and even her emoting with a blue screen was authentic.
Supporting Actor: Clooney, Clooney, Mickey Rourke, 'Sin City'
Representing the most compelling subplot of Stephen Gaghan's labyrinthine oil expos??, Clooney easily owns this category. The Academy should've at least thrown Rourke a bone for his fantastic performance.
Supporting Actress: Weisz, Adams, Catherine Keener, 'The 40-Year-Old Virgin'
Adams became an overnight indie darling with her lovely, infectious performance in 'Junebug,' and I'm personally rooting for her to upset Weisz. Keener was oddly nominated for her average performance in 'Capote' rather than her wonderful turn as Steve Carell's outspoken object of affection.
Tarah Scalzo, Film Critic
Picture: 'Crash,' 'Brokeback Mountain,' 'Junebug'
Renewed buzz has hoisted 'Crash' into the running for first. But 'Brokeback,' a story of love and secrecy spun with all the brilliance of humanity, is certainly the best.
Director: Lee, Haggis, Miranda July, 'Me and You and Everyone We Know'
A success comparable to that of Steven Soderbergh's gritty masterpiece 'Traffic,' 'Crash' is so well-done it's almost unbearable. It's a little movie about little things, but 'Me and You and Everyone We Know' is a priceless look into the every day lives of everyday people.
Actor: Hoffman, Hoffman, Steve Carrell, 'The 40 Year Old Virgin'
It's not that Ledgers's gay cowboy portrayal wasn't outrageous enough. It's just that Hoffmans's Truman Capote portrayal was better. The day the Academy recognizes a successful comedic performance like Carrell's, Hollywood might go into shock. What's more difficult than making people laugh?
Actress: Witherspoon, Witherspoon, Gwyneth Paltrow, 'Proof'
The buzz has been consistent since the moment Witherspoon won the Golden Globe. It's in the bag for her, but Gwyneth could have easily been this year's pick for best frighteningly insane performance.
Supporting Actor: Clooney, Gyllenhaal, Matthew Goode, 'Match Point'
After years of making nothing but muscle films and romantic comedies, Clooney delivered two noteworthy roles in one year and he's bound to win. Goode's performance as an arrogant, British yuppy is as unforgettable and essential to 'Match Point's' allure.
Supporting Actress: Adams, Adams, Scarlett Johansson, 'Match Point'
Surprising and refreshing, Amy's performance in 'Junebug' goes without match in recent years. Without Johansson, 'Match Point's' goal of scandalizing the viewer into being afraid of living inside their own skin would have gone unfulfilled.
Dan Wohl, Arts Editor
Picture: 'Brokeback Mountain,' 'Brokeback Mountain,' 'Downfall'
'Good Night and Good Luck' and 'Munich' were both immensely affecting and historically significant, but 'Brokeback' will go down as a classic, a landmark film. 'Downfall,' one of the most profound war films ever made, should have been right up there.
Director: Lee, Spielberg, Oliver Hirschbiegel, 'Downfall'
This category is rarely more than a mirror of Best Picture (as the nominee list shows), but Spielberg's enormous courage ought to be recognized.
Actor: Hoffman, Strathairn, Eric Bana, 'Munich'
Hoffman was great, but he was given a ton to work with. Strathairn was equally great after being given crumbs. His subtle infusion of passion into his staid, stoic character was sensational.
Actress: Huffman, Witherspoon, Vera Farmiga, 'Down to the Bone'
Like Hoffman, Huffman delivered the type of performance the Academy loves: she used a strange voice and transformed herself physically. 'Down to the Bone' slipped far, far below the radar, but those in the know praised Farmiga's performance as one of the best in years.
Supporting Actor: Clooney, Gyllenhaal, Clifton Collins Jr., 'Capote'
The Academy will reward Clooney for a successful year, but there was nothing particularly wonderful about his performance. As the conflicted, confusing murderer in 'Capote,' Collins was a huge snub.
Supporting Actress: Williams, Williams, Anne Hathaway, 'Brokeback Mountain'
With Heath Ledger not a lock to win Best Actor, the Academy will pile votes on to Williams to make sure 'Brokeback's' acting is rewarded. Williams' quiet suffering was masterful, but Hathaway's smiley defiance was just as deserving.
