OSCAR TALK - I saw 'City of God' over the weekend, plus 'In The Mood For Love' on DVD... and I still haven't commented on 'Confessions of a Dangerous Mind' yet. But it's the day before Oscar nominations are announced, so that takes precedence. Mark Caro and critic Michael Wilmington each listed their predictions for nominations in yesterday's Chicago Tribune. I'll have a little bit of commentary at the end, but will save my talk on who is deserving and who is not for after the noms are announced.

BEST PICTURE
Caro and Wilmington agree on: Chicago, The Hours, The Two Towers and The Pianist
Caro thinks the surprise hit 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' will get a nom; Wilmington goes with 'Gangs of New York' for the fifth spot
Entertainment Weekly says Golden Globe Winners 'The Hours' and 'Chicago' are the favorites, while also throwing out for consideration -- About Schmidt, Adaptation, Road to Perdition, Antwone Fisher and Far From Heaven.

BEST DIRECTOR
Caro and Wilmington agree on: Peter Jackson (Two Towers), Rob Marshall (Chicago), Roman Polanski (The Pianist), and Martin Scorsese (Gangs of New York)
Caro goes with Stephen Daldry (The Hours) in the final spot; Wilmington thinks critical darling Pedro Almodovar (Talk to Her) is in
EW adds to the mix Alexander Payne (About Schmidt), Spike Jonze (Adaptation), Todd Haynes (Far From Heaven), Sam Mendes (Perdition) and Denzel Washington (Antwone Fisher).

BEST ACTOR
Caro and Wilmington agree on all five: Adrian Brody (Pianist), Nic Cage (Adaptation), Michael Caine (Quiet American), Daniel Day-Lewis (Gangs) and Jack Nicholson (Schmidt)
Click here for EW's list.

BEST ACTRESS
Caro and Wilmington agree on: Nicole Kidman (The Hours), Diane Lane (Unfaithful), Julianne Moore (Far From Heaven) and Renee Zellweger (Chicago).
Caro goes with Meryl Streep for 'The Hours' while Wilmington thinks Salma Hayek will squeak in for 'Frida.'
Click here for EW's list.

BEST SUPP. ACTOR
Caro and Wilmington agree on: Chris Cooper (Adaptation), Paul Newman (Perdition), Dennis Quaid (Far From Heaven) and Christopher Walken (Catch Me If You Can).
Caro throw in Alfred Molina for 'Frida'; Wilmington likes Ed Harris for 'The Hours.'
Click here for EW's list.

BEST SUPP. ACTRESS
Caro and Wilmington agree on all five: Kathy Bates (Schmidt), Queen Latifah (Chicago), Moore (The Hours), Streep (Adaptation) and Xatherine Zeta-Jones (Chicago).
Click here for EW's list.

HOPE THEY'RE RIGHT: Dennis Quaid, Julianne Moore (Best Actress, Far From Heaven), Adrian Brody, The Pianist, Daniel Day-Lewis
HOPE THEY'RE WRONG: Only one of their Best Picture predictions ('The Pianist') made my top five for the year, so, obviously, I wouldn't mind that entire list getting blown up. Not likely to happen though. Queen Latifah is fine in 'Chicago,' but it's not a role worth even a Supporting nod. Co-star Richard Gere should get one, though apparently Miramax was pushing him for Best Actor, which is a mistake. Ed Harris and Meryl Streep both have showy performances in 'The Hours,' but who cares? I love Harris, but his dying-from-AIDS-visionary-poet bit is too obvious an Oscar choice.

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