Collegiate Times

At the beginning of each calendar year, a series of awards ceremonies take place to honor the achievements of the films released the previous year. The Screen Actors Guild Awards, the Golden Globes, The British Academy Awards and many others that garner very little publicity all serve as precursors to the greatest celebration of film all year — The Academy Awards.

The Academy Awards, which kicked off its first ceremony in 1929, is an annual ceremony held to award a golden statuette to the winners of 24 categories, plus one lifetime achievement award (which will be awarded this year to Ennio Morricone, legendary film composer). When I sat down to consider who would be the likely winners this year, I can safely say that I doubt there will be one big winner to sweep the awards. More than likely, there will be several new Academy Award winning films that night.

Actor in a Leading Role

Nominees: Leonardo DiCaprio in Blood Diamond, Ryan Gosling in Half Nelson, Peter O'Toole in Venus, Will Smith in The Pursuit of Happyness, Forest Whitaker in The Last King of Scotland

Predicted Winner: Forest Whitaker, The Last King of Scotland

The 2007 acting categories are among the most predictable and unsurprising lineups of the past 10 years. Forest Whitaker has been the clear frontrunner, with the Golden Globe, the BAFTA, the SAG, the National Board of Review award and 11 critics circle awards. Let's just say that he should be preparing his speech. The only possible upset I could imagine would be veteran actor, and bearer of seven failed nominations, Peter O'Toole. If O'Toole doesn't upset Whitaker, he will be known as the biggest loser in Academy history.

Actor in a Supporting Role

Nominees: Alan Arkin in "Little Miss Sunshine," Jackie Earle Haley in "Little Children," Djimon Hounsou in "Blood Diamond," Eddie Murphy in "Dreamgirls," Mark Wahlberg in "The Departed"

Predicted Winner: Eddie Murphy, "Dreamgirls"

At this point, Murphy appears to be the frontrunner of this category, but I'd also say he's the shakiest frontrunner of the acting categories. If there's going to be a surprise win in the acting categories, I'm willing to bet that it will take place in the Best Supporting Actor category.Murphy has a history of goofy comedic roles that may cloud the Academy's judgement when they cast their ballot. That, or maybe when they see the numerous Norbit ads that have been running for the past month, they might ask, "Is this really the guy I want to win?" If someone were to upset, I think it would be Alan Arkin; however, I think Murphy's the safest bet of the category.

Actress in a Leading Role

Nominees: Penelope Cruz in "Volver," Judi Dench in "Notes on a Scandal," Helen Mirren in "The Queen," Meryl Streep in "The Devil Wears Prada," Kate Winslet in "Little Children"

Predicted Winner: Helen Mirren, "The Queen"

This category is locked up and the envelope is already sealed. Helen Mirren's name has probably already been engraved on the statuette. Mirren will win because 1) She has been nominated and lost twice before, and 2) She has the BAFTA, the Golden Globe, the NBR, the BFCA, the SAG, and a phenomenal 18 critics' circle awards, including the African-American Film Critics Circle, which normally only honors actors who are, well, African-American. If Mirren wins, she will be the first actress over 40 to win the Best Actress award in 11 years. There's really no need for me to pick a runner-up.

Actress in a Supporting Role

Nominees:Adriana Barraza in "Babel," Cate Blanchett in "Notes on a Scandal," Abigail Breslin in "Little Miss Sunshine," Jennifer Hudson in "Dreamgirls," Rinko Kikuchi in "Babel"

Predicted Winner: Jennifer Hudson, "Dreamgirls"

I couldn't be anymore surprised, but American Idol alumni Jennifer Hudson is going to be an Oscar winner. After her debut film, "Dreamgirls," was released, the critics have had nothing but excellent things to say about Hudson. With the BAFTA, the NBR, and the Golden Globe wins, I'd say she's well on her way to becoming "Academy Award Winning Actress Jennifer Hudson."I'd like to see one of the "Babel"ladies pull an upset, and one from Kikuchi seems plausible, but unlikely.

Best Director

Nominees: Alejandro González Iñárritu in "Babel," Martin Scorsese in "The Departed," Clint Eastwood in "Letters from Iwo Jima," Stephen Frears in "The Queen," Paul Greengrass in "United 93"

Predicted Winner: Martin Scorsese, "The Departed"

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