I have done several articles on the Oscars this year and in each one I predicted who I think will win. But the truth is, this year is unlike most in that there really is no clear cut winner in most categories. In almost all of the major categories there are at least two that stand a chance of winning.

Following I will write a little synopsis on each of the major categories of who are the front-runners and then I will make my final predictions:

Best Picture

Lord Of The Rings vs A Beautiful Mind vs Moulin Rouge
True, before I only mentioned the first two movies. But I have heard several experts say that Moulin Rouge could pull of the upset. But I think that the chance of that happening is very small, since Baz Luhrman was not even nominated for Best Director. Lord Of The Rings stands a better chance since it has received 13 nominations. I originally picked A Beautiful Mind to win, but now I'm not so sure. Not that its buzz has lessened, people have been backing the other two films much lately. In The Bedroom and Gosford Park are both dark horses.

My Choice:
-Lord of the Rings (of course)

And the Award Goes to:
- A Beautiful Mind (yes, I'm sticking with that).

Robert Altman vs Ron Howard vs Peter Jackson
The chances for Jackson winning for the epic LOTR seemed a little unlikely, but it also got a boost with the movie being nominated for so many awards. When a movie is nominated a bunch it stands out to the voters and they might just give LOTR some of the major awards, such as Director. So this makes for a tough category to pick. Robert Altman is a favorite among the older voters and he has already won several director awards this year. Ron Howard seemed like an unlikely choice in previous years (except for Apollo 13 for which he should have been nominated) and his last movie, The Grinch was not popular with critics. And that is exactly the reason he could win, along with the movie being very popular among critics.

My Choice:
- Do you even need to ask? Peter Jackson (LOTR)

And The Award Goes To:
-Robert Altman (Gosford Park)

Best Actress

Sissy Spacek vs Nicole Kidman vs Halle Berry
Okay, go ahead and pick me apart. Before I said that the award will go to Spacek and that I would bet money on that, I'd like to retract that bet. Halle Berry has clearly cut into that lead that Sissy Spacek had going into the final few weeks before the Oscars. Winning the SAG certainly helped Berry's cause and to think that last summer everyone talked about the $1 million (or whatever it was) that Berry received for showing off her breasts for two seconds in Swordfish. But still, Spacek has won the majority of pre-Oscar awards. And then there's Nicole Kidman that should win just because she gave two instead of one outstanding performance this year (the other being for The Others).

My Choice:
- Nicole Kidman

And the Award Goes to:
- Sissy Spacek

Denzel Washington vs Russell Crowe
No matter what people say, this is Denzel's year. This is one choice that I am more confident about. Washington has proven himself time and again with the roles that he has picked over the last decade or so. He lost out on The Hurricane and I think that the voters might recognize him this time around. Russell Crowe is a major star. Fact: He has starred in four Best Picture nominees since '97! I mentioned this before but I think that it is truly incredible. The other morning I heard these annoying morning radio show hosts say that he won't last in Hollywood because of his temper. What? He could become the next Tom Hanks!

My Choice:
- Denzel Washington

And the Award Goes to:
- Denzel Washington

Jennifer Connelly
This is the one that I think is a certainty. Everyone is talking about the movie being nominated, Russell Crowe and Ron Howard, but Connelly might be the only walking away with a major award for the movie.

My Choice:
- Jennifer Connelly

And the Award Goes to:
- Jennifer Connelly

Jim Broadbent vs Ethan Hawke vs Ben Kingsley vs Ian McKellen vs Jon Voight
What a mess! Isn't the supporting actor category always though? I wouldn't even know where to start with this category. The only one that I don't think stands a chance is Jon Voight. Other than that it's a free-for-all. McKellen won the SAG so that helps him, but Broadbent and Ben Kingsley have won their share of pre-Oscar awards.

My Choice:
- Ian McKellen

And the Award Goes to:
- Ben Kingsley