PreCeremony Thoughts
Winner? I'm saying Return of the King but I don't much care in this category. And it's no sure thing since Howard has won before for the trilogy. (Those who are warm to lukewarm but not in love with the film may think he's been awarded enough) the obvious spoiler would be Cold Mountain if it can rally its troops to avenge its Best Picture snub.
Nominees
I scored 3/5 or 60% in my predictions missing House of Sand and Fog and Big Fish (which I had in 7th and 8th place respectively) / My year in advance predictions were 2/5 so I only barely upped it after one whole year -, ha / my personal ballot for score

Major Snub: Hans Zimmer's THE LAST SAMURAI which won the NBR Best Score and it's the type of score they usually go for Minor Snub: The well reviewed score for GIRL WITH THE PEARL EARRING by Alexandre Desplat

Best Original Song 'Into the West' from Return of the King

Preceremony Thoughts?
Who will win? In the interest of a near sweep (I'm predicting wins in 8 of its 11 categories) let's say Into the West from Return of the King. But I'd just like to reiterate once more that I am so very proud of the Academy because for the first time in aeons they've produced a list of five nominees for best original song -none of which make me shudder or feel like dry heaving and all of which I think will be enjoyable to watch and listen to on Oscar night. My secret hope is that A Kiss or Belleville Rendezvous wins because they're both instant classics...

Nominees
I scored 3/5 in my predictions here but I'm quite happy with their choices. They skipped over the unbearably treacly song for In America in favor of the splendidly wittily treacly song from A Mighty Wind. And they prevented the film Mona Lisa Smile from being able to call itself an Oscar nominee! My year in advance predictions were 2/5 correctly assuming that Return of the King and A Mighty Wind would be here. And I cannot begin to express how glad I am that they recognized The Triplets of Belleville here. AWESOME! It's also on my ballot.

Notable Snubs: BROTHER BEAR "Great Spirits" Phill Collins / SCHOOL OF ROCK "School of Rock" / CAMP -"Here's Where I Stand" / DOWN WITH LOVE - "Here's To Love" / MONA LISA SMILE "The Heart of Every Girl"

Best Sound -Return of the King

Who will win? This could go one of two ways. They could choose to honor Return of the King or they could throw a bone to Master and Commander so that it doesn't end up with one of those double digit nomination --zero losses scores. But since it has another sound award it could win let's say Return of the King

Nominees
I scored 4/5 in my predictions here missing The Last Samurai in favor of Finding Nemo / My year in advance predictions were 3/5 correctly assuming that Return of the King, Sea Biscuit, and The Last Samurai would be here. Here is my ballot.

Who will win? I'm going with Master and Commander for its only win of the evening. I don't think it's the big ship that could. Unless by could you mean -avoiding the curse of The Color Purple, The Turning Point, and other double digit nominees with no Oscars to show for it.

The Nominations
I scored 2/3 in my predictions here missing Pirates in favor of Return of the King / My year in advance predictions were 1/3 correctly catching only Nemo in that April Fools net. Here is my ballot.

FINDING NEMO

Snubs of films that passed the bakeoff:
Seabiscuit / The Last Samurai / Pirates of the Caribbean / Kill Bill, Vol. I