Spotlight: Th e Oscars

LITTLE OSCARS BIG NIGHT THIS SUNDAY

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Terrence Dashon Howard is nominated for Best Actor for his role in “Hustle & Flow.”

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“Crash” is nominated for Best Picture

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Reese Witherspoon (L) is nominated for Best Actress. Joaquin Phoenix (R) is nominated for Best Actor. Both for their roles in “Walk The Line.”

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“Brokeback Mountain” leads with eight nominations. Heath Ledger (L) is nominated for Best Actor and eback Mountain” leads with eight nominations. Heath Ledger (L) is nominated for Best Actor and Jake Gyllenhaal (R) is nominated for Best Actor in Supporting Role.

By Jody Cason

Daily Titan Staff Writer

The 78 th annual Academy Awards are finally upon us, and to no surprise, “Brokeback Mountain” leads the pack with eight nominations.

“Brokeback” will probably not sweep the categories, but will definitely take home the Best Picture prize, since it is the extra heavy favorite.

The film has already won almost every major critical award this year, including the Golden Globe. There is no chance that “Brokeback” will lose – you can just feel it in the air.

The remainder of the nominees, “Crash,” “Capote,” “Munich” and “Good Night, and Good Luck,” are every bit worthy of Oscars themselves, but will all have to be satisfied with bridesmaid duty at this year’s ceremony.

Other winners in the major categories are not so hard to predict this year either.

Director Ang Lee, who was also nominated in 2000 for “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” will surely take home his first Oscar for his outstanding work on “Brokeback.”

There are some outstanding performances in the Best Actor category as well, like Heath Ledger’s exceptional portrayal of a confused cowboy caught between two worlds, and Terrence Howard’s

“Brokeback Mountian” leads the pack with eight nominations

JODY CASON

critically acclaimed interpretation of a man who gives up everything to achieve his dream of becoming a rap star in “Hustle & Flow.”

Joaquin Phoenix is also in the running with his brilliant, subdued imitation of the late great Johnny Cash, as well as David Strathairn, who plays Edward R. Murrow in “Good Night, and Good Luck.”

The winner hands down will be Philip Seymour Hoffman however.

His poignant portrayal of Truman Capote has had critics raving since the film opened, predicting without a doubt that Hoffman will take home the gold statue. The front-runner in the Best Actress category is Reese Witherspoon, for her charming portrayal of the late great June Carter Cash

Felicity Huffman is only a slight threat to Witherspoon for her transformation into a member of the opposite sex in “Transamerica.”

The Best Supporting Actor race is between Paul Giamatti (Cinderella Man) and George Clooney (Syriana).

Academy members are more than likely going to honor Giamatti though, for he has been such an outstanding character actor through the years.

The Best Supporting Actress Oscar will likely go to Rachel Weisz for her role in “The Constant Gardener.”

Amy Adams, Katherine Keener, Michelle Williams and Frances McDormand are also up for the award, but Weisz is solidly in the lead with numerous awards already under her belt this year.

The surprise element may be absent from the awards this year, but the Oscars are still always entertaining to watch – especially with Jon Stewart as this year’s host.

So make sure you tune in to ABC this Sunday to watch the event unfold.