... for running this fun contest again.

Actor in a leading role:
Bill Murray in "Lost in Translation" (Focus Features)
----- close call w/ Sean Penn

Actor in a supporting role:
Alec Baldwin in "The Cooler" (Lions Gate)
----- though my vote would be for Watanabe

Actress in a leading role:
Charlize Theron in "Monster" (Newmarket Films)
----- hands down the best performance of the year by any actor or actress, leading or supporting

Actress in a supporting role:
Renée Zellweger in "Cold Mountain" (Miramax)
----- another excellent performance by a talented and versatile actress (Bridget Jones & Chicago!)

Art direction:
"The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" (New Line)
----- even though I didn't see it

Cinematography:
"Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World" (20th Century Fox) Russell Boyd
----- clear choice here

Costume design:
"The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" (New Line) Ngila Dickson and Richard Taylor
----- both Samurai & Commander would also be good choices for this one

Directing:
"Lost in Translation" (Focus Features) Sofia Coppola
----- another close call, my vote would be for Peter Weir

Makeup:
"The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" (New Line) Richard Taylor and Peter King
----- another close call

Best picture:
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" (New Line) A Wingnut Films Production
Barrie M. Osborne, Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh, Producers
----- my personal choice would be Master & Commander

Visual effects:
"Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" (Buena Vista) John Knoll, Hal Hickel, Charles Gibson and Terry Frazee
----- tough one, all three worthy

Tie-breaker question!
What time (pacific time) will the Academy Awards end?
10:08 pm pst

----- jim o\-S