Who will win: Forest Whitaker "The Last King of Scotland"

He's got all the buzz and his win at the Golden Globes pretty much wrapped things up.

Who should win: Will Smith "The Pursuit of Happyness"

Or maybe he should get a "most improved" award.,”

Best Actor

Who will win: Forest Whitaker "The Last King of Scotland"

He's got all the buzz and his win at the Golden Globes pretty much wrapped things up.

Who should win: Leonardo DiCaprio "Blood Diamond"

Any actor who can channel the dichotomy of the good guy and the bad guy into human character deserves recognition. Plus, he never got the lauding he deserved for his role in "Growing Pains."

Supporting Actor

Will: Alan Arkin "Little Miss Sunshine"

Playing the cranky, drug-addled, sex-addict grandpa, Arkin is good, but not quite the scene-stealer people are making him out to be. We've seen it before, although his interpretation is quite good.

Should: Mark Wahlberg "The Departed"

No question. Every line Wahlberg touches is gold. Hopefully around Oscar time his stock will rise "like a 12-year-olds ."

Best Actress

Will: Helen Mirren "The Queen"

In the exact same position as Whitaker, Mirren is a virtual lock. As she should be.

Should: Helen Mirren "The Queen"

Without Mirren's spot-on biopic turn, this film would fall flat.

Supporting Actress

Will: Jennifer Hudson "Dreamgirls"

Although she didn't win "American Idol," Hudson will get the last laugh after picking up an Oscar for her role as a singer in the "No really, we're not the Supremes" flick.

Should: Abigail Breslin "Little Miss Sunshine"

Hey, Hudson has a great voice. But she can't match Breslin's dance skills or charm. And how is Breslin up for supporting actress? She's the star!

Best Director

Will: Clint Eastwood "Letters from Iwo Jima"

The Academy's love-affair with Eastwood will likely continue this year. Plus, this film pulls at the heartstrings, something else they love.

Should: Martin Scorsese "The Departed"

As Jon Stewart noted last year after a rap group won an Oscar: "Three Six Mafia one, Martin Scorsese, zero."

Best Picture

Will: "Letters From Iwo Jima"

Although it's excellent, it works even better as the second part to the earlier "Flags of Our Fathers." But this is for best individual movie.

Should: "The Departed"

Scorsese's powerhouse is unparalled in soundtrack, setting, script and acting. Plus, this newspaper named it movie of the year.

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