I really should have had two more correct answers than I had (which would have won me the contest, but ah well). I knew intellectually that Liam Neeson was likely to be pushed out in favor of Don Cheadle, and that Thurman would probably give way to Moreno in Actress. But I just couldn't bring myself to make the changes -- first, I hate picking exactly what all the pundits pick, and second, I like to go out on one or two small limbs per year so that I can look really smart if they happen to hit.

Still, had money been on the line, I probably would have gone with Cheadle and Moreno. Next year, no more risky guesses.

Most surprising nom: Mike Leigh in Director. Vera Drake didn't get a Picture nod, Leigh wasn't nominated by the DGA ... how the heck did he sneak in here?

Oh, and I'm rooting for "The Story of the Weeping Camel", just because I think it's a cool title.

-- Trip


> I bombed out on the visual effects portion of the predictions game. I had, at various times, guessed all of the three eventual nominees, but in the end NONE of my final choices matched.