The justArts sat down to discuss this year's Oscar nominations: Animated Feature

Arnon Shorr: Shark Tale is out of the running-it just wasn't all that great. The two real contenders are Shrek 2 and The Incredibles. The Incredibles has an edge because it's not a sequel and it does a better job of making fun of the movie industry and mocking pop culture than does Shrek 2.

Jenn Rubin: The only edge Shrek 2 has is that it is now the top-grossing animated film of all time, which could give its nomination some push.

Jennifer Morrow: The Incredibles had a marvelous script. On one hand it was a kids' movie, but on the other hand it was a great coming-of-age story and a great tale about middle America and "fitting into the groove." It was a very complicated plot for an animated feature, and that's probably what the Academy is looking for: not just a kids' film, but something that goes above and beyond the call of duty.



Supporting Actor

Shorr: Looking at this list, I'm particularly surprised by the presence of Jamie Foxx and Alan Alda-both of whom began their careers in comedy and who are nominated here for serious roles. Foxx's role in Collateral was a very significant change for him, a very dramatic reversal from his usual roles. I think for that he will get the win.

Morrow: Jamie Foxx probably will win for Ray, so I think it's going to be Clive Owen for Closer in this category. Owen's the next big thing, and the Academy likes to give it to the up-and-coming actors who look like "decent enough chaps."

Rubin: I completely disagree! I think the Oscar should go to Thomas Haden Church for Sideways, because he really showed a lot of depth in his performance. The scene when he finally broke down in the hotel really touched me. As for who I think will win, I'll go with Morgan Freeman for Million Dollar Baby.

Benjamin Freed: Morgan Freeman's role in Million Dollar Baby is another one of his old, wise mentor characters. I actually think Alan Alda could and should win. He was, in my opinion, the only really bright spot of The Aviator, which was an otherwise lackluster movie.

Amit Shertzer: I think Thomas Haden Church is going to win because he put in a very emotional performance in which he showed a lot of diversity in his acting skills.



Supporting Actress

Rubin: I think it is a tragedy that Virginia Madsen from Sideways was nominated in this category. In no sense was her performance worthy of an Oscar nod-she had maybe one good monologue in the film. I loved Laura Linney in Kinsey, but I hope it will go to Natalie Portman. Like Jen (Morrow) said, the Academy likes to give it to the up-and-coming actors and actresses. Portman's role as stripper in Closer was her first real grown-up performance on screen, and she proved she could actually act, too.

Morrow: I also think that Natalie Portman will win, but for a different reason. I call it the "Down and Dirty Phenomenon of Oscars," which is when an actress does something slightly embarrassing on screen-takes off her top, or covers herself in ugly, deforming makeup-she gets an Academy Award. The Academy likes to see actresses-the clean-cut, America's sweetheart types- go a bit "out for their art."

Shorr: I am impressed that Natalie Portman is somehow surviving her "Star Wars curse." She's certainly a hefty actress, but the fact that she is managing to pull away from Star Wars in a way that many of the major Star Wars actors did not succeed in doing is a testament to her ability to pick roles and to really move past that unfortunate phenomenon. That being said, I feel quite strongly that Cate Blanchett will win for her rendition of Katherine Hepburn in The Aviator. Many of the folks voting at the Academy probably knew Hepburn and certainly all know Hepburn's work. Blanchett's rendition of Katherine Hepburn was just frighteningly good. So, I think that just for the sheer ability to mimic the great actress of the silver screen, Blanchett will get it.



Leading Actor

Galil: Jamie Foxx-you got to give it to him for Ray. He was one of the producers, he put the film into motion, and he basically carried the film. However, like with the best supporting actress category, I feel like this category was very weak as well.

Rubin: I completely disagree with Leor. I am very happy with this category, and I think the people who deserved to get nominated got nominated. I am so happy Paul Giamatti got passed over for Sideways. I think it was a one-dimensional performance, and the script did not finish his character development.

Jon Fischer: Underdog Don Cheadle is going to win it.



Leading Actress

Fischer: I'm not even sure if this is an issue-all the buzz is around Hilary Swank. It's a great performance, possibly rivaling her role in Boys Don't Cry. She has it in the bag.

Leor Galil: I would love to see Kate Winslet win for Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and I also think it's a shame that the movie got snubbed for Best Picture. Everyone's saying Hilary Swank, but still, Annette Bening was good in Being Julia, and people loved Catalina Sandino Moreno in Maria Full of Grace.

Morrow: The Academy loves Hilary Swank, and the Academy loves Clint Eastwood, so Hilary Swank plus Clint Eastwood equals Oscar gold.



Best Director/Best Picture

Fischer: Scorsese is going to win for The Aviator. This is like Denzel Washington winning the Academy Award for Training Day and not Malcolm X. Scorsese is far too respected a director not to have a statuette, and it's a good enough movie in a weak enough year for him to win. For Best Picture, I think The Aviator and Sideways could easily split each others' votes and Million Dollar Baby could take it, much like what happened when Shakespeare in Love won for Best Picture in 1998.

Galil: Even though Scorsese hasn't won yet, I don't think that he should win for The Aviator. Clint Eastwood did a much better job for Million Dollar Baby, and I also think that will win Best Picture.

Freed: Clint Eastwood will get robbed for a second year in a row, and Scorsese will get it. Yes, The Aviator was better than Gangs of New York, but it was still not Scorsese's best work. Winning the statuette would be equivalent of Scorsese winning a lifetime achievement award. I want Million Dollar Baby to win Best Picture; there's no Lord of the Rings to steal Clint Eastwood's achievement this year.

Shorr: One of the things that struck me when I saw The Aviator is that Scorsese took Leonardo DiCaprio, who not too long ago was a sickeningly popular teen heartthrob, and managed to strip him completely naked, put him in a room and make him completely unattractive. I think the fact that Scorsese managed to do that, with an actor who not too long ago would not have been able to do that, is a testament that he should win.

Shertzer: I loved Sideways. I thought it subtle, beautifully made and acted. So for best picture, I choose Sideways because I thought I could identify with the characters. For best director, I choose Scorsese. I thought his aerial shots were very strong, and the way he built up tension in the film was masterful.