Maggie Burnett

Best Picture :"Traffic"
If the fact that I saw this film twice in one week is any indication of how good it is, then "Traffic" definitely deserves an Oscar. Benicio Del Toro's heroic role as Javier and Catherine Zeta-Jones' less-than-motherly act as Helena are just two of the performances that make this movie captivating and worth a second peek - and an Oscar.

Best Actor : Tom Hanks, "Cast Away"
Although I am a self-proclaimed Tom Hanks-aholic, he is truly deserving of the Oscar for this category. I've said it once and I'll say it again - who else can pull off a two-hour long flick containing dialogue only between himself and a volleyball? Hanks' character may have lost his mind on that island but that certainly doesn't mean Hanks should lose an Oscar.

Best Actress : Julia Roberts, "Erin Brockovich"
Ok I'll admit it, I haven't actually seen the movie - and I call myself the Arts editor. However, based on previous roles played by Roberts, it's nice to see her play a role in a non-romantic movie and take on the role of a woman who actually makes a difference. Now I just hope when I finally rent the movie it will live up to my Oscar pick!

Best Director : Steven Soderbergh, "Traffic"
Soderbergh's use of subtle yet detailed filmmaking made this movie absolutely captivating. All of us desert rats can appreciate the yellow-tint he cast over all of the movie's Mexico scenes. Why? Because it's true to life. The dull, corporate blue-tint he chose to cast over the scenes filmed in Michael Douglas' office and courtroom is yet another example of Soderbergh's diverse Oscar-worthy style.

Best Original Song : "I've Seen it All," Dancer in the Dark
Bjork is just entirely too cute of a girl to not be recognized for this song. Not to mention the other songs entered into this category hardly qualify as "original" let alone "best." The song fits the movie to a T, something which other movie tracks have seemed to fail at in the past. As far as good movie songs go, "I've Seen it All," and it ain't pretty my friends. This one deserves an Oscar.

Phil Leckman

Best Picture "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"
Ang Lee's gorgeous chop-socky has it all - story, action, humor, incredibly beautiful scenery and not one, but two compelling romances. And I haven't even mentioned the astounding, lighter-than-air fight sequences. This film proves once and for all that kung fu movies are more than bad dubbing and goofy sound effects.

Best Actor Russell Crowe, "Gladiator"
Rumor has it Crowe wanted to use an Antonio Banderas-like Spanish accent for this part - aren't you glad that the producers talked him out of it? Crowe's noble, prowling pugilist single-handedly revived the entire historic-epic genre, a feat well worth a statuette. Besides, he could probably cream any of the other nominees...

Best Actress: Juliette Binoche, "Chocolat"
For longtime fans like me, Juliette Binoche can do no wrong. The combination of girl-next-door good looks, integrity and pixie-like humor that she brings to the screen would have made her a marquee star rivaling Audrey Hepburn or Ingrid Bergman in an era less fixated on fake boobs and 19-inch waists. Surely, an Oscar would be at least some consolation.

Best Director: Steven Soderbergh, "Traffic"
Some would say that Soderbergh's color-coded morality play laid the cinematography on just a little too thick. "Traffic" is actually a rare feat - a well-crafted ensemble piece that blends three complementary, but independent, storylines into a skillful, multi-faceted commentary on one of society's most persistent problems.

Best Original Song : Bjork "I've Seen it All" from "Dancer in the Dark"
This one's not even close. Forgetting that Bjork, who sang this song, has one of the most uniquely beautiful voices in music today, this is the only nominated track that rises above the rest of the Disney-soundtrack schlock. The edgy "I've Seen it All" perfectly captures the disconcerting melancholy of Lars Von Trier's disturbing musical.

Greg Uhlin

Best Picture: "Traffic"
What dismal choices - Edgier fare and independent gems like "Dancer in the Dark" and "Billy Elliot" have been overlooked for mediocre and mainstream "crowd pleasers," nominated only because of their Miramax publicity campaigns. Of the nominees, "Traffic" stands out - serious filmmaking, above par acting, stellar direction. Honorable mention to "Crouching Tiger" though - kung fu movies will never be the same.

Best Actor: Javier Bardem, "Before Night Falls"
Although the award rightfully belongs to Mark Ruffalo of "You Can Count on Me," Javier Bardem's subtle and heart-wrenching turn as gay Cuban writer Reinaldo Arenas was the most memorable of the nominees. Plus, it exhibited way more range than, say, talking to sports equipment.

Best Actress: Ellen Burstyn, "Requiem for a Dream"
Julia Roberts, I'm sorry. You've got a great smile and plenty of talent, but to watch Ellen Burstyn's chilling descent caused by drug addiction puts even your cleavage-assisted performance to shame. Burstyn was vulnerable, touching and coked out of her mind. What a risk to take and what a payoff it will be come Oscar night.

Best Director: Ang Lee, "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"
Riddle me this: when is a martial arts movie not a martial arts movie? When it's made by Ang Lee. Revolutionizing the genre, Lee's "Crouching Tiger" belies convention, and it's brave enough to be in Mandarin Chinese. Soderbergh should consider the dual nomination an honor but that's all he's going home with.

Best Song: Bjork, "I've Seen it All"
There is no contest here. None. Bjork's "I've Seen it All" rises above the other commercialized, saccharine nominees. True to her artistic integrity, Bjork delivers a thematically resonant and enjoyable number. Her music for "Dancer in the Dark" is more than just a marketing ploy to sell soundtracks.

Vanessa Francis

Best Picture :"Traffic"
"Traffic" - on the basis of its intensive, timely storyline - is most worthy of the all-around Oscar gold in a motion picture. It shines with its ensemble cast of players, including seasoned veteran Michael Douglas, "occupada" wife Catherine Zeta-Jones and a new liter of young actors such as Erika Christensen and Topher Grace. The story lines are tight and the scenes are quick-paced without a dull moment.

Best Actor : Ed Harris "Pollock"
Ed Harris is a good actor, and it's time he is rewarded with an accommodating role. It's not often that Hollywood makes a quality biographical film about struggling artists with debilitating drug addictions - instead they cast actors with their own debilitating problems to play biographical film roles. Harris was marvelous, as well as mind-blowingly manic in the best role of his career.

Best Actress : Julia Roberts "Erin Brockovich"
It's in the bag for Julia. She starred in a movie about an ordinary woman accomplishing extraordinary things. Whereas the plot contains sizable holes and an unnoticeable time lapse from the real-life story, Roberts and her Brockovich-inspired push-up bra were the hardest working duo in show business last year; and neither snapped under the scrutiny.

Best Director : Steven Soderbergh "Traffic"
While many acclaimed directors are praised for a stand-out style, Soderbergh has an innate capability of not having one. His movies run the gamut of personal docu-dramas to national concerns. It's a much needed return to the old-school style of directing. He shies away from unnecessary artsy lighting and uber-dramatic scenes. His work with "Traffic" is more worthy than Brockovich simply because of its comprehensive story line.

Best Original Song : Sting "My Funny Friend and Me" from "Shaft"
Not since Isaac Hayes' "Shaft" has a worthy original song won an Oscar. Is it possible for Disney to make a film without a hit song or a million-dollar marketing campaign? Kudos to Bjork for an Oscar nod, but Sting will still prevail. The song is trite, and the lyrics are fresh out of a bubble-gum machine. Yet, thanks to the magic of the Svengalis at Disney, the most unoriginal song will win.