AS A GENERAL disclaimer, I would like to let the public know that when I decide who I think should win an Oscar tonight at the 80th Academy Awards, it is totally dependent on the actors and actresses I like, and has very little to do with their actual performance.

I mean, congratulations to everyone who got the nomination, but Oscars are for pretty people. Let Forest Whitaker win Sundance; Leonardo DiCaprio deserved that Academy Award last year. In general, I have no qualms about the entire event turning into a popularity contest.

So, if it were up to me, Johnny Depp would win Best Actor, Ellen Page would win Best Actress, and “Atonement” would win Best Picture.

Sadly, the Academy doesn’t seem to agree with my opinion. Nor do many moviegoers. In fact, I’ve heard it would really tick people off if something like that happened. So, in acknowledgment of this unfortunate truth, here follow my real predictions.

BEST PICTURE

Nominees:

• “Atonement”
• “Juno”
• “Michael Clayton”
• “No Country for Old Men”
• “There Will Be Blood”

Even though “Juno” was my favorite film of the five nominated, I can recognize that it shouldn’t really come away with more than Best Original Screenplay. The movie just is not as good as some of its competitors, despite being more entertaining to a light-hearted audience such as myself. So, I’m going to agree with other movie snobs and say that “There Will Be Blood” should win. It was an amazing movie, and though what I have to say may not be as glowing as what Kumars had to say, I can appreciate the film’s brilliance. However, critical hype and general success will once again be the true winner, and the immense popularity of “No Country for Old Men” will most likely earn it the award.

Should Win:
“There Will Be Blood”

Will Win:
“No Country For Old Men”

BEST ACTOR

Nominees:

• George Clooney, “Michael Clayton”
• Daniel Day-Lewis, “There Will Be Blood”
• Johnny Depp, “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”
• Tommy Lee Jones, “In the Valley of Elah”
• Viggo Mortensen, “Eastern Promises”

Though this section is filled with great performances, I don’t think it’s going to be a big shocker to anyone when Daniel Day-Lewis wins Best Actor for his role in “There Will Be Blood.” And even though Johnny will always have a special place in my heart, I’ll give Day-Lewis this award. He most certainly deserves it. His portrayal of the terrifying, completely evil, yet slightly vulnerable and very unstable oilman Daniel Plainview was inspiring. Certainly his ability to pull off such a complex character is indicative of his acting prowess.

Should Win:
Daniel Day-Lewis

Will Win:
Daniel Day-Lewis

BEST ACTRESS

Nominees:

• Cate Blanchett, “Elizabeth: The Golden Age”
• Julie Christie, “Away from Her”
• Marion Cotillard, “La Vie en Rose”
• Laura Linney, “The Savages”
• Ellen Page, “Juno”

In this category it just so happens that the actress I secretly want to win and the actress I think should win are the same. I’m going to go ahead and give my vote to Ellen Page. As the lovable, clever, and witty Juno, Page gives a breakthrough performance to be remembered. Young actresses are often forced to defer to older ones, under the assumption that the more experienced you are the better performance you give and that the sooner you are going to die the more you deserve the Oscar. But, I’m going to make an exception because, despite already being past her high school years (DOB: Feb. 21, 1987), Page had to pretend to be 16 and pregnant. Still, I won’t be surprised when I’m disappointed come Sunday night. With the buzz about “Away from Her,” my money is on Julie Christie actually coming away with the win.

Should Win:
Ellen Page

Will Win:
Julie Christie

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Nominees:

• Casey Affleck, “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford”
• Javier Bardem, “No Country for Old Men”
• Philip Seymour Hoffman, “Charlie Wilson’s War”
• Hal Holbrook, “Into the Wild”
• Tom Wilkinson, “Michael Clayton”

After the conclusion that “No Country for Old Men” was too scary for me, I neglected seeing it. Unfortunately for my credibility as a supposed Oscar predictor, the movie showed up everywhere among the nominations. And, according to a lot of people, Javier Bardem is going to win this category for his show-stealing and spine-tingling performance as a crazed killer. I suppose I would agree if I had seen the film. But, to be contrary, and honest, I think that Philip Seymour Hoffman should win for his role in “Charlie Wilson’s War.” I mean, just because the guy is really cool. And got totally shafted for “Before the Devil Knows You're Dead.”

Should Win:
Philip Seymour Hoffman

Will Win:
Javier Bardem

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Nominees:

• Cate Blanchett, “I’m Not There”
• Ruby Dee, “American Gangster”
• Saoirse Ronan, “Atonement”
• Amy Ryan, “Gone Baby Gone”
• Tilda Swinton, “Michael Clayton”

Again, I’m giving my vote to the actress in the movie that I actually saw and actually liked. Cate Blanchett did a great job portraying Bob Dylan in “I’m Not There.” And, it’s impressive that she was nominated for playing a man. Again though, my limited movie knowledge is apparently standing in the way, for according to most people, Ruby Dee has this category in the bag.

Should Win:
Cate Blanchett

Will Win:
Ruby Dee

BEST DIRECTOR

Nominees:

• Paul Thomas Anderson, “There Will Be Blood”
• Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, “No Country for Old Men”
• Tony Gilroy, “Michael Clayton”
• Jason Reitman, “Juno”
• Julian Schnabel, “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly”

I tend not to give directors as much credit as they deserve, and I am coincidentally poorly versed when it comes to this category. I have relatively little idea of who I think should win. The race is most likely between the Coen Brothers for “No Country for Old Men” and Paul Thomas Anderson for “There Will Be Blood.” So I’ll give the Coen Brothers a throw away. They probably deserve it. And because Best Picture will most likely go to “No Country for Old Men,” I won’t be surprised when its directors get the nod as well.

Should Win:
Coen Brothers

Will Win:
Coen Brothers