2006 Oscar Nominations - Jerry's first impressions:

I feel a little like Roger Ebert, in that I've probably seen fewer of the nominated acting performances this year than I have in decades leading up to this.

Just got in from seeing Letters from Iwo Jima, so I've now seen all five Best Picture nominees. I'm not crazy about any of them. I would probably pick The Departed if I had to choose, although right now I have a gut feeling that Little Miss Sunshine might win. I'm glad Dreamgirls didn't make it; I got tricked into seeing it -- when I showed up to see Children of Men, it was sold out, and Dreamgirls was the only other movie starting at the same time. It was okay, but nothing special for me.

Best Actor - I've purposely skipped the DiCaprio, Smith, and Whitaker movies because their previews annoyed me. Venus hasn't opened here yet, so the only performance I've seen is Ryan Gosling's in Half Nelson -- and that didn't exactly thrill me. I'm unbelievably unqualified to comment on this category... though everybody says Whitaker will win.

Best Actress - I skipped the Prada movie because Ebert gave it a pissy review on the way to his sick bed last summer. Volver hasn't opened here yet, but I've seen the other three. I really like Dench and Mirren, but excuse me, Kate Winslet is the bomb.... I love her! Especially that Little Children movie, which may be my favorite of 2006. I have a feeling Mirren will win though since she's received so much attention for her role in The Queen over the past few months.

Best Supporting Actor - Did not see Djimon's movie but I always think he's great. I have a feeling Arkin could win, but I vote for Jackie Earle Haley in Little Children.

Best Supporting Actress - Cate Blanchett, a thousand times over. Love her too. No, Jennifer Hudson does not deserve to win for her acting. Singing maybe, acting no. If I had to choose from the remaining three, I'd choose Adriana Barraza in Babel.

Best Director - Strictly considering the movies and not Hollywood politics, it should go to Paul Greengrass for United 93. But this may be the year to give it to Scorsese for slighting him in the past for pictures such as Taxi Driver and Raging Bull (though, to be fair, he has made a handful of crappy movies since then).

Animated Film - of the three (why only three?), I choose Monster House.

Documentary - I only saw Mr. Gore's movie and it was fine but not great or anything.

Foreign Language Film - I've only seen Pan's Labyrinth and really liked it.

Visual Effects - I guess this is Superman Return's only nomination.... but I would choose the pirates movie over it anyway.

Original Song - None were memorable.