“Oscar Nominations are in”:http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nominees.html! ‘Tis the season to indulge in a bit of movie gossip and speculation, and just a wee bit of obsession with celebrities. Maybe even thumb through a copy of Entertainment Weekly at the drugstore.

Except that I haven’t seen the vast majority of the movies. Parenthood contains far more rewards than sacrifices, but the almost complete absence of moviegoing this past year figures prominently in the latter category. Skimming down the list, I realized with horror that _I don’t have an opinion_ on most of this stuff. But I’ll do my best . . .

Lead Actor: Haven’t seen any of the movies. But Don Cheadle is one of the great actors of our time and I hope he wins.

Supporting Actor: Haven’t seen ‘em.

Lead Actress: Kate Winslet Kate Winslet Kate Winslet! _Eternal Sunshine_ was the best movie last year that I _did_ see. Quirky enough that I didn’t think she’d be nominated.

Supporting Actress: Haven’t seem ‘em. But I hope Cate Blanchett or Natalie Portman win, out of loyalty to my Top Five[1] list.

Animated: I didn’t see the other ones, but _The Incredibles_ should have been up for Best Picture, so it darn well better win this consolation prize.

Directing: Give it to Scorcese already.

Best Picture: Haven’t seen ‘em. Having only heard of ‘em, my gut tells me to root for _Sideways_.

Writing (adapted): Haven’t . . . seen . . . ‘em. This is so embarassing.

Writing (original): Aiieee! _Eternal Sunshine_ and _The Incredibles_ in the same category? How am I to choose?

fn1. For those not familiar with the concept of the Top Five list: it is composed of the five celebrities (or otherwise famous, unattainable people) that you think have the most sex appeal, construed in the broadest possible terms (for example, I wouldn’t put a poor actress in my Top Five). Actors, musicians, and sports stars are all appropriate. The list must be based on current celebrities as they current appear, though there’s some debate on that point among Top Five aficianados. Top Five lists are often in flux, but my current one is: Kate Winslet, Cate Blanchett, Natalie Portman, Morena Baccarin, and a fifth slot that bounces between Angelina Jolie and Neko Case.