Many of this year's potential Oscar nominees won't make it to neighborhoods across the country until at least the end of December, but probably not even until January. That shouldn't stop anyone from speculating, though. The mix of contenders this year runs from standard big-budget Hollywood epics to scrappy independents to foreign films to documentaries. With no clear front-runner, the prize is up for grabs!
The likeliest five: The Aviator, Finding Neverland, Kinsey, The Passion of the Christ, Vera Drake
Other top contenders: Alexander, Fahrenheit 9/11, Hotel Rwanda, The Motorcycle Diaries, Phantom of the Opera, Ray, Sideways
Last year's winner: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
