This is just the very early precursors. I think most of us here who have seen the movie know it's a real good flick and good movie making it was. But with that... it's not really an Oscar type film. It's in that " irreverent " tonality form of a film. But that doesn't not make it a good film. And this year seems to be all over the place when it comes to what people predict in nominating the best actor category. One thing you must remember. The precursors might not make a difference this particular year because there is no clear cut favorite. Applaud this! I wish it was more like this every year, where a different actor almost wins a different precursor. It hasn't been like that in a long time. The Oscar, SAG and Golden Globe people are very familiar with Day-Lewis' work. If I had to predict any nominations for him, it'd be from those three. And really, those are the tops anyway. I'm happy for George Clooney and Casey Affleck, but they are not winning any of the majors. It will be what it will be. DDL, Johnny Depp, Frank Langella, George Clooney, Don Cheadle.

Wow, Mike! It's nice to see someone with faith in Don Cheadle! He's done wonderful work this year.

I agree that things really are all over the place, and I hope the precursors award several different actors. It's an exciting race already, and that will make it so much more exciting.

TWBB is at the top of my list of movies to see. Unfortunately I probably won't be able to see it until late December, early January.

I say Don Cheadle, kind of as a long shot person, but in that, I won't expect to see his name nominated. The Academy loves Denzel too. Don't be surprised to see his name pop up. I think There Will Be Blood is being put under an unfair microscope for some reason. And maybe it's because of the film maker involved. PTA does have his doubters, as the Coen's have been around a long time now, and are really respected. I have seen both film's, and both are 1,2 on my best of the year so far, with Michael Clayton, 3:10 To Yuma and Before The Devil, respectively. I really liked TWBB. Especially the first 20 minutes of non-dialogue, which really shows you Plainview's salt, whether you like him or not, his work ethic is unparralleled. That gives you some insight to the character and a little reasoning to what and why in the evolution the Plainview character becomes. I'm sure some people didn't follow or catch that, but that is GREAT character arc and writing as well. Going to see Atonement tommorrow.

I seriously think that a lot of critcs haven't seen the film yet. It's been sparcely screened. But most critcs that have seen it almost all seem to have guarnteed a Oscar nod for DDL. It's one flooded year that's for sure. It makes the moninations real interesting this year. One of the best years in Oscar history for the best actor categotry if you ask me. No clear cut favorite finally.

It's really a shame, Don Cheadle and Chris Cooper(Breach) both did amazing work. Also Samuel L Jackson blew me away in Blacksnake Moan. Same goes for Downey Jr(Zodiac) and Daniels (Lookout) for SUpporting. It's such a shame early performances are almost always left out cold.

Phenomenal performances have been coming from every corner this year. And films. So many amazing films and performances and so many will be ignored at this year's Oscars unfortunately.

I would love to see Before the Devil Knows Your Dead (and Sidney Lumet) get some attention, but I don't have high hopes. For me, at this point, the three films in the top slots are No Country, Atonement and Sweeney Todd. I'm not feeling BTDKYD as filling one of the other two, which is unfortunate.

Philip Seymour Hoffman has done amazing work this year. Two fantastic lead performances and a supporting turn in Charlie Wilson's War. I know he's already won, but I still wouldn't mind seeing him get another nod somewhere.

And the directors, too. It seems like each one of them topped anything they had ever done before this year. Sidney Lumet (after getting a lifetime achievement award and at the age of 83), the Coens, Tim Burton.

This is an incredible year for movies.

This is a great year for movies. Eventhough some of the films that are in the running I feel are a little overrated, so many films are getting praised that at least this year there may be some actual excitement because there is no clear frontrunner. Perhaps this year there will be some surprises because of the parity. I mean it certainly seems that NCFOM, DDL, Javier Bardem, Cate Blanchett are all locks for the win right now, but things could change.

One of the best years for movies that I can remember. I hear ya Alison on BTDKYD. It's going to defitnitley make my top 10. But I'd be very surprised to see it get an Oscar nod for best picture. And I wouldn't bet against Lumet getting a nod ( a win could be a sympathy vote because of age and he's never won one ) for an Oscar. I'd be very surprised if Bardem doesn't take home the trophy in support. It could happen be he's a very large favorite. And the lead race looks hard to figure. Obviously people are going to see it as a Depp/Day-Lewis race. But you never know, there no clear cut favorite really. So that means it's up for grabs. A dark horse could possibly get it. As for DDL, I'd have no problem with seeing him take home the trophy for a second time, but remember back in the 2002 season he was hyped and the leader in best actor's category only to be upset? So... you just never know. It's kind of cool that none of really know who will win, like we did the last two years.

2002 is the year that everyone keeps comparing this race to, DBM. DDL and Nicholson, and neither won.

Nearly everyone does have it pinned down to Depp and DDL, but I'm not so sure about it. We'll see what happens after all of the critics awards come in (and the Golden Globe noms get announced this week).

Right now, I have a bad feeling that DDL will be shut out. The few reviews that are up on RT praise TWBB and rave DDL's performance. But it's only ten reviews right now; I guess most critics are holding their reviews up until closer to the time that the film is released. I'm just not seeing a lot of buzz for him; it seems to me that he's at the top based on the few reviews and on history.

Depp is being raved now that Sweeney has been screened, and Sweeney is going to be a formidable contender in this year's Oscar race. Tom O'Neil is predicting that it's going to sweep. While I have very little respect for O'Neil these days (he's now more of a Sweeney publicist than a journalist), I don't think it's far-fetched to imagine Sweeney taking Picture, Director and Lead Actor.

Clooney got a boost now with the NBR win, and Sasha Stone of Awards Daily has mentioned that Hollywood buzz for Michael Clayton is very strong.

After the LA critics announcements come in today and NYC tomorrow, things may be a little clearer as to the best actor race, as well as the other categories. Or we may be even more confused.

Meanwhile, I wouldn't be unhappy if any of the following lead actors took home the prize: Tommy Lee Jones (Elah), Philip Seymour Hoffman (BTDKYD or The Savages), Viggo Mortensen (Eastern Promises), Frank Langella (Starting Out in the Evening). A couple of these are stretches and I don't even see a likely nomination. Just saying that I wouldn't be unhappy if any of these guys got nominations and won.

I just have to add one more guy to my list of lead actors who I'd be happy to see with a nomination (and even a win), no matter how unlikely:

Josh Brolin - NCFOM!

Fantastic work this year by him as well - No Country, American Gangster, In the Valley of Elah.

I'm not sure if people saw this article already, but if you're a NCFOM fan like me, it's an interesting interview with Brolin, with discussion about the infamous ending:

http://www.blog.newsweek.com/blogs/thegolddigger/archive/2007/12/03/josh-brolin-talks-about-his-moustache-and-no-country-s-ending.aspx

Look what some people were thinking then. Kind of funny huh. DDL shut out? He's gone on to win almost every precursor.