Predictions for the 2008 Oscar Nominations

Traditionally, the Golden Globes have been a pretty good barometer for the Oscar nominations, even though the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) follows different nomination criteria, including separate awards for the Best Actor and Actress in a Drama and Comedy/Musical. Keeping the HFPA nominations and Golden Globe winners in mind, here are the likely nominees for the 80th Academy Awards:

Predictions for the 2008 Oscar Nominees: Best Actor

DANIEL DAY-LEWIS ("THERE WILL BE BLOOD")
JAMES MCAVOY ("ATONEMENT")
DENZEL WASHINGTON ("AMERICAN GANGSTER")
JOHNNY DEPP ("SWEENEY TODD")
TOM HANKS ("CHARLIE WILSON'S WAR")

Golden Globe Winner - Comedy or Musical: Johnny Depp ("Sweeney Todd")
Golden Globe Winner - Drama: Daniel Day-Lewis ("There Will Be Blood")

Perennial Oscar favorites Tom Hanks and Daniel Day-Lewis almost are guaranteed nominations for Best Actor this year. "Atonement" has lots of buzz, though, which gives James McAvoy a leg up in this category and it would be a crime if Denzel Washington and Johnny Depp were snubbed this year.

Predictions for the 2008 Oscar Nominees: Best Actress

KEIRA KNIGHTLEY ("ATONEMENT")
AMY ADAMS ("ENCHANTED")
NIKKI BLONSKY ("HAIRSPRAY")
MARION COTILLARD ("LA VIE EN ROSE")
ELLEN PAGE ("JUNO")

Golden Globe Winner - Drama: Julie Christie ("Away From Her")
Golden Globe Winner - Musical or Comedy: Marion Cotillard ("La Vie en Rose")

On Oscar Night, Amy Adams, Nikki Blonsky and Ellen Page will be fighting it out for the Best Actress award. Keira Knightley should ride the "Atonement" train to a nomination and, on the strength of her surprising Golden Globe win, Marion Cotillard will get an Oscar nod.

Predictions for the 2008 Oscar Nominees: Best Picture

"AMERICAN GANGSTER"
"ATONEMENT"
"NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN"
"JUNO"
"SWEENEY TODD"

Golden Globe Winner - Comedy or Musical: "Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street"
Golden Globe Winner - Drama: "Atonement"

"Atonement" has the momentum, but "Juno" and "Sweeney Todd" have the critical buzz. "American Gangster" was a solid piece of filmmaking and "No Country for Old Men" definitely deserves a nomination.