As the big night for Hollywood approaches, the oddsmakers are getting nervous. This is truly going to be an exciting year, with no big "sweeps" likely for any one film, and close calls in almost every category.

I'm a member of The Broadcast Film Critics Association, so I have the opportunity each year to see and consider the eligible films for both the BFCA awards and the Oscars.

After all the awards given out during the last three months, I should have an inkling of who might win the Oscar in nearly every category. But this year is completely different! This year the top six categories have a variety of talented people and films that have impressed the industry (and movie-going public).

I've covered the Oscars on-site in the past, and I'll let you in on a little secret: It's no fun unless you have a much sought-after seat in the audience to watch the lengthy show! Backstage, the press watches the show in rooms with their peers and waits for the stars to come through for a quick photo/Q&A session after they've won. It's exciting, hectic and congested, and although it's a thrill to see the stars, there's nothing glamorous about it! Believe me, it's more fun to sit in the quiet of your home and watch the Oscars on your TV.

So grab your pad and pencil, make a batch of popcorn and join the billions who watch one of the biggest events on TV every year: the 2001 Academy Awards. My Oscar predictions for the top six categories, including the new prize for "Best Animated Feature," follow.

BEST PICTURE

A Beautiful Mind
Gosford Park
In The Bedroom
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Moulin Rouge

*A Beautiful Mind has given The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring tough competition at the box office and in other awards shows. It's rare that a fantasy is awarded an Oscar for best picture, but the work is so incredible it's hard to ignore it.

HOLLY'S PICK: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

BEST DIRECTOR

Ron Howard - A Beautiful Mind
Ridley Scott - Black Hawk Down
Robert Altman - Gosford Park
Peter Jackson - The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
David Lynch - Mulholland Drive

*Another tough choice between Howard, Altman and Jackson. Howard won the Directors Guild Award, which usually predicts what happens at the Oscars. Jackson isn't that well known but deserves the accolades for what he accomplished. Altman is an emotional favorite because of his age (upper 70s) and body of work. I think they'll give it to Howard for directing, while Best Picture will go to Lord of the Rings.

HOLLY'S PICK: Ron Howard

BEST ACTOR

Russell Crowe - A Beautiful Mind
Sean Penn - I Am Sam
Will Smith - Ali
Denzel Washington - Training Day
Tom Wilkinson - In The Bedroom

*This is one of the closest races. Washington has slowly crept up on Crowe's lead, and he just might garner a win that some feel is long overdue. Since Crowe has received such bad press for his tantrums lately, that could affect his favored lead. Both delivered worthy performances and equally get my vote.

HOLLY'S PICK: Crowe will probably narrowly pull it off, but I have a feeling Washington may snag it.

BEST ACTRESS

Halle Berry - Monster's Ball
Judi Dench - Iris
Nicole Kidman - Moulin Rouge
Sissy Spacek - In The Bedroom
Renee Zellweger - Bridget Jones's Diary

*Spacek has been favored for weeks, but recently Berry and Kidman have been closing in on her.

HOLLY'S PICK: Halle Berry

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Jim Broadbent - Iris
Ethan Hawke - Training Day
Ben Kingsley - Sexy Beast
Ian McKellen - The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring
Jon Voight - Ali

HOLLY'S PICK: Ian McKellen

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Jennifer Connelly - A Beautiful Mind
Helen Mirren - Gosford Park
Maggie Smith - Gosford Park
Marisa Tomei - In The Bedroom
Kate Winslet - Iris

*I thought Tomei's performance was the richer and better performance, but Connelly has already gathered a lot of favor for her role. She'll probably get it.

HOLLY'S PICK: Jennifer Connelly

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE

Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius
Monsters, Inc.
Shrek

HOLLY'S PICK - Shrek

AP / World Wide Photos