I’m teasing you a little, with a gradual roll-out of my predictions in the six major Academy Award categories. An abbreviated version will run in the paper on Friday Feb. 22. Look for Best Actor chatter in this space tomorrow.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Only Tilda Swinton gives me pause on my mad dash to throw roses at Cate Blanchett’s feet. She lifted Todd Haynes’ Bob Dylan-biopic “I’m Not There” into the realm of classic, and not just because she managed to look and sound and act so much like Dylan. It was the way she exposed his arrogance, childishness and boorish tendencies and then fixed the camera with a mischievous yet wise stare reminded us why we as a culture will never get over Dylan.

The fact that she’s also up for Best Actress for “Elizabeth: The Golden Age” could hurt her chances. And I’m notoriously bad at this category, which always seems to go to someone random. I haven’t even really considered Amy Ryan, who was an early favorite; she could still pull it out (although unlikely). Certainly if Academy voters went with Tilda Swinton, another elegant, accented, off-beat beauty who never seems to make a wrong move, I wouldn’t fault them. Just as long as they don’t pull a SAG and give it to Ruby Dee; neither she nor “American Gangster” were all that.
Should Win: Cate Blanchett
Will Win: Cate Blanchett