A Sporting View

In anticipation of Sunday's Oscars ceremony, we handicap some of the top categories according to an important criterion that Academy members fail to take into account: What's the best choice for a sports fan? And the Oscars go to....

BEST PICTURE
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Gosford Park had hunting scenes, A Beautiful Mind had games of go, and baseball plays a role in In the Bedroom. But only Lord of the Rings starred Notre Dame's gridiron underdog Rudy as a Hobbit. Ruuu-DEEE!

BEST ACTRESS
Halle Berry (Monster's Ball)
Though we were disappointed to find out Monster's Ball isn't about Mike Tyson's hoops game, we can't help but root for someone who used to be married to A's outfielder David Justice.

BEST ACTOR
Denzel Washington (Training Day)
Will Smith in Ali is the obvious choice, but Washington has the better sports pedigree. He's played a boxer (The Hurricane) a football coach (Remember the Titans) and a basketball player (He Got Game).

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Marisa Tomei (In the Bedroom)
Mainly because we like all the Red Sox games heard on the radio in the background during several of the movie's pivotal scenes.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Jon Voight (Ali)
He plays Howard Cosell. We like Howard Cosell.