Nicolas Cage has it wrong. This is the Season of the Oscar, not the Witch, which may explain why his film is going up in flames at the box office.
Oscar fever is heating up big time now that the results are in from the Golden Globes, the Screen Actors Guild Awards, the Directors Guild, the Producers Guild, and Lollipop Guild. They indicate some clear-cut front runners, including a strong 1-2 punch for "The Fighter.
Christian Bale and Melissa Leo loom as front-runners for Best Supporting Actor and Actress, respectively. They've cleaned up during awards' season; their mantels are full. But if Oscar voters think they've earned enough kudos so far, upsets could happen.
Former Oscar winner Geoffrey Rush could ride a wave of momentum for "The King's Speech." The most likely candidate to KO Leo could be her "Fighter" co-star and rival, Amy Adams.
The other heavy Oscar favorite is Colin Firth for Best Actor for "The King's Speech." He's so favored you might as well change the movie title to "The King's Oscar Speech." He's a bigger lock than Champion Bolt.
That's just three of 24 categories you can be reasonably certain about. Good luck predicting the rest, including Best Picture. So, see the films, study the ballot, and make your own choices. Then, enter the contest. You could win $150 for first place or the $75 second prize.
You can enter online; that's the fastest and easiest way. Log onto www.goerie.com/oscarcontest. Or you can fill out the ballot and mail it in or drop it off. Please use black or dark-blue ink to make selections.
Just one ballot per person is allowed, whether online or by mail. Send ballots to Showcase Pick the Oscars Contest, 205 W. 12th St., Erie, PA 16534.