Okay, so it’s not an NCAA bracket, but admit it, Oscar pools are fun. If nothing else, you can pretend that you’re watching to see how many you get right, then place additional wagers along the way, like First Winner to Cry, First Winner to Thank Their Agent Before Their Spouse, and of course, First Winner to Spout off about What a Horrible Job Bush Is Doing as President. Actually, Jon Stewart will probably win that last one before a single name is read.

Resident Bullz-Eye movie critics David Medsker and Jason Zingale tag-teamed the major categories – along with a couple minor categories that they enjoy – and created a handicapper to help you through the longest dog and pony show the world has ever known. Read through the first two categories below.

Best Supporting Actor

George Clooney, “Syriana”
Matt Dillon, “Crash”
Paul Giamatti, “Cinderella Man”
Jake Gyllenhaal, “Brokeback Mountain”
William Hurt, “A History of Violence”

The Best Supporting Actor category could, and usually does, go any which way, but the two leading candidates have to be Hollywood poster boy George Clooney and Academy Award reject Paul Giamatti. For two years running, Giamatti has been robbed of a nomination in the Best Actor category (in 2003 for “American Splendor” and in 2004 for “Sideways”), and he would have won last year’s award had he been nominated. This year, the Academy may be looking to make up for their past mistakes, but I wouldn’t put it past them to give the Oscar to George. The dark horse in all of this craziness is Jake Gyllenhaal, who deserves the award just as much as the other two men, while both Matt Dillon and William Hurt have been honored with a nomination at the wrong time, and would have had a much stronger run any other year.

And the Oscar goes to… George Clooney
And the Oscar belongs to…Paul Giamatti (Jason). Anyone but William Hurt (David).

Best Supporting Actress

Amy Adams, “Junebug”
Catherine Keener, “Capote”
Frances McDormand, “North Country”
Rachel Weisz, “The Constant Gardener”
Michele Williams, “Brokeback Mountain”

We hate to admit, but the first question we had when looking at this list was, “Who’s Amy Adams, and what is ‘Junebug’?” Likewise, it’s intriguing that both Charlize Theron and Frances McDormand were nominated for their performances in a movie that no one liked. Rachel Weisz gets her first nod, but joking about how stupid Americans are isn’t going to help her cause. This looks like a battle between the hard-working indie queen (Keener) and the “Dawson’s Creek” eye candy (Williams). And more often than not, the one with the bigger box office wins. That’s what happens when you try to limit the number of screeners that go out to Academy voters out of fear of piracy, Jack Valenti. You’re squashing the little man. How do you sleep at night?

And yet, a major upset seems to be afoot here. Sorry, Michele ma belle, but despite your great scene with Heath and the fishing pole, you’re going home empty handed.

And the Oscar goes to… Rachel Weisz (Jason). Catherine Keener (David).
And the Oscar belongs to… Michele Williams

Check out the rest of the preview here.