By Tatiana Craine

It’s that time of year again.Hollywood’s big names are getting dressed up, schmoozing on the red carpet, and sitting for nine and three-quarter hours in the Kodak Theatre listening to Hugh Jackman toot his own horn as host.

The talk of the town (Tinsel Town, that is) seems to be all about the late Mr. Ledger’s (come on, there’s no need to iterate a first name) performance in “The Dark Knight.” He’s a no-brainer for the best supporting actor win. The man stole the show with as much thespian talent as his Joker’s heist. Ledger exhibited a lot of wit and flair, lots blood and sweat, and let’s not forget-life. He was a long way from jousting to Queen tunes and even further from singing in “10 Things I Hate About You.”

However, remarkable as Ledger’s performance was, there are still four other very distinguished fellows sharing that award category. Perhaps the most unconventional choice for the nomination was Robert Downey Jr. His role as the “dude playin’ another dude disguised as another dude.” In other (decipherable) words, he played an Australian actor with a serious addiction to method acting and a penchant for actually becoming the characters he played. Downey was pretty eccentric, not exactly run-of-the-mill, but damn good.

Sound mixing has undoubtedly been on everyone’s mind. This year, it’s all about “Wanted.” Oh wait, did anyone see that? Really, it’s probably a close race between “The Dark Knight” and “Wall-E,” both with their larger-than-life sound effects.

However, the most useless category at the Oscars is best song. Does anyone actually remember more than three of the best songs from the past ten years? Didn’t think so.

Everyone’s been wondering about best picture of the year. Some people say that “Slumdog Millionaire” is a shoo-in for the award. Others are a little skeptical, like those in favor of a win for the CGI-soaked, love-struck, feel-marvelous film “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.” The latter film leads the pack in nominations, with thirteen in all. Lucky? Unlucky? Only Sunday night will tell.

Best animated film undoubtedly should go to the subtly politically and environmentally-charged “Wall-E.” Easily one of the cutest films ever, it made just holding hands a big deal again. These days, the thought that something like that can be the pinnacle of a relationship in and of itself deserves an award.

Eighty-one years it’s been since the first Academy Awards. And guess what? No one really knows why it’s called the Oscars. Maybe it was Bette Davis naming her statue after her husband, maybe it was some inside joke that old Hollywood wanted to play on today’s generation of starlets and hunks. What is certain is that the Academy Awards will continue to be a gossip-filled fashion-fest. What will Angelina Jolie be wearing? (Another adoptee?) Will Johnny Depp still have gold teeth? (Does anyone remember him without those?) Will an international ingénue come and boggle the photographers? (Think swan. Think Bjork.)

Only time will reveal the answers to Oscar’s secrets.