This is Streep's tenth Oscar nomination--an accomplishment matched by only two other female actors, Bette Davis and Katharine Hepburn. But her chances of winning are hurt by the fact that she was won twice before--these days, it seems that Streep is always nominated but never expected to win.

Elisabeth Shue received critical acclaim as the hooker with a heart of gold in "Leaving Las Vegas." She was named Best Actress by the National Society of Film Critics and the Los Angeles Film Critics. But she will not win the Oscar. Sharon Stone received terrific reviews for her performance in "Casino," showing that she can now be taken seriously as an female actor. Remember, lots of media exposure can help in the awards race, so Stone's March "Vanity Fair" cover article could give her a push. Stone has also been described, as a tireless campaigner. Plus, she won the Golden Globe for best female actor--the Golden Globes used to be considered laughable, but they have slowly gained respect because they often predict the Oscar winners. Since 1989, the Golden Globes have been 75 percent correct in predicting the Oscars in the four acting categories.

Then there is Susan Sarandon. This is her fourth nomination in years. "Dead Man Walking" was really more Sean Penn's picture, but if she wins, the award will be in recognition of her earlier work as much as for this role. There is a definite feeling that Sarandon truly deserves an Oscar, and so she could definitely win it this year. Plus, she was the Hasty Pudding Theatricals Woman of the Year!

Supporting Female Actor

Why was Kathleen Quinlan nominated for "Apollo 13"? This is the kind of "waiting wife" role that Hollywood female actor are too often forced to play. In a year with great female roles, Quinlan need not have been nominated for this nothing part. And why Mare Winning-ham for "Georgia"? Jennifer Jason Leigh is the female actor in "Georgia" that everyone was talking about.

The race is between two contenders, Mira Sorvino and Joan Allen. Each claims her share of devotees, but this is the category where newcomers often seem to be rewarded--Marisa Tomei and Anna Paquin, for example. Last year, Dianne Wiest won for her supporting role in another Woody Allen film. I would be happy if either one took home the Oscar, but Sorvino, a Harvard grad, is the sentimental favorite.

Supporting Actor

And the winner is...not James Cromwell, who was one of the few people in "Babe" (unless there's a surprise "Babe" sweep), not Tim Roth (I didn't see "Rob Roy," did you?), perhaps Brad Pitt--he left his pretty boy roles behind, donned brown contact lenses to cover up those baby blues and played a crazy animal rights activist in "12 Monkeys." Hollywood likes to reward people who break from typecasting, but remember when Winona Ryder was supposed to win Best Supporting Actress for "The Age of Innocence?" (She won the Golden Globe, but Anna Paquin won the Oscar.)

Why is everyone mentioning Ed Harris? Sure, he was fine as ground control in "Apollo 13," but he did not really do anything (I liked Gary Sinise more). Suddenly, however, he is discussed as a possible favorite for the Oscar. But the best bet is Kevin Spacey in the ultra-hip, ultra-gimmicky "The Usual Suspects." The New York Film Critics Circle named him best supporting actor for his body of work this year, which also included "Swimming with Sharks," "Seven," and "Out-break."

Well, there you have it. Stay tuned next Monday to see who wins. But remember, this year, anything goes. As Miramax head Harvey Weinstein said, "We're going to put the bookmakers out of business this year." So, dear reader, you ask, what did Yours Truly put down on her Harvard Dining Services Oscar ballot? Two words: multiple ballots.