Who do you think should win? Kevin Spacey? Haley Joel Osment? Denzel Washington? Annette Bening? Russell Crowe? Hilary Swank?

Log on and share your Oscar favorites and discuss this year's nominations with Queen Rita and her "Unusual Suspects."

Here is a copy of today's transcript.

Baltimore, MD: Supporting actor is a tough one. Jude is fabulous, Tom is due, but the kid really deserves it. What do you think?

Rita Kempley: I'm sticking with Tom.

Arlington, Virginia: Hooray for American Beauty! I thought it was outstanding--I'm really excited that it received such accolades.

But there were plenty of deserving pictures and artists out there that didn't get recognized. Who do you think were the most egregious omissions, Rita?

Rita Kempley: I'm thrilled that American Beauty received the most noms, but I'm surprised that "The Talented Mr. Ripley" was ignored.

WDC: What is your opinion of Jim Carrey's ommision from the nominations? I'm not even a big fan of his but he was wonderful in "Man on the Moon." Do you think this is because the Academy has a hard time taking a comedian like Carrey seriously as an actor? He was pretty good in "The Truman Show" but can't believe he was passed up for this one.

Rita Kempley: I really detested "Man on the Moon." I didn't think it really told me much about Andy Kauffman and basically Carrey was reduced to doing an impersonation, albeit a long one. I thought he was ripped off for "The Truman Show."

McLean, VA: Rita,

How well have you done in the past years with your Oscar predictions and the actual winners?

I'm usually way off myself. I just found out that a friend of mine is a member of the Academy, and I've decided to use his votes for this year's Post contest--if he'll share his choices with me, that is.

Rita Kempley: I'm usually pretty close if I go along with prevailing wisdom, but I get caught up in trying to pick upsets, as if I were picking winners for March Madness. Bad move. I'm not sure I'd trust your friend unless he or she is planning to vote only for front-runners.

Dan: Queen Rita:
I was pleasantly shocked to see Toni Collette get a nomination for Sixth Sense. I'm a big fan dating back to "Muriel's Wedding" and loved her in "Clockwatchers." Don't you think that she and Chloe Sevigny benefited from the fact that the big movies didn't have a lot of supporting actress roles? The Green Mile - male roles; Hurricane - male roles; The Insider - male roles -a Manly movie?-. And also, are members of the Academy given rubber stamps with Meryl Streep's name on them or what?

Rita Kempley: Dan: Yes, they must have Meryl Streep stamps. I think she was at her lamest in that violin movie. I think the choices otherwise were pretty solid. I would have peferred to see Reese Witherspoon (Election) or Cecilia Roth (All About My Mother) than STreep.

Washington, DC: What do you think about "Cider House Rules" receiving a best picture nom? I thought it was a glorified Halmark TV movie and, outside of Caine, the acting was weak.

Rita Kempley: I was surprised. I thought they'd go for "The Talented MR. Ripley" or "The End of the Affair," not that either are extraordinary.

lunchtime: YAY to you, Rita, for hosting this special edition film chat!

What are your views on the Best Picture nominees? I must say, I find them a pretty rag-tag bunch of movies. I liked seeing that Haley Joel Osment got a nom for the Sixth Sense, but why best -supporting- actor? Too young for Best Actor? Or are nominees chosen somewhat like they are for the Tonys, where your best bet is taken into consideration?

Sorry if these are stupid questions. As always, love the chat.

Boo

Rita Kempley: Hi Boo, No question is too stupid when it comes tothe Oscars which are pretty stupid in truth. Hitchcock never got one for instance. Yes, I'm sure the youngster's backers felt he had a better shot at best supporting..

Alexandria, VA: How well do Golden Globe and Oscar victories align?

Rita Kempley: The foreign press as been much criticized and rightly so, but they are often prescinet when it comes to the oscar winners. The best indicators are usually the Director's, Writer's or Actors guilds awards.

McLean, VA: I saw Election late last year on video, and I didn't realize it was a 1999 release. Despite the MTV Productions labelling that scared off my boyfriend at first--"No! It's supposed to be really good! Trust me!"--he agreed that it was a fantastic movie. It was definitely robbed.

Rita Kempley: I'm afraid the Academy isn't ready for Gen-X even though Spike Jonze got nominated for directing. "Being JOhn Malkovcih."

Bethesda, MD: There's a reason you're a queen, Rita. You are on the money with Witherspoon over Streep. Her performance in Election was fantastic and has been overlooked by too many people this year. But not you!

Rita Kempley: Thanks, darling.

DC: Rita,

I'm crossing my fingers for Kevin Spacey, but I've heard people say Denzel Washington is more likely to receive the Best Actor award because the Academy voters are older and prefer "uplifting" or "heroic" movies and roles. Is this true? And, how exactly does someone become a member of the Academy?

Rita Kempley: I'm betting that Denzel is a lock. He's been overlooked so many times and there has been a lot of controversy over Hollywood ignoring minority casting. It's also a terrific performance and the movie is good for you. You get in the academy by working in the business.

Washington D.C.: Spike Jonze got a best director nomination for Being John Malkovich, but the film got litle else. What do you make of that ?

Rita Kempley: I think the directors think "Green Mile" was over-rated and ignored Frank Darabont. Each discipline chooses nominees and everybody votes at Oscar time.

Burke, VA: Should comedy actors and movies have their own category? It seems that Jim Carrey, Steve Martin, and -until recently- Robin Williams habitually lose out come Oscar time.

Rita Kempley: Comedians rarely receive nominations, although the Oscars originally had separate categories for comic and drmamtic performances. If you think the awards ceremony is long now...

Washington DC: Hi Rita
Wouldn't you just lose your mind if Sylvester Stallone was ever nominated for an Oscar? -Hey wait, whatever happened to Rocky way back when? Did that picture win something?-

Rita Kempley: Yep. A Best Picture Oscar. But I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't get one of those appreciation awards (the one's you get with one foot inthe grave.) I think Stuart Little was robbed. And "Toy Story 2" for that matter.

WDC: I love Meryl Streep as much as the next person, but I think she would get nominated if they filmed her sitting in a chair for two hours. Did anyone even see that violin movie?

Rita Kempley: Undoubtedly

Columbus, OH: When does the lovefest end and the real Q&A begin?

Rita Kempley: When smarty pants Ohioans ask intelligent, probing questions. And quite whining.

Fairfax, Va: Can you shed some light on the differences between the Best Picture and Best Director category. I know Best Picture goes to the producer-s- but with a film like 'Being John Malkovich' doesn't it take some mighty fine producing to get that picture made, well-directed, and distributed?

Rita Kempley: Making a movie is all about collaboration, but a good producer is shepherds the process. A producer lets a director do his or her job...unless they're behind schedule, then they scream

Adams Morgan: What I'm really tired of is the people who say that a person is too young to get nominated or that they have to pay their dues in order to win an award. Age shouldn't have anything to do with it.

Rita Kempley: No, it should depend entirely upon the performance. But the world, least of all the Hollywood establishment, doesn't play fair.

San Francisco, California: Will Hilary Swank take the Best Actress Oscar? Who else has a chance, if anyone?

Rita Kempley: I suspect it will go to Annette Bening. With all due respect to Adams Morgan, the Academy believes she has paid her dues and Hillary Swank, a lot of the old-timers probably haven't a clue who she is

Herndon, VA: Rita, I saw "Sweet and Lowdown" over the weekend, and really enjoyed it. Sean Penn particularly impressed me, and I was glad to see his nomination along with Samantha Morton.

But no screenplay nomination for Woody? I figured the academy had a "Woody Stamp" -a la Meryl- when it came to his screenplays. Surprising.

Rita Kempley: I really loved those two performances and the movie's soundtrack. But I think Woody wrote the piece early in his career and it is disrupted by the mockumnetary footage.

New York, NY: Isn't it unusual a british film competing for the best foreign film? Aren't they normally include in other categories, since it is an english spoken industry? Which one do you thing is going to win this category? I think is Almodovar's time, don't you?

Rita Kempley: Yes, but not if the film is produced by another non-English speaking country as well. I'm sure "All About Mother" is the front-runner, though I really wish he had been recognized for "Women on the Verge..."

Centreville, VA: Would you agree that this year's field is weak in comparison to many other years? While I loved American Beauty, I'm not sure it would get nominated alongside Saving Private Ryan, Shakespeare in Love, or Life is Beautiful.

Also, I thought Talented Mr. Ripley was about the most boring piece of tripe I've seen in many years

Rita Kempley: I believe American Beauty is the equal of those pictures. It's surprising that the Academy went with so many dark films. At least, two of the protagonists were dead before the movie started.

DC: Rita,

I love all the actors -Ralph is a definite hotty- in End of the Affair and love period pieces, but I just did NOT like this movie. Do you really think it deserves the nominations it got?

Rita Kempley: Nope. It lost me when Julianne Moore started working miracles.

Los Angeles, California: I think the tightest race has to be for Best Original Screenplay. Although that is not the correct title of the award -it's Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen-, if it were, I'd have to say the most "original" screenplay was Being John Malkovich. Certainly Sixth Sense and Magnolia were pretty "original" as well. But American Beauty is going to be hard to beat.
Sam Shepard fan.

Rita Kempley: Yes, if the ball gets rolling for American Beauty it'll automatically pick up more obscure--not to us writers--awards.

EraserheadGuy, DC: Rita, I hope one day the Academy, in its infinite wisdom, chooses Steve Buscemi to host the Oscars. If they did, I might actually deign to watch it for the first time.

Rita Kempley: I think we all agree with you there.

Ranter: Hi Rita. Every year for the past five years, I've had no trouble calling the winner for Best Foreign Film--thanks to a little thing I call the Shirlington Factor. I've noticed that whichever foreign film nominee has played at the Shirlington theatres is the one that ends up winning--not a scientific survey by any means, but still interesting that it's been perfectly accurate for at least 5 years running. Only this year, I'm a total wreck because I'm not sure that ANY of the foreign film nominees have played at Shirlington! I've admittedly been quite bad about keeping up with what's playing there, but what's a girl to do -now-?!?!

P.S. My pick for a filler nomination? HAS to be Toni Collette in "Sixth Sense"...she didn't do much of anything, and doesn't even have the benefit of having stolen the movie, a la Joan Cusack in "In and Out" a while back.

Rita Kempley: I agree re Toni.

London Calling: Rita, Re: the question about a British movie in the Foreign Film category. It is unusual but "Solomon and Gaenor" is in Welsh, English and Yiddish, so I guess that's why! I think it cost about $2 million.

Rita Kempley: Thanks London.

herndon, va: Why is WTEM so low in the ratings? Oops, this isn't Frank Ahrens' site!! Rita, Ruler of All -and Duchess Rebecca- My Oscar picks - admitting I have missed seeing several candidates: Picture and Director "American Beauty," and, from the same movie, Kevin Bacon for Best Actor and Annette Benning for Best Actress. I'm ashamed to admit I cannot remember the name of the boy in "Sixth Sense," who would be my Best Supporting Actor pick, and I would give Bruce Willis a runnerup on Best Actor. Best Supporting Actress - for what I believe is the most original casting in decades, Denise Richards as a nuclear physicist in the latest Bond flic. Ms. Richards is another actress out of her time - she would best on the silent screen. For those who continue to heap calumny upon me - so I like Mike-Tony-Mary's chat house too. This is a crime? Your humble supplicant, Steve

Rita Kempley: All it forgiven, please come home.

College Park, MD: I hardly see any Hispanic, Oriental, Indian-Asian- faces -or even American-Indian for that matter!- on the productions out of hollywood, let alone be nominated! Don't you think the real story is in "ignoring" of non-White and non-black people by the hollywood -and TV-even though they constitute almost 16-17% of the population?

Rita Kempley: Undoubtedly. They also merely tolerate half the population. .

Washington, DC: Rita,

I'm really suprised to see Being John Malkovitch getting such recognition.

Aside from the fact that it's Jones' first movie; the story really doesn't work that well. Sure the concept is intriguing, but nothing really tied together.

The plot seemed like it was contrived in a freshman dormroom pot smoking circle:

"Dude, what if we all had portals going into our heads.."

"No way duuude, what if we went into the portal that goes into our head... trippy.."

Duuudddde.

What are your thoughts about Being John....

Rita Kempley: I'm afraid I really had a lot of fun with "Being John."

Capitol Hill: You've got to be kidding me, no nomination for Being John Malkovich! This was a truly creative film which deserved much more than just a nod for best director! Even Three Kings would have been better than Cider House. Your thoughts Rita?

Rita Kempley: Yes, and as loud and messy as it was, why not Magnolia?

Tysons Corner, VA: I was thought that Chris Cooper and Wes Bently were both deserving, in the supporting actor category, for their performances as Colonel Fitts and Ricky Fitts in 'American Beauty'. Do you think they stole each other votes?

Rita Kempley: I think they were darkhorses and it's possible that you're right.

Herndon, VA: At least the Academy had the good sense to give "South Park: BLU" a nomination for their great composition "Blame Canada"!

I'll be really upset if Phil Collins wins for "Tarzan"; that man really needs to put his career to rest and leave us alone!

Rita Kempley: That is my favorite nomination of all. I wish it had been the Uncle-bleeper song

Vienna: Okay, the Insider hasn't got a prayer of winning, but if you haven't seen this movie – and judging by its last place status on the Post’s online poll, you haven’t - take the inevitable rerelease chance and go. No, trust me! Don’t think of it as expose of Big Tobacco or media hypocrisy-yawn-. And it’s not another noble martyr tells the truth and pays the price thing either. It’s about the twisted complexity of people’s motives...why do we do the things we do and make the choices we make: you’ve got ethics, sure, but then you’ve got vanity! pride! power! rage! revenge! It’s terrific. Christopher Plummer was robbed of a nomination -Michael Caine?- And I love Kevin Spacey and I love Denzel and don’t get me started on Richard "The Grey Fox” Farnsworth, but Russell Crowe and his imploding rage blow ‘em all away.

Rita Kempley: This is one of the best best actor's list ever.

Glover Park: Was pleased to see nom for Richard Farnsworth. Loved that movie and thought he was excellent -what character in that face-. What do you think his chances are though?
-Aside -- thanks for steering us toward Happy Texas--what fun that was-

Rita Kempley: I think the nomination is the prize. But I love him too. REmember the "Grey Fox"?

Towson, MD: Hi Queenie. I can't begin to tell you how excited I am about "The Cider House Rules"'s Oscar nominations. I truly adored this film, but it hasn't had a wide release and it seems that only a handful of people have seen it. I'm hoping that some of the Oscar buzz will encourage others to see it.

And I got such a wonderful laugh out of "South Park"'s nomination for its song "Blame Canada." In spite of all its offenses, it was such a fun movie!

Rita Kempley: A lone voice in the desert..

HurlyBurlyGuy: Hi Rita,

Im joining the latest trend in this chat room as I have taken on HurlyBurly as my purpose in life.
Im a strong supporter of American B. and Spacey. Ive seen all the others and they didnt nearly immpressive me as much as american beauty. So many of the scenes were so hard to do, and if they werent done exactly right then it would of had a totally different effect on the audience. Example, the kid's facination with looking at dead bodies, when he looks down at kevin spacey's cold body and smiles. It was done with such talent that instead of being applalled the audience was won over with appreciation and understanding. It has a certain get-away with factor. Also, do you think Angelina Jolie has a chance at the supporting actress nomination, i though she was amazing....

Rita Kempley: Dear HurlyBurlyGuy: Jolie has a shot, thouhg for my money, Samantha Morton was superior. This, alas, will be my last queston for the day, though we can continue on Friday if you like. I wanted to end with you as this is such a pivotal moment in your life. Thanks for joining me.