DISCLAIMER 1: I have seen only a couple of the following movies. Because of that, think of this list instead as a compilation of who and what's being doing well at other awards shows.

DISCLAIMER 2: Don't take my use of the phrase "suprise pick" as a life and death matter.

Okay, and this post should be anchored soon for the aftermath to follow.

Best Picture
Babel
The Departed
Dreamgirls
Letters from Iwo Jima
Little Children (SURPRISE PICK)

Best Director
Alejandro González Iñárritu - Babel
Martin Scorsese - The Departed
Clint Eastwood - Letters from Iwo Jima
Guillermo del Toro - Pan's Labyrinth (SURPRISE PICK)
Pedro Almodóvar - Volver (SURPRISE PICK)

Best Performance by an Actor
Sacha Baron Cohen - Borat
Leonardo DiCaprio - The Departed
Ryan Gosling - Half Nelson (SURPRISE PICK)
Forest Whitaker - The Last King of Scotland
Peter O'Toole - Venus

Best Performance by an Actress
Meryl Streep - The Devil Wears Prada
Judi Dench - Notes on a Scandal
Naomi Watts - The Painted Veil (SURPRISE PICK)
Helen Mirren - The Queen
Penélope Cruz - Volver

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Brad Pitt - Babel
Mark Wahlberg - The Departed
Eddie Murphy - Dreamgirls
Adam Beach - Flags of Our Fathers
Alan Arkin - Little Miss Sunshine (SURPRISE PICK)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Adriana Barraza - Babel
Rinko Kikuchi - Babel
Jennifer Hudson - Dreamgirls
Shareeka Epps - Half Nelson (SURPRISE PICK)
Cate Blanchett - Notes on a Scandal