Despite all the worries that the biggest night on the movie calendar wasn't going to go ahead in just over forty eight hours the biggest names in cinema will grace the Kodak Theatre's red carpet.The Coen brothers' violent thriller No Country for Old Men is the front runner for Best Picture having won more prizes than any other movie on the run up to the Oscars.However the film missed out to Atonement at the Batfa's and more surprisingly the Golden Globes, the British movie remains the strongest competition.The Coen brothers are also expected to pick up the Best Director prize but The Diving Bell and the Butterfly's Julian Schnabel could be the dark horse.British hopes lie with Daniel Day Lewis, already an Oscar recipient, for his portrayal of a ruthless oil baron in There Will Be Blood.Best Actor is perhaps the closest category to call with a three horse race for the prize and although Day Lewis remains the favourite Academy voters are notoriously fickle and don't always back the favourite.

George Clooney's performance in corporate thriller Michael Clayton is popular amongst Academy voters whilst Golden Globe winner Johnny Depp is an overwhelming favourite with the general public with his third nomination in five years.

There are also high hopes for British success in the Best Actress category for Julie Christie with for her portrayal of an dAlzheimer's sufferer in Away From Her.

Cate Blanchett, Ellen Page, Laura Linney and Marion Cotillard make up the rest of the category with Cotillard being the only actress who could cause an upset after her surprise Bafta win earlier this month.

Javier Bardem is considered a dead cert to clinch Best Supporting actor for his role in No Country For Old Men.

Best Supporting Actress on the other hand is wide open with Tilda Swinton, Saoirse Ronan, Cate Blanchett, Ruby Dee and Amy Ryan all in with a shout of winning the award.

FemaleFirst Predictions

Best Picture:

Atonement

Best Actress:

Marion Cotillard

Best Actor:

Daniel Day Lewis

Best Supporting Actress:

Tilda Swinton

Best Supporting Actor:

Javier Bardem

Best Director:

Joel and Ethan Coen

Best Foreign Film:

The Counterfeiters

Best Animation:

Ratatouille

Best Original Screenplay:

Diablo Cody for Juno

Best Adapted Screenplay:

Joel and Ethan Coen for No Country For Old Men

Best Documentary Feature:

Sicko

Best Cinematography:

Atonement

Best Costume Design:

Sweeney Todd

Best Make-Up:

La Vie En Rose

Best Score:

Atonement

Best Original Song:

Falling Slowly from Once

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw