Who do you want to believe?  LA and London Academy members who are expected to push the best Bond ever into the field or New York Academy members who dismiss Sam Mendes' 007 thriller? Ask a consultant from any competing studio - some whose own films are quite safe - and half "believe" and the other half do not. Granted, $1 billion worldwide means MGM and Sony Pictures only care so much, but you can bet recent Tony Award-winning producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson do. Here's something for Bond fans to look for. If Javier Bardem makes the best supporting actor field "Skyfall" has a great chance of making the field. If not?  Well, fingers crossed for Adele in best original song.

- Gregory Ellwood