BEST ACTOR

It sometimes happens that two actors in a movie are so good that nominations seem a sure thing, yet having them compete may ensure that neither wins. Universal has solved this problem with early support for Viggo Mortensen as best actor and Mahershala Ali as supporting actor, although they both star in “Green Book.” Actors have come a long way from the “Godfather” days, when Al Pacino boycotted the ceremony to protest his supporting actor nomination, knowing he had more screen time than Marlon Brando, who won best actor. The strategy now is win any way you can. Viggo Mortensen (“Green Book”) Bradley Cooper (“A Star Is Born”) Christian Bale (“Vice”) Rami Malek (“Bohemian Rhapsody”) Chadwick Boseman (“Black Panther”) John David Washington (“BlackKkKlansman”) Hugh Jackman (“The Front Runner”) Ryan Gosling (“First Man”)

Clint Eastwood (“The Mule”) — has a greater probability of a directing nomination.

BEST ACTRESS

If the Oscars had been announced in September when “The Wife” opened in theaters, Glenn Close might finally have won the gold statuette that has evaded her through her career. But September seems long ago, and there has been a steady stream of award-caliber performances since, headed by the dazzling emergence of Lady Gaga and Melissa McCarthy as serious actresses. Lady Gaga (“A Star Is Born”) Glenn Close (“The Wife”) Melissa McCarthy (“Can You Ever Forgive Me?”) — her chances are rising because of her active promotion of her film, including a Q&A in San Francisco, which has a sizable number of academy members. Olivia Colman (“The Favourite”) Carey Mulligan (“Wildlife”) Rosamund Pike (“The Private War”) Viola Davis (“Widows”)

Saoirse Ronan (“Mary Queen of

Scots”)

Felicity Jones (“On the Basis of Sex”) — mixed reviews could harm her chances

Emily Blunt (“Mary Poppins Returns”) — musicals have a hard time getting respect at Oscar time, but Blunt’s chilling performance in “A Quiet Place” earlier this year is a strong reminder of her range of talent.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

In the supporting category, Mahershala Ali seems primed to pick up his second Oscar in two years. His main competition is Richard E. Grant, so droll in “Can You Ever Forgive Me?,” and Sam Elliott, who could be swept up in a tide of wins for “A Star Is Born.” Mahershala Ali (“Green Book”) Richard E. Grant (“Can You Ever Forgive Me?”) Sam Elliott (“A Star Is Born”) Timothée Chalamet (“Beautiful Boy”) Michael B. Jordan (“Black Panther”) J.K. Simmons (“The Front Runner”) John Krasinski (“A Quiet Place”) Jonathan Pryce (“The Wife”)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

In “The Favourite,” Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz compete for the affection of a queen. The actresses also will be competing for love from the academy. Should both make the short list, it could mean neither wins. Best actress winners Julia Roberts and Nicole Kidman both might find themselves up for supporting roles as mothers of teenage boys.

Amy Adams (“Vice”) — just because it seems to be her turn.

Regina King (“If Beale Street Could Talk”) Claire Foy (“First Man”) Nicole Kidman (“Boy Erased”) Rachel Weisz (“The Favourite”) Emma Stone (“The Favourite”) Margot Robbie (“Mary Queen of

Scots”) Julia Roberts (“Ben Is Back”) Meryl Streep (“Mary Poppins Returns”) — an Oscar ceremony wouldn’t be the same without her in the front row.

BEST PICTURE

With studio-backed films and a push from Netflix to get “Roma” best picture recognition, as well as nomination for foreign-language film, the number of nominees could be quite long. Remember, the academy changed the rule so that more than five films can be nominated in this category. Its proposal to have a separate category for popular films has vanished. “Green Book” “A Star Is Born” “Roma” — can a Spanish-language film win best picture? “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” “BlacKkKlansman” “Vice”

“The Favourite”

“The Mule”

“Mary Queen of Scots”

“If Beale Street Could Talk” “Black Panther”

“The Ballad of Buster Scruggs”

BEST DIRECTOR

This is a hard call because only five directors can get nominated, meaning several others will have their film in contention for best picture while forgoing credit for the person who stitched it together.

Alfonso Cuarón (“Roma”) Peter Farrelly (“Green Book”)

Bradley Cooper (“A Star Is Born”)

Yorgos Lanthimos (“The Favourite”) Ryan Coogler (“Black Panther”) Clint Eastwood (“The Mule”) Marielle Heller (“Can You Ever Forgive

Me?”) Spike Lee (“BlacKkKlansman”) Josie Rourke (“Mary Queen of Scots”) Barry Jenkins (“If Beale Street Could Talk”)