And the winner is . . .

Hollywood's finest convene in the spotlight to find out who does it best

A burnt cartographer meets an furloughed mental patient. An adoptive mother forced to confront her long-gone daughter meets a fast-food loving cop. This wildly eclectic mix of characters will come together tonight at 9 p.m. for the 69th Annual Academy Awards.

Duking it out for best picture are Jerry Maguire, The English Patient, Secrets & Lies, Shine and Fargo.

Although the critics tend to favor the independents, especially the 12-time nominated English Patient, studio executives are trying to shut them out by casting their ballots for Jerry Maguire.

Tom Cruise's portrayal of a fed-up sports agent is the only big studio pick for best actor. He'll be competing with Ralph Fiennes for The English Patient, Woody Harrelson for The People vs. Larry Flynt, Geoffrey Rush for Shine and Billy Bob Thornton for Sling Blade.

Billy Bob who?

The man with the Ozarks-inspired name has become the favorite of critics. Thornton's role as a mentally-challenged man who killed his mother and her boyfriend has gotten more attention than Woody Harrelson's all-but-forgotten Oscar nod.

"I'd pick Ralph Fiennes because I love him as an actor," said Damian Sinclair (sophomore-integrative arts), house manager for the Center for the Performing Arts. "I saw him in Hamlet on Broadway. He's probably the best actor out there."

Although usually at a loss for good roles, this time around strength of character is the common thread of the nominees for best actress.

This year's nominees have succeeded in overcoming the sleazy roles which ran amuck in the Oscars last year.

The most recognizable of the bunch is Diane Keaton's cancer-stricken character in Marvin's Room. Kristin Scott Thomas has gotten her first nod from the Academy, along with Frances McDormand for Fargo, Emily Watson for Breaking the Waves and Golden Globe winner Brenda Blethyn for Secrets & Lies.

Even University President Graham Spanier has fallen into The English Patient cult that is still sweeping the nation.

"My pick for best picture is The English Patient," Spanier said. "The English Patient was exceptionally well done, in my opinion."

But Spanier was upset that a few of his favorites went unrecognized.

"I was sorry that The Mirror Has Two Faces didn't slip in somewhere other than for original song, which I liked," Spanier said.

Supporting Spanier's sentiments is postal icon Mike "the Mailman" Herr. "I think a movie is going to win best picture," Herr said jokingly, adding, "It's obvious it's going to be The English Patient."

Herr, in true Oscar form, thanked the little people in line who made answering the tough questions possible.