Oscar season's officially in full swing and there are a few contenders I'd like to take this opportunity to personally single out.

Best Adapted Screenplay: Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor, 'Sideways'

Groom-to-be Jack sets out with his gloomy pal Miles for one last week of debauchery across wine country before he gets married. This sounds like familiar territory, but Payne and Taylor take the fractured remains of the road trip genre and reinvent it with their unique, satirical sensibility.

Best Actor: Paul Giamatti, 'Sideways'

As Miles, Giamatti strikes a notably different emotional chord from his brilliant portrayal of Harvey Pekar in American Splendor. Miles is lonely and morose, but passionate also and is the emotional cornerstone of the film.

Best Supporting Actor: Thomas Haden Church, 'Sideways'

As the lecherous, self-absorbed Jack, Church consistently repels and attracts us. Payne allows him to really explore this character by giving him both the funniest lines some of the most difficult scenes.

Best Director: Alexander Payne, 'Sideways'

There's several young American directors out there who can really wow audiences visually, but few who are also great storytellers. The genius of Alexander Payne (Election, About Schmidt) is that he excels in both areas.

Best Picture: In case you haven't figured it out yet, I'm a big fan of Sideways. Do yourself a favor: go see it and take a friend. My guess is it might be the best movie playing for a while.

-- Reviewed by Nicholas Norcia