Oscar: Best Supporting Actress

WILL Win: Renee Zellweger, “Cold
Mountain”

SHOULD Win: Shohreh Aghdashloo, “House of Sand and
Fog”

Sure, you can’t pronounce her name and no one has heard of
her, but who cares when she can upstage Ben Kingsley and Jennifer
Connelly ““ both Academy Award-winners, mind you ““ in
the same movie?

Shohreh Aghdashloo quietly, yet brilliantly, portrays
Kingsley’s confused immigrant wife in “House of Sand
and Fog.” Her character must deal with the difficulties of
living in a new world, as well as with conflicts beyond her
control. Being confined to speaking only broken English results in
a strong sympathy that requires a truly brilliant actress to
effectively convey.

But let’s be serious. Is she really going to beat out
Renee Zellweger?

Already an Academy favorite with two nominations under her belt,
many see this as Zellweger’s year for her character in
“Cold Mountain,” a spunky, tough-as-nails, Confederate
woman. After not winning last year for her role as Roxie Hart in
“Chicago,” many expect the Academy will finally reward
her this year.