OK so the Oscars are this weekend. Even though the writers' strike is over, the prediction is that this will be a ho-hum (excuse me?) Oscars. First of all, the majority of the films presented for consideration are real downers, secondly, because of the strike, many potential presenters thought that the awards ceremony would be canceled or drastically cut back so they made other plans and are now not available to present at the show.......

The DGA announced its best directing in feature film award nominees yesterday: Steven Spielberg for Munich - 10-time nominee, 3 wins: Saving Private Ryan, Schindler's List, The Color Purple Ang Lee for Brokeback Mountain - 2-time nominee, 1 win: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Bennett Miller for Capote - first nomination Paul Haggis for Crash - first nomination George Clooney for Good Night, and Good Luck - first nomination Television award nominees will be announced......

• Indie 103 presents The Wedding Present with Crystal Skulls at the Troubadour tonight. Doors open at 8 PM; tickets are $15 advance. • At the Hotel Cafe, see AM with Buddy, Brad Byrd, Single File and others TBA, starting at 8 PM. • At the Egyptian Theatre, an 8:00 PM screening of Raging Bull preceded by a boxing demonstration by former Golden Gloves Champion Mickey Jones in the courtyard at 7:30 PM. •......