Oscar© Buzz

You see it more and more every day in parts of Los Angeles, people huddled together at Starbucks, Seven-Elevens and even Albertsons. Dressed in jogging wear, jeans, and business suits, “industry” players are "a buzz" over who will take home the coveted Oscar© statuette on Sunday evening. Nominees in the Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role category for the 79th Anniversary Academy Awards as they attended the Oscar Nominees Luncheon in Beverly Hills Monday, 05 February 2007. Pictured clockwise from upper left: Djimon Hounsou for

Nominees in the Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role category for the 79th Anniversary Academy Awards as they attended the Oscar Nominees Luncheon in Beverly Hills Monday, 05 February 2007. Pictured clockwise from upper left: Djimon Hounsou for "Blood Diamond"; Mark Wahlberg for "The Departed"; Jackie Earle Haley for "Little Children"; Alan Arkin for "Little Miss Sunshine"; and Eddie Murphy for "Dreamgirls." Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2006 will be presented on Sunday, February 25, 2007, at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. EPA/IGLA/HANDOUTYou can’t tell the 5,830 members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences from “ordinary” people, but the ballets they have to return by today, February 20th will affect the lives and careers of many – from studio exec to actor and actress, from make-up artist to the wanna be screenwriter.Ever since the first Academy Awards were presented on May 16, 1929 from the Blossom Room of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, interest in the glitz and the glamour that are Hollywood runs at fever pitch each year around Awards time.This year is no exception. Over coffee at the cafes, stopping to talk with friends while grocery shopping or catching a quick bite, Academy members are musing who will get the Best Picture and Supporting Actor nods.Industry observers who cavort with Academy members are beginning to say Alan Arkin (‘Little Miss Sunshine’) may eke out a win against Eddie Murphy (‘Dreamgirls’). Arkin’s name keeps coming up in conversation and people are saying they voted for him – but then in the crazy world that is Hollywood you don’t know who to believe.They all have their own movies they're secretly rooting for — films they have loyalties to, via work or personal connections — and they're probably tipping the scales for their own choice when they chat to you.Even though Murphy walked away with the SAG award in the supporting role category, Arkin may have a slight edge with Academy voters because his picture is up for Best Picture.Speaking of Best Picture, while most buzz is between ‘The Departed’ and ‘Little Miss Sunshine’ to win, ‘Babel’ supporters have become more vocal in recent days.If you tally the endless number of award shows that have been held in recent days in the best picture (or the like) category ‘The Departed’ has picked up 11 nods, ‘Little Miss Sunshine’ 9 nods, ‘Babel’ 11 wins, ‘The Queen’ 9 wins and ‘Letters from Iwo Jima’ 3 wins.More buzz as we listen to friends and acquaintances making the rounds.