It's that time of the year again. The Oscar fever is spreading.

Nominations for the 74th Academy Awards will be announced February 12, followed by the much-awaited event itself on March 24, 2002, to be held at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, California. Oscar winner Whoopi Goldberg is expected to regale the star-studded event with her trademark wit and charm.

If last year saw a dazzling best actress in Julia Roberts, this year hot favorite seems to be Nicole Kidman, with her portrayal of Satine in Moulin Rouge.

And Russell Crowe might just complete a hat-trick by bagging an Oscar nomination for the third consecutive year with his performance in A Beautiful Mind.

India's million-dollar question, however, is whether Aamir Khan's Lagaan, directed by Ashutosh Gowariker, will make it to the Best Foreign Film nomination. The film faces tough competition from the French Amelie.

Meanwhile, three of Rediff.com's critics -- Arthur J Pais, Jeet Thayil and Aseem Chhabra -- pick their own nominees:

Also see: Oscar fever-2001!

Design: Rajesh Karkera

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