Picking the Minds of Academy Award Judges : Movies: San Diego pundits try to think as the Academy does in selecting winners.

Picking the Academy Award winners has more to do with examining the collective psyche of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences than choosing the best performances.

Several local authorities, each with knowledge of the industry, were asked to play psychologist and attempt to predict how the academy will vote.

Their picks rarely reflect their choices as the best in the category, nor whom they would like to see win the Oscar.

KFMB-TV (Channel 8) weatherman Larry Mendte, who heads the station’s weekly “movie jury” wanted to pick Michelle Pfeiffer as best actress, on the offhand chance that she would hear of his choice and want to express her appreciation. On the other hand, “Break of Dawn” producer Jude Pauline Eberhard vehemently wanted to vote against Pfeiffer, who some feel is nominated primarily for her baby-doll looks.

But they were asked to put personal feelings aside. The goal was to predict the academy’s choices, which often have little to do with quality or reality.

“Nobody knows how the academy thinks anyway,” said KNSD-TV (Channel 39) film critic Laurence Gross.

Larry Mendte, foreman of the KFMB-TV (Channel 8) “movie jury”:

Film: “Born on the Fourth of July”--”although I didn’t think it was the most well-done movie. ‘Driving Miss Daisy’ was the best movie.’ ”

Actor: Tom Cruise. But “I think Morgan Freeman deserves it.”

Actress: Jessica Tandy. “White-haired Oscar nominees always win.”

Director: Oliver Stone. “I think every time he makes a movie he’s going to get it.”

Jude Pauline Eberhard, film producer:

Film: “Driving Miss Daisy.” “Stone (‘Fourth of July’) might get it, but I have a feeling . . . “

Actor: Morgan Freeman. “In a word, Mandela. I think the academy might recognize someone like Freeman because of what is going on in the world.”

Actress: Jessica Tandy. “I think that’s who they’ll choose.”

Director: Oliver Stone. “I think they will applaud his effort in retelling the war. They like his view.”

Laurence Gross, film critic for KNSD-TV (Channel 39) and KPOP-AM (1360):

Film: “Born on the Fourth of July.” “It was a great film that told a story.”

Actor: Tom Cruise. “Daniel Day-Lewis was the best performance.”

Actress: Jessica Tandy. “There’s so many things she’s done and she’s enormously well liked.”

Director: Oliver Stone. “Although Bruce Beresford (unnominated for ‘Driving Miss Daisy’) was wonderful.”

Andy Friedenberg, director of the Cinema Society:

Film: “Born on the Fourth of July.” “I think we’ll see a wave for ‘Born.’ ”

Actor: Tom Cruise. “A two-person race with Morgan Freeman, although I think Daniel Day-Lewis gave the best performance.”

Actress: Jessica Tandy. “I’d bet the farm on it.”

Director: Oliver Stone. “He already won the Directors Guild award.”

Matthew Eisen, independent television producer:

Film: “Born on the Fourth of July.” “It deals with a serious issue, which they love, and it has done well commercially.”

Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis. “Cruise and Freeman may split the vote.”

Actress: Jessica Tandy. “It’s about time to give her an award.”

Director: Oliver Stone. “Hands down.”

Kevin Brass, Times media reporter:

Film: “Driving Miss Daisy.” “Stone got his best-film award for ‘Platoon.’ ”

Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis. “Maybe they’ll actually reward the best performance. The National Enquirer factor rules out Cruise.”

Actress: Jessica Tandy. “A life achievement award.”

Director: Oliver Stone. “The academy loves him.”