BUZZMETER

The director race this year looks like a lock for “Slumdog Millionaire’s” Danny Boyle. But locks can be broken, so don’t count out David Fincher for his technical tour de force “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.” Or what about Gus Van Sant’s work on “Milk”? Our esteemed panel of Oscarologists have a lot to say on this race and others at the Buzzmeter: TheEnvelope.com/buzzmeter.

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THE OPINIONS

“I love the . . . very carefully marketed comeback story, when I seem to recall [Mickey Rourke in] “Sin City” and “Domino.” He has never really been gone as far as I’m concerned.”

-- The Hollywood Reporter’s Gold Rush blogger T.L. Stanley on our Buzzmeter panel of Oscarologists, debating the lead actor race.

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THE POLL

Who’s your pick for lead actor?

A. Sean Penn, “Milk”

B. Mickey Rourke, “The Wrestler”

C. Frank Langella, “Frost/Nixon”

D. Richard Jenkins, “The Visitor”

E. Brad Pitt, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”

Go to TheEnvelope.com to vote.