Some races appear to be already locked up. Brad Pitt has never won an acting award, but he has charmed awards audiences with his witty speeches and supporting actor performance as a laid-back stunt double in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Joaquin Phoenix has dominated best actor prizes for his terrifying portrayal of an isolated loner in Joker. while Renee Zellweger seems to have locked up the best actress for playing an aging Judy Garland in Judy.

A win by Zellweger would defeat Harriet star Cynthia Erivo, the only person of color in the acting lineup that has renewed the OscarsSoWhite furor despite four years of efforts to diversify the academy’s membership.

Taking place without a host for the second year Oscar organizers have given few details of the ceremony, other than to announce live performances by original song contenders Elton John, Idina Menzel  Randy Newman, Chrissie Metz, and Erivo.