By this time last year, predicting the Oscar winners was basically a cinch: Everyone knew that “Oppenheimer” was going to dominate the proceedings. And it did.

This year, though: Not so much. For one thing, “Oppenheimer” is no longer eligible for the Oscars. But at least three movies appear to have a legitimate shot at best picture. The best actor race may be closer than it appears at first glance. The best actress race, despite earlier indications, may be tightening.

It makes for what could be a delightfully entertaining Sunday evening.

But it makes for rough going for your Oscar pool.

Maybe I can help. Every year, I offer my Oscar picks in every category. Typically, I get about 17 or so right. Feel free to use my picks, which I research from a variety of sources, to start your own Oscar pool. I should note, however, that I do no actual reporting on these, the way that, say, Kyle Buchanan does for The New York Times — but, then again, that’s his job. He gets paid real money for that. Of course, he has to work at a pinko, America-hating, fake-news operation like the Times — but, hey, it’s steady work. (It could be worse for Buchanan; he could work for The Associated Press.)

If you think you can beat my predictions, there might be a bit of real money in it for you — or at least a $25 gift certificate to the multiplex of your choice.

Here’s how my annual Oscar contest works: Take a look at my predictions. Figure out where I’m wrong. Email me your full slate of predictions by 3 p.m. Pacific time Sunday. Type something like “Oscar picks” in the subject line.

After the ceremony, I’ll leaf through the entries, pull out those that beat my Oscar mark, and randomly select one of those entrants to win the $25 gift certificate, which is funded entirely out of my own funds. But don’t feel bad about taking my money — I probably would have just blown it on things like gas and groceries.

So, to recap the basic rules: Make your predictions. Email them to [email protected] by 3 p.m. Sunday. (Or leave your predictions in the comments below, but be sure to include an email address.) Enjoy the show. And then wait by your inbox to see if you’re a winner.

As of Friday night, here are my Oscar predictions:

Picture: “Anora,” which seems to have regained some of the momentum it had earlier, is my pick. But “Conclave” could surprise — and also has picked up momentum. And there’s a little part of my brain that says “A Complete Unknown,” everyone’s second-favorite movie, could sneak in for a win: Remember, they use a version of ranked choice voting to pick the Oscars now, so the second-place votes matter.

Director: It looks like a romp for Sean Baker, of “Anora.”

Actor: Adrien Brody’s turn in “The Brutalist” has done well on the awards circuit, but I wouldn’t be completely surprised to see Timothee Chalamet pick up his first Oscar for “A Complete Unknown.” I’m still giving the edge to Brody.

Actress: I still think Demi Moore wins for her go-for-broke performance in “The Substance,” no small thanks to the memorable speeches she’s given on the awards circuit. But Fernanda Torres of “I’m Still Here” is closing and is still in the race.

Supporting actor: It’s a lock for Kieran Culkin’s performance in “A Real Pain.” And his meandering acceptance speeches on the awards circuit have won him some fans.

Supporting actress: Another lock, for Zoe Saldana in “Emilia Perez.”

Original screenplay: I’m going for “Anora,” but you should know that “A Real Pain” appears to have a real shot.

Adapted screenplay: “Conclave” appears to have a big edge.

Cinematography: “The Brutalist,” made for about $10 million, looks like $100 million, and is the heavy favorite.

Costumes: It’s a lock for “Wicked.”

Editing: “Conclave” is the favorite, and my choice. But this award often goes hand-in-hand with the best picture winner, so “Anora” could claim the Oscar.

Makeup: “The Substance” is the heavy favorite.

Design: “Wicked” seems to have the edge. However, it wouldn’t be a shock if this Oscar went to either “The Brutalist” (just $10 million, remember) or “Dune: Part Two,” which cost somewhat more than $10 million but put all of that money on the screen.

Score: “The Brutalist” is the favorite.

Song: “El Mal,” from “Emilia Perez,” is the favorite, in part because it’s a showcase number for Zoe Saldana, who has emerged unscathed from the various scandals that toppled the movie from its front-runner perch. It almost makes you feel bad for Netflix.

Sound: As weird as it, well, sounds, this could be the category that makes the difference in your Oscar pool. “Dune” is the slight favorite, and my choice. But it wouldn’t be a shock to see “A Complete Unknown” or “Wicked” eke out a win here.

Special effects: “Dune: Part Two.”

Animated feature: As much as I want to see “Flow” win, I suspect “The Wild Robot” takes the Oscar. Still, “Flow” is something special.

Documentary feature: It looks like a two-way race between “No Other Land,” the film directed by a collective of two Israeli and two Palestinian directors, and “The Porcelain War,” about the war in Ukraine. My hunch is that “No Other Land” wins, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see “Porcelain War” take the Oscar.

International feature: “I’m Still Here” is the likely winner.

Animated short: A toss-up. My choice here is “Yuck!” But I could see wins for “Magic Candles” or “Beautiful Men.”

Documentary short: I know this won’t help you, but it looks like at least three of the five nominees have a legitimate shot. I’m giving the edge to “I Am Ready, Warden,” but “The Only Girl in the Orchestra” and “Incident” could win.

Live action short: “The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent” has the edge, but “The Last Ranger” or “A Lien” could surprise.