If you've been following this series (which lasted just slightly longer than the average Oscars telecast), you can guess what my pick for best picture of 2008 will be:

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

Riiiiight.

No, I'm going with Slumdog Millionaire, as I have since I first saw it. It should dance away with this evening's top Oscar. Relive a bit of the Mumbai magic in the embedded clip above. (BTW: If you haven't read Sean Daly's superb review of the Slumdog soundtrack, you really should.)

For the record, my predictions over the past two weeks come out with a final tally showing Slumdog Millionaire leaving with six Oscars, followed by Benjamin Button (4), The Dark Knight, Milk and WALL-E (2 each), with Iron Man, The Reader and Vicky Christina Barcelona each winning one Academy Award. That sounds about right.

While you're waiting for tonight's show, check out my suggestions to the academy for improving the telecast (including clothing optional acceptance speeches). Don't forget to eavesdrop on the Deal Divas' red carpet snarkfest, then return here for LIVE blogging during the show.