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Just hours now remain until the biggest showbiz event of the year gets underway.
Stars from the worlds of film, television and music are expected to attend this year's Oscars at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood.
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is the runaway favourite to win big at the ceremony, having been nominated in 11 of the 24 categories. There is some speculation that the movie could repeat the success of Titanic in 1998 by sweeping the boards and winning gongs in all of its categories.
It will not be without fight from Russell Crowe's Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, however, which has a total of ten nominations in all.
Others tipped for success include Charlize Theron - in the Best Actress category for her role in serial killer drama Monster - and Tim Robbins - as Best Supporting Actor for Clint Eastwood's Mystic River.
Over the past 24 hours security has been tightened at Kodak , with permanent police officers stationed on the red carpet and regular checks being undertaken by the bomb squad. Measures on the night will include snipers posted on nearby buildings.
Stick with Digital Spy for continuing coverage throughout the day before full coverage and analysis of the ceremony itself from midnight.
