The GoldDigger has returned. Thoughts from my voyage through the state of California:

 (1) "Atonement." Informal survey of everyone I know who's seen the film: ehh, it's ok. Not that any of my friends are members of the Academy. But I'm starting to feel like I'm in the minority as someone who really loves the film. Maybe I'm just getting cold feet because the Screen Actors Guild snubbed it completely--but is there a chance that "Atonement" will be this year's "Dreamgirls" or "Cold Mountain"? Can it miss out on a best picture nomination, because everyone's in love with something else, and not enough voters mark it as No. 1 on their ballots? I hope not.

(2) "Sweeney Todd." If "Atonement," isn't this year's "Dreamgirls," then maybe Tim Burton's musical is. In two weeks, it's made $30.5 million at the box office (even "Charlie Wilson's War" is ahead with $43.2). Yes, it's in limited release. But it's playing on 1,249 screens, compared to "Juno's" 998 screens. And "Juno" has a far higher per screen average, bringing home $31.1 million so far. Which brings me to ...

(3) "Juno." Actually, that's the movie I want to talk about. I went to see it again, in a full-house stadium screen at my hometown theater in Fresno, Calif. You know what? It's really a lovely film. It came in at No. 5 this weekend at the box office, building buzz just as members of the Academy are filling out their ballots (Roger Ebert named it the best film of the year). A few weeks ago, I was worried it would get lost in the shuffle and miss out on a best picture nomination. But not so much anymore. I think it'll slip into the final five.