I can understand why Warner Bros. doesn't want to commit to saying "The Departed" is really in the derby. Every time a Marty Scorsese movie goes up for Oscar consideration, doom strikes. Now his strategists probably think: maybe it's time for a new approach and a little reverse psychology. Thus his latest film was released early, nowhere near his usual December rollout and all of us Oscar-watchers have been roughed up repeatedly by his kudos goons, who insist — imagine them talking like goodfellas here — "This is not an Oscar movie for Marty. Get it? It's pure entertainment, pal. That's all. Now keep on walking."

Right! Then please explain this ridiculous fact to me: Why have Oscar consultants been hired to handle this movie if it doesn't have an Oscar campaign?

But it does have a campaign, kind of. Although not really. It's just that no money's been allotted for a big "For Your Consideration" ad drive . . . yet.

So what's really going on? We asked Warner Bros. to squeal the truth and give it to us like a lead pipe on the noggin.

Here's what Debbie Miller, Warner Bros. executive VP of marketing, told us: "First and foremost, we view 'The Departed' as an event entertainment picture of the highest quality. While we are not overtly positioning the film for awards consideration, the two are not mutually exclusive.

"If people continue to respond to the story, acting and filmmaking as positively as they have thus far — and the film organically becomes a legitimate contender — we would be proud to support 'The Departed' with a full awards consideration campaign," she added. "With the film opening in early October, we have the luxury of time to allow the movie to speak for itself."

Obviously, Warner Bros. should put some money aside for what looks Oscar-inevitable — or at least Globes-inevitable. My sources within the Hollywood Foreign Press Association say that they love "The Departed," so clearly they intend to nominate it in some top categories.

Peter Travers of Rolling Stone believes it's destined for top Oscar matches, too — check out his early rankings above. He not only puts "The Departed" in his top five for best picture, but Jack Nicholson up for lead actor! Noted Oscar seer Pete Hammond of Maxim Magazine and HollywoodWiretap.com describes the film to us as "a masterwork, brilliant in every department. You could fill most of the male acting categories with this cast. They are that good. Scorsese at his best since at least "Goodfellas." But it is Scorsese, so who knows how the Oscar crowd will judge it? It's not full of a lot of social value, but, as pure filmmaking, it's just exhilarating."

But not everyone agrees that it's obvious Oscar material. Jeffrey Wells of Hollywood-Elsewhere.com tells us, "It's definitely Marty's best movie since 'Goodfellas.' It's brilliant. I loved every minute of it, but it doesn't have resonance, doesn't have the important social message that academy members expect."

Adds Edward Douglas of Comingsoon.net: "No question that the movie is very entertaining, though I think a lot of the overzealous critics and bloggers are forgetting that the Oscars are picked by the people who make movies and, despite the fact that this is a return to the 'Goodfellas'/'Casino' Scorsese, this also adds a certain been-there-done-that feel to the movie which I don't think Oscar feels needs to be rewarded. (As opposed to 'Gangs of New York' and 'Aviator,' both of which were hugely ambitious projects for Scorsese.) So I'll say it gets nominated for screenplay, supporting actor, and probably editing or other technical awards, but it will have a tough battle in any category since it's really not your typical Oscar movie in a year that looks to be full of them.

"Best Picture? Not happening," he adds. "Best Director? As much as I'd love to see Scorsese win one, it's not going to be for this (unless this becomes his Training Day) and the Academy might be smarting still from everyone who thought they should have given it to him for "Aviator.'"