Fox Searchlight has moved up the release date of "Juno" to Dec. 5 from Dec. 14, thus getting that sly dark horse out of the derby gate sooner. Good news, because small indies need an early head start. This one is often compared to "Little Miss Sunshine," which hit the track running in August, 2006, and ended up in the best-picture race. "Juno" won't have that much lead time, but the nine extra days it is getting may be crucial to its kudos success. Now the movie will be in theaters when members of the directors, writers, producers and actors' guilds get their nomination ballots in the mail.

Yes, yes, Lou Lumenick of the New York Post warned in our podcast chat (CLICK HERE to listen) that this date switcheroo might happen for "Juno," noting that release skeds are often "written in pencil." Nice crystal-balling, Lou. Now, smartypants, tell us what's gonna win best picture.