In the past, the Independent Spirit Awards served as an alternative Oscar ceremony for those who, reasonably, couldn't bear the idea of things like "Titanic" or "Gladiator" or "Braveheart" getting officially declared the best film of any given year. This year, not so much -- "Brokeback Mountain," "Good Night, and Good Luck.", and "Capote" are Best Picture nominees for both ceremonies.

The Independent Spirit Awards will take place Saturday at 2 p.m. and you can watch them on IFC, the Independent Film Channel (which will repeat the ceremony repeatedly over the weekend). Sarah Silverman, who is so funny that if she plays her cards right -- or wrong, depending on your sensibility -- might be hosting the Oscars within a decade, will host. Usually, this award is a terrible barometer of the Academy Awards; this year, that might not be the case.