After all the twists and turns, surprises and sure things, Oscar’s managed to save the best for last.

Months ago, when the conversation was dominated by the glitz of “Dreamgirls,” the gloom of “Letters from Iwo Jima,” and the grace of “The Queen,” who could have predicted that the conversation would change so dramatically?

Today, going into Sunday’s 79th Academy Awards, the palpable drama surrounding best picture has distilled down to a three-way dash for the finish line. And watching from the sidelines, it’s a contest that’s considerably difficult to handicap.

After its triumph at the Golden Globes, one is tempted to give the edge to “Babel,” Alejandro Gonzlez Iñárritu’s multinational drama of overlapping storylines that seems custom-made for today’s Hollywood sensibilities. It was named best dramatic picture at the Golden Globes last month, it is the most nominated of all the best picture nominees, and it continues to be the most talked-about title by critics and the most revered by its many fans.

But in recent weeks, two cult contenders have been bolstered by passionate bands of supporters, all pushing their cause in hopes of converting others. In one corner is “The Departed,” Martin Scorsese’s bloody, old-school thriller that fans have flocked to and refused to stop talking about, all but ensuring Mr. Scorsese will walk away with his first best directing statue. In the other is the Sundance underdog “Little Miss Sunshine” and its chorus of comedy fans, who have flocked to it on DVD over the last six months, embracing its dysfunctional family as a modern-day tribute to the fractured American dream.

And so as we look two days into the future and try to sort out the best picture mess, the real question is whether “Babel” has the rock-solid support some in the industry say it does, or whether some of its supporters might be swayed over to “The Departed,” splitting the dramatic vote and opening a hole through which “Little Miss Sunshine” can drive its rickety van to victory.

It’s this speculation, in addition to Mr. Scorsese’s presumed coronation, that gives this year’s Academy Awards a much needed dose of pep — promising a finale that may go down as one of the most thrilling in Oscar history.

Which is not to say that the rest of the ceremony will be a snooze. Sure, the best actress and best supporting actress awards can be predicted with resolute certainty – Helen Mirren (“The Queen”) and Jennifer Hudson (“Dreamgirls”), get your speeches ready — and best actor, supporting actor, and animated feature seem like sure things, but many categories (particularly screenplay) remain quite competitive, and several intriguing storylines promise to play out before a worldwide audience.

Scrawled out on a piece of paper, we’ve marked down our seven most pressing reasons to tune in and watch come Sunday night:

Does the Academy really hate Eddie Murphy (who bombed this month with the childish “Norbit”) so much that it gives the best supporting actor award to Alan Arkin of “Little Miss Sunshine” instead?

If Al Gore takes the stage in support of his Oscar-winning documentary “An Inconvenient Truth,” will his “thank you” list turn political? And might he parlay a victory into a run for the White House?

Will Martin Scorsese — Mr. Gangster, Mr. Tough-Guy — cry at the podium after his name is announced? And how long will the standing ovation go on?

Does anyone else notice that the foreign film nominees – which themselves are engaged in a fierce competition – are, on par, better works than the best picture nominees?

Any chance Oscar will show its hip side with a surprise nod to “Borat” for best screenplay?

Will the three — yes, three — nominated “Dreamgirls” songs cancel each other out and allow outdated pop rocker Melissa Ethridge to win for her “Inconvenient Truth” enviro-anthem?

Will Ellen DeGeneres be as bad a host as we think she’ll be?

Yes, Sunday will have more than its fair share of predictable moments, but it’s also poised to pack a punch that will have every semiserious movie fan talking, and arguing, Monday morning.