The bewitching hour arrives at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.

That's when the 306 movies in contention for Hollywood's biggest prize -- the Best Picture Oscar -- will be whittled to five and announced in alphabetical order, and when sure things dissolve into dust and surprises produce gasps in the room.

The 2006 movie "For Your Consideration" dramatized the process in both comic and heart breaking fashion as indie actors were the subject of Oscar buzz.

This year, some pictures ("No Country for Old Men," "There Will Be Blood," "Juno") and people (actresses Julie Christie and Marion Cotillard, along with actors Daniel Day-Lewis and George Clooney) seem locks. But until the names are announced and the photos appear in the five blank boxes in the Academy's Samuel Goldwyn Theater, nothing is certain.

Then, the speculation about nominees will instantly turn into chatter about front-runners and momentum. Just as with the presidential race, it's all about the timing.

You, too, can own a little piece of Oscar -- well, at least the official poster for the 80th Academy Awards.

The artwork represents a collaboration between father and son. Movie poster illustrator Drew Struzan conceived it, and his son, Christian, executed it. It shows the Oscar glowing among bright lights against a black background.

The design for the official poster of the Academy of Motion Picture of Arts and Sciences' 80th Academy Awards was originally conceived by legendary motion picture poster illustrator Drew Struzan, right and executed by his son, Christian, left.

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The elder Struzan has some impressive credits to his name, including the one-sheets for all of the "Star Wars" movies and "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull," coming May 22.

You can buy a poster, which measures 27 inches by 40 inches and is printed on good quality paper, by going to www.oscars.org/publications/ or by calling 1-800-554-1814. Cost of $25 includes shipping and handling, within the United States.

You can also find information on a poster celebrating all 80 Best Picture winners on that site. The final image of that is not available, because the 80th image won't be known until Feb. 24 when the Oscars are awarded.

An estimated 1,500 people will be coming to dinner, and Wolfgang Puck is in charge of feeding them for the 14th consecutive year.

The celebrity chef is creating the menu for the Governors Ball, which immediately follows the Academy Awards presentation and is held in the grand ballroom of the Hollywood & Highland Center also housing the Kodak Theatre. The guest list includes winners, nominees, presenters and other telecast participants.

Gold-dusted chocolate Oscars.

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The menu will return favorites such as mini Kobe burgers on brioche with sweet pickles, tuna tartare with wasabi aioli on togarashi toast, and gold-dusted chocolate Oscars.

Another familiar face is returning for the ceremony: Composer Bill Conti will serve as musical director for the 19th time. He was conducting the Academy Awards Orchestra the night Julia Roberts won for "Erin Brockovich" and suggested he sit because she might never be at the podium again.

Conti knows what it's like to be at the podium and to remain in his seat. He received an Oscar for his original score for "The Right Stuff" and was nominated for his original songs, "Gonna Fly Now" from "Rocky" and for the title song from "For Your Eyes Only."