Let the countdown begin

We’re just a couple of days away from the big show here in Hollywood, and the red carpet is really starting to come together. So many tourists - and unapologetic journalists like myself - spent their Thursday taking pictures of the scene.

Workers prepare the red carpet for Sunday's Academy Awards in Hollywood, California.

There are plenty of photo opportunities just within a one-block radius of the red carpet. Right next to the Hollywood & Highland Center, a massive retail hub that includes the Kodak Theatre, dozens of shops and a couple of night clubs, you can find famous landmarks such as Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. There’s also a perfect view of the iconic Hollywood Sign.

I got a kick out of the lighted columns that lead to the entrance of the Kodak Theatre. As you walk by each column, you see the names of about 10 or so Best Pictures - and every name is preceded by the year it won the award. Someone must have wanted to get work out of the way, however, because they went ahead and filled up all the column space from now until the year 2071.

I don’t know what they’re going to do in 2072, but I hope I’m still around to see it.

Test your Hollywood knowledge: Even if you’ve been there, done that, with regards to Hollywood, I bet you can’t ace this 10-question quiz on Tinseltown. At least not without your friend, Mr. Google.

Worst Pictures of 2007: The winners of the Golden Raspberry Awards, aka the Razzies, will be announced Saturday morning in Santa Monica. Up for the not-so-coveted prize of Worst Picture: “Bratz,” “Daddy Day Camp,” “I Know Who Killed Me,” “Norbit” and “I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry.”

I can’t say I’ve seen any of these movies - probably wouldn’t admit it if I had - but I’m putting my money on Lindsay Lohan and “Killed Me.” And I’d bet the farm on Paris Hilton's new movie, which made a staggering $25,000 in its debut weekend, “winning” next year.

Last chance: Time’s running out to see the Best Picture nominees and get fully prepared for Sunday’s show. I’ve heard that some theaters are having all-day “cram sessions” where procrastinators can pay around $30 and watch all five movies in a row.

I’m going to check out “Michael Clayton” today and see if I expense it as “research.” It might be hard to lobby for the large bag of popcorn, though.

– From CNN.com Senior Associate Producer Kyle Almond