THE OSCARS (2010)

I've been to busy scrambling to watch all the Oscar-nominated films to blog about them (or anything else for that matter), but with the Oscars merely a few hours away, here is a quick look at how I think the event will play out. I'll likely provide more in-depth reviews or at least some brief words about most of these films in the near future, but here is a list of the nominees and my predictions (and occasionally my two cents on my own personal picks for particular categories if they differ from what I expect to win).

THE OSCARS:

1. Best Picture: The Hurt Locker
2. Best Actor: Jeff Bridges for Crazy Heart
3. Best Actress: Sandra Bullock for the Blind Side; Should win: Gabourey Sidibe for Precious
4. Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz for Inglorious Basterds
5. Best Supporting Actress: Mo’Nique for Precious
6. Best Director: Kathryn Bigelow for The Hurt Locker
7. Best Screenplay (directly for screen): The Hurt Locker
8. Best Adapted Screenplay: Up in the Air
9. Best Cinematography: Avatar; Should win: The Hurt Locker
10. Best Editing: The Hurt Locker
11. Best Art Direction: Avatar
12. Costume Design: The Young Victoria
13. Best Makeup: Il Divo; Should win: Star Trek
14. Best Music (Original Score): Up
15. Best Music (Original Song): "The Weary Kind" in Crazy Heart
16. Best Sound Mixing: The Hurt Locker
17. Best Sound Editing: Avatar
18. Best Visual Effects: Avatar
19. Best Animated Film: Up
20. Best Foreign Film: The White Ribbon
21. Best Documentary: The Cove
22. Best Documentary Short: China’s Unnatural Disaster: The Tears of Sichuan Province
23. Best Short Film (Animated): French Roast ; My pick: Wallace and Gromit
24. Best Short Film (Live Action): Miracle Fish

So, there you have it. I expect Avatar and The Hurt Locker to take home the most statues, but the question is which will take home the most coveted statues (i.e. Best Picture, Best Director). I've seen damn near every nominated film this year, with the exception of Invictus, The Blind Side, the documentaries (save The Cove), and most of the animated and live action shorts. Here I have listed what I expect to win, so keep in mind that this list does not perfectly reflect my personal taste (and in fact, I have noted some of my picks in certain categories). The Oscars are on tonight at 5:30 PM: let's see how I do.