Oscar Predictions

I did this last year, so I thought I would give it a try again. These are my Oscar Predictions (and reasons) in green. I am only guessing for the major categories. I will update the actual winners in red. Anything in dark blue are categories I guess correctly in. Unfortunatly I did not get to see all of this years nominated movies (some never even came here), so these are my best guesses of personal observation (when possible) and popular talk (for what its worth). If anyone else wants to play, jump in. Last year I got 5/8 (only 63%) - lets see how I do this year.

Update: 5/7 is my score for this year (71%)

Performance by an actor in a leading role
* Jeff Bridges in "Crazy Heart" (I have honestly not seen any of the other movies that have best actor nominees, but we did see this and Bridges did a great job. His performance is getting alot of attention and if I remember right he already won a Golden globe, so he is my pick)
* George Clooney in "Up in the Air"
* Colin Firth in "A Single Man"
* Morgan Freeman in "Invictus"
* Jeremy Renner in "The Hurt Locker"

Performance by an actor in a supporting role
* Matt Damon in "Invictus"
* Woody Harrelson in "The Messenger"
* Christopher Plummer in "The Last Station" (We did see the "Lovely Bones" (the only one in this category) and Tucci was really creepy in it, but Plummer has never won a Oscar, not even for "Sound of Music"(!), so I am rooting for him.)
* Stanley Tucci in "The Lovely Bones"
* Christoph Waltz in "Inglourious Basterds"

Performance by an actress in a leading role
* Sandra Bullock in "The Blind Side"
* Helen Mirren in "The Last Station"
* Carey Mulligan in "An Education"
* Gabourey Sidibe in "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire"
* Meryl Streep in "Julie & Julia" (While Sandra Bullock sounds like the shoe in, I really hope Steep finally gets this. She did a really great job in this movie. If Streep does not get it I am rooting for Mulligan, because she was really great in "An Education"!)

Performance by an actress in a supporting role
* Penélope Cruz in "Nine"
* Vera Farmiga in "Up in the Air"
* Maggie Gyllenhaal in "Crazy Heart"
* Anna Kendrick in "Up in the Air"
* Mo'Nique in "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire" (Mo'Nique seems to have the popular vote and I hear she did a really good job. I think Gyllenhaal was wonderful in "Crazy Heart" but I am really not going to be surprised if Farmiga wins for "Up in the Air")

Best animated feature film of the year
* "Coraline" (Focus Features) Henry Selick
*"Fantastic Mr. Fox" (20th Century Fox) Wes Anderson
*"The Princess and the Frog" (Walt Disney) John Musker and Ron Clements
*"The Secret of Kells" (GKIDS) Tomm Moore
*"Up" (Walt Disney) Pete Docter (Duh. I will be shocked if anything else wins)

Achievement in directing
*"Avatar" James Cameron
*"The Hurt Locker" Kathryn Bigelow (I am cheering for the chick. I hear its a good movie. Avatar was good, but not Cameron's best directing gig, IMO. I will not be surprised if the Oscar goes to Reitman however, since he seems to have the indy-cheer section.)
*"Inglourious Basterds" Quentin Tarantino
*"Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire" Lee Daniels
*"Up in the Air" Jason Reitman

Best motion picture of the year
*"Avatar"
*"The Blind Side"
*"District 9"
*"An Education"
*"The Hurt Locker" (Once again, out of all the pictures, this seems to have the best press. "Avatar" was good, but not a Best Picture IMO; same for "District 9." I am probably the only one that did not see the Blind Side yet. Sadly Oscar seems to like the Coen Brothers, as must as I can not stand them; same with "Up in the Air" - it just looked dry and boring to me. I hear "Precious" was good too, so maybe that will win. I think "UP" was great, so if it wins, I am happy.)
*"Inglourious Basterds"
*"Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire"
*"A Serious Man"
*"Up"
*"Up in the Air"