With the 82nd Academy Awards just three days away it is time for my annual picks. I have seen a large number of the nominees as I do each year and consider myself to be an Oscar enthusiast. I have seen every best picture and actor winner, the majority of Actress and Director winners and have seen all of the best picture winners for the past 15+ years.

This year the Academy sought to reverse its recent ratings slide and rectify the glaring omission of The Dark Knight from last year’s best picture nominees by upping the best picture tally to 10. With the runaway popularity of Avatar it was unnecessary but it is what it is. I wouldn’t be surprised if this was a one and done.

With that said, the best picture winner is not clear cut. Along with the expanded field Oscar has also changed its counting standards by requiring a ranking from one to ten. As a result the film that wins might not even have the most first place votes. This does open the door for an Inglorious Basterds upset but it still seems like this is a two horse race between Avatar and the Hurt Locker. The majority of the award season predictors tilts toward The Hurt Locker but Avatar looms large and some late season controversy makes this a crap shoot. The acting awards are all basically locks with the likeliest upset being Meryl Streep besting Sandra Bullock.

Best Picture
Will Win–The Hurt Locker (although Avatar is just as likely)
Should Win–The Hurt Locker

Best Actor–Jeff Bridges

Best Actress–Sandra Bullock

Best Supporting Actor–Christoph Waltz

Best Supporting Actress–Monique

Best Director–Kathryn Bigelow (first female winner ever!)

Documentary–The Cove