Below are ranked predictions in the eight top Oscar categories that I shipped off to the Gold Derby at the L.A. Times’ The Envelope. I wouldn’t take my prognostications all that seriously until I’ve actually seen everything. What I haven’t seen on this list: Avatar, Invictus, The Lovely Bones, Nine, It’s Complicated, The Princess and the Frog. So check back with me in 3 weeks or so before mortgaging the house.
BEST PICTURE
Up in the Air
Invictus
The Lovely Bones
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
Precious
Nine
Up
Avatar
A Serious Man
BEST DIRECTOR
Jason Reitman, Up in the Air
Clint Eastwood, Invictus
Peter Jackson, The Lovely Bones
Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker
Quentin Tarantino, Inglourious Basterds
BEST ACTOR
George Clooney, Up in the Air
Morgan Freeman, Invictus
Jeremy Renner, The Hurt Locker
Daniel Day-Lewis, Nine
Jeremy Renner, The Hurt Locker
BEST ACTRESS
Meryl Streep, Julie & Julia
Helen Mirrren, The Last Station
Vera Farmiga, Up in the Air
Carey Mulligan, An Education
Gabourey Sidibe, Precious
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Christoph Walz, Inglourious Basterds
Matt Damon, Invictus
Alfred Molina, An Education
Stanley Tucci, The Lovely Bones
Alec Baldwin, It’s Complicated
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Mo’Nique, Precious
Julianne Moore, A Single Man
Judi Dench, Nine
Melanie Laurent, Inglorious Basterds
Susan Sarandon, The Lovely Bones
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
Up
The Fantastic Mr. Fox
Monsters vs. Aliens
The Princess and the Frog
Ponyo
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
The Hurt Locker
Inglorious Basterds
A Serious Man
Up
Avatar
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Up in the Air
Invictus
The Lovely Bones
Nine
An Education
