Best Picture

“The Artist” Thomas Langmann, Producer

“The Descendants” Jim Burke, Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor, Producers

“Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close” Scott Rudin, Producer

“The Help” Brunson Green, Chris Columbus and Michael Barnathan, Producers

“Hugo” Graham King and Martin Scorsese, Producers

“Midnight in Paris” Letty Aronson and Stephen Tenenbaum, Producers

“Moneyball” Michael De Luca, Rachael Horovitz and Brad Pitt, Producers

“The Tree of Life” Sarah Green, Bill Pohlad, Dede Gardner and Grant Hill, Producers

“War Horse” Steven Spielberg and Kathleen Kennedy, Producers

Probable winner: “The Artist”. No questions asked. It came out of the blue and dazzled the critics. It’s different and genuinely pleasant to watch and is this year’s favorite.

My favorite: “The Help”. I know it’s a long shot, but the acting is fantastic and the story is just as fantastic- it’s one of those movies that you don’t want to end.

The footnotes: Another film I thoroughly enjoyed was “Midnight in Paris”. It was so different. For me the combination of French music/ culture and the 1920s is simply a winning one. The excitement Owen Wilson’s character got from meeting and getting the opinions of his favorite 20s artists was so fun to watch. And watching Rachel McAdams return to her more Regina George-esque roots was on humorous coupled with Michael Sheen’s pompous, know-it-all act.

If anything has even a chance of beating out “The Artist”, it’s “The Descendants”. The two were the champs at the Golden Globes, winning Best Picture in comedy and drama. The film has a good story, a great cast, and a very real, very emotional journey.

Best Actor

Demián Bichir in “A Better Life”

George Clooney in “The Descendants”

Jean Dujardin in “The Artist”

Gary Oldman in “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy”

Brad Pitt in “Moneyball”

Probable winner: George Clooney or Jean Dujardin

My favorite: Clooney. Although I’ve only seen two of the five recognized performances, Clooney was so real in his performance.

The footnotes: SPOILER ALERT!!: There is a scene in The Descendants in which Clooney kisses his comatose wife for the very last time. Just inches from her lips, he delivers a short, incredibly passionate monologue in which he refers to her as both his love and his pain. In the moment that most would say to remember the good times, he curses her for leaving behind all sorts of different problems and for the pain she has caused him and their two daughters. That three minute or so scene alone is the kind of stuff that wins Oscars.

Best Supporting Actor

Kenneth Branagh in “My Week with Marilyn”

Jonah Hill in “Moneyball”

Nick Nolte in “Warrior”

Christopher Plummer in “Beginners”

Max von Sydow in “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close”

Probable winner: Christopher Plummer. I am very much interested in see Beginners as Christopher Plummer has already won the Golden Globe for his role in the film. He’s definitely a favorable choice for the win, being an accomplished Hollywood vet.

My favorite: Kenneth Branagh. I’ve got a soft spot for Mr. Lockhart here. Not only that, but he carried the burden of playing the legendary Sir Olivier extremely well. Another long shot, but a nice nomination.

Best Actress

Glenn Close in “Albert Nobbs”

Viola Davis in “The Help”

Rooney Mara in “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”

Meryl Streep in “The Iron Lady”

Michelle Williams in “My Week with Marilyn”

Probable winner: Probably Glenn, Viola, or Meryl… it’s really a tossup. I’m not just saying this because I haven’t seen the movie or I don’t like her, which I do, even if I haven’t seen the movie, I’m almost positive Rooney Mara will not win. It’s great that she was nominated, but up against these women with such killer repertories, she’s really the black horse. I do firmly believe she will win an Oscar someday, just not this time around.

My favorite: Probably Michelle Williams. I absolutely loved My Week with Marilyn. However, I think everyone in this category is phenomenal.

The footnotes: It would be nice for Glenn Close to FINALLY win, but up against Meryl, because she’s MERYL, it may not be so easy. However her performance as Albert Nobbs was utterly incredible. I personally would not know which way I would go if I were on The Academy. I also think it would be totally awesome if Viola Davis won… she’s outstanding in The Help and just so real.

Best Supporting Actress

Bérénice Bejo in “The Artist”

Jessica Chastain in “The Help”

Melissa McCarthy in “Bridesmaids”

Janet McTeer in “Albert Nobbs”

Octavia Spencer in “The Help”

Probable winner: Octavia Spencer

My favorite: All of these actresses were phenomenal in their respective movies, but I think I would have to say Octavia. Janet McTeer was also amazing in Albert Nobbs, and I think she deserves a shot. She would probably be my next pick. I think my third pick who be Jessica Chastain because she was so lovably dippy.

The footnotes: Berenice Bejo’s sweet disposition in The Artist was good, and she definitely has a good shot, mostly due to the film she’s in. As much as I love Melissa McCarthy and Bridesmaids, it’s not going to happen. She can’t beat out her friend Octavia, but that doesn’t mean she didn’t have a great performance. I’m almost positive it will be Octavia Spenser, closely followed by Janet McTeer honestly. At least, that’s how I would like it.

Be sure to watch the Oscars February 26th.