82nd Academy Awards Predictions

The 82nd Academy Awards are fast approaching – they air Sunday, March 7, at 8 p.m. – and our resident movie critics have combed through seven of the most popular categories, choosing who they think ‘should win' and ‘will win' the coveted golden trophies. Check out their picks below!

BEST PICTURE

Avatar, The Blind Side, District 9, An Education, The Hurt Locker, Inglourious Basterds, Precious, A Serious Man, Up, Up in the Air

Jake's Picks

Should Win: "Inglourious Basterds"

I'm sorry, but Avatar is the cinematic equivalent of a test tube baby, and "Hurt Locker" is nothing more than an above average action movie with pretty excellent direction. "Basterds" is dangerously unique, equally fit for the art houses and the biggest multiplex in the country. The only films I think are close to "Basterds" here in quality are "A Serious Man" and "Up in the Air", but if I was handing out the Oscar, "Inglourious Basterds" takes a baseball bat straight to the rest of the field.

Will Win: "Avatar"

Not being recognized in acting or writing categories, and I don't see Cameron winning director, so the Academy will take this opportunity to award the movie that made them billions of dollars this year as well as providing a new gimmick that allows them to charge $15/ticket with 3-D. This is where the giant blue people will reign, and the (sci-fi) nerds shall rejoice.

Simoa's Picks

Should Win: Anything but "Avatar"

Will Win: "An Education," Precious," or "Up"

The big one! James Cameron's "Avatar" shouldn't appear in either category. Perhaps the sleeper hit "An Education" will win, or maybe the Academy will decide to be daring and give the Oscar to "Precious." "Up" is the first animated film to be considered here; maybe that's a sign. As long as it doesn't go to "Avatar," the Oscars are looking beautiful next Sunday.

Bobby's Picks

Should Win: "Inglourious Basterds"

Will Win: "The Hurt Locker"

Kevin's Picks

Should Win: "Inglorious Basterds"

Will Win: "Avatar"

It's hard for the Academy to not pick the most successful film of all time when they are trying to get ratings. "Basterds" should get the win, but expect Cameron's epic to get the small gold man. That's not saying that Avatar doesn't deserve the Oscar, as it does. But the somewhat unoriginal storyline gives the edge to "Basterds."

BEST ACTOR

Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart; George Clooney, Up in the Air; Colin Firth, A Single Man; Morgan Freeman, Invictus; Jeremy Renner, The Hurt Locker

Jake's Picks

Should Win: George Clooney

Tough call, but I'd give it to George Clooney for "Up in the Air". I found "Crazy Heart" pretty empty and soulless but I think Clooney did an excellent job of working around his movie star persona for another character with a high profile, and specifically was pretty awesome in his subtle self loathing. I'm not sure I'd call it the best performance of the year, but on this list it's my clear selection.

Will Win: Jeff Bridges

Pretty simple, he's been winning at every single award show, and it simply seems after his performance in the monster hit "Iron Man" and the fact that Lebowski-love hasn't dropped off after 12 years; Hollywood decided "Let's celebrate the Dude".

Simoa's Picks

Should Win: Morgan Freeman

Will Win: Jeremy Renner

Morgan Freeman should win (he is playing Nelson Mandela), but this is a tough one to call. Most likely, the Oscar is going to Jeremy Renner for "The Hurt Locker."

Bobby's Picks

Should Win: Jeremy Renner

Will Win: Jeff Bridges

Kevin's Picks

Should Win: George Clooney

Will Win: Jeff Bridges

I'll admit it, I did not see "Crazy Heart." I have read great things about Bridges' performance, including fellow Voice writer Jake Mulligan. But Clooney gives a great all around performance, he should win it. He's hilarious, he makes you cry making him near perfect in "Up in the Air."

BEST ACTRESS

Sandra Bullock, The Blind Side; Helen Mirren, The Last Station; Carey Mulligan, An Education; Gabourey Sidibe, Precious; Meryl Streep, Julie & Julia

Jake's Picks:

Should Win: Carey Mulligan

Carey Milligan should win for the only truly human performance on this whole list (that I've seen). Unfortunately, "The Last Station" is pretty much the only nominated movie I haven't caught yet, so I can't speak for or against Mrs. Mirren here. But Carey was a revelation, and not in the way Gabourey was, were she was just clearly the perfect person for the role. Carey Mulligan is a name to get use to, and she should get this award to signal that.

Will Win: Sandra Bullock.

For some inane, unexplainable reason, "The Blind Side" is getting respect as an awards film, rather than the Hollywoodized, white guilt infused, melodramatic middle-of-the-road picture that it was. Money talks, Sandra Bullock walks up to the podium on Sunday.

Simoa's Picks

Should Win: Carey Mulligan, Gabourey Sidibe

Will Win: Sandra Bullock

Carey Mulligan or Gabourey Sidibie should win, but the Academy may just pick Sandra Bullock. Let's hope they don't. Let's hope the Oscar goes instead to the actress who really deserves it; Meryl Streep. She is after all, the greatest actress on earth.

Bobby's Picks