Early Oscar picks (predictions)

Just like the title says. I pick what I think should win, and put in parentheses what I think will win. Random comments throughout. I skip over a few categories because I just have no clue... Disagree at your own risk.

Best Picture: The Hurt Locker (The Hurt Locker) - tossup between this and Avatar, but The Hurt Locker has been doing well in the awards so far (outside of the Globes) and has a lot of momentum going forward. Up in the Air lost its steam unfortunately. Avatar winning would be a disgrace (it's enjoyable and visually stunning, but the writing is atrocious). The Blindside got nominated?

Actor in a Leading Role: Jeremy Renner (Jeff Bridges)

Actor in a Supporting Role: Christoph Waltz (Christoph Waltz)

Actress in a Leading Role: Sandra Bullock (Sandra Bullock) - please not Meryl Streep...

Actress in a Supporting Role: Mo'Nique (Vera Farmiga) - haven't seen Precious, Nine, or Crazy Heart, so I'm just guessing...

Animated Feature Film: Up (Up) - Fantastic Mr. Fox has a chance to pull an upset, but I don't see it. and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs got robbed of a deserving nomination by umm... what's its name... The Secret of Kells?

Art Direction: Avatar (Avatar) - the story kinda sucked, but a visually beautiful film. Sherlock Holmes is my second pick for this, but too bad it came out in the wrong year.

Cinematography: The Hurt Locker (Avatar) - film over digital, sorry. the 16mm shooting of The Hurt Locker was perfect.

Costume Design: The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus) - again, just guessing.

Directing: Kathryn Bigelow for The Hurt Locker (Kathryn Bigelow for The Hurt Locker) - it's between her and her egomaniac ex-husband...

Film Editing: Up in the Air (Avatar) - Avatar will probably cleanup the visual awards. The Hurt Locker has a good shot at this statuette too...

Foreign Language Film: The White Ribbon (The White Ribbon) - haven't seen any of them, but The White Ribbon has been getting a lot of hype.

Makeup: Star Trek (Star Trek)

Music (Original Score): Up (Up)

Sound Editing: The Hurt Locker (Avatar)

Sound Mixing: The Hurt Locker (Avatar) - Transformers got nominated for an Oscar? wtf?

Visual Effects: Avatar (Avatar)

Writing (Adapted Screenplay): Up in the Air (Up in the Air)

Writing (Original Screenplay): The Hurt Locker (The Hurt Locker)

That's that. Waiting 'till March...