Best Picture
Will win - The King’s Speech
Could Win – The Social Network
Should Win - Inception
Should’ve been nominated – Shutter Island
Best Director
Will Win – David Fincher
Could Win – Tom Hooper
Should Win – Darren Aronofsky
Should’ve been nominated – Christopher Nolan
Best Actor
Will Win – Colin Firth
Could Win – Jesse Eisenberg
Should Win – Colin Firth
Should’ve been nominated - Ryan Gosling
Best Actress
Will Win – Natalie Portman
Could Win – Annette Bening
Should Win – Natalie Portman
Should’ve been nominated – Lesley Manville
Best Supporting Actor
Will Win – Christian Bale
Could Win – Geoffrey Rush
Should Win – Christian Bale
Should’ve been nominated – Matt Damon
Best Supporting Actress
Will Win – Helena Bonham Carter
Could Win – Melissa Leo
Should Win – Hailee Steinfeld
Should’ve been nominated – Marion Cotillard
Best Adapted Screenplay
Will Win – The Social Network
Could Win – True Grit
Should Win – The Social Network
Should’ve been nominated – How to Train Your Dragon
Best Original Screenplay
Will Win – The King’s Speech
Could Win – Inception
Should Win – Inception
Should’ve been nominated – Blue Valentine
Best Art Direction
Will Win – Inception
Could Win – The King’s Speech
Should Win – Inception
Should’ve been nominated – Shutter Island
Best Cinematography
Will Win – True Grit
Could Win - Inception
Should Win – Inception
Should’ve been nominated – Shutter Island
Best Costume Design
Will Win – The King’s Speech
Could Win – Alice in Wonderland
Should Win – True Grit
Should’ve been nominated – Shutter Island
Best Editing
Will Win – The Social Network
Could Win – The King’s Speech
Should Win – The Social Network
Should’ve been nominated – Inception
Best Makeup
Will Win – The Wolfman
Could Win – The Way Back
Should Win – The Wolfman
Should’ve been nominated – Shutter Island
Best Original Score
Will Win – Inception
Could Win – The King’s Speech
Should Win – How to Train Your Dragon
Should’ve been nominated – True Grit
Best Original Song
Will Win – Toy Story 3
Could Win – 127 Hours
Should Win – 127 Hours
Should’ve been nominated – How to Train Your Dragon
Best Sound Editing
Will Win – Inception
Could Win – True Grit
Should Win – Inception
Should’ve been nominated – How to Train Your Dragon
Best Sound Mixing
Will Win – Inception
Could Win – True Grit
Should Win – Inception
Should’ve been nominated – How to Train Your Dragon
Best Visual Effects
Will Win – Inception
Could Win – Alice In Wonderland
Should Win – Inception
Should’ve been nominated – TRON: Legacy
Best Animated Feature
Will Win – Toy Story 3
Could Win – How to Train Your Dragon
Should Win – How to Train Your Dragon
Should’ve been nominated – None.
Best Foreign Language Film
Will Win – In A Better World
Could Win – Biutiful
Should Win – Biutiful
Should’ve been nominated – White Material
Best Documentary Feature Film
Will Win – Inside Job
Could Win – Exit Through the Gift Shop
Should Win – Restrepo
Should’ve been nominated – None
Best Animated Short
Will Win - Day & Night
Could Win - The Gruffalo
Should Win - Day & Night
Best Documentary Short
Will Win - The Warriors of Quigang
Could Win - Poster Girl
Should Win - The Warriors of Quigang
Best Live Action Short
Will Win - God of Love
Could Win - Na Wewe
Should Win - Na Wewe
There you have it. No matter what happens tomorrow night, just remember that it's all in the name of fun. What 6,000 industry insiders decide represents the best of film in the past year doesn't always and shouldn't necessarily reflect your own choices. Don't look to Oscars for validation. They never will be. Get in on the joke and enjoy the ride. There is such a thing (as I've learned) as being too passionate. That sounds like a horrible thing to say regarding this wonderful art form. But think about it. At the end of the day, it's a golden statue. It doesn't change anything. I'm passionate about a lot of things. Awards prognosticating is one of them. What actually wins is not. Just try to enjoy the show.
