Art Direction - Avatar. Although I though Dr.Parnassus was more original and interesting in it's style, Avatar is an obvious choice here.
Cinematography - Avatar. I would have to say it's all thanks to how 'ground-breaking' this film is, that the cinematography had new obstacles to overcome in order to achieve a unique look in terms of technology. In a more traditional sense of film though, Inglourious Basterds was just beautiful and would be my first choice, however, it's obviously not up to me.
Costume Design - This is one of the categories I haven't seen everything, and this particular one I've only seen three out of five nominees. That being said, some what I saw, Dr.Parnassus was again very original and inventive in it's aesthetic, but The Young Victoria had very elaborate costumes. Of course, Victoria had nothing audiences haven't seen before. I can't really gauge this category because I honestly just don't know what makes a good costume. If I had to guess though, it would be Victoria, Bright Star or Coco Before Chanel, which I've only seen the first of.
Editing - The Hurt Locker. In my mind Inglourious Basterds was perfect. I think the cuts and transitions and literally all editing elements worked so well with the tone of the film, giving such a unique experience. However, I think the Hurt Locker will win. It was beautifully edited, giving just the right pacing throughout the film.
Makeup - Star Trek. Again, another category I can't really judge. If I had to guess though, and I do, I would go with Star Trek. Past winners in this category have been shocking i.e. Norbit, so I think Star Trek has a real chance.
Original Score - Avatar. It's a toss up between Avatar and Sherlock Holmes for me. If I had to pick one, I'd have to side with Avatar due to it's insane popularity.
Original Song - I've only heard two of five songs here, and both songs from Nine and Crazy Heart were nothing special to me, so I can't even guess with this category.
Sound Editing - Inglourious Basterds, simply because of the rapid action sequences with flawless sound continuity throughout.
Sound Mixing - The Hurt Locker, because every scene has so many levels of sound that flow so perfectly together, never disjointed and always with a complete sense of realism.
Visual Effects - Avatar, obviously.
Original Screenplay - Inglourious Basterds. It was honestly like poetry for two and a half hours. Both the dialogue and overall story arc are just incredible. I'll be very sad if this one doesn't win this category.
Adapted Screenplay - Up In The Air. This one gave so much heart-felt dialogue, with such realism yet at the same time everything is so perfectly phrased it's almost unbelievable.
Foreign Film - The White Ribbon. I'm only saying this because, well, it won the Golden Globe, the Palme d'Or, and it's the only one in the category I've seen.
Animated Feature - Up. I wasn't a huge fan, but it was definitely very good. However I'm certain it will win as it's the only of these animated films to be nominated for Best Picture as well, so it's just makes sense for it to be the best of it's type.
Directing - Kathryn Bigelow for The Hurt Locker. Of course James Cameron is a front-runner for this award, I think Bigelow created an immensely powerful film that brings so much to today's audiences, as well as incredible social and political implications. She's given the style and tone to a unique take on modern warfare, and deserves to win.
Supporting Actor - Christoph Waltz. He took home the Golden Globe, best actor at Cannes, and literally every award across the board. Not only is he the favourite going into this, he really gave such an unbelievable performance that made Inglourious Basterds the film it is.
Supporting Actress - Mo'Nique. This category almost seems disappointing to me. None of the nominees were that incredible in my mind. That is, they all have great performances but no one stood out above the rest. Mo'Nique gives such an ugly performance, intentionally, that it's really the basis for the film. She gave a tone to Precious that I really can't imagine anyone else doing it. For that, I think she will win.
Leading Actress - Sandra Bullock. Yes, she won the Golden Globe. She isn't my favourite in the category though. I'm in favour of Meryl Streep, but she's won enough of these statues. Sandra Bullock was great in The Blind Side, this is true. But my problem is how can an actress be simultaneously be nominated for the Best Actress the same year she is nominated for the Worst Actress by the Golden Raspberries. That complaint aside, I do think she will pick this up. She leads the category.
Lead Actor - Jeff Bridges. I have to say everyone in this category gave a performance that I can't imagine anyone else doing. They were all perfectly cast. Bridges though, he really was something special. I have to think this category comes down to the type of character they all played, and Bad Blake in Crazy Heart was a role written for Bridges (not literally).
Best Picture - Avatar. This was a good movie. The Hurt Locker was better, in my opinion. But, Avatar is a huge accomplishment. We have to remember that Best Picture goes to the producers. Why? Because the production goes far beyond just the shooting that the director takes part in, the editing after, or the writing before. Cameron spent however many years making this thing possible, developing new technologies, getting a massive budget, just an overwhelming amount of work. Not only does it have value in that sense, but also in it's popularity, as well as it's meaning. It has significance on many levels, and that is where this film shines. Yes, the plot is weak, but this isn't the Best Screenplay category. Yes the actors aren't phenomenal, but this isn't an acting category. This is the Best Picture, and Avatar is the most significant to the most number of people. Of course it could win just on the basis that too many people on the Academy have time and money invested in this movie that it not winning would result in too big of a loss financially in DVD sales and all other markets after it's theatrical release. Having that "Best Picture Winner" on the front of the DVD will do immense help for this, and so in a financial sense, Avatar will win. If for some reason the Academy decides to judge based on artistic merit and traditional cinematic values, The Hurt Locker will win. Otherwise, it's Avatar.
I didn't guess for Documentary Feature, Documentary Short, Live Action Short, or Animated Short. Why? I haven't seen any of them.
