And the nominations are...

You can feel it in the air, around two weeks after the golden globes: a feint static of anticipation begins to build from the deep gullet of the entertainment industry, ultra-chic, majorly priced Rodeo Dr. shops and designers come alive with activity, and every major entertainment site, channel, or publication is only talking about one thing - no, not Tiger Woods, it's Oscar season. The 82nd Academy Awards air on March 7th at 5 pm PST, hosted by Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin; here are the nominations:

This year the category of best picture has been expanded from five nominations to ten. Doubling the nominations has opened the category up for films that would usually never get the shot. Two science fiction films and an animation are just a few of the examples of movies that, had it been the year before, would be getting the cold shoulder.

Best Picture:

Avatar

The Blind Side

District Nine

An Education

The Hurt Locker

Inglorious Basterds

Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Saphire

A Serious Man

Up

Up in the Air

My theory with Avatar is that it's going to sweep pretty much every category it is nominated for, with the possible exception of Best Picture, although it does have a lot going for it: it won a Golden Globe for best drama about a month ago and does have a worldwide gross of about $2.5 billion according to Box Office Mojo , making it the highest grossing picture of all time (non-adjusted). Not that this should mean much, but I believe the last film to do that (Titanic, also by James Cameron) won eleven gold statues.

Yes, I saw the nine other movies in the category. Avatar ruled the box office for more than ten weeks for a reason. No one has seen a movie like this. The 3-D really made me rethink my whole stance on the technology, as far as if it's a gimmick or a soon-to-be essential (I still remain unconvinced however). The characters looked amazing and full of life. The story was pretty good and the message was clear. It's not the best movie I've ever seen but it accomplished something last year that no other film had really been able to do, and that was show me something new.

Other movies with buzz are: Precious, The Hurt Locker, and A Serious Man.

Actor in a Leading Role

Jeff Bridges - Crazy Heart

George Clooney - Up in the Air

Colin Firth - A Single Man

Morgan Freeman - Invictus

Jeremy Renner - The Hurt Locker

I have gotta go with Jeremy Renner. First off, he's a local favorite, and secondly, The Hurt Locker was just fantastic! Every time Staff Sergeant William James (Jeremy Renner) was approaching a hidden bomb or IED, time would slow, suspense would rise and I would be on the edge of my seat. I flinched with every sudden move and most of all, I believed it. Jeremy Renner's cool and carefree, but restrained, take on the character was just great and definitely his best role to date.

Other actors with Buzz are: Jeff Bridges and Colin Firth.

Actress in a Leading Role

Sandra Bullock - The Blind Side

Helen Mirren - The Last Station

Carey Mulligan - An Education

Gabourey Sidibe - Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire

Meryl Streep - Julie & Julia

There are only two real choices here: Meryl Streep and Gabourey Sidibe. Though both played very memorable roles and gave brilliant performances in their own way, I have to give it to Gabourey.. In her first major lead role Gabourey shines in the unforgettable and tragic role of Claireece "Precious" Jones. This movie is a tear jerker to say the least. The life of Precious is a tragic one and Gabourey makes you feel for her in every scene; but as much as she can play a victim, she also effectively layers it with veils of strength and hope. I look forward to seeing a lot more from Gabourey Sidibe. I think Meryl Streep has won enough Oscars already.

Other Actress's with buzz are: Meryl Streep and Sandra Bullock.

Actor in a Supporting Role

Matt Damon - Invictus

Woody Harrelson - The Messenger

Christopher Plummer - The last Station

Stanley Tucci - The Lovely Bones

Christopher Waltz - Inglorious Basterds

I must admit for this category I haven't seen every movie, but to me that doesn't even matter. That's how sure I am with my Oscar pick. If you are a betting man and looking for a sure winner on Oscar night let me assure you, Christopher Waltz is it. Waltz's character of Col. Hans Landa is some of the best villain acting I've seen since Silence of the Lambs. Frankly, he owned every scene he was in. The scene in which he is questioning Shoshana Dreyfus (Melanie Laurent's character) about her theater is some of the most thickly layered and suspense filled tension I've ever seen, and when he brutally strangles the life out of Bridget von Hammersmark I was stunned. His calm, rational and methodical approach to every task, including hunting for escaped and hiding Jews, was truly chilling and I loved every minute of it.

Actress in a Supporting Role

Penelope Cruise - Nine

Vera Farmiga - Up in the Air

Maggie Gyllenhaal - Crazy Heart

Anna Kendrick - Up in the Air

Mo' Nique - Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire

I'm doing this one by process of Elimination: Nine was not great. Especially if you don't like musicals; watch 8 instead . Gone!, Two actress's one movie = half the performance. So that leaves two; Maggie Gylenhaal and Mo' Nique. It's really a tossup here, but I'm turning down Mo' Nique just because of how much I enjoyed Gabourey Sidibe and hated her character (sorry Mo' Nique). Maggie Gyllenhaal it is. Crazy Horse is a great film and Maggie Gyllenhaal was great in it. As Jean Craddock, Maggie held her own in every scene with a magnificent Jeff Bridges. I definitely think Maggie is the wild card on this one but she has a shot with a solid performance in a great film.