I meant to do a full Oscar preview this week, but I got sick and spent all the free time I could in bed, sleeping. Never managed to summon the energy. Anyway, the show starts in 25 minutes, so here are my picks:

Best Picture: The Hurt Locker

If this film beats Avatar, that will be the biggest win of the night for me. You might remember this piece, when it still seemed like Avatar was a runaway winner and I pleaded for Oscar voters to reconsider.

Best Director: Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker

Most of you already know this, since this piece of information has been everywhere, but Bigelow is only the fourth woman to be nominated for an Oscar in directing, a group that no woman has ever won. She's the first woman to ever really have a chance at it, too, so I'm pulling for her. That said, a victory for her here doesn't actually open any doors for women, it probably just puts a band-aid on the fact that it's tough - much too tough - for a woman to grab a directing gig in Hollywood. And James Cameron blew me away as a director on Avatar, so... I'm hopeful Bigelow, but not devastated if she doesn't land the prize.

Best Actor: Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart

Didn't see it, but he's the favorite.

Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz, Inglorious Basterds

Easy choice - the clear frontrunner and a stunningly good turn in Basterds.

Best Actress: Sandra Bullock, The Blind Side

In five years, this'll become, "hey, do you remember when Sandra Bullock won Best Actress?" "Nope."

Best Supporting Actress: Mo'Nique, Precious

Didn't see it, but she's the clear winner here.

Best Documentary Feature: The Cove

It's that or Food, Inc., though to be fair, it's often a surprise who wins this category. That said, The Cove was the buzziest documentary of the year by a long shot.

Documentary Short: The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant

I'm gonna pick economic depression over all other topics as the this year's cause-winner.

Animated Feature: Up

People are pushing Fantastic Mr. Fox as a possible upset here - and it's a very deserving pick - but Up was a Best Picture nom and it's going to win this running away.

Foreign Language Film: The White Ribbon, Germany

Sure, this is a tough category because so few voters see all five foreign language films, but The White Ribbon had Oscar buzz, and none of the other films did. Possible upset: Un prophète, the French film about... something or other. Possibly something about a prophet. It is French film, so there's no guarantee.

Original Screenplay: Quentin Tarantino, Inglorious Basterds

Look for strong pushes from the Coen Brothers and maybe Mark Boal for Hurt Locker, but I think Basterds was so strong that people will want to honor Tarantino in a year where he's certainly not going to win anything else.

Adapted Screenplay: Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner, Up In The Air

I think this one's a clear selection, none of the other screenplays jump out.

Cinematography: Avatar

The consolation prize.

Art Direction: Avatar

Has to be Avatar, that movie was, if nothing else, a triumph of art direction.

Animated Short Film: Logorama

I dunno. It sounds fun.

Live Action Short Film: Kavi

Sure.

Visual Effects: Avatar

Duh.

Costume Design: The Young Victoria

Because, I dunno, history.

Film Editing: The Hurt Locker

You have to win this category to win Best Picture, plus that thing was edited razor-sharp.

Sound Mixing: The Hurt Locker

Sound Editing: The Hurt Locker

Someone is winning both, and it's probably Avatar or this. Wouldn't it be fun if Transformers won, though, the same day as winning a Razzie? That'd be fantastic.

Original Score: Up

Maybe? I love Michael Giacchino, so I'm going with this. I have no confidence here.

Original Song: "The Weary Kind," Ryan Bingham

Really, the only possible winner here.

Makeup: Star Trek

Finally wins something, mostly for making Rachel Nichols green.

 

Alright, I'll check my win total at the end of the night. Here's my list of who I'd like to win

Best Picture: Hurt Locker

Best Director: Kathryn Bigelow

Best Actor: Jeremy Renner

Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz

Best Actress: Carey Mulligan

Best Supporting Actress: Anna Kendrick

Best Documentary Feature: The Cove

Best Documentary Short: Ditch the category

Animated Feature: Up and Fantastic Mr. Fox tie

Foreign Language Film: Take your films back, foreigners!

Original Screenplay: Quentin Tarantino, Inglorious Basterds

Adapted Screenplay: Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner, Up In The Air

Cinematography: The Hurt Locker

Art Direction: Avatar

Animated Short Film: A Matter of Loaf and Death

Live Action Short: Why is this even a thing?

Visual Effects: Star Trek

Costume Design: The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

Film Editing: The Hurt Locker

Sound Mixing: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Sound Editing: The Hurt Locker

Original Score: Michael Giacchino, Up

Original Song: Throw out all of the current contestants except for Ryan Bingham, then start over. Then, just give the award to Bingham anyway.

Makeup: Star Trek