Oscar nominees and who's going to win

SALT LAKE CITY -- A few weeks ago I gave you my [predictions](<<a href=>) for the Academy Award nominees. Well, the nominations have been announced and it's now time for me to face the music and see how I did. And, because I know you're all dying to hear them, I'm going to throw out my predictions on who will take home the coveted Oscar statue. On the Left will be the nominees and the right my picks.

Best Picture

With best picture I was close. I only missed a couple, but in my defense, the academy decided to only pick 9 instead of 10. Kind of cheap in my book.

My pick for the winner, The Artist. Everyone has fallen in love with this movie and I expect the Academy voters to do the same.

Best Director

I think there were a couple of surprises here and a few got a nod that weren't really on anyone's radar.

I think Hazanivicius is a strong candidate, but expect Alexander Payne to take home his second Oscar.

Best Actor

I kind of bit the bullet on this one, but many were shocked by some of the snubs in this category.

I think this will come down between real life chums Brad Pitt and George Clooney. And I believe Pitt will go home empty handed once again and Clooney will pick up a statue to accompany the other one sitting on his shelf.

Best Supporting Actor

I had Similar Problems with this category as Best Actor, but still pretty close.

There are a lot of solid performances here, but I think veteran Nick Nolte has an excellent chance of winning the award.

Best Actress

Finally I got something right. I picked all of the best actress nominees, but I also think it was pretty obvious who really stood out in 2011.

There are so many great performances and I am torn between Viola Davis and Rooney Mara, but I think I have to give the edge to Davis.

Best Supporting Actress

I was just one off here, but it's one I should have picked but went against my better judgment.

Maybe it's just because I want to see a different kind of winner, but Melissa McCarthy is riding a lot of steam this year and I'm picking her as the dark horse who surprises everyone with a win.

Best Adapted Screenplay

This is tough, but I think Alexander Payne will take home his second statue of the night and The Descendants will prove to be an Oscar power house.

Best Original Screenplay

There are a lot of great entries here, but I think that Woody Allen gets the award for his witty and wildly intelligent screenplay, Midnight in Paris.

Best Animated Feature

There is too much buzz around Gore Verbinski and Rango for me to pick any other film.

Original Score

I was originally going to pick Trent Reznor as the winner for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, but he wasn't even nominated. So, my pick will now go to John Williams who is nominated twice, Tintin and War Horse. My money is on his work on War Horse.

So, there it is, I made out OK, but I want to know how you did. Did the academy get the pics right or did they drop the ball? And, what are your predictions on who will take home the hardware?

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