Oscar Awards 2011 Predictions

With the announcement of the nominees of the Independent Spirit Awards, the awards season has officially begun. A few early awards has already been given and contenders for each category are emerging. Here are the predictions for likely nominees of the Oscar Awards 2011:

Best Picture
Predictions: The Best Picture category was expanded to ten nominees last year. Fans can expect to see favorites The Social Network and The King's Speech on the nominees list on January's announcement, along with the blockbuster Inception, and indies Black Swan, 127 Hours, andWinter's Bone.

Toy Story may also have a shot as everyone love it. The Kids Are All Right and Russell's The Fighter has both the well-polished grit and the soaring uplift that make Academy voters clap with glee, so that could end up with a nod.

Best Director
Predictions: Tom Hooper for the The King's Speech is a definite as well as current favorite David Fincher for The Social Network. Darren Aronofsky is also a lock in this category, as his Black Swan is so largely a marvel of technique and visual ingenuity.

Christopher Nolan has never been nominated but Inception was certainly his most elaborately realized movie to date, so he is also a sure bet. Danny Boyle is also well-loved by The Academy, and people liked 127 Hours, but might it be too soon for him after his Slumdog win.

Best Actress
Predictions: This is most exciting for the Best Actress category. The war will definitely be between Jennifer Lawrence for her mumble-mouthed determination in Winter's Bone, Annette Bening for her red wine-swilling doctor in The Kids Are All Right, and Natalie Portman for her crazytown high-wire act in Black Swan.

Best Actor
Predictions: This is basically Colin Firth's thing to lose this year for his role in The King's Speech. Competition includes James Franco who endeared himself to critics in 127 Hours and Jesse Eisenberg for his creepy embodiment of Mark Zuckerberg's Kane-like ambition in The Social Network.