2011 Academy Award Predictions: Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress

By: Markos Papadatos, Reporter

The 83rd Annual Academy Awards, hosted by James Franco and Anne Hathaway, are slated to take place on February 27, 2011 at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California.

In the "Best Picture" category, ten films are up for the night's top prize. These motion pictures include "127 Hours," "Black Swan," "The Fighter," "Inception," "The Kids Are All Right," "The King's Speech," "The Social Network," "Toy Story 3," "True Grit" and "Winter's Bone."

Analysis: The two films to watch out for are "The Social Network" and "The King's Speech." Both would be equally worthy of the top honor; "The Social Network" deals with the phenomenon of Facebook, and "The King's Speech" features stellar performances from an all-star cast: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter. If superb acting plays a factor in this year's "Best Picture" race, "The King's Speech" is automatically the frontrunner.

The "Best Actor" race features Javier Barden in "Biutiful," Jeff Bridges in "True Grit," Jesse Eisenberg in "The Social Network," Colin Firth in "The King's Speech" as well as James Franco in "127 Hours."

Analysis: It will not be Bridges since he won last year for "Crazy Heart," nor will it be Javier Barden, especially since his performance is in a foreign language film. The two male acting performances to watch out for are Franco's portrayal of Aron Ralston in "127 Hours," and Firth transforming into King George VI in "The King's Speech." Most likely it will be Firth! He is the most deserving nominee. Hopefully, if Franco continues to deliver top acting performances of this caliber, his time will come as well in the near future.

For "Best Actress," the nominees include Annette Bening in "The Kids Are All Right," Nicole Kidman in "Rabbit Hole," Jennifer Lawrence in "Winter's Bone," Natalie Portman in "Black Swan," as well as Michelle Williams in "Blue Valentine."

Analysis: It is nice to see Michelle Williams in the "Best Actress" lineup. This marks her second career Oscar nomination since her heartbreaking supporting role in "Brokeback Mountain." Jennifer Lawrence was superb in "Winter's Bone," which resulted in her winning the "National Board of Review" award for "Best Actress"; however, the award this year is Natalie Portman's to lose. The only spoiler is Annette Bening. If Academy members base their vote on an actress' body of work, the Oscar will go to Bening.