The nominees for the 2010 Academy Awards were announced today and I’m ecstatic. It’s an awesome lineup this year, largely in part to the Academy’s decision to double the Best Picture category from 5 to 10 nominees to create diversity. It’s definitely a diverse category now with a little something represented from each of the the major categories.

One of the more interesting stories this year involves my favorite movie of last year, Avatar, and it’s impressive contender The Hurt Locker; both up for 9 nominations, including Best Picture and (more importantly) Best Director. Why is this such a big deal? Kathryn Bigelow, director of The Hurt Locker, just happens to also be the ex-wife of Avatar director James Cameron. Fortunately, they are on very good terms and are probably both cheering for each other (while secretly casting the ballot for themselves).

Now, I’m not going to make any predictions. I suck at that but I have an opinion so I’m going to lay out my picks for the nominees I think should win. I’m also only going to cover the categories I’m really interested in. I’m not a sound junkie or costume fanatic, so I’ll stick to what matters to me.

Before we get started, if you haven’t seen the entire list of nominees, go check them out at the 2010 Oscars official website.

Best Picture: Avatar
	If you know me, then this is hardly a shocker. I walked out of the theater in awe. My initial reaction was, “I hate that movie.” Not because it sucked but because it was intensely gratifying for me. So much so that it may have ruined cinema for me until the day I die. I will hug James Cameron if we ever meet. I may also weep openly.
Actor in a Leading Role: George Clooney – Up in the Air
	This was one of those difficult picks for me, but when it boils down to what entertained and impressed me the most I have to give this one to Clooney for his role in Up in the Air. Clooney plays an emotionally disconnected guy named Ryan Bingham who makes his living firing people, which Clooney nailed. Good times.
Actor in a Supporting Role: Christoph Waltz – Inglourious Basterds
	Oh my god! If you haven’t seen Christoph Waltz’s role as creepy, sinister Nazi Col. Landa in Tarantino’s Inglorious Basterds then you are dumb. I’m going to be really surprised if he does not get the win. He’s already grabbed the Globe for this role so let’s just keep the awards and accolades coming his way!
Actress in a Leading Role: Gabourey Sidibe – Precious
	I honestly have not seen this from beginning to end, but what I did see was mind blowing. Gabourey Sidibe plays the title character, Precious, a pregnant teenager who struggles to overcome years of abuse at the hands of her parents. This has to be one of the most intense roles in the category.
Actress in a Supporting Role: Penélope Cruz – Nine
	I haven’t even seen this movie yet, but the previews… whew! I think she spends the entire movie wearing skimpy lingerie. Why would she not win this?! My wife’s favorite line from the movie, “I’ll be waiting for you, with my legs open.” Yeah, that was Penélope’s line. Yeah.
Animated Feature Film: Coraline
	This was fantastic movie! I’ve always been a fan of this particular style of animation, with it’s Tim Burton-esque sense of imagination. It was an incredibly fun movie to sit down and watch with our daughter. It did make me a little leery of dolls with buttons for eyes though. Screw Pixar! I’m sick of them getting all the damn awards.
Cinematography: Inglorious Basterds
	Quentin Tarantino. He’s like a cinematography god. His unique shooting style and eye for perspective were blazing in his latest movie. Literally. One of the best scenes shows an art house style theater going up in flames while heroine Shosanna delivers a death notice on the big screen to a packed house full of Nazi’s. It is nothing short of brilliant.
Directing: Avatar
	To all the critics out there who idiotically argue, “What’s there to direct? It’s all CG!” Shut. Up. You obviously have no idea how a movie like Avatar is produced. If anything, having to direct a cast of actors wearing motion capture spandex outfits would make the task even that much more difficult. Avatar FTW!!

So those are my picks. What are yours? Hit me up in the comment box below and let’s talk about it.