Yes folks, the time has finally come to dole out our final predications before the 82nd Academy Awards ceremony arrives on our doorstep (well, actually, on our television sets) this Sunday night. Of course we've left off the biggest and baddest category for last; the one that separates the men from the boys, the films you simply must see right away from the ones you can maybe catch some day down the line when they show up on basic cable.
Was the Academy's decision to extend the Best Picture category to 10 films the right idea? Will it help the Oscars nab their biggest ratings in years, or will it just turn out to be another failed experiment in television marketing? Whatever the case may be, there's no denying that these 10 films are some of the best 2009 had to offer.
But which one will win it all? It's a question we all sat with and pondered for months, but now it's finally time to throw all the cards on the table and predict a winner once and for all. Here are your choices:
Best Picture
My Prediction: If you listen to all the Oscar pundits, it seems like it's a two-film race with Avatar and The Hurt Locker racing neck and neck toward the finish line. Some negative press for The Hurt Locker (including a lawsuit and a leaked email) right before Oscar ballots were due could've cost the film an Oscar, though I doubt it affected the outcome one bit. When it comes down to it, however, I still feel like James Cameron's Avatar will ultimately take home the statue for Best Picture since it really is the best all-around movie from 2009, complete with remarkable special effects that will forever change the way we watch movies. Thus, for my final prediction, I'm going with Avatar.
Who Can Play Spoiler: Apart from the obvious (The Hurt Locker), there's been a small but determined campaign going for Inglourious Basterds for a few months now. It's a film that probably deserves a lot more credit than it's received, and if there's a shocking surprise to be found at the ceremony this year, look for it to come from Quentin Tarantino's epic (and awesome) World War II film.
Now, my Fandango Fanatics, it's your turn. Sound off below on the film you feel will win Best Picture at the Oscars on Sunday night...
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