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As I’ve walked through the halls of Fox News lo these past several weeks, there’s one question I keep being asked. “Tariq, old buddy – which 10 films are going to be nominated for best picture this year?” “I’m working on my list, and will let you know as soon as it’s ready," I reply. "And tell Mrs. O'Reilly I said hello.” Okay, so maybe the “Factor” host hasn’t asked me that question (at least not yet), but pretty much everyone else at the network has. Ever since the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced last June that this year’s Oscars will feature 10, not five, best film nominees for the first time since 1943, movie lovers everywhere have been waiting to see how the list will shape up. On Feb. 2 (Groundhog Day), everybody else will find out. You find out today. Because I am never wrong.* -- Tariq Khan *All subsequent hedging and admissions of human frailty were at the orders of my editor.![Best Picture Nominees]()
The Nominees Will Be.... 1. “Avatar” 2. "Up in the Air” 3. “Inglourious Basterds” 4. “The Hurt Locker” 5. “Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire” 6. “Invictus” 7. “Up” 8. “District 9” 9. “An Education” 10. “The Hangover” (Photo: Avatar)![Best Picture Nominees Explained]()
The top six on my list seem all but certain. After that the category is decidedly up in the air. “Up” charmed children and adults alike with its superb animation and gentle storytelling, so it has a strong chance of being only the second film in the genre (after “Beauty and the Beast”) to be nominated for best picture. The alien invasion-themed “District 9” has enthusiastic support from several technical branches of the Academy, and looks like a good bet to join “Avatar” in the top ten despite the general bias against science fiction. The British romantic drama “An Education” has been highly touted since its release last fall due to its fine acting ensemble. And finally, don’t count out “The Hangover” for a possible best picture nod. It was the surprise smash of the summer and even the snootiest of critics loved it. At the Golden Globes earlier this year it defeated the more award-friendly “Julie and Julia” and “Nine” to claim best musical/comedy honors (something which I predicted, I might add.) With the race so wide open, it just might make it in. Of course, I’ll concede that I may be completely wrong, and that you’ll see another four films enter the race. Plausible contenders include the Woody Harrelson Iraq war-related drama “The Messenger,” the animated hit “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” the period piece “The Last Station,” and the Coen brothers’ dark comedy “A Serious Man.” A serious Oscar race, indeed. (Photo: The Hangover.)![Best Director Nominees]()
1. “Avatar,” James Cameron 2. “The Hurt Locker,” Kathryn Bigelow 3. “Inglourious Basterds,” Quentin Tarantino 4. “Up in the Air,” Jason Reitman 5. “Precious,” Lee Daniels (Photo: Kathryn Bigelow.) (REUTERS)![Best Director Nominees Explained]()
Two-time winner Clint Eastwood could get another bid for “Invictus,” though I suspect that he’ll finish sixth in the balloting. Any other name on this list would be a huge shock, but that’s always possible. Maybe Neill Blomkamp for “District 9” or Wes Anderson for “Fantastic Mr. Fox?” (Photo: Quentin Tarantino.) (AP)![Best Actor Nominees]()
1. Jeff Bridges, “Crazy Heart” 2. George Clooney, “Up in the Air” 3. Morgan Freeman, “Invictus” 4. Colin Firth, “A Single Man” 5. Jeremy Renner, “The Hurt Locker” (Photo: George Clooney in "Up in the Air.")![Best Actor Nominees Explained]()
Numbers one through four are all locks. It’s slot number five that seems to be in question. I’m going with Jeremy Renner, based on his inclusion in the Screen Actors Guild competition and the overall support for “The Hurt Locker.” If he doesn’t make it in, watch for the spot to go to Michael Stuhlbarg in “A Serious Man” or possibly even Ben Foster in “The Messenger.” Golden Globe nominee Tobey Maguire in “Brothers” is not out of the question, though the film never quite generated the buzz that it should have. (Photo: Jeff Bridges in “Crazy Heart.”)![Best Actress Nominees]()
1. Gabourey Sidibe, “Precious” 2. Sandra Bullock, “The Blind Side” 3. Meryl Streep, “Julie and Julia” 4. Helen Mirren, “The Last Station” 5. Carey Mulligan, “An Education” (At left, Meryl Streep in "Julie & Julia.")![Best Animated Feature Nominees]()
1. “Up” 2. “Fantastic Mr. Fox” 3. “Coraline” 4. “The Princess and the Frog” 5. “Ponyo” (Photo: "Fantastic Mr. Fox.")![Best Animated Feature Nominees Explained]()
It was an outstanding year for animation, with these five being the cream of the crop. I’ve chosen “Ponyo” over the surprise hit “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” since the former is helmed by previous winner Hayao Miyazaki (“Spirited Away,”) an acclaimed animated film director. “Ponyo” also boasts an all-star cast, including Liam Neeson, Cate Blanchett and Matt Damon. Talk about Oscar bait… (Photo:, “Ponyo.”)FOX411.com Predicts the Oscar Nominations
The rest of the world finds out the Oscar nominees on February 2. You find out today. Because we are never wrong.*
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- FOX411.com Predicts the Oscar Nominations
