2012 Oscar Predictions: Know the Winners First!

If you're a movie geek like this guy, you'll spend Sunday evening glued to the television watching the 84th Annual Academy Awards on ABC. One way to spice up the occasion is to have you and your co-watchers fill out an awards ballot and create some friendly competition out of the event. In last year's Oscar Prediction Blog, I chose 8 out of 10 categories correctly. This year, I plan to up my game ... a lot. All early indicators are pointing to a HUGE night for the rather unseen, yet wonderful, black and white silent film The Artist.

Best Picture: The Artist

For the final award of the evening, it would be an absolute shock to hear another film's name called. The Artist has been a steady and unmovable frontrunner for the past three months and counting. Ultimately, its closest competitors The Help, Hugo, and The Descendants aren't very close at all.

Best Director: Michael Hazanavicius (The Artist)

As the Academy so often does, Best Picture and Best Director go together like Peanut Butter and Jelly. That thought alone makes Michael Hazanavicius a safe bet for tomorrow evening. Couple it with a DGA win, and Hazanavicius is pretty much a sure thing. His stingiest opposition, Martin Scorsese (Hugo), is merely a crack in the sidewalk to step over.

Best Actor: Jean Dujardin (The Artist)

At this point, you should recognize a theme emerging. The Artist has proved to be a lovable movie, and its leading star, Jean Dujardin, is at the helm of its charm. Unlike the aforementioned races (or lack thereof), Dujardin faces stiff competition from George Clooney (The Descendants). Although hearing Clooney's name called wouldn't be a shock, I still believe that The Artist shows up big tomorrow tonight and Dujardin gets the nod.

Best Actress: Viola Davis (The Help)

As the big evening looms closer and closer, there's been a slight outcry from Glenn Close (Albert Nobbs) supporters. Truth be told, Close and Oscar-regular Meryl Streep (The Iron Lady) won't be able to steal the win from Viola Davis. Unlike the other two ladies, Davis actually starred in a film that most people enjoyed and that will definitely factor into the Academy's decision.

Best Supporting Actor: Christopher Plummer (Beginners)

Perhaps the most undisputed prediction for the evening, Christopher Plummer is the type of pick you bet the farm on. He's swept just about every major precursor award and his field of competition is rather mediocre. Without sounding too risque, Plummer also benefits from playing a homosexual role and the Academy is usually quick to honor such performances.

Best Supporting Actress: Octavia Spencer (The Help)

With an extensive collection of precursor wins, Spencer has set herself up as the clear frontrunner in the Best Supporting Actress race. However, I am not as sold on this selection as most people are. Although I expect her to win, there is a not-so far fetched scenario where Spencer splits votes with her co-star Jessica Chastain (The Help) and the onslaught of support for The Artist propels Berenice Bejo to the forefront. I wouldn't count on such an outside chance, but keep it in the back of your mind.

Here are my predictions in four other categories:

Best Original Screenplay: Woody Allen (Midnight in Paris)

Best Adapted Screenplay: Nat Faxon, Alexander Payne, and Jim Rash

(The Descendants)

Best Animated Film: Rango

Best Foreign Film: A Separation