Oscars Favorites Bared as Stars Arrive for Ceremony

Hours before the ceremonies begin in Los Angeles, California, movie fans and entertainment critics have come up with a list of this year's possible winners in different categories as the 82nd Oscars ceremonies unfolds at the Kodak Theater Sunday.

For best actor, Jeff Bridges is expected to win the best actor award for his role in 'Crazy Heart' while Sandra Bullock is tipped as this year's best actress.

James Cameron's 'Avatar' is the early favorite to bag the best picture award while Cameron himself is expected to get the best director award. But the 'Hurt Locker' by Kathryn Bigelow is very much in contention for best Picture. Bigelow who was once married to James Cameron is also in contention for best director.

In the meantime, Nicolas Chartier, producer of 'The Hurt Locker' will not be allowed to attend the ceremonies after sending email messages to voters urging them to name the movie as best film instead of 'Avatar'.

In his email, which was sent to members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in late February, Chartier asked members to choose The Hurt Locker over what he described as "a $500 million film" - a clear reference to fellow best picture contender Avatar.

Subsequent emails, posted by the Los Angeles Times, showed Chartier asking Oscar voters to rank his film at number one and Avatar at number 10 among the list of nominated films.

This year's best picture nominees are:

1. AVATAR

2.THE BLIND SIDE

3.DISTRICT 9

4.AN EDUCATION

5.THE HURT LOCKER

6.INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS

7.PRECIOUS

8.A SERIOUS MAN

9.UP

10.UP IN THE AIR

Movie fans predict that Christoph Waltz will win the best supporting actor award for his role in 'Inglorious Basterds' while Mo'Nique is tipped to snatch the best supporting actress award.

Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin host the 2010 Academy Awards

(original article appeared @ Digital Journal )