This post marks my third consecutive year attempting to predict winners of the Oscars. The 82nd Annual Academy Awards will be exciting as usual and, with the expansion of the Best Picture category to ten films, every movie has a shot at a golden statue. This year, the two favorite films come from two completely different genres. James Cameron’s Avatar, the most expensive film ever produced (not to mention a favorite by vice president Joe Biden), has gorgeous green-screened and CGI effects, and a fun and engaging story for all ages to enjoy. The Hurt Locker, directed by Cameron’s ex-wife Kathryn Bigelow for about 1/21 of the price of Avatar, has the edge of being an enthralling and tense war film with a perilous, realistic feel to it.

Two years ago I successfully chose 10/14 (71%) of the categories, though I did not predict the full board. Last year I chose 16/24 (67%) of the categories correctly, successfully choosing most of the bigger categories successfully and slipping with the most obscure awards. This year I have once again placed my bets on all 24 categories, and feel confident of improving on my predictions from 2009. Complete picks after the break:

Best Picture: The Hurt Locker

Best Actor in a Leading Role: Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart

Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Christoph Waltz, Inglorious Basterds

Best Actress in a Leading Role: Sandra Bullock, The Blind Side

Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Mo’Nique, Precious

Best Animated Feature Film: Up

Art Direction: Avatar

Cinematography: The Hurt Locker

Costume Design: The Young Victoria

Directing: Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker

Documentary Feature: The Cove

Documentary Short: China’s Unnatural Disaster: The Tears of Sichuan Province

Film Editing: The Hurt Locker

Foreign Language Film: The White Ribbon (Germany)

Makeup: Star Trek

Music (Original Score): Up

Music (Original Song): “The Weary King (Theme from Crazy Heart)”

Short Film (Animated): A Matter of Loaf and Death

Short Film (Live Action): Kavi

Sound Editing: The Hurt Locker

Sound Mixing: The Hurt Locker

Visual Effects: Avatar

Writing (Adapted Screenplay): Up in the Air

Writing (Original Screenplay): Inglorious Basterds, Quentin Tarantino