HOLLYWOOD—It’s the one phone call anyone in Hollywood would like to receive during the early morning hours that they’ve been nominated for an Academy Award.  We’re only a few days away from the big announcements on Tuesday, January 24, but the big question everyone wants to know is who will be nominated.  Below are my predictions for some of the major categories.

Michelle Williams in "My Week With Marilyn."

Best Actress.  Three women whose names will be called include Meryl Streep, Viola Davis and Michelle Williams.  Glenn Close has received rave reviews for her work in “Albert Nobbs,” so a nomination is likely.  The other slot will perhaps be the surprise, many are expecting Tilda Swinton to be nominated for “We Need to Talk About Kevin,” but my theory is that Kirsten Dunst “Melancholia” or Charlize Theron “Young Adult” will rein supreme.  This is the Oscars so nothing is ever guaranteed.

Best Actor.  George Clooney is a definite nominee for “The Descendants”, along with Jean Dujardin for “The Artist.”  Brad Pitt will receive his third nomination for his stellar work in “Moneyball.”  While Michael Fassbender and Leonardo DiCaprio have received rave reviews for their portrayals in “Shame” and “J. Edgar,” I can’t help but feel that the Academy won’t overlook the work of Gary Oldman “Tinker Tailor Solider Spy” and Demián Bichir for “A Better Life.”

Best Supporting Actress.  This category has a few shoo-ins already with Golden Globe Winner Octavia Spencer for “The Help,” Bérénice Bejo for “The Artist and Melissa McCarthy for “Bridesmaids.”  The other two slots are toss-ups, but I expect both Jessica Chastain “The Help” and Shailene Woodley “The Descendants” to be nominated for their incredible work as supporting players of movies with all-star casts.

Best Supporting Actor.  This is a difficult category to call with only two major contenders between Christopher Plummer “Beginners” and Albert Brooks “Drive.”  Jonah Hill should manage a nomination for his work in “Moneyball.”  “My Week with Marilyn” star Kenneth Branagh should find himself a nominee for his terrific work in the movie.  The final slot is where things will take an interesting turn.  The Academy loves to shake things up, so this is a tough call.  My expectation is that Nick Nolte “Warrior” or Ben Kingsley “Hugo” will take the final slot.

Best Director. Martin Scorsese’s recent Golden Globe win for “Hugo” makes him a frontrunner, along with Michel Hazanavicius for “The Artist;” so expect nominations for both gentlemen.  Alexander Payne can expect another nomination for his work on “The Descendants.”  Woody Allen could garner a nomination for the film “Midnight in Paris,” so expect that last slot to be taken by Steven Spielberg for his epic piece “War Horse.”

A scene from "The Artist" a contender for Best Picture.

Best Picture.  My thoughts are the Academy will return to just five nominees in the Best Picture race so my predictions are based on that notion.  “The Artist” is considered the movie to beat this year, but close on its tail is “The Descendants” as well as summer blockbuster “The Help,” so expect nominations for all three.  My belief is that the Academy loves a stellar sports movie so expect “Moneyball” to nab a nomination.  The last slot is an open field with flicks like “The Tree of Life,” “War Horse” and “Hugo” competing.  It would be a treat to see “Bridesmaids” with a nomination, but my theory is that “The Tree of Life” could nab that final slot. The movie may have baffled audiences, but it’s stellar on so many levels I can’t see it being overlooked.

Well those are my picks.  Do you agree with my choices?  Do you expect others to be nominated?  We’ll see who’s right on Tuesday, January 24 when the 84th Annual Academy Awards Nominations are held.

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