Best Actress: Natalie Portman, Black Swan. Once again, this award belongs to Natalie. She is perfect in Black Swan, and really carries the dark film. The fact that she had never danced in her life before getting the role also speaks volumes about her dedication to the role and to acting. She's so captivating and you really go through her decent with her

Actually she had done some dancing, especially when she was younger, but I don't believe she ever done much ballet, it was mostly musicals, that sort of thing. But there's no denying she was hugely dedicated to the role, even just looking at her figure before starting to train compared to how it is in the film, shows how much work she put in.

(Yes, I'm a big Natalie fan )

This is my first year actually following the all the awards, so I probably don't really know much of what I'm talking about

Best Picture- The only Best Picture nominees I've seen are Inception and Toy Story 3 (I've been wanting to see True Grit, but haven't gotten to yet), neither of which will probably win. I agree it'll probably be The Social Network or The King's Speech, but I don't have much of an opinion since I haven't seen many of the nominees.

Best Director- I was really really disappointed that Christopher Nolan wasn't nominated, and I have seen any of the movies so I have no idea . Isn't the Best Director usually the director of the Best Picture winner?

Best Animated Picture- I have to say Toy Story 3 (I haven't seen How to Train Your Dragon yet either. I really need to watch all the movies before I make any predictions )

Even though Hailee Steinfeld probably won't win, I'm glad to see she was nominated. I've been hoping she'll get cast as Katniss in The Hunger Games, so it's great knowing she's that capable of an actress.

In the technical awards, I'm really torn between Inception and Harry Potter for most of them. I'm thinking Harry Potter for Art Direction, and Inception for Visual Effects (I have a lot of respect for Christopher Nolan using more practical effects than most other directors) but other than that I'm not sure, and having not seen most of the other movies (that's really a problem I'm going to need to correct next year ) I can't really say.

The only award I'm completely sure of who I want to win is Original Screenplay for Inception, I really think the movie deserves it.

After the Director's Guild Awards last night, its looking more and more like The King's Speech is going to come away with the top award on Oscar night. Having already won the prestigious Producer's Guild Award, which usually, but not always dictates who wins Best Picture at the Oscars, director Tom Hooper's win last night is almost icing on the cake. My fingers are still crossed for The Social Network, but it's looking less and less likely.

I enjoyed both The Social Network and The King's Speech. I think I liked The Social Network slightly better, so that's the movie I'm really rooting for for best picture, but I will be pleased if The King's Speech wins as well.

I think best screenplay should go to the Social Network though and Best Supporting Actor to Geoffrey Rush.

The BAFTAs were earlier today. Although they aren't really indication of how the Oscars will turn out, its always interesting to see the results.

As is the current trend, The King's Speech won best picture, although David Fincher won Best Director for The Social Network. As for the acting awards, Colin Firth and Natalie Portman won for Best Actor and Actress respectively, and surprisingly (or not so much so) Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter took home the Supporting awards for The King's Speech. Regardless, I still think Bale and Leo will win the Oscars for these categories.

Just bumping this up in advance of tonight's Oscar presentations.

Also, I viewed The King's Speech this weekend. Excellent film. Colin Firth's nod for Best Actor is well-deserved.

I've only seen 3 of the Best Picture nominees (Inception and Toy Story 3 being the others). Not sure which one I want to win.

(I usually don't actually watch the Oscar show itself, but keep an online eye on the winners as they're announced).

Ah, good idea, stargazer!

So glad you saw The King's Speech. I thought Colin Firth was excellent, but equally, in my mind, did Geoffrey Rush stand out as Lionel Logue, and I hope they both win their respective nominations, as well as the film being voted for Best Picture. Well, Inception might come close.

I actually have no interest in watching the Oscars—too glitzy, extravagant, and narcissistic—but I will read later tonight, or tomorrow, who won in the categories I am curious about this year: Best Picture, Best Male Actor, Best Supporting Male Actor ... also Cinematography, Best Score, Best Screenplay, and possibly Best Director.

The only year I was especially interested was in 2004, when PJ's The Return of the King was anticipated to blow every one away, which it did. I felt badly though, in some ways, because Master and Commander was an excellent film that deserved more recognition than it received. And even that year, I didn't care to watch, but followed the growing list periodically as the winners were announced online. Then we got an ice-cream cake to celebrate PJ's recognized accomplishments: it said on the top 11/11, with a BIG happy face.

EDIT: I do hope Inception wins something!

The one thing I was happy about was Toy Story 3's awards. Though I still think Tangled should have been at least nominated. Even if 'I See the Light' lost in the Best Original Song category, it lost to Toy Story 3 so I'm not complaining.