Even though I’m not a huge fan of making award show predictions -- I usually reserve my esteemed opinion until the tense two seconds before the winner is announced when I shout at the TV screen; this is similar to watching Jeopardy! with me -- this year, I’m changing things up, since this is one of the first times in awhile that I’ve actually seen almost all of the nominated films before the Oscar ceremony takes place. And I can’t pass up an opportunity to publicly reveal my allegiances, so here goes…

Best Picture – Slumdog Millionaire
Best Director – Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
Best Actor – Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler (it’s only too bad little Loki won’t be around for the acceptance speech)
Best Actress – Kate Winslet, The Reader (though I’m really pulling for Anne Hathaway in Rachel Getting Married)
Best Supporting Actor – Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight (duh)
Best Supporting Actress – Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Best Animated Film – WALL-E
Best Documentary – Man on Wire
Best Foreign Language Film – Waltz with Bashir

So what do you think? Are these people actually going to be taking home statues or am I way off base?