On to the big dogs; The achievements that will forever be mentioned above actors’ names in trailers for whatever films they do in the future. The exclusive club that includes such Hollywood royalty as Nicolas Cage, Roberto Begnini, Helen Hunt, and Cher. (Yeah, I know: I’m a twerp).

Predictions for Best Actor and Best Actress after the jump.

One of these two categories is a lock, so we’ll begin there.

Javier Bardem owes Julia Roberts a car. She was the one who really championed his nomination in the run-up to Oscar season. Lo & behold it came to be. Bardem is good in this film, as he always is in every one of his films, but he doesn’t do anything with BIUTIFUL that he didn’t already do in THE SEA INSIDE, NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN, or VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA.

Jesse Eisenberg should be awful proud of himself for being nominated so young. Other men nominated before the age of 28 include John Travolta, James Dean, and Orson Welles. That’s some amazing company! Where he goes with it now is what will matter most.

James Franco’s inclusion in the category is hopefully a sign that he has finally turned a corner. He’s always shown a lot of promise, but sadly that promise was being wasted in films like ANNAPOLIS and FLYBOYS. Nowadays, with work like HOWL, MILK, and certainly what he was able to achieve in 127 HOURS (where he carries the entire film)…he is showing us what he is really capable of. If the hosting job doesn’t cushion the blow of losing the award, I’m sure his University studies will…or his poetry writing…or his directing…or his soap opera work..or…

Jeff Bridges’ work in TRUE GRIT frustrates me to no end. It frustrates me because it is miles ahead of what he did last year in CRAZY HEART. But everybody in Oscarland felt the urge to reward him last year: because he’s so well-liked, because it was his time, because, because, because… Proud of yourself now voters? Bridges came right back and gave us something even meatier to gnaw on, but you already rewarded him for a lesser part. And since his name isn’t Tom Hanks, we know he’s not winning.

If there’s a solace to be had, it’s the fact that the guy who should have won last year, is who will win this year. Colin Firth was heartbreaking in A SINGLE MAN, and is about to rightfully get his due in THE KING’S SPEECH. At least in this case, there is less of a disconnect than there was between Bridges two roles. His performance was the stuff of determination, charm, and fortitude and he will rightfully be honoured on Sunday night.

The Hatter’s Pick… Bet the farm on Firth

Best Actress is a tad more unclear, but is only a two-horse race.

Two women are well out of the running, and in each case its a shame. Michelle Williams and Jennifer Lawrence were both illuminating in their respective films, and both had to go to some very bleak places emotionally to achieve what they did. For Williams, it’s another gold star on what is quietly becoming a very impressive resume, and for Lawrence it was a coming out party. Hopefully it’s not the last time we hear either name in this category.

Nicole Kidman is likewise an also-ran in this category, but for her the victory is a return-to-form. After a long string of puzzling role choices in the last decade, she found a role that really gave her a chance to show what she does best. It’s not an easy part, and certainly one that lends itself to melodrama – but Kidman turns it into something deeply moving, and for that lands herself on the shortlist. Don’t get too used to this kind of quality from her yet – her next flick is a Nicolas Cage vehicle.

That leaves the big duke-a-roo, with Annette Bening in one corner and Natalie Portman in the other corner. This is Bening’s third nomination in the category. This time she doesn’t have to worry about getting passed over for Hilary Swank, however she is in a dogfight with an ingenue again. Take Helene Mirren out of the equation, and this certainly has been an ingenue’s category over the last ten years or so…thus, one must give an edge to Portman.

However, it’s a slight edge and one can’t help but feel a slight groundswell of support for Bening. Is that groundswell, and her impressive track record enough to pull a rabbit out of the hat when it matters? Maybe not…but you gotta admit, it’s been a fun race to try and predict!

Ryan’s Pick… Portman by a nose

Whaddaya think folks? Leave comments with your own thoughts on possibilities and predictions of the Best Actor & Actress races.