Monday Oscar Odds

Full-fledged, extensive Oscar predictions are coming in January, but I’d like to keep a running list of my predicted nominees up until that point. I’ll expand to include other categories later. For this week, I’ll offer my first official predictions for the top eight categories. Remember to check back in January for analysis and revised predictions, and stay on top of the awards race by checking back at Movies with Abe for Golden Globe nomination reactions (all day December 15th) and SAG Award nomination reactions (all day December 17th). And, of course, check back every Monday for a slightly updated list of Oscar predictions. Please chime in the comments with your thoughts!

Best Picture
An Education
The Hurt Locker
Inglorious Basterds
Invictus
The Lovely Bones
Nine
Precious
A Serious Man
Star Trek
Up in the Air

Best Director
Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker
The Coen Brothers, A Serious Man
Clint Eastwood, Invictus
Jason Reitman, Up in the Air
Quentin Tarantino, Inglorious Basterds

Best Actor
Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart
George Clooney, Up in the Air
Colin Firth, A Single Man
Morgan Freeman, Invictus
Hal Holbrook, That Evening Sun

Best Actress
Abbie Cornish, Bright Star
Helen Mirren, The Last Station
Carey Mulligan, An Education
Gabourey Sidibe, Precious
Meryl Streep, Julie & Julia

Best Supporting Actor
Matt Damon, Invictus
Woody Harrelson, The Messenger
Alfred Molina, An Education
Christopher Plummer, The Last Station
Christoph Waltz, Inglorious Basterds

Best Supporting Actress
Penelope Cruz, Nine
Vera Farmiga, Up in the Air
Anna Kendrick, Up in the Air
Julianne Moore, A Single Man
Mo’Nique, Precious

Best Original Screenplay
District 9
The Hurt Locker
Inglorious Basterds
A Serious Man
Up

Best Adapted Screenplay
An Education
Invictus
Julie & Julia
Precious
Up in the Air