In the decades that followed the second World War, America’s manufacturing might, from automobiles to TV sets, from appliances to steel to clothing, enabled it to achieve the world’s highest standard of living. Nations looked to America for the products that set the benchmark for quality and prestige. Since the 1970s, when America transitioned to a more service-oriented economy, domestically-made products have been increasingly replaced, first by Japanese, and more recently by Chinese, manufactured goods. Nevertheless, in certain fields, America’s supremacy remains unchallenged.

This is most notable in popular culture, especially in motion pictures. Hollywood’s annual celebration of its majesty will occur this Sunday when the 82nd annual Academy Awards are to be presented. The following is my forecast for the six major awards.

BEST PICTURE: This year, the academy doubled the number of nominated films to 10. While several are undoubtedly Oscar-worthy, especially Quentin Tarantino’s World War II revenge fantasy “Inglourious Basterds” and Jason Reitman’s light though timely “Up in the Air,” the contest for best picture is a horserace between two memorable films that offer a rather stark contrast: one, an ultra-realistic, gritty and haunting war film, the other a lavish 3-D fantasy featuring an alien race of blue-people. 
“The Hurt Locker” follows an American bomb detection squad at the height of the Iraq War. The director, Kathryn Bigelow, makes you feel as if you are right alongside a three member team of soldiers who risk their lives each day attempting to neutralize explosives  planted by Iraqi insurgents while dealing with a less-than-appreciative local populace.
Its rival for best picture, “Avatar,” is the all-time box office champion with domestic ticket sales in excess of $700 million (on a non-inflation adjusted basis. If ticket price inflation is factored, “Gone With the Wind” leads by a wide margin). Because the academy likes to reward big budget spectaculars, look for “Avatar” to take home the Oscar ahead of the more worthy “Hurt Locker.” 

BEST ACTOR: Nearly all of the pre-Oscar buzz has centered around Jeff Bridges, who shines as a has-been, alcoholic country signer in “Crazy Heart.” He gives a great performance but not an epic one, which is why my choice would be Morgan Freeman for his portrayal of Nelson Mandela in Clint Eastwood’s “Invictus.” Freeman does not merely portray Mandela, he is Mandela, much as George C. Scott was General Patton and Ben Kingsley was Gandhi. No less an authority than my South African-born mom confirms that Freeman’s flawless accent and mannerisms mimic those of the revered Mandela. However, this seems to be Bridges’s year. Expect him to take home the Oscar.

BEST ACTRESS: While Meryl Streep has been nominated for the seemingly gazillionth time for her portrayal of the noted chef Julia Child, the leading contenders appear to be Sandra Bullock and Gabourey Sidibe. Bullock, the number one box office star of 2009, plays a wholesome, nurturing foster mother helping to raise a troubled though promising football player in “The Blind Side.” Sidibe, in her first film role, plays the title character in “Precious.” She is terrific as an abused, illiterate teenage mother trying to raise two children in the inner city. While Sidibe’s performance may be more deserving, I don’t think the academy will give the Oscar to a first-time performer. Instead, look for Bullock to win based on her overall popularity and status as one of Hollywood’s brightest stars.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: This one is a no-brainer. Christoph Waltz, an Austrian-born actor, is mesmerizing as a Nazi officer in occupied France in “Inglourious Basterds.” His highly nuanced performance, at times cunning, others charming, but always sadistically evil, is somewhat reminiscent of the late Heath Ledger’s role last year as the Joker in “The Dark Night.” Should anyone other than Waltz win, it would be the greatest Oscar injustice since 1998, when “Shakespeare in Love” won Best Picture over “Saving Private Ryan,” perhaps the greatest war movie ever made.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Another easy call. Mo’Nique, a well-known  comedienne and author (who celebrated full-figured women in her 2003 bestseller  “Skinny Women are Evil”), is outstanding as the abusive mother in “Precious.” Her performance, in concert with Sidibe’s, is head and shoulders above the other four nominees. The Oscar should–and will–go to this multi-talented performer.

BEST DIRECTOR. What makes this contest more intriguing than usual is that the two leading contenders, Bigelow and James Cameron for “Avatar,” are ex-husband and wife. Both are clearly at the top of their game. Because the Best Picture Oscar will probably go to “Avatar,” I think the academy will award Bigelow the direction prize. Bigelow and her ex will be celebrating Sunday night, more likely separately than with each other.

Nathan Mitzner is a junior risk management insurance major. He can be reached for comment at [email protected].