Thought I might get the ball rolling. This includes my prediction and my reasoning.

Best Picture Prediction: The King's Speech

This is a tough category to pick. The two clear frontrunners are 'The King's Speech' and 'The Social Network' but who will win is incredibly difficult. My reasoning is that TKS has won the PGA which is perhaps the greatest indicator of best picture during awards season. Whilst TSN won the golden globe the two awards do not coincide as much as many may think. TKS will also get an added boost when it sweeps BAFTA.

My Vote would go to... Black Swan

Best Director Prediction: David Fincher

Even if TSN does not win best picture Fincher will. Hooper is too much of an unknown to win where as Fincher has a strong support base within the academy. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button will still be relatively fresh in voters minds as well which will help him pick up votes.

My vote would go to...Darren Anorofsky

Best Actor Prediction: Colin Firth

Firth undoubtedly will win. He has the initial boost from the Globes, he will definately win BAFTA and the SAG is likely. 'A Single Man' will greatly help him due to the fact that many critics chose his performance in that film as the best of that respective year. However, he didn't win due to the 'it's time' factor for Jeff Bridges and it was his first nomination. Now its his second time and 'A Single Man' will be fresh in their minds. Plus if a voter chooses TSN for best picture they may well give their best actor vote to Firth as recognition of TKS in general.

My Vote would go to...Colin Firth 

Best Actress Prediction: Annette Bening

Essentially this category is a two-horse race between Annette Bening and Natalie Portman. I have always believed that the academy favours the 'it's time' factor over the actual performance. This is Bening's fourth nomination and many still believe she was robbed for her performance in 'American Beauty.' She also gave a strong performance in 'Mother and Child' this year which will ultimately help her. Reading blogs along the lines of 'why haven't they won yet?' Bening will usually feature somewhere and this may be the Academy's last opportunity to award her. And whilst this may sound trivial, her marriage to Warren Beaty will also help due to the influence he commands in Hollywood.

My Vote would go to...Natalie Portman

Best Supporting Actor Prediction: Christian Bale

Bale has the momentum to win this award. The critics orgs and golden globes are singing his praises. He will likely win BAFTA and SAG and then the Oscar. Returning to blogging, another title one often reads is 'why haven't they been nominated?' Bale will usually feature in this category. The academy loves method actors and those who go through massive weight changes. Bale's transformation into his role will not go unnoticed. The only thing that can stop him from winning is if he throws a Russel Crowe.  

My vote would go to...Geoffrey Rush

Best Supporting Actress Prediction: Melissa Leo

Early on I would have predicted Helena Bonham Carter or Amy Adams but ultimately this makes sense. She has built momentum from the globes and critics orgs which should propel her to the Oscar. As well as this, Frozen River has a huge fan base among independant film makers who are also members of the academy.

My Vote would go to...Jacki Weaver (seriously, hunt Animal Kingdom down!)

Best Original Screenplay Prediction: Inception

This award could well go to TKS but if Nolan fans maintain their rage about him being snubbed for director (which they should) then voters may desperately try to award him by any means possible. Plus one of the great strengths of the film is the screenplay and most voters will know the story of how Nolan spent a decade on it. Voters love that story.

My Vote would go to...Another Year - Mike Leigh

Best Adapted Screenplay Prediction: The Social Network

This award is all but engraved for Sorkin. People love his sharp dialogue and it was one of the greatest strengths of TSN.

My vote would go to...The Social Network - Aaron Sorkin

Best Animated Feature: Toy Story 3

It is made by Pixar. It has 5 oscar nominations, one of which is for Best Picture. It will win.

My vote would go to...Toy Story 3 (haven't seen The Illusionist)

Best Animated Short:Day and Night (cause its the only one i've seen)

It probably won't win because Pixar shorts don't have as good a track record as feature Pixar films but I had to make a pick so there it is.

Best Foreign Film: Biutiful

I am astounded that 'I am Love' was not nominated but I am still picking Biutiful. For one the academy clearly loves Gonzalez Innaritu with Babel and 21 Grams. Secondly the film has attracted enough attention that Javier Bardem might get nominated for Best Actor. Bardem won't win but this will be a way to award both Innaritu and the film.

My vote would go to...Biutiful 

Best Documentary: Exit through the Gift Shop

Its main competition was going to be 'Waiting for Superman' but with that out of the way ETGS should be fine. It has the critical support and is well known enough that it should take the prize.

My vote would go to...Exit through the Gift Ship

Best Documentary Short: Strangers no more (wild guess)

As I said its a wild guess because I have seen none of them however a number of them have premises which may be too confronting for the Academy. The academy doesn't like controversy if it can help it so my guess is that it goes for the most tame film and from reading the premise of them I would choose this one.

Best Cinematography: The Social network

I really would like to see Wally Pfister win but I have my doubts. The use of colour and light in TSN however is quite brilliant especially the regatta scene. These awards rarely go to the film with the best cinematography but what the voters believe is the best film overrall and despite my own preferences it is clear that the academy prefers TSN to Inception.

My vote would go to...Inception

Best Editing: The Social Network

This award has to go to the frontrunner(s) and the editing in The Social Network is far superior to The King's Speech

My vote would go to....Black Swan (for the seemless transition between Portman's dancing and the body double)

Best Art Direction: The King's Speech

Alice in Wonderland isn't liked enough I believe (despite 3 nominations) to take this award though it richly deserves the award. Voters love period art direction and what better film to award than a clear frontrunner, 'The King's Speech'

My vote would go to...Alice in Wonderland

Best Costume Design: The King's Speech

There is a heirarchy in costume design. First there are period pieces and then above that are English period pieces. Certainly the film shall pick up the award.

My vote would go to...I am Love

Best Make-up: Barney's Version

My prediction is not based on the make-up itself but on the quality of the film. The Wolfman did not have the commercial or critical success to give it a 'public support win' and 'The Way Back' was never given a proper campaign that would leave the film in voters' minds despite my love for Peter Weir.

My vote would go to...The Wolfman

Best Score: The Social Network

If A.R.Rahman can win for his high-tech scoring of Slumdog Millionaire then it shows that the academy is ready to support this new type of music. TSN has the support from the globes as well.

My vote would go to...The King's Speech (despite my love for Zimmer and my hate for Desplat I did quite enjoy this score)

Best Song: Country Strong

It doesn't appear to have much momentum but the academy loves country music. It loves Gwyneth Paltrow and there may be some voters who gave Paltrow a vote to get nominated for Best Actress only to be dissapointed and want to express their love for the film.

My vote would go to...Toy Story 3

Best Sound Mixing: Inception

The tech-heads appreciate Christopher Nolan a lot more and will try to award it here. Many of these voters in the past have also sought to prove the importance of their category by not voting for the clear frontrunner(s) in the Best Picture race.

My vote would go to...Inception 

Best Sound Editing: Inception

For the same reason given for sound mixing.

My vote would go to...Inception

Best Visual Effects: Inception

Inception has the originality as well as the quality. It shouldn't lose.

My vote would go to...Inception

Best Short, live action: Na Wewe (another wild guess)

Another wild guess. Don't bank on it. It was the only one I correctly guessed to get nominated.