The Oscars are here. Top film bloggers and directors predict who'll take home some metal

As the 82 Annual Academy Awards unfold tonight, the Academy has incorporated some major changes, the most prominent one being the change in the voting system for the Best Picture Category that has 10 movies nominated under it.



Will it be front-runner Avatar or will The Hurt Locker directed by James Cameron's ex-wife Kathryn Bigelow take away the coveted statue? Sunday MiD DAY checks with some of the most followed film bloggers, and directors for their predictions.

Avatar is the front-runner in the best picture category

Best picture

Nominees: Avatar, The Blind Side, District 9, An Education, The Hurt Locker, Inglourious Basterds, Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire, A Serious Man, Up, Up in the Air

Some strong films have been nominated in this category and have received great acclaim. Yet the toss up is between multi-million dollar Avatar and the smaller film The Hurt Locker based on the Iraq war. Raja Sen, a film critic who also writes at rajasen.wordpress.com says, "Films that have also been nominated in the Best Director category have a more realistic chance of winning.

The Academy is leaning towards Avatar." Somen Mishra, the man behind moifightclub.wordpress.com says though The Hurt Locker is a good film, nothing can beat the experience of watching Avatar.

Upset winner: Up in the Air for its relevance among American public.

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