Copy and paste the introduction from all the other acting awards, as Best Actor is as painfully easy to predict as the rest of them. Jeff Bridges will walk away with the golden statue for his performance as ‘Bad’ Blake in Crazy Heart. Though it might not be the crowning performance of his accomplished career, Bridges will receive a tardy feather-in-the-cap of a solid, yet often overlooked career. But Bridges will beat out a flock of well-deserving players that deserve some praise of their own.

Morgan Freeman has always been a fan favorite ever since his days at Shawshank, and unfortunately that is the only reason he’s nominated this year. Freeman playing Nelson Mandela is a little bit like Keiko starring in Free Willy; it felt more like the role played him. This nomination has sentimental written all over it. Don’t expect Freeman to come anywhere near the stage for this one.

The Hurt Locker will get its share of awards, but acting won’t be one of them. Jeremy Renner delivered a stellar, layered performance that went unnoticed for most of the award season. His nomination, though deserved, was a clear shock to most people, and with no resume of which to speak, his chances of completing the upset are pretty slim. However, if future performances are anything like this one, Renner will certainly have a statue before long.

Colin Firth recently walked away with the BAFTA for Best Actor for his role in A Single Man. In spite of a commandeering performance that garnered only positive reviews, his BAFTA is mostly the result of nationalism. He is not considered a real contender for the award but certainly worthy of the nomination.

It appeared early on that George Clooney would be the clear favorite for his role in Up In The Air. However, like the rest of the movie’s delegation, he lost steam as the award season progressed. Much debate will come in the years ahead in regard to his finest performances, and this one will certainly be in the mix, but it simply ran into the raging bull that was Bad Blake. Look for him to be the runner-up.

Jeff Bridges has the momentum coming into the Oscars, having won nearly every major late season award. Anyone who has seen Crazy Heart knows that he poured his heart into the film, eliciting so many emotions all the while making you feel a little uncomfortable in every scene. He is heavily favored to walk off with this award. It is a truly powerful performance, worthy of both the prize and Bridge’s mantle. I have to say it: “the dude abides.”

Had you asked me in September who I thought would win this award, I would have unflinchingly said Sam Rockwell for his breathtaking one man act in Moon. Long overdue for acknowledgment, the consistent Rockwell fell victim to Hollywood politics, as director Duncan Jones failed to secure an awards campaign from Sony Pictures. Sadly, he was not even nominated but will take home the award for the most glaring omission from the 2010 Oscars, and one of the most glaring in recent years.

Should Win: Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart

Will Win: Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart

Should have been nominated: Sam Rockwell, Moon

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