Best Actor

Will Win: Colin Firth – King George VI in “The King’s Speech”

Having already received a Golden Globe and various accolades from critics all across the board, it would seem that Colin Firth is the frontrunner in the race for the Oscar’s Best Actor award. Firth has received much acclaim for his role as King George VI in “The King’s Speech,” and rightfully so. Perhaps it is the experience he has on his side, going up against young actors such as Jesse Eisenberg and James Franco, or maybe it is just his pure, raw talent that he has going for him. He is already on a roll this year, so it will not be much of a surprise if he takes this prize as well.

Should Win: James Franco – Aron Ralston in “127 Hours”

Although “127 Hours” was not talked about nearly as much as some other films this year, James Franco’s performance as Aron Ralston, a real-life hiker that gets trapped under a boulder, was truly phenomenal. Considering the entire film takes place in a crevice, the weight of the movie rested solely on his shoulders, and he definitely pulled through. I feel Franco and “127 Hours” was unquestionably underrated and he deserves the Oscar.

Dark Horse: Jesse Eisenberg – Mark Zuckerberg in “The Social Network”

Although “The Social Network” soared in popularity this year and definitely made a name for Jesse Eisenberg, he is going up against talented and seasoned actors practically twice his age. After seeing him in his role as Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, the world has definitely taken notice of his acting ability, and I am sure there are many good things to come from Eisenberg. However, I am not convinced he is seriously in the running for the Academy Award. But Eisenberg is only 27 – he has plenty of time left to win awards.