Oscar Race: Who's In the Lead?

The Hurt Locker
Of all the releases from the first half of the year, this nail-biting Iraq war drama has the best shot at being remembered when the ballots are in.

Invictus
Judging by its strong trailer, Clint Eastwood's tale of Nelson Mandela's interaction with a white rugby team seems to push all the right Academy buttons.

The Lovely Bones
The Oscar-sweeping director of the Lord of the Rings trilogy returns to his moody dramatic roots with an adaptation of Alice Sebold's acclaimed novel.

Precious
Having conquered the film-festival circuit for the past 10 months, the gritty, Oprah-endorsed tale is the strongest indie contender in the field.

Up in the Air
Jason Reitman's dramedy boasts vivid characters, a sharp love story (with George Clooney), and a timely theme of downsizing.

Other possibilities
Avatar
Inglourious Basterds
Nine
A Serious Man
Up

Kathryn Bigelow
The Hurt Locker
She'd be the fourth woman ever nominated in this race.

Peter Jackson
The Lovely Bones
He seems the perfect fit for the book's otherworldly spirituality.

Jason Reitman
Up in the Air
This is only Reitman's third feature, but his confidence shows.

Other possibilities
James Cameron, Avatar
Joel and Ethan Coen, A Serious Man
Lee Daniels. Precious
Clint Eastwood, Invictus
Rob Marshall. Nine

George Clooney
Up in the Air
Two years after competing in this race for Michael Clayton, he returns with perhaps the most appealing star turn of his career.

Colin Firth
A Single Man
The never-nominated Brit landed the role of a lifetime in Tom Ford's period drama — and he makes the most of it.

Morgan Freeman
Invictus
Portraying Nelson Mandela could help the past Supporting Actor winner score his third recognition in this category.

Other possibilities
Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart
Matt Damon, The Informant!
Daniel Day-Lewis, Nine
Robert De Niro, Everybody's Fine
Jeremy Renner, The Hurt Locker
Michael Stuhlbarg, A Serious Man

Carey Mulligan
An Education
The British discovery stands out among an accomplished cast with her unique mixture of precociousness and innocence.

Gabourey Sidibe
Precious
In her first professional acting job, the 26-year-old deftly embodies a troubled teen — and breaks the audience's heart.

Meryl Streep
Julie & Julia
A 16th career nod is a done deal, thanks to her uncanny — and surprisingly emotional — portrayal of the culinary icon.

Other possibilities
Abbie Cornish, Bright Star
Marion Cotillard, Nine
Penélope Cruz, Broken Embraces
Helen Mirren, The Last Station
Saoirse Ronan, The Lovely Bones

Alfred Molina
An Education
The stage and screen veteran's relatable turn as an overprotective dad shows equal parts humor and heart.

Stanley Tucci
The Lovely Bones
After years of impressive work, he's said to deliver the most indelible performance of his career as Bones' child killer.

Christoph Waltz
Inglourious Basterds
The Austrian actor's frighteningly charming quadrilingual SS colonel is the year's most memorable villain, hands down.

Other possibilities
Alec Baldwin, It's Complicated
Matt Damon, Invictus
Woody Harrelson, The Messenger
Anthony Mackie, The Hurt Locker
Christopher Plummer, The Last Station

Anna Kendrick
Up in the Air
Her type-A upstart character could have been a one-note foil, but Kendrick creates real frailty behind her ruthlessness.

Julianne Moore
A Single Man
A scene-stealing turn as a fading British party girl could make her this year's Can you believe she's never won? candidate.

Other possibilities
Mariah Carey, Precious
Penélope Cruz, Nine
Judi Dench, Nine
Vera Farmiga, Up in the Air
Susan Sarandon, The Lovely Bones