It looks like Billy Crystal makes an appearance tomorrow on the Oscars for the heavy lifting. James Franco and Anne Hathaway have already said they are not there to judge anyone, which makes one wonder why they didn't get Crystal in the first place.

Oscar Predictions

After having seen virtually all of the nominees, here are the choices for the Oscars. I think it is unusually clear cut this year.

Best Picture: "The King's Speech"

In October, there was no doubt "The Social Network" had taken the lead. Up to that point, only "Inception" seemed Oscar-worthy. "Toy Story 3", as well, but that'll never happen. But "The King's Speech" was the only film I saw last year where people applauded when it finished. OK, I applauded at the end of "Marmaduke" for different reasons. I went in with zero expectations on "The King's Speech" and was taken aback by how good it was.

Best Actor: Colin Firth in "The King's Speech"

Here's your lifetime achievement winner this year. Firth has been nominated a few times. Tough for older Oscar voters. Jesse Eisenberg talks way too fast and Firth stutters.

Best Actress: Natalie Portman in "Black Swan"

Portman even took the Independent Spirit Award and should be considered a shoo-in. And I predict it will be at least 10 years before she gets nominated again. She makes some really odd acting choices. My vote would have gone to Michelle Williams.

Best Supporting Actor: Christian Bale in "The Fighter"

Bale, as ever, absolutely leaps off the screen. Again. I'd watch him in virtually anything.

Best Supporting Actress: Helena Bonham Carter in "The King's Speech"

Probably the toughest one to pick, but Carter is still the standout here, because Melissa Leo was so over the top in "The Fighter" which led to her Golden Globe and SAG wins. This one usually goes early and if Carter wins, "The King's Speech" will sweep.

Others:

Roger Deakins should win for Cinematography for "True Grit".

"Toy Story 3" gets Best Animated Film.

Tom Hooper should get the Best Director nod for "The King's Speech".

All the doc buzz lately has gone to Banksy. He'll win for "Exit Through The Gift Shop".

I saw the Live Short Films today and "God of Love", about a modern-day Cupid, was my favorite. "Na Wewe" will probably win though.

"The Social Network" gets a bone tossed to it, as Aaron Sorkin gets Best Adapted Screenplay. This consolation prize takes place a lot. "Sideways" and "Pulp Fiction" come to mind.

David Seidler will pick up the Best Original Screenplay for "The King's Speech".

Nate Silver gets in on the action.

This guy from Time is doing the 24-hour AMC Oscar Marathon. That would have been ideal here on Friday with all the snow.

Meal of Links

Hate talking on the phone? Here's why.

The economics of "Two And A Half Men". $250 million is in the balance if the show does not return next year. Obviously, a new show makes up some of that, but...

Libyans



I like it when a movie goes above the norm with its title sequences. IFC has its Top 50. Yes, Lola is still running. "Snatch" is in here. "Reservoir Dogs", of course. "Bullitt" gets some love. "Catch Me If You Can" is a classic throwback. "Warriors" with its montage of gangs almost made the top 10. Can't go wrong with any of the top 10.

Exercise Yard

Cleveland State won today and was determined to be a tri-champion of the Horizon League. Didn't matter as Milwaukee and Butler both won and are now seeded through to the league tournament semis. The Detroit loss on the road after the Butler home loss was probably the killer, although losing at home to Milwaukee didn't help. The road to March Madness just got a whole lot tougher, as CSU needs 4 conference tourney wins to advance.

CSU beats Green Bay, 64-57. Should have been over early, as Green Bay only shot 19% in the first half.

Visitor

11 Down: Goldfinger portrayer Frobe (4 letters) Answer: Gert