The Oscars are one of the few awards programs I actually look forward to. They regularly honor films that I actually think deserve it. Sure there’s politics involved, but it’s in no way as embarrassing as some fraud program like The Grammys. So let’s look at the highlights real quick:

Avatar is up for 9 major awards, as predicted. And why shouldn’t it be? Sure the plot is recycled (most are, come on) but it really pushed the envelope visually. It’s changed effects based movies forever. Congrats James Cameron.

District 9 is up for 4 notable categories (Best Picture being one of them).

Inglorious Basterds is up for 8 awards including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Supporting Actor for the show-stealing Christopher Waltz.

I’m also happy to see Up! and Food Inc. getting nods.

I feel a little nauseous about Precious and The Blind Side. They feel so cheap to me, in the most sappy and artificial way possible. Mo’nique and Sandra Bullock getting acting nominations? Seriously?! And I love the underlying racism of The Blind Side: any underprivileged minority can make something of themselves, all they need is help from rich white folks.

EDIT: So some one read this and actually thought when I said I “love” the underlying racism of The Blind Side that I actually meant that I loved it, and not that it was ridiculous and unfortunate. I shouldn’t have to make that distinction, but I guess some of us have a hard time reading.

For a complete list of categories and nominees, go here.

What are your Oscar picks?